Alter Cup Area H Qualifier
Hobie Fleet 72 and Division 4
Cascade Locks, Oregon
“The Gorge”
September
15-16, 2001
By: Ken Marshack
Saturday morning greeted
the sailors with a windnsurfing forecast of 7 mph in the “The Gorge” on the
Columbia River at Cascade Locks. What we experienced was 15 to 20 knots and 30% of the
fleet going over on the way to the start. Four races were sailed before heading to the
beach to lick woundns and partake in fresh guacamole and salsa, margaritas, and Coronas.
Thank you, Paige Richardnson. The results after the first day had Ken and Debbie Marshack
on their Hobie 18 in front with a virtual tie for second between Peter Nelson and Laura
Sullivan on a Hobie 16 and Kip Silver and Tim Dorwin on a Hobie 20. They were within
striking distance but would have to sail without mistakes.
Day two windnsurfing forecast
was for 8 mph and the sailors wondered if the forecast could be that wrong two days in a
row. The breeze was up earlier, and by the time the racing started we had wind ranging
from 17 to 25 knots with the occasional “killer gust”. Peter found himself
upside down at the start of the first race, and Kip augured his boat in going downwind in
the second race to seal the victory for Ken and Debbie Marshack. In the end, all but one
boat went over at least once, with the victory going to the only boat that stayed upright.
Thank you to Stan Breed, Jerry
Valeske, and Andrew Richardnson for running 7 great races. What a weekend!
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