We had a great turn-out and a great weekend at the Weta East Coast Championships/North Carolina Governor's Cup Regatta, June 16-18 on Kerr Lake, NC. The three day event started on Friday, June 16th with an on-the-water clinic. Saturday and Sunday, eleven boats participated in two days of good racing (definitely a matter of opinion) that favored those sailors who excel in LIGHT air.
Saturday, just prior to walking up to the skippers’ meeting, we had a nice 6-7 knot breeze out of the north, “OK, this won’t be so bad”. By the time we finished the skippers’ meeting and all the competitors made their way out to the course, the breeze had begun to fade and back to the west at about 3-4 knots. By the time the Race Committee had the course set and were prepared to begin the start sequence, the wind was again coming from the north…and the NW, and the W and the NNW and the NE…up went the AP Flag! The RC tried two starts only to abandon due to a lack of wind. As “they” say, the “third time's the charm” and we were able to make the start stick. Once all four fleets on the south course were finished, the fourth time turned out like the first two. After the race was abandoned, the breeze filled in a bit and we returned to the beach with the best breeze of the day. Although the wind never actually cooperated, after a delicious meal, most sailors returned to their chosen abodes; camping, glamping or hotels for the evening.
Sunday arrived with a decent, fairly steady 9-10 knot breeze out of the north. We were able to make it out to the course, the RC set a fair course and we were able to start the first of three races in winds ranging from 8-9 knots to nothing. Racing was tight with sailors swapping positions during all three races. However, by the end of the day’s third race, the breeze was gone, the lake looked like a mirror and the RC broke out the tow lines.
After two days of sailing in very challenging conditions we crowned the 2023 East Coast Champion - - congratulations to Alan Taylor!
Overall results for the 2023 Weta East Coast Championship/North Carolina Governor’s Cup Regatta were:
1st Place - Alan Taylor, Greensboro, NC
2nd Place - Pete Merrifield, St. Petersburg, FL
3rd Place - Bill Swanson, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
The East Coast Championships presents an additional award recognizing the sailor who ALMOST finished with an overall trophy. We've named it the “Almost Award”. This year the Weta fleet trophies went 3-deep so this year’s “Almost” winner, in 4th place, was Jim Serpa from Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Congratulations to ALL the winners!
A special “Thank You” to all the sailors, and their families, who made the trip up from Florida. By the way, Pete Merrifield won the “Road Warrior Award” and the sailor who traveled the farthest.