International 14 US National Championships
Results - Photos
The I-14 Nats went down in San Diego August 20-22 and did not disappoint. Ronstan, Sailing Supply, Glaser Sails and North Sails all contributed with San Diego Yacht Club putting on a first rate event both on and off the water.
After sailing Nats in a breezy Seattle, Richmond, then Gorge the last three years, there was a movement in the fleet to have a more moderate venue and Summertime Point Loma brought its typical conditions with breeze ranging from 10-12+, 8-10, and 6-8 kts on the respective days, with a nice south swell creeping in strong on Sunday.
Day 1: 15 boats came out for the event and started Friday with a double windward-leeward followed by a distance race that was a good 2 ½ hours. The race started in about 12 knots solid but once in the bay a lot of shifts, holes and puffs worked the fleet plus a good proportion of the US Navy came through and added some excitement for a few boats. The race started outside the bay and after a lap went way out to a navigation buoy then way down and in the bay, past downtown and back up to finish near SDYC. The first race went quick, with Paul Galvez and Guillo Leon de la Barra taking it. The distance race was tough with a huge number of lead changes throughout the fleet and on many legs. Paul and Guillo grabbed the distance race by seconds close to the finish from Frank Flannery and John Gray to take the first day honors with two bullets. Kris Bundy and Jamie Hanseler sat in 2nd with 5 pts, followed by Flannery/Gray w/ 6 and local team Brad Reutinek and Patrick Murray with 7.
Day 2 started with a long sail out to the race course, well down and beyond most of the kelp line with a goal to get 4 races in. The PRO and RC did a great job throughout the event setting good lines and keeping things moving. Brad and ‘Trick started the day well taking the first race with Flannery/Gray getting second. With Bundy/Hanseler 7th, and Paul & Guillo 4th it looked like things could shake up quickly. That was not to be, with the next 2 races going steadily with Paul & Guillo scoring a 1, 1, Brad/Trick 2, 2 and Bundy/Hanseler with a 3, 3. That left most the rest of the fleet fighting for the following places, but there was plenty of racing happening at those levels and lead/place changes happening throughout.
Day 3 was seemingly easier conditions but with lighter breeze, a bigger swell, and a closer course that held a bit more kelp, it proved a bit difficult. Staying fast, balanced while working the swells, avoiding kelp and working a favorite right course position were the keys to the day. Paul & Guillo came into the day with a great scoreline that included a 4 point lead that could hold with throwouts, followed by Brad & Trick and ’07-’09 National Champs Bundy/Hanseler close behind. Paul and Guillo lead early in the first race, but Brad and Trick passed them on the run holding on to win the first race. Both boats avoided a 4 boat starting line pile up in the second race, with Brad and Trick pulling out another bullet with Galvez scoring a throwout race. Now with momentum on their side, Brad and Trick put the hammer down in lightening breeze and really worked the next race taking the lead early and holding to win. We weren’t certain if the RC would run a 4th race, but all of the competitors finished the 3rd race quickly and the RC went into pre-start for the final race. All of the boats got off the line well, Brad and Trick won the boat and immediately tacked out, while Paul and Guillo had a great start on the left side which may have been slightly angle favored, but the pressure came on in the right corner which Brad and Trick sailed to early and held on for a wire to wire win. Excellent sailing by Brad Reutinek and Patrick Murray on USA 1161 'Astragulus', coming back on the final day with a perfect four bullet scoure, and becoming the 2010 International 14 US National Champions!
Congratulations Brad and Trick!
Notable in the rest of the fleet: Geraldine Lampert, the solo female this year sailing with new crew, Jorge Suarez, sailing very consistently through the regatta; as were fleet legends and former National Champions in there own right, Alan Laflin and Eric Arens. Alan and Eric are both in their 70’s and still bringing it in these high performance skiffs. That is, these guys have combined, over 90 years of experience racing I-14’s. (Yes, you read that correct); Fleet newcomers, Dustin Durant and Shane Young improved throughout the regatta and look forward to more, as does new 14er, Steve Natvig sailing on USA1117 w/ Jake Sorosky with a solid 6th place showing and for the youngest/lightest sailor in the fleet, 15 yr old 29er sailor, JP Barnes, pulling strings for me on USA1147 and finishing 4pts behind Jake and Steve. JP did a heck of a job pulling on that big kite all weekend and is looking forward to a bright and fast skiff future ahead of him.
