2023 Mayor’s Cup Regatta: Covington Wins by a “Lakeslide”
June 3-4 Lake Townsend Yacht Club, Greensboro, NC
Although the details are sketchy the results are not. AnnMarie Covington and crew Gareth Ferguson claimed the Cup with a 6 point lead over 2nd place.
It was classic Lake Townsend sailing eliciting adjectives like puffy, shifty, swirly, and wind void. The wind, light on Saturday morning, began to turn forcing two delayed starts for the Wayfarer fleet. It settled in at 6-8 with an occasional void on the right hand side of the course prompting the mantra, go left, stay left. The holes played a significant role trapping parts of the fleet. AnnMarie and Andy Foreman were able to get away to the windward mark in the first race, running first and second, while the fleet struggled to cross a wind void. Then unfortunately Andy fell into a void, which Uwe and Nancy avoided to make a pass to second. The modified windward leeward course with a reach to the finish from the leeward mark created close finishes. Covington was consistent with a 1st, 2nd, 1st on Saturday. Uwe Heine and Nancy Collins were nearly as consistent, matching AnnMarie race for race in the first two out of three. They rounded the windward mark in the second race, did a jibe-set, passed the fleet and stayed ahead to win. AnnMari was just behind with John and Mary Driver in the chase. Jim Heffernan, sailing with Julia Karelina was without spinnaker, but able to finish the 3d race in 3d place.
Sunday dawned cooler with slightly higher wind, with scatter small white caps. A pleasant quiet Sunday morning on the lake with temps sub 70F, and a light cloud cover making it easy to see the wind coming across the water. The left side of the course remained favored as on Saturday. AnnMarie continued to consistently stay ahead but allowed John and Mary Driver to win the 4th race, with Pete Thorn coming in Second. In the 5th and final race AnnMarie returned to form with a first, followed by Uwe and Nancy. Ali Kishbaugh followed in 3d.
It was a flush fleet of 12 boats, a mix of old and new. David de Miranda helmed the club Wayfarer W3500, and Al Schonborn made a cameo appearance with Hans Gottchling. Many thanks to Alan and Pat Backus for expertly running the regatta and whole LTYC staff for once again laying on a prodigious spread of food. Lake Townsend requires thought, perseverance, and good nerves and will therefore remain one of the great sailing lakes in North Carolina.
