H-16/18 NACs — Puerto Penasco

Ten Div. 4 teams and shore crew extended their sailing season with a trip down to the Sea of Cortez at Puerto Penasco in October. for the H-16 and 18 North American Championships.  The winds were light and allowed our teams to post some great results and gain valuable big-fleet experience.

What was particularly exciting were the four youths that came down and competed — some in their first open Championship.  JJ Hoag crewed for dad, John, while Kaylie Jones completed the father-daughter duo with Al..  Josh Markovich crewed for Paul Carter while sister Jessie caught a ride crewing for J Rosenbach.

The sheer size of the Div. 4 entourage was fun and exciting.  Seeing everyone on the beach and sharing victories and challenges; going out to dinner with friends, and hanging together at the parties was all really exhilarating.

The wind was mostly light.  Only one race was run on Monday and Wednesday.  Tuesday was the only trapping day.  We got 4 races in on that day in mostly double and some single-trap conditions.  Monday and Tuesday had the biggest swell.  On  Tuesday boats were flying off the tops of waves double-trapped!

The venue worked out real well with everyone very close.  The RV park was right between two large hotels, so everyone was close.  You could get tamales or burritos in the morning, and there was beer under the tent at race central most days.  The beach was soft and hot, and the only real issue were navigating the rocky reefs with beach wheels at low tide.

And the division played the numbers game.  Peter & Laura scored their first win of a NAC race, leading wire-to-wire.  John & JJ started the regatta off with a 2nd in the first race of the event!  Paul/Josh and J/Jessie followed up a couple of days later with a 3rd and 4th, respectively…in the same race!!  Martin Hollinsworth, sailing with Brit Jez Bull, finished 5th overall in the 18s — not bad for a couple of lardos who had never sailed an 18 before!  Carter got a 6th, Peter/Laura a 7th, and you get the idea.  Div. 4 sailors sailed well and everyone had a great time!!