Across the pond and to the lake we go! I just completed the 18 Foot Skiff European Championships in Lake Garda, Italy. We had an outstanding, twenty-one boat, 18 Foot Skiff fleet competing on the legendary Lake Garda.
The “ora” did not provide its typically conditions, but the racing was fun and tough nonetheless. For those that have raced on Lake Garda, they know that the wind comes from the South at 20+ knots in the morning, then dies from about 10:00-13:00, and then switches 180 degrees and comes from the North at 20+ knots. Unfortunately, we did not have those glamour conditions. However, the conditions provided tricky winds, various rigs, and crucial tactical decisions.
I was fortunate enough to drive the Birkenhead Point Marina 18 Footer with sheet-hand, Jamie Jobson from the UK; and bow guy, John Walton from Australia. The first day was the invitation race and we made it to the top mark in third, but quickly realized that our No. 2 mainsail was ripping in half. We had to pull out of this race to make it to the sailmakers. The first day of racing we had a decent day finishing in ninth out of twenty-one after three races. However, by the last race we realized that our No. 1 mainsail was also ripping in half in the same spot. Back to the sailmakers…
Day two of racing was fun, as we were in second most of race five and then even winning it for moments. We had a couple good races and moved up to eighth after day two. Then the real problems arose… While racing we heard some cracking, but couldn’t see anything visible on the water. When we got in from racing we noticed that our forestay was ripping through the mast because of a failed backing plate. A little “midnight marine” and the boat was ready for the next day. We didn’t feel too fast on the water this day and somehow sailed the wrong way on one leg of each race that hurt some our finishes.
The next day we were rigged and ready fairly early and we were about to flip the boat upright on the beach, until we noticed that our D2 shroud was also ripping through the mast. At this point we had to make a quick decision to either: not sail, or put up the big rig. “Big rigs, win big races,” they say! We were the only ones to head out in a big rig for the day and were a little terrified. We went out there and literally all the wheels fell off the bus. We lost our mainsheet on the first downwind at the leeward mark and had a horrific capsize in front of multiple boats! Ouch! When we got the boat upright we had two mainsail battens hanging from the main and knew we had to call it a day at that point.
Another night of "midnight marine” and the boat was ready for the last day. A huge storm was due to come in at 17:00, so the race committee was eager to get the last three races off before then. When we all made it to the race course the black cloud of darkness was headed our way and the race committee sent us in for safety. After a long postponement on the beach we did not have any more races.
I am very proud of my team for a great regatta, we started out very strong and wish we could have made a come back the last day. Unfortunately, break downs are a big part of skiff sailing and they got the best of us by the end. However, I finished the event as 18 Foot Skiff Women’s European Champion! I would like to thank the 18 Footers League in Sydney, Australia for the continued support in the fleet. I could not have made this event happen without the support of San Diego Yacht Club.
