Page 23 - ECA Yearbook 2023

2022 Ensign National Championship
Nyack Boat Club, Nyack, NY
Hosted by Fleet 51, August 7 - 11

The Nyack Boat Club, Nyack NY, was host to this year’s Nationals.
Located an hour north of NYC, on the scenic Hudson River, Nyack is
easily accessed from the NY State Thruway, bringing in boats from as far
away as Michigan. This picturesque location offers some of the most
challenging sailing conditions available, and this regatta did not
disappoint.

Prior to Global Warming, August in Nyack could be counted on for little
wind. This year, the wind varied from light to squall. After Sunday, when
three of the boats were hammered against the docks unexpectedly, we
watched the forecasts like hawks.

Monday saw a Southerly, which is usually fairly steady, and after a slight
delay, the RC sent us off on a two-leg windward/leeward practice race to
shake the road and cobwebs off, preferring to save time for the races
that count. The PRO, Bob Sengstacken, had warned the competitors to
watch the current, and not crowd the starting line when it could push you
over. Sure enough, the first official race had a General Recall after the
current did just that! Folks got more conservative, and the races were
on.

In the midst of the recall, no one really noticed the storm sneaking in
from behind the hill to the southwest. First lap we started getting hit with
strong gusts, and on the downwind leg, several boats lost control of their
chutes and broached. At the windward mark second time around,
#1483, Debbie Does Brooklyn swamped, and had to be towed in. The
rain arrived with a squall line, providing welcome cooling despite the
hazards. After that thrashing, a couple of boats decided to sit out the
second race.

Defending champion and current class commodore Bud Brown in
Lorelei, with the Wiedeke clan crewing, took Race 1, and Greg Eiffert in
borrowed Can Am Express, crewed by Doug Burtner, Thom Hering and
Tom Healy, took Race 2.

Tuesday saw a Westerly, with sizable shifts. Neil Lynch in Irish Ayes
managed these skillfully, taking Race 3. Races 4 and 5 went cleanly,
with the Gorbolds in Questar taking Race 4, and Lorelei back on top in

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