April 25 – 27, 2008 turned out to be a very special weekend in Olympia. No, I don’t mean Art Walk or the Procession of the Species. I am referring to the action on Budd Inlet, the Second Annual Black Star Regatta!
Festivities began on Friday night with a practice race. Vicky Sheldon says that there wasn’t a lot of wind but enough to get off two races so people could get used to the starting sequence and gave us a shakedown sail. Skippers and crew came back in and enjoyed socializing and telling sailing tales in the Viewpoint Room at Westbay. The evening ended early and everyone was back on Saturday to get really serious. There were 23 boast registered for the regatta with one skipper and crew coming all the way from Canada.
Off we went at 1000 and spent the next six hours, at times moving rather slowly, but most of the time moving and completing five races. It looked like Norm Smit had it locked for first place but one long race changed the scores a bit. At the end of the day though Norm was still hanging on to first. We only had one boat breakdown, a main halyard, but it was fixed and Steve and Zachery Wezenberg were ready to go on Sunday.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful dinner catered by Tugboat Annie’s, and the good cheer and camaraderie on Saturday night. The room was so full we needed to add a table. Our raffle was bigger than last year and raised enough money for our fleet operations and an increase in what the Budd Inlet Star Fleet is contributing to youth sailing. At 2115, several of us were turning out the lights though and going home to rest our tired bodies.
On, Sunday, we were supposed to start at 1000. We headed out at 1230 and got one race in before the mandatory 1400 cutoff. The last race was sailed in light wind, 2 to 6 knots. The Committee boat end was heavily favored, which caused some close encounters between boats. The race was short but we had enough wind to make it fun. We came back in, settled a few disagreements, and honored the following winners:
Wood Boat Fleet
First Place: Bill Brosius and Marvin
Classic Boat Fleet
First. Place: Norm and Laura Smit
Second Place: Joseph and Jason Donnette and Judy Kruller
Third Place: Derek Decouteau and Linda Koran
Fourth Place: Dave Elliott and Jim Geer
Fifth Place: Ellington Tynes and Kai Singelis
The event could have not occurred without the following people.
Thanks to those who volunteered during the event. Principal Race Officer John DeMeyer, Rob August, Diana Findley, Thera Black, JoAnne DeMeyer, Kelly Coon, Clark McPherson, Joyce Mercuri, Julie Petit, Geoff Raymoure, Ginny Stern, Jan Visser, Don Waterhouse, and Jill Walsh.
Thanks also to the Regatta Planning Committee: Bill Brosius, Jim Findley, Betty and George Hanson, Linda Koran, David Roe, Barbara Stuart, Norm Smit, Judy and Sherwood Smith, John Thompson, Steve Worcester, and Joe Downing.
Myra Downing, Star 6381
We want to thank Myra for organizing the regatta again this year. She, and the Fleet, are already looking to next year. Ed.
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Westbay Marina
Nightwing Studio
Phoenix Inn
Fishtale Brewery
Tugboat Annies
Mike Visser
West Marine
Mayan Restaturant
Bolander Signs
Childhood’s Inn Gallery
Linda Rose Douglas
Harlequin Productions
Barbara Stuart
Joe and Myra Downing
Linda Koran
Julia Smit
Norm Smit
John Thompson
Olympia Supply
Calela’s
Gull Harbor Mercantile
International House of Pancakes
Lincoln Creek Lumber
Storman’s
Orca Books
Fireside Books