Bloody Mary 2017 - Western Carolina Sailing Club

HomeBloody Mary Regatta 2017

   Western Carolina Sailing Club and Thistle Fleet 113 were pleased to welcome
Thistle sailors back for the 2017 Bloody Mary Regatta. Twenty-eight teams
made their way to Lake Hartwell hoping for a great weekend of sailing .
Friday and Saturday were both beautiful Fall days, each with a fantastic
sunset followed by the (nearly) full moon rising . The following morning,
early risers even got to enjoy an amazing "moonset" across the lake.
Unfortunately, the wind did not cooperate as much as we all would have
liked. Two races were attempted on Saturday. The first race was sailed in
3 - 5 mph out of the N-NW, with 3976 (Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway)
taking the lead at the first mark and holding it all the way to the
finish. The next race started in similar wind, but it became very light
and variable by the time the the leaders rounded the first weather mark.
The RC eventually abandoned and the fleet headed to shore for some
appetizers and much needed re-hydration / attitude adjustment. The group
then enjoyed the black bean chili and baked potato bar dinner prepared by
Nerissa Griffin and her mother, Glenda Swearingen. Finally, college
football and a bonfire at the point proved to be a great setting for
socializing.
   Sunday morning saw some different weather with a light mist hanging in the
cool air, which unfortunately did not help deliver better breeze. After a
short postponement on the water, another attempt was made at race two.
This time the wind was 3 - 5 mph out of the E. Once again, the breeze
started to vanish as the leaders, 3914 (Loy Vaughan and Joe Hart) followed
by 3997 (Scott and Nerissa Griffin) and 3883 (David Reddaway and Tiffany
Schaefer), rounded the first weather mark. However, the RC shortened to
the second weather mark, enabling the first boat, still 3914, to finish
before the time limit. After a tough start, 3976 methodically moved
through the fleet, but was just edged out by 3997 for second in the race.
This left 3976 and 3997 tied, with the win in the first giving 3976 the
tiebreaker.
   Congratulations to Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway, winners of the 2017
Bloody Mary Regatta.
   I want to thank the WCSC officers and membership for their continued
support for this event. A huge thank you to the race committee members,
led by PRO Tommy Craft, for all of their efforts in extremely challenging
conditions. I must also express my profound appreciation to my wife,
Nerissa, and mother-in-law, Glenda for the extraordinary contributions they
made to this regatta. Lastly, I want to again thank all of the attendees
of the 2017 Bloody Mary Regatta for supporting this regatta.

Kind regards,

Scott Griffin
Bloody Mary Regatta Chair