2010 International 14 US National Championships

2010 International 14 US National Championships

By Terence Gleeson

The I-14 Nats went down in San Diego, Friday through Sunday, Aug 20-22, and did not disappoint. Ronstan, Sailing Supply, Glaser Sails and North Sails all contributed with San
Diego Yacht Club putting on a first rate event both on and off the water. After
sailing Nats in a breezy Seattle, Richmond, then Gorge the last three years,
there was a movement in the fleet to have a more moderate venue and Summertime
Point Loma brought its typical conditions with breeze ranging from 10-12+,
8-10, and 6-8 kts on the respective days, with a nice south swell creeping in
strong on Sunday..

Day 1: 15 boats came out for the event and started Friday with a double windward-leeward followed by a distance race that was a good 2 ½ hours. The first race went
quick, with Paul Galvez and Guillo Leon de la Barra taking it.The distance race
started in about 12 knots solid but once in the bay a lot of shifts, holes and
puffs worked the fleet plus a good proportion of the US Navy came through and
added some excitement for a few boats. The race started outside the bay and
after a lap went way out to a navigation buoy then way down and in the bay,
past downtown and back up to finish near SDYC. The race was tough with a huge
number of lead changes throughout the fleet and on many legs. Paul and Guillo
grabbed the distance race by seconds close to the finish from Frank Flannery
and John Gray to take the first day honors with two bullets. Kris Bundy and
Jamie Hanseler sat in 2nd with 5 pts, followed by Flannery/Gray w/ 6 and local
team Brad Reutinek and Patrick Murray with 7.

Day 2 started with a long sail out to the race course, well down and beyond most of the kelp line with a goal to get 4 races in. The PRO and RC did a great job throughout the
event setting good lines and keeping things moving. Brad and ‘Trick started the
day well taking the first race with Flannery/Gray getting second. With
Bundy/Hanseler 7th, and Paul & Guillo 4th it looked like things could shake
up quickly. That was not to be, with the next 2 races going steadily with Paul
& Guillo scoring a 1, 1, Brad/Trick 2, 2 and Bundy/Hanseler with a 3, 3.
That left most the rest of the fleet fighting for the following places, but
there was plenty of racing happening at those levels and lead/place changes
happening throughout.

Day 3 was seemingly easier conditions but with lighter breeze, a bigger swell, and a closer course that held a bit more kelp, it proved a bit difficult. Staying
fast, balanced while working the swells, avoiding kelp and working a favorite
right course position were the keys to the day. Paul & Guillo came into the
day with a great scoreline that included a 4 point lead that could hold with
throwouts, followed by Brad & Trick and ’07-’09 National Champs
Bundy/Hanseler close behind. Paul and Guillo lead early in the first race, but
Brad and Trick passed them on the run holding on to win the first race. Both
boats avoided a 4 boat starting line pile up in the second race, with Brad and
Trick pulling out another bullet with Galvez scoring a throwout race. Now with
momentum on their side, Brad and Trick put the hammer down in lightening breeze
and really worked the next race taking the lead early and holding to win. We
weren’t certain if the RC would run a 4th race, but all of the competitors
finished the 3rd race quickly and the RC went into pre-start for the final
race. All of the boats got off the line well, Brad and Trick won the boat and
immediately tacked out, while Paul and Guillo had a great start on the left
side which may have been slightly angle favored, but the pressure came on in
the right corner which Brad and Trick sailed to early and held on for a wire to
wire win. Excellent sailing by Brad Reutinek and Patrick Murray on USA 1161
'Astragulus', coming back on the final day with a perfect four bullet scoure,
and becoming the 2010 International 14 US National Champions!

Congratulations Brad and Trick!

Notable in the rest of the fleet: Geraldine Lampert, the solo female this year sailing with new crew, Jorge Suarez, sailing very consistently through the regatta; as were
fleet legends and former National Champions in there own right, Alan Laflin and
Eric Arens. Alan and Eric are both in their 70’s and still bringing it in these
high performance skiffs. That is, these guys have combined, over 90 years of
experience racing I-14’s. (Yes, you read that correct); Fleet newcomers, Dustin
Durant and Shane Young improved throughout the regatta and look forward to
more, as does new 14er, Steve Natvig sailing on USA1117 w/ Jake Sorosky with a
solid 6th place showing and for the youngest/lightest sailor in the fleet, 15
yr old 29er sailor, JP Barnes, pulling strings for me on USA1147 and finishing
4pts behind Jake and Steve. JP did a heck of a job pulling on that big kite all
weekend and is looking forward to a bright and fast skiff future ahead of him.

Next west coast Regatta is Labor Day at ABYC, then the fleet is off to Hawaii for the Pacific Rim Championships held in Kaneohe Bay in early October. For more info, check us
out at http://www.i14usa.org or international site:
http://www.international14.org

All Photos: Renee Speak-Reutenik

Results: http://sdyc.org/raceinfo/results10/i14nats_res.htm

More Photos from SDYC: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdyc/sets/72157624792074638/

-TG, USA 1147