2009 Eagle Creek Sailing Club’s Mayor’s Cup
Hobie Wave Class Midwest Championship
- Reports by Mike and Carol Fahle
Last year I did not attend this event; then I read about it in Catamaran Sailor and wished I had. This venue is a small inland reservoir in Indianapolis, Indiana so the water is always smooth. Even when the wind blew straight down the length of the reservoir at over 20 MPH the waves were only a foot high so it was much easier to stay dry than if we had been sailing on Lake Erie where I live. There the waves could be 3 – 4 feet high in that much breeze and it would have been more challenging and uncomfortable in chilly water.
The temperatures warm significantly faster in the spring only that much further south (from Toledo) so the water was chilly but warmer than at home and not so bad after a couple dunkings on Saturday. It was a challenge for us to stay warm enough when the predicted cold front came through with wind and rain mid day on Saturday but we took refuge in between races on shore at “Hobie Beach” where a large group of local catamarans have convenient access and storage at the water’s edge. There was a couple there at the north edge of the beach in the lee of the woods with their charcoal grill going that we huddled around. They even had two mummified looking leftover hot dogs that Ray Matuzak ate for either warmth or sustenance. Then they graciously threw on more charcoal just to allow us to come back for more warmth after the next race. They had a picnic table cleverly built into their Hobie 16 trailer that was handy.
We had arrived Friday afternoon to set-up the Wave (so much trouble; I think it took us about 15 minutes!) and go practice racing with the group who had earlier gone to the Indianapolis Speedway with host, Skip Kaub, the local sailor who has originated and organized this event for the Wave class.
Wave Fleet meeting Tony Kanan, Series Points Leader for IRL Group in Front of World Famous Pagoda
It was warm, sunny and there was a building breeze, so Carol joined me on the Wave I was borrowing from her to race this event. We had raced together for many years on a Tasar, a Hobie 18, and a Mystere 6.0 to great effect but the last few years I have mostly raced single-handed small boats while still racing big multihull and keel boats with full crews. It was pleasant to sail together and the Wave is very good at accommodating two. We told everyone that since we had two on board that they had to give us twice as much time and they responded that because we had two on board we had to sail in HALF the time they did. This is a great group to race with because most of the competitors are very experienced and excellent racers who love to have a good time.
After the practice racing we met at Skip’s house and, WOW, what a great place he has on a different reservoir northeast of Indianapolis on Morse Lake. Skip has provided eight Hobie Waves and created an organization to get newbies into sailing and racing. He generously makes boats available for locals to give cat racing a try and a couple of them joined us for this regatta. He also generously got the interested “motorheads” into the brickyard to meet some racers and look around (like last year) besides providing all of us with a great place to meet and an excellent dinner.
Watching last day of practice prior to qualifications Dinner at Skip’s
After dinner I conducted a PowerPoint rules seminar on his big screen T.V. to explain the new rules (and the old ones) and offer some insights on tactical considerations. This is especially important in the Wave class because the boats are much closer in speed and stay together more than in other cat classes. This makes for tight racing all the way around and up and down the course so knowing the rules well pays off regularly. Since the boat is so easy to prepare, you have more time to spend on better understanding the rules. (NOTE: I will include the rules resources page from my presentation with this article because it is easier now than ever to learn the rules and it is simply inexcusable to not learn and understand them).
Mike Fahle conducting rules seminar Applying and discussing the rules
The Eagle Creek hosts were on top of their game and provided good courses (the RC chairman was an old Hobie 18 sailor who remembered me from when Carol and I raced there in the eighties and won the Hobie 18 Indiana State Championship), great food and even a band. When I asked how they could do all that for the amount we paid, Skip explained that when he got them to lower the race fee they told him they were already losing money at the higher figure but they agreed to lower it and said they would just lose even more. There was not a lot of room on the beach for the Waves but that kept us close together for more fun and helpful assistance to each other.
The racing was always close whether it was lighter, flukier air or the stronger, straighter winds on Saturday afternoon. Make one mistake with this group and three boats will happily pass you. The Waves made perfect rescue boats on Saturday when the Highlanders (20 foot centerboard monohaul one designs) started capsizing. The RC had a beautiful RIB on hand for rescue operations but it was difficult for sailors in the water to get up and over that big inflatable tube around the boat. It was much easier to climb aboard a Wave and then get into the RIB. We had Waves buzzing all around each Highlander that capsized, picking up crew, gear, or boat parts that floated away from the overturned boats. Then the Waves started capsizing too – not sure if we felt left out of the fun or just got complacent (my excuse when I pitchpoled on a hellacious puff while jibing with less than a minute before our last start).
