Fourteen Ultimate 20s gathered in North Carolina for the Lake Norman Midwinter Regatta. Among the fleet were many "old timers," as well as some new-comers, including one boat just moved to Lake Norman from San Diego the previous week.

The fleet began gathering on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning to rig and practice in 75 degree temperatures and warm North Carolina sun.. Low Rider got out early and was planing around the lake well into double digits. The wind settled down by later afternoon to take away the opportunity for hot rides, but still ideal for plenty of practice.

Saturday morning we awoke to a thick blanket of fog and no wind. When the sun broke through, the fleet sailed out to tempt the wind gods, but to no avail. When thunder clouds appeared, the committee boat called us ashore, and we broke for lunch, just in time to sit in the yacht club for a spring downpour, after which the sun came out and the wind began to pick up. With excellent work by the race comittee, we got off one shifty light air race. Sunday morning brought warm, sunny, shifty light air. The race comittee got us off to three races, even after multiple general recalls on the third race.