74th High Sierra Regatta (July 18–19): Ultimate 20 Class Recap, by John Andrew
The second weekend of the 74th High Sierra Regatta delivered the classic, picture-perfect conditions that Huntington Lake is famous for. At 7,000 feet of elevation, Ultimate 20 teams were treated to brilliant sunshine, flat water, and the lake's highly reliable 10–15 knot thermal breeze. These consistent winds set the stage for tight, tactical racing, with boats frequently crossing tacks and gybes, and changing positions multiple times each race. In this fleet, a single missed shift could easily drop you from first to mid-pack.
Cinderella Story pursued high pointing angles upwind in the flat water and good soaking speed downwind to secure the top spot with 6 points, showing great consistency in a tough fleet. Lifelong Huntington expert, Kem Bricker, and his crew aboard Rooster demonstrated the power of resilience; after an opening fifth-place finish, they charged back with a string of top-three scores. By sailing smart and watching the shifts, they locked in a hard-fought second place overall. Donna Womble and her all-women team from Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club took third, frequently leading the fleet around marks and remaining within striking distance of the top spot throughout the weekend.
It was great to see boats traveling from both near and far. Local Huntington boats (Cinderella Story, Rooster, Twenty 20, Second Wind, Ultimate Antics) shared the water with Teams from Monterey, (Peabody), Reno Nevada (U Decide) and SF Bay (U Betcha). While the fleet missed having Bob Comstock on the water this year as he recovers from surgery, he generously loaned Ultimate Antics to John Scarborough and his family. We wish Bob a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the water soon.
Skippers and crew enjoyed the class's signature camaraderie during Saturday evening's appetizer social, hosted on the brand-new Lakeshore Lodge deck. The venue did not disappoint, offering beautiful weather and unbeatable lake views.
Thank you to all the teams who made the trip—this fleet is truly defined by its great people. If you missed out this summer, start planning your trip into the mountains for next year’s historic 75th High Sierra Regatta. You won’t regret it!