Another beauty feature of the Wave is that I quickly
righted the boat even without untying the righting line and was only
15 seconds late crossing the starting line. Still, with this group,
I was fourth rounding the windward mark when I saw Patrick Green sailing
to the rescue of Bill Mullineaux, one of the Indy locals unfamiliar with
the boat who had capsized and was quickly being left behind as the boat
blew away from him on its side. Patrick went after Bill and I went
after his Wave. Then Patrick delivered Bill to the Wave and we
both coached him on how to right it but without much success, so Patrick
finally lifted the masthead float and Bill was able to get back on board
and even finished the race with us. Patrick asked if I wanted to
sail in since that was the final race on Saturday and we were about two
legs behind now but I said I had a race to finish and we agreed to match
race the rest of the way. After he led me around the next two marks,
I did a quick tack just when I saw a hard puff near his boat and, sure
enough, it caught him as he automatically tacked in response to mine
and he flipped. I sailed back to him and lifted his float to help
him right the boat after sharing a laugh with him. 
A quick save Taking a dive
We finally got around the course and finished along with Bill and then raced back up the long, narrow cove where the club is located. The wind was amazingly fluky this time, literally swirling near the beach and I capsized less than a hundred yards from our little beach where everyone could see. Patrick paid me back and flipped my mast up so that I could leave my righting line untied all day. Patrick is a joy to race against because he expects to win and usually does but you can still count on him to do what he did that day – drop out of the race while leading to rescue the last place boat and still laugh and enjoy the whole experience.
Sunday was warmer, sunny, and started out light but we enjoyed a building breeze that was just right for me. I weigh 170 pounds and hiked hard at times, even easing the sheet a little in the biggest puffs, but mostly it was easy sailing while getting around the course quickly. I had to chase down Reggie in the first race as he was way ahead of everyone rounding the first weather mark. When I rounded the leeward mark in fifth I was fourth in a line of boats eating their bad air. Patrick was just in front of me and he tacked away to escape the bad air of the two boats in front of him.
Reggie Poplin Second Place Gold Division from Albemarle, NC
Then another boat tacked and I stayed on port trying to sail high enough to get clear air. I lucked out as the wind favored the right side and after some lucky shifts I rounded the second weather mark right behind Reggie Poplin. I rounded the leeward mark just ahead of him and then it was a close race to the finish as the wind kept shifting and Reggie had to deal with the other boats on his side of the course. I was able to get first and Patrick finished fifth so I had a nice cushion going into the last race. Patrick did a masterful job on the last race and had a huge lead at the first mark, which he kept all the way to the finish. I was back again (I’m telling you this is a tough group) but safe on points, however the shocker was that Reggie had finished second again and had nipped ahead of Patrick for second place overall – nice job! It was a nice pay-off for his long trip from North Carolina.
Skip had personally purchased amazing trophies for this event as you can see in the photo below. Carol and I had never received bigger hardware for any event that we won, including several national or North American titles. So in summation, when you need an event to get the season started, when you are looking for a great racing class, when you want a boat that is easy and fun to sail and own, when you want to sail with great competitors who are a lot of fun to be with anytime, the try the Hobie Wave, get to know Skip Kaub, go to Eagle Creek Sailing Club and plan now to sail this event next year!
Mike Fahle First Place Gold Division
Reggie
Poplin Second Place Gold Division Patrick
Green Third Place Gold Division
Bill Mullineaux a.k.a. IndyWave First Place Silver Division
Van Petit Second Place Silver Division
The Silver Fleet was created this last year at the 2008 Wave Nationals. This allows sailors new to the Waves to participate and have success against equally matched sailors. The race between these top finishers was heated as they swapped leads during the race and also swapping first place finishes.
From the shore crew’s perspective:
While rushing around at home packing for our trip to Indianapolis, hurrying to finish chores at home before we left, I asked myself, “Why are we doing this? Is it worth the trouble when we could just stay at home and sail on Lake Erie?”
