Author: Michael Radziejowski

 This year, US Nationals was held at the Gorge. It’s been a while since we’ve been here, and it lived up to the expectations set by every past event held at this incredible venue.

It was a lightly registered and attended event — 9 boats registered, 8 attended. Maybe the threat of sailing in mid-20s breeze was a deterrent for most. But those who did attend had a blast and enjoyed everything the Gorge threw at us.

The plan for Friday’s racing was an initial “warm-up” race, followed by the long-distance race. The breeze was already well into the upper teens, with expectations that it would continue building. The race committee (RC) ultimately chose to skip the warm-up and go straight to the distance race. There was some initial discussion about moving it to a different day, but the forecast for the next two days was about the same. The Melges and 505s joined us for the distance race. Although we were originally scheduled for the first start, we requested to be third to give us more time to reach the line.

The race began well for the many boats that started, with most making it to the weather mark — led by 1204, followed by 1159, with 1206 and 1198 rounding a bit further back. It thinned out from there. 1204 and 1206 exchanged places a couple of times. At one point, 1206 ran into a kelp patch and ended up dragging 50 lbs of weed on both the centerboard and rudder, requiring a forced upwind capsize to clear it. The race came down to the long downwind leg to the distant leeward mark. In the far left corner, 1204 got caught up with the Melges and stuffed it with the kite up. Meanwhile, 1206 had a smooth downwind, choosing to sit in about three-quarters of the way down to maintain stability and keep the boat upright. 1206 doused and two-sail jibed around the leeward mark, then headed on the long upwind beat to the finish, followed at a distance by 1204. Rounding out the only other boat to finish was 1198. Kudos to everyone who attempted the race, and congrats to 1206 for pulling off a great distance race win to open the regatta.

Saturday brought the strongest breeze of the weekend, with five races scheduled. We ended up doing only two, mostly due to sitting around for an hour between each race, trying to save energy and keep the boat upright. The racing was exciting. All boats started on a standard starboard tack, but 1206 opted for a port tack start, believing the current and breeze made it favorable — despite the worse chop. This required ducking 1204 and 1198, but they hit the line with speed. The racing was intense, with 1204 and 1206 again trading positions around the course. In the end, 1204 edged out 1206, taking the win in both races — but it was oh so close. 1159 followed with third in each race, and 1198 brought up the rear, finishing both races as well.

Sunday started a bit lighter (by Gorge standards) but built to a solid breeze for Race 3 and eased slightly for Race 4. 1204 continued their success from Saturday by taking the first race of the day, followed closely by 1206. Five more boats successfully finished, making for a strong start. 1206, tired of near misses after their distance race win, came out firing for the next two races, swapping places with 1204. Seven boats finished Race 2, and five finished Race 3. The regatta was tied after six races, with 1206 leading on countback. But it felt wrong to have just six races for Nationals, so — without hesitation — those still on the course voted for a fourth race of the day: the regatta decider.

Racing was neck and neck until 1206 botched a jibe near the port gate rounding, leading to the reaching mark. This gave 1204 a nice buffer on the final reach, leeward, and windward legs. 1202 passed 1206 while they were recovering, only to stuff their own jibe. 1206 recovered and finished second, followed by 1198, with 1202 closing out the regatta.

Congratulations to 1206 (Clark and McDonald) for winning the distance race. And congratulations to 1204 (Radziejowski and Sjostedt) for winning the Nationals. I rave about Huntington, but the Gorge is even better. I’d even say it’s likely better than Garda. We’re lucky to have such a venue so close. Even Cam McDonald (thanks for coming all the way from Australia to race!) commented on how ridiculously good it is. I’m sure he’ll want to be back.

-John Clark, USA 1206