Western Carolina Sailing Club Annual Hospice Regatta
October 20-21, 2012

Regatta Report
Submitted by:  BJ Jones, #151, Rumbullion

Western Carolina Sailing Club hosted their annual Hospice regatta the weekend of October 20th on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.  With the Ultimate 20 as a major sponsor of the event, six southeast U20 sailors headed down to participate and help raise money for a worthy cause.  Don Corey has attended this event for many years and encouraged the local fleets to support the U20 Class as a Sponsor of the regatta while supporting the tremendous work that Hospice does.  With the six boats, the U20’s were able to sail as a class, and get their own start.

Attending were Steve Rose from Columbia Sailing Club, Columbia, SC, Don Corey, Chet Wiesenmayer, the Wiggins family with son Jordan skippering, and BJ and Emily Jones all from Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, NC and Chuck Ballew from host WCSC. 

Saturday saw a clear day with great breeze out of the North that started at about 14 knots.  It looked to be great sailing conditions with temperatures in the low 60’s.  Lake Hartwell turned out to be a great venue as there were very few motor boats to churn things up.  Only a few bass boaters were around and their small wake did not impact the sailors despite racing right through the middle of the course.

As the day wore on the breeze diminished a bit to the 8-10 knot range, but the Race Committee was able to get four great races off to make for a very satisfying day. 

Sunday arrived quite a bit grayer and with less wind.  With a 3-4 knot breeze at the start that died to almost nothing, only one race was completed.  With the conditions being very light, I don’t think there was much complaining when the Race Committee sent us in for the day.

BJ Jones finished 1st.  Following close behind was Jordan Wiggins, the youngest skipper by far, who dazzled not only the U20 sailors but everyone out on the water with his quick paw and confident boat handling.  Don Corey finished 3rd.

Western Carolina Sailing Club was a gracious host, and it was satisfying to help them raise over $59,000 for the “Hospice of the Upstate”, a record for this regatta and one of the highest amounts for 2012 among the National Hospice Regatta events across the country.

2012Hospice
Western Carolina Sailing Club
Results
U20Fleet