April
5. The Alter Cup got underway this afternoon with 20 crews competing by rotation on 10
brand new Hobie 20s off of Long Beach, California. Under the watchful eye of PRO Paul
Ulibarri, four races were sailed in very
unusual wind conditions for Long Beach. Coming from South to Southeast at 8 to 12 knots
for the first two races then swinging to the right made sure local knowledge wouldn’t
really pay big dividends.
The race of the day went to previous Alter Cup
winner Jeff Newsome. Over the line early only seemed to give Newsome the determination he
needed as he managed to move through the fleet rounding the first pin fifth from dead last
and somehow pulling off a very clever downwind performance to take a bullet in the fourth
race of the day.
Arthur Stevens
Crew member on the
Committee boat Patience
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
Light Air Plagues
Alter Cup's Opening Day
April 5, Long Beach, CA. The winds
were light and shifting for the first day of the Alter Cup. In the opening race Nigel
Pitt, multi-titlist from Georgia, drew first blood on the fleet walking away with the
victory, spanking the rest of the fleet. In the second race, Tornado sailors fought it out
with Texan Doug Camp and New Yorker Erik Goethert taking the first away from Robbie Daniel
and Glenn Ross. In the third race, hometown
hero and 3-time Hobie 16 National Champion Keith Christensen and Shala Youngerman won. The
last race, former Alter Cup champion and home town boy Jeff Newsome sailing with Julia
Thompson came back from 7th place with blazing downwind speed to surprise the fleet with a
bullet.
The day
was not without controversy as leader Keith Christensen appeared to have hit the windward
mark in race one. The protest against him was disallowed and rumor has it that the mark
boat may have helped cause the problem. Christensen/Youngerman enjoyed the light air,
posting a 2-1. Ken and Debbie Marshack, Alter Trials winner from the northwest, had a good
day with a 2-3. There is a four-way tie for third with Hobie Champ Jeff Alter and Terri
McKenna, Alex Shafer and his wife Patsy from Florida, Jeff Newsome/Julia Thompson, and
Daniel/Ross from Florida.
Harteck/Jenkins
2000 Update: We did not enjoy the light breeze being the heavy team posting
a
disappointing 5-8.
After
the races the competitors enjoyed each other’s company at a local tavern in Seal
Beach
for dinner. Then headed to Second Street in Long Beach for more nightlife led by Team
Puerto Rico.
Roger Jenkins
From Steve Leo:
Got started a little late due to some final adjustments that had to be made to
the boats. Winds were light to moderate coming for the first two races and somewhat fluky.
Nigel Pitt from Area D won the first race with Doug Camp winning the second one.
The
wind then shifted dramatically and the committee had to move the course for the second two
races which were won by Keith Christensen from Hobie and Jeff Newsome, a petition entrant.
The wind started to die midway through the 4th race so they decided to announce that this
was the end of sailing for the day. As soon as the race was finished, all of a sudden the
wind filled in and picked up to 8-10 knots but the announcement had been made and some
teams had left the venue so they could not run any more races. (Isn't that the way it
always happens?)
Keith
Christensen is in first with Ken Marshack close behind. There are then 4 teams tied for
2rd, only 2 points behind Ken. We will be shooting for 6-7 races today (Thursday) if the
wind cooperates.
Steve |
