4th District Green Star : Races by Class

4th District Green Star

The Gull Lake Star Fleet hosted the 2002, 4th District Green Star, July 20 – 21. Ten sailors from five fleets participated in the event. The racing was very close as the sailors saw varied conditions throughout the four race series. The championship came down to the final race, which saw the strongest wind of the regatta. It was star sailing at it’s best with the entire fleet separated by less than 45 seconds. Race One started at 10:30 AM, Saturday morning. The wind was light, 5 to 8 mph, out of the south. The lake was flat so the competitors could see the wind and keep their boats moving. Local champion Tick Ticknor, and Craig Lockerbie reached the top mark first followed closely by newcomers Greg Smith / T.C. Belco and Mike Blackwood / Scott Reiske. Smith / Belco passed Ticknor / Lockerbie on the run, only to get passed back on the next beat. The two boats went back and fourth over the next three legs as the wind got really light. In the end it was Ticknor / Lockerbie with the win, followed by Steve Rubinkam / Mat Perderson in second, and Smith / Belco in third. Race two would be the toughest race of the regatta. The wind was light, 3 to 5 mph, and the lake was getting very choppy with motor boat waves. The race got started at 12:30 PM with the sailors all working the right side of the course. The fleet reached the weather mark in a big pack, and spread out on the run. Al Covington and Richard Beal sailed a great run and opened up a big lead. They were able to hold on over the next three legs to win the race. Smith / Belco finished second followed by local whiz kid’s Roger Turner / Tony Collard. Racing was cancelled for the day, as the wind couldn’t compete with motor boat activity. Race three got started at 9:30 AM Sunday morning in a nice breeze. The wind was SW at 8 mph and building. Mike Blackwood / Scott Reiske got off to a clean start and opened a sizable lead at the weather mark. Jim Babel and Bill Hawk led the rest of the boats around the mark and put on a charge. The pack brought fresh breeze down the course and narrowed Blackwood’s lead, but the two- time, 210 National Champion showed his grit and held on to win the race. Babel / Hawk finished second, followed by Smith / Belco. Race four was the best of the regatta. The race committee set a large course as the wind continued to build. Smith / Belco sailed a great first beat and led the group to the weather mark. They widened their lead on the run and held off the competition the rest of the race. They got the win, and the Green Star. Babel / Hawk finished with a strong second in the race followed by Turner / Collard in third. It was a great event that saw close racing the entire weekend. Congratulations to all the sailors for a job well done. The Gull Lake Country Club did a wonderful job hosting the event, as everyone had a great time.