1996 North American Championship

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Vancouver, British Columbia

John Payne

The Coronado 15 North American Championship Regatta was held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC) June 29, 30, and July 1. We sailed 11 races in the most stunningly beautiful sailing venue and perfect C-15 sailing conditions imaginable. Winds varying from 5 to 15 provided opportunities for all crew weights, and tidal currents provided a tough “learning experience” for some of us lake sailors.

A total of 17 boats participated dividing into 11 Championship and 6 Cabrillo boats. There were boats from the California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, and Cranbrook BC.

The decision to sail the North American Championship in conjunction with the RVYC's annual Waves regatta worked out very well as it allowed us to hold the championship beyond the reach of any large C-15 fleet, yet in a very desirable vacation place. The race committee did an excellent job as the courses were fair and the races extremely well run. The courses were the set-up the way the Olympics are to be run this year with a long route to weather, a broad reach to a downwind turning mark, then downwind to a leeward mark, back up to weather, back to leeward, then a reach over to the finish line. Sounds complicated, but it allowed C-15s, 505s, and Laser-IIs to all finish at nearly the same time. Often the next sequence started within 10 minutes of the first boats coming over. We got a lot of racing within 3 days.

Paul Bogataj sailed a great series. His incredible boat speed aided by a bit of local knowledge (he had sailed a J24 regatta at the RVYC) about going “way left” on the incoming tide gave him 8 of the 11 bullets. On the third day he was so far ahead in points that he was able just stay ahead and watch the dogfights for the next 5 positions. Walt Prue, last year's champion, had a disappointing first day, but fought back to a comfortable second place. Positions 3,4,5, and 6 were hotly contested with Mike Reimann, Joe, O'Reilly, Dan Gilboa, and Peter Watts finishing in that order all within 7 points.

The Cabrillo fleet was won by Kirk Hunt, a local RVYC sailor, finishing 7.25 points ahead of Colleen Dong from Los Angeles. We were very proud of our youngest skipper Barret Sprout from L.A. who teamed with his father.

The racing was good, hard, and clean. To my knowledge, with the exception of an erroneous over early call, there were no protests filed.

The accommodations at the University of British Columbia were absolutely beautiful and incredibly inexpensive. From Building “North 14C” there was a spectacular view of the bay and the snow-topped mountains beyond. North 14 C became the C-15 headquarters for after dinner “refreshments” and racing “stories”. Some of us were so refreshed Sunday night that there was a little of the night before being felt Monday morning.

Many went en masse to a Chinese restaurant Monday evening after the awards ceremony where Lana ordered in Chinese and we viciously attacked and devoured whatever came from the kitchen. Paul Giufrida said he thought we were eating something they called Square Root of Squirrel's Face -- but whatever it was, it was great. I know I heard some turkey try to order Peking Tom -- a variation of a famous Chinese specialty. The last course was a huge fish fried whole -- with that gaping that “Over Early” expression on its face.

Racing is great, racing is fun, and racing is what these events are all about -- but -- the icing on the racing cake is the times we get together, talk, laugh at ourselves, and entertain each other with stories, lies, tips, and ideas. There's no doubt that the incredibly wonderful times we just had in Vancouver will live in each of our memories and bond those of us there together a little closer. I am sorry for those of us who could not attend this regatta, and encourage each of us to never miss another like it.