Event Reports

2nd Morgan Black International Regatta

Following on from the inaugural regatta in 1996, hosted by Radio Yacht Squadron Nelson (RYSN), the American yachtings have organised the second regatta.

The regatta was held in Charleston, South Carolina, between 07 - 10 October 2009.

Results, and Reports, from the Morgan Black regatta can be viewed at www.ec12.org

Interim report from Rick West.

Seven countries were represented with three; Australia, New Zealand and Canada traveling the distance. Five USA National Champions were present and five regional champions. Peter Morris of Australia is the current National Champion there and also won the New Zealand National Championship this year. Chris Harmer of New Zealand is a Match Racing National Champion. None of these fine sailors won this event.

By design this was not the largest for an event we have seen but presented the most skilled competitors in fleet racing. Thirty-six positions were offered and thirty were filled for a two-fleet promotion-relegation event. The battle to hold a position in A Fleet was a constant process. Moving up from B Fleet was fierce. Through this it became one of the most contentious events I have ever witnessed.

Weather conditions were reasonable but warmer than usual for this time of the year. The first day was with a NE breeze over the eastern 500 foot course. The second day it switched to the SE producing long reaching tacks with the air varying all day from one to eight miles an hour throughout the course. The last day it clocked to the south and a lot fresher. This was not the best in general and the northern course would not have been better. It was a time for those that could adapt to a race course that presented several different conditions over the 2-1/2 laps used for this event.

The first day of racing closed with Baron Bremer of Jacksonville in the lead. Five races were completed that day after four seeding heats. At the finish of the second day Rick Gerry of Charleston climbed through the fleet to lead the event 20 points over Reichard Kahle. Rickey started the last day scoring steady low numbers all day to win the event holding the spread over Reichard. It was a convincing win and one of the most popular I have observed in my 10 years of national racing.

Rick Gerry sailed the same boat he had when I met him a decade ago; the old beat up and scratched Dumas hull that has had far too many cutesy paint jobs. Even the usual brightly colored King of the Elves scheme on the sails was faded and worn. Not him though. He sailed brilliantly and carefully smart (fast), stayed out of trouble and yielded a point rather than contend to fate and a worse position. He was above the best we have seen him be and the calmest I have ever seen him on the race course. It was a deserving win for a fine young man and it was glorious to watch. Rick Gerry is a World Champion.

Jim Linville wanted to contribute for the wonderful experience he had at the last Worlds. He came down from Massachusetts to be Race Director. Bud Cassidy is very active in the Naples Florida Club (largest in the nation) and donated his time and effort for Race Officer. Doug Wotring, our Internet cop and road warrior came in from Pennsylvania as Scorer and rubber boat captain. Bill Coates has supported this Class by participating on shore for every Class event at Charleston. Our thanks to his willing assistance goes way back. It was an unexpected pleasure to see John McMillin cruising the shoreline snapping pictures. Having done so, he presented me with individually cased discs to be given to every guest and competitor at the banquet of all his shots. Thank you. A year ago I ask my good friend Captain Fred Maurer of College Station Pennsylvania if he would prepare the trophies for the Worlds. He is a master craftsman, a kind and gentle man with a huge heart. He and his group hosted the 2002 NCR in a ditch and made one of the more fun NCRs in our history. He prepared a magnificent set of trophies with hand shaped segmented wood art forming the EC12 on a fine wood plaque. All was professionally finished and stunning. Thank you, Fred for your generosity.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Kiwis, Chris Harmer and Brian Hogg for their enthusiasm, great sportsmanship, good humor and good manners. Merrilee and I hosted them in San Francisco and at our boat over four days and I flew with them to the event where they were the hit of the regatta. Brian received one of Fred’s trophies for the highest place amongst those traveling internationally to the event. They were a fine representation of their country and the EC12 group there. Australia has been asked to host the next stop in the Morgan-Black in 2012.

1 Gerry Rick USA 65
2 Kahle Reichard USA 82.3
3 Kelter Gerhard SWE 120
4 Bottensek John USA 129
5 Rieck Tony NZL 131
6 Rinehart Mark USA 133
7 Bremer Baron USA 141
8 Brawner David USA 142
9 Ramos Dave USA 144
10 Hedderick Dick USA 147
11 Wubbe Jack USA 167
12 Perkins Alan USA 183
13 Greer Bob USA 187
14 Brown Bob USA 207.6
15 Kakavas Chris USA 208
16 Hogg Brian NZL 212
17 Morris Peter AUS 216, did not sail the entire event.
18 Germer Tom USA 220
19 Vernon Scott USA 245
20 Delaney Paul CAN 266
21 Harmer Chris NZL 298
22 Gerry Dick USA 325
23 West Rick USA 333, did not sail the entire event.
24 Ward Jack USA 363
25 Deher Herb USA 378.6
26 Miller Ken CAN 395
27 Gray Martin IRL 406
28 Atkinson Ed GBR 427
29 Donohoe Jim USA 463

2009 National EC-12 Championship Results:

Results of the 2009 Fleet Racing competition.

A full schedule of results is also available for viewing or download (180KB PDF) - NZEC12OA Fleet Racing 2009

© 2009 NZEC12OA