Our drive to Indy was uneventful. Mike does all the driving, so I just enjoy the scenery. Since we got a Garmin, I don’t even have to navigate! We always listen to audio books when we go on road trips, and we had a good one by one of our favorite authors. Our trip took 4¼ hours. The Wave is so quick and easy to set up, we had time to visit with the rest of the sailors and go out for some practice. Over the years, I have lost my competitive drive to race, but I still enjoy sailing. Although the Wave isn’t the fastest boat on the water, it is still fun to sail. On an inland lake, puffs can come out of nowhere, and we flew a hull for a short time.
Back on shore, Skip invited everyone to his house for dinner. Everyone pitched in on the dinner preparations, and we enjoyed barbequed burgers with all the trimmings on his spacious deck. We were amazed at the beautiful house and sailing venue he has. Several of the sailors who had planned to camp at the sailing club had decided to stay with Skip because of the weather forecast (storms and a cold front.) Mike and I discussed that if we had stayed with Skip, we would just opt out of the regatta and stay at his house and play with his toys while everyone else raced in the cold rain.
Saturday morning was damp, but the rain held off while everyone made final preparations to go out to race. After the racers left the beach and the docks, it was eerily quiet and peaceful at the sailing club. I took the time to read a good book, which I hardly ever do at home because there is always work to do at home. I was cozy in our van when rain showers moved through, then the cold front brought clear sky and cold gusty wind. I figured the sailors would have their hands full since the terrain around the lake would make the wind even more shifty and puffy. When I saw the first Waves coming in about 4:15, I went to the beach to greet the sailors. Some were shivering after a wet day on (and in) the water. I looked up in time to see Mike capsize right in front of the beach. Patrick helped him right the boat, and soon everyone was on shore telling wars stories and re-experiencing the day’s racing. The camaraderie among the racers is easy and genuine, and conflicts are usually left on the water. I enjoy racing vicariously now. After getting dry clothes, ibuprofen and various liquid medications, everyone was ready for a catered dinner at the sailing club, which was excellent. Sailors from the other fleets (Lasers to keelboats) all get a chance to mingle. The time since the last regatta of the previous season vanishes, and the connections between sailors are quickly restored.
Sunday was a great day for a long walk around the residential areas surrounding the lake. The lake access is mostly private, but I did manage to glimpse the boats racing at a couple places between the trees. I could see the sun sparkling on the wavelets and figured the wind would be just right for the sailors. Racing ended before noon. We got the boat loaded on the trailer and gear packed, expecting to have to wait for the results, but the announcement of awards was made before the scheduled time. They even had lunch ready, which was a nice surprise. The club members did a great job organizing both the racing and onshore events.
So, WAS it worth the trouble? YES!
Left to Right:
Skip Kaub, Reggie Poplin, Dennis Butts, Mike Fahle, Patrick Green, Steve Abbey, Ray Matuszak
RACING RULES OF SAILING WEBSITES:
April, 2009
http://www.ussailing.org/rules/
Description: This is the US Sailing rules resources page where you can download the rules, the RC signal flags and descriptions, the Appeals Cases, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) and the Inland Navigation Rules, and other resources.
http://www.sailingcourse.com/racing_rules.htm
Description: This is another US Sailing website under the training section that has simple and brief, yet effective, videos explaining the rules. It also provides an online test at the end so that you can check how well you understand the rules.
http://www.ukhalsey.com/RulesQuiz/quiz_list.asp
Description: To help racing sailors get familiar with the new Racing Rules of Sailing, UK-Halsey Sailmakers presents a series of animated race course incidents on the website. The objective is to have the viewer follow the action, determine what rule or rules apply and finally decide who (if anyone) was right or wrong. Answers will be available at another spot on the UK-Halsey Sailmakers website. Probably the best free videos available.
http://www.sailing.org/racingrules.php
Description: This is the International Sailing Federation’s rules website where you can also download the rules and international cases which are authoritative interpretations of the rules. Among other useful resources is one that features a racing rules question and answer service.
Description: (From the blogmaster) This blog is about the Racing Rules of Sailing. Anything to do with the rules. On or off the water, in the protest room or umpiring in a rubber duck, attending a seminar or reading a news item. If it involves the RRS, I will post about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_Rules_of_Sailing
Description: This site has some good descriptions and charts for starts and common RC flag functions. Good to print, laminate, and take on the boat.
http://www.marinewaypoints.com/index1.shtml
Description: This website has lots of interesting related rules info. Sort of the catch-all website for anything remotely related to the rules of sailing including state boating regulations, various useful calculators, and many related topics and resources.