Ensign News – July 2006

Also appears in Motor and Mast

By Bob Anschuetz

Six Edgewater Ensigns participated in Cleveland Race Week. Mentor Harbor sent two boats and one came from Alabama. Long time Lake Erie Champion Jack Collins from Mentor, sported a crew that included three generations of Collins men with Papa Jack, two of his sons, and two grandsons. The Edgewater Fleet was led by Dianne Kube, (“Queen of the whole damn thing”), who shared her 39th birthday celebration with all of us over the two day event. Daughter Jessica, not to be out done for time in the spot light, tried sailing her Jet 14 by herself. Her fiancé, Gary Morris, went overboard unknown to Jessica, who continued shouting instructions and encouragement to him. A Highlander sailor came to her assistance, jumping on-board and steering. When Gary returned on-board, Jessica did not inquire about the health and welfare of the AWOL sailor, but just told him “I want to go in!” As any married or nearly married man knows, the correct response is, “Yes, dear”. He complied, and I predict a happy marriage.

On the racecourse, Nick Lubar came to the regatta with an enviable string of having entered four races, winning all four. Sherrie Desmond had a crew that was still getting familiar with each other in maneuvers, but performed very well. Bob Edwards and crew had some great legs on the course, but also encountered some slow ones. He said that every time he looked up, Nick Lubar was right there crossing in front of him. Sandy Johnston had two novice crew out in very heavy air and proved herself once again to be the master of wing-on-wing sailing and did very well, taking a 3rd place in the final race. Wes Kroeze sailed Onrust to a “bullet” on the first day and was in the hunt the whole time. After the first day of the regatta, there were five boats within four points of each other which was indicative of the close competition all weekend long. On the final “big air” races, good crew work and lots of weight on the rail prevailed for Vulcan. The Vulcan crew was resplendent in new red shirts designed by Pat Metzler who remains on injured-reserve. Final results were the same as last year with Vulcan first, Jack Collins and Jager second, and Onrust with Wes Kroeze third.