TOUCHÉ WINS THE RED JACKET IN 2003 LPRC
In the traditional two weekend series of 5 races that constitute the Lake Pontchartrain Racing Series, Dennis Cheuvron’s C&C 35-1 Touché from Pontchartrain Yacht Club had a nearly perfect regatta to win Class E and overall to take the red jacket with a 1,1,1,(2),1. Sponsored by New Orleans Yacht Club, Pontchartrain Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club, and Tammany Yacht Club, this year the rotation found the series starting in Mandeville at PYC on Saturday, October 25, with an 18 nm distance race over to TYC in Slidell. This was followed on Sunday, October 26, by 2 custom W/L courses. The following weekend, there was a second distance race from TYC to SYC on Saturday November 1 and a single final custom race out of NOYC on Sunday. The weather was a huge issue the first weekend. Race #1 went off without a hitch, but a front was scheduled to come roaring through the following day bringing heavy winds, rain, and cool temperatures. However, Paul McCaskell, this year’s LPRC Chair, sacrificed himself to the weather Gods Saturday night, and the following day the winds were light and shifty, with only a light mist that began to fall after sunset. On the second weekend, the weather was absolutely fine, although the heavier boats could have benefitted with more breeze.
The competition in Class A was fierce with the usual smattering of rock stars and one design sailors. Bob Maher’s J-130 Java nailed most of her starts and generally was on the smart side of the course to capture 1st overall in the fast boat class. Michael Finn’s J-90 Surfinn took two bullets on the second weekend to win a tie for 2nd place. Son Ryan Finn has been single handing Surfinn in preparation for a singlehanded TransPac in recent races, and father and son are just back from having taken their J-160 Kativa to win the Charleston to Bermuda Race. Tying Surfinn with 9 points overall was the Eagan’s hot rod Mumm 36 No Fear, but losing the toe-breaker they settled for 3rd in class. No Fear is a light air up wind machine easily holding her own against the larger J-130s, but when the breeze picks up over 10 knots, the longer waterline of the J boats has the advantage.
In class B, Scott Sonnier again this year took 1st overall on his Judel/Vrolijk 40 (ex Ocean Storm) Sudpack. In a very close match, Alan Robson’s J-35 Footloose took 2nd in class just one point behind Sudpack. Tom Berry rounded out the class with a 3rd in his J-35 Man-O-War. In class C, Bill Provensal’s Cal 48 Tiare, placed 1st overall. With Benz “the magic man†Faget on board in the first race, Tiare captured the “boat of the day†honors over Java who took fleet and line honors in that race. Stanton Murray on his Beneteau 36.7 Bent Toe took 2nd overall in Class C followed by Jeff Guice and Troy Cruthirds on the Soverel 33 Manhattan Magic in 3rd. In Class D, Bill Marchal and Bill Wright took the Redline 41-1 Whistling Wind II to first place with a remarkable 4 firsts and a throwout 3rd. NOYC board member Ryan Bancroft brought his B-25 Prianha in for a 2nd in class overall, while Bill Meyers’ C&C 35-3 Spray came in 3rd. In class E, Touché won it all, while Porcher Miles took his Pearson 30 Flyer Pogo in for 2nd place. Harley Nethken brought his J-30 Land Shark in for 3rd place. In class F Shawn O’Daniels in his newly restored Peterson ½ ton Fair American took a 1st place overall. Many will remember Shawn’s enormous generosity in getting Fair American ready for Challenge Cup, this year winning his class for NOYC that gave us the win overall. His success was an upset over former red jacket winner Steven Choate who sailed his Wavelength 24 The Bear to a 2nd place this year. Third in class was owned by Wayne Connelly on his Hunter 34 Cool Change. Only 2 points separated the top three in this class. In class G, Macho Slavich’s newly rigged S-2 7.9 Bad Dog outbarked his competition for a 1st place overall. Andy Hall’s Capri 25 Absolut fell in line for a 2nd while George Tillman’s S-2 7.9 Getaway took a 3rd. In non-spinnaker class H, Tom Stokes Pearson 36 Free Spirit captured class honors, while Tom Glew on his Hunter 40 XTC placed 2nd. Stephen Jones on his Irwin 27 Endeavor came in 3rd in class.
Overall, the regatta was a great success. The weather was wonderful, unlike several other years that saw drifting conditions or storms, and the parties were terrific. The number of registered boats was down this year, like other area regattas, and there were complaints about several issues. But the LPRC is a unique event in the GYA, and it is up to the participants to keep it alive through new ideas and suggestions. These, of course, are always welcome and can be collected by this year’s Chair to pass on: paul@noyc.org.
