The addition of skilled newcomers Bill Jenkins with Double Shot and Karl Kuspa and Chuck Stormes with Scandal upped the tempo of this highly competitive J-35/T35 class at the Detroit 2005 NOOD regatta. Both came from winning programs, Bill from the S27.9 class, Chuck and Karl from the J-105 class. With local legends Gary Shoemaker on Double Shot, Gary Schneider on PDQ Express, and the local sailmaking pro's - Al Declerq (Scandal), Wally Cross (Bretwalda) joining in, a highly talented cast was in place. When the weather cooperated with mostly sunny skies and steady breezes the stage was set to near perfection. For those hoping for a competitive regatta - their expectations were met, if not exceded. For those dreaming of dominance - there was dissapointment. Day 1 saw Bretwalda and Flacon trade then share the lead. The day ended with not only a tie for first, but for the next two levels as well with ties between Wild Ride and Night Train and between Scandal and Major Detail. Day 2 saw Falcon take sole possession of the lead with a solid 1st to Bretwalda's 5th. Bretwalda then came back with a 1st and with Falcon taking 6th the lead changed once again with Bretwalda back in 1st. Mr. Bill's Wild Ride moved to within striking distance, 2 points back, and strike he did, taking a bullet and the lead in race #6. "Our ability to consistently find clear air and get to the favored side of the course combined with our crew work" is what Bill Wildner attributed to landing in the top spot. Bretwalda and Falcon taking a 6th and 5th respectively they were tied once again, but in second 3 points off the lead. Night Train "going really well upwind" said Al Declerq, ended the day in third. Al racing on Scandal with Chuck Stormes and Karl Kuspa alternating on helm, also showed impressive upwind ability. "You can't just step in and win" and noting how cleanly the regatta was being sailed "we cleared Major Detail on port by only 6 or 7 feet, most boats will throw a flag, they just kept on sailing". Bill Jenkins enjoys the intensity of the NOOD regattas, having sailed in more than 25 of them on Ultimate 20's and S27.9s doing bow, bought a J-35 so he could drive. "This class was even more so (intense) - 5 boats would pass you with a simple mistake." Six races, six changes in the lead. Day 3. With all of the top boats taking at least one 5th in the prior 6 races, this 5 leg 7.5 mile race would provide ample opportunity for change once again. With Wild Ride was 5th at the top mark the regatta was up for grabs. Night Train was 1st followed closely by Major Detail then Falcon and Bretwalda. Protest flags flew at the bottom mark with Train holding a two boat length lead followed by Bretwalda, Falcon, Detail and Wild Ride - all arriving within a boat length of each other. The lead had changed once again. At the finish it was Bretwalda followed by Train, Falcon, Wild Ride, Major Detail, Scandal, Double Shot......it appeared to be a Bretwalda regatta victory. However, due to a violation of class rules (use of 2 different #1s ) Bretwalda withdrew. Skipper Bob Pethick admitted to being "a little distracted" and not really thinking when his sail maker, Wally Cross, suggested trying the new #1 that they were saving for the North American Championship later this year. With the DSQ the lead changed once again. Bill Wildner and the Wild Rider's emerged victorious. Flashes of excellence were shown by many. Ken Quincy's PDQ Express played a key role. Their strong start and upwind speed in race #6 forced Bretwalda to tack away from the favored left side. This, in part, prompted Wally Cross to suggest trying out the new sail. Lee Sutton of Jaeger "had good speed at times" and noted the improvement in the competition, enjoyed the racing after being away for more than a season. Congratulations to all skippers and crew participating in truly a special regatta. Mike Welch

Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 (Archive on Monday, June 20, 2005) Posted by host Contributed by host

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