2020 LNYC CKOD
Ultimate 20 Race Report
Submitted By: BJ Jones
Date: November 15, 2020
The Ultimate 20’s took part in the 2020 Carolina Keelboat One Design Regatta (CKOD) over the weekend of November 14th and 15th. Twelve U20’s were one of five classes to participate in the event with the others being the seven VX One, three J70’s, four Santana 21’s and 5 San Juan 20’s. It was great to see a good turnout at 30th running of this venerable regatta.
Saturday looked like it could be a bit better than forecast as the breeze was a nice 4-6 knots out of the ENE as the fleet left the harbor for the race course. But alas, the wind gods always seem to know when the first gun is as the starts went off in about 3-4 knots. The U20’s were the third start of a two leg windward-leeward course. The front of the fleet tended to the left side of the middle with not many ripples on the right side to look like it had anything to offer, but after few minutes on starboard, the two lead boats headed over to the right half of the course with Treez Decker making it pay by rounding first and Steve Shaw right behind. The run proved challenging as the wind was getting lighter and lighter. Shaw was able to pass Decker to win the race with BJ Jones working his way to second after rounding the windward mark in sixth, with Drew Lisicki from Charleston sailing the U20 for the first time in third. The wind then shut down and the Race Committee wisely sent us in for the day.
Day two dawned a bit gray but with a much better breeze and more in the forecast. The Race Committee signaled a four leg race for the first race of the day in a nice 7-9 knot breeze out of the south. Shaw got a fast start and went on to win the race handily with Allie Volk sailing Tim Porter’s boat to a solid second and once again Drew Lisicki pushing through for third.
The second race of the day started in the same breeze as the first race but at the first mark, the wind increased to about 14 knots which provided for a fast downhill ride with Jones catching a great puff to move into the lead which he held to the finish after another beat and run in an increasing breeze. Shaw finished second with Lisicki third (do we sense a pattern here).
With the breeze now at 16 plus knots, the Race Committee decided that the third race needed to be a bit longer so they called for a six leg race. Shaw again led with Jordan Wiggins in second and John Butine rounding in third. Shaw had a problem with his spinnaker which ultimately led to the spinnaker wrapping around the keel forcing him to not finish the race. Jones who had rounded in fourth with the breeze now up to 20 knots in the puffs, flew downwind to take the lead. The next lap was more of the same with Jones in the lead followed by Wiggins. Wiggins was able to get close by the last windward mark and took the lead when Jones hit the offset mark. The wind was now a steady 20 knots which created more problems for the fleet. Wiggins had trouble with his hoist and shrimped the chute and Jones had his halyard jam with the chute ¾’s of the way up. Fortunately, Jones was able to get the halyard free and the spinnaker went up allowing him to surge into the lead for a wild run to the finish. Wiggins was able to correct his issues to take second with Lisicki once again taking third.
With the still increasing breeze and a number of boats heading in, the Race Committee sent the fleet in. With the two wins in the last two races, Jones took the regatta which was also the U20 East Coast Championship. Sailing with Jones were Emily Jones and Dave Rink. Lisicki with his four thirds took second and Shaw, despite his DNF was able to take third.
Thanks to Ken Corsig for a great event.
