KO V15 Circuit # 3
Galveston Bay Champs
July 12 - 13th, 2003
Results

Galveston Bay Champs Wrap Up
by Andy Buckingham, # 131

I arrived into HYC with my vanguard behind me around 7pm Friday night, fresh off a seven-hour drive from Abilene. Upon my arrival, my crew who I had only met once before was waiting for me with margaritas in hand! There was something special about this weekend I could tell already. After a great Friday night at John Kolius’ house where the fleet enjoyed an awesome shrimp boil sponsored by KO Sailing and then later some pool and shuffleboard over at the Chantilly Room, I realized on the way to crash on a couch just how key it was that this club wasn’t going to start a race before noon the next day.

The afternoon breeze came in nicely on Saturday, and the race committee took full advantage of it. The first two races where sailed in six to twelve knots of breeze, great conditions to start off the regatta. Kenny Wolfe started off strong with a 1,3; with Alex Ascencios, John Kolius and Ryan Glaze hot on his trail. That would continue to be the story for the rest of the weekend, even as the conditions continued to change themselves.

Race three was similar to the first two races with the exception that an ominous looking cloud out in the bay was slowly moving itself towards the fleet. It was going to affect the course area, the only question was when. It started to make its presence as the leaders were rounding the top mark for the last time. Brent Marsden and Heather Noel found themselves in the right place at the right time, and made the most of it to take the bullet. By the end of the race the breeze had picked up considerably, and people where dropping pins and even a few masts in the process!

It must be mentioned that all day Saturday, Alex Ascencios’ J-120, Accumulator and Ethan Brown’s Catalina 35, served not only as a spectator boat that actually cheered, but also as a bumping bar! Where one could hang with the honeys, ask for local expert advice, or just take a dip with the crowd hanging around the back. They were strategically placed off the starboard side of the line allowing for quick but necessary consumptions of beer and rum drinks; and water too. An on the water oasis where you could take the edge off, what a regatta!

Race four got underway with a good breeze that started around 16-18 knots and gradually dropped as the cloud moved on. The top guys where able to make the right adjustments and continue their battles at the top. The last race of the day was sailed in breeze similar to the start of the day. After five races, a full day of Texas sun and bay breeze, it felt good to cross the line and head for the docks; though not knowing exactly what to expect for the evening that lie ahead.

The majority of the fleet gathered in the pool or by the keg at the Beachcomber to recount the events of the day and again, take the edge off. Above and beyond the display of a great club, back massages were offered by two professional masseuses; what yacht club thinks of that? Then a curried chicken dinner sponsored by SteaKountry was brought out as the competitors showered up. The highlight of the night was definitely the band, Sanza. A solid reggae group that kept us moving our feet while we slowly took over the bar. What do great regattas have in common? Great regatta parties! This one ranked up there, and I feel sorry for all those who missed out.

We all awoke to find the wind nowhere really. After a time of floating around and licking our wounds from the night before, the race committee was only able to get one race off as the breeze finally filled in. Kenny Wolfe and Jen Doreck showed why they were the champions of the weekend, finishing with the bullet. John Kolius and his crew Kelly Ann (who is still a little bitter that Abilene is farther from Houston than New Orleans) couldn’t make magic happen on the right side of the last down wind leg and had to settle for a well-deserved second. The racing for third needed another race, but would have to deal with just the one. Ryan and Jana Glaze were able to stay on top of Alex Ascencios and crew Mike “Jonesy” Jones who took fourth and the author and his crew Dana Bethancourt, rounded out the top five.

A great weekend was had by all as far as I could tell. As the competitor that traveled the furthest to make this regatta I can without hesitation tell you it was worth every mile down there and back. The only thing that could have made this regatta better would have been to get another fifteen boats on the line. I hope to see you out there next time!