A great deal has happened in the couple weeks since I last invaded your Inbox.  Another social event, regatta preparation, regattas sailed and a CLYC Classic revived! Let’s dig in!!!

First a reminder to the E fleet:  You have racing on Sunday afternoon this week if you’re so inclined! Sunday, June 25th at 2pm.  Another early friendly reminder for the E fleet comes from your Fleet Captain, Jake Sorensen… Friday, June 30th at the Sorensen residence is your annual fleet party – more details next week!

Thank you to all those who attended the shindig at the club last Saturday.  Okay, the weather wasn’t the most cooperative, however, a good number of fun loving Lakers showed up! Inside the building and under the eaves, plenty of fun was had I’m sure! I’m told the hors d’oeuvres and drinks were amazing; a great job was done by the X boat parents and Board Members providing the feast! Thanks a bunch to Vice Commodore Casey Callanan and Hunter for taking on extra duties while folks were out of town!

After a two year drought the Annual Russ Schurtz Memorial Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass Race was completed last Sunday.  I’m not sure when the new tradition of wearing costumes was brought about, however, I love it… What a great new way to create more fun and show off the creativity of parent and child!  As most years  in the past, the race was filled with intense competition and plenty of folly.  The old rivalry of Ebeling and Lundberg was revived, eventually Marcus and Leif Lundberg edged out Mark and Elle Ebeling for the win.  And of course the folly – Marcus Lundberg after winning, unceremoniously fell out of the boat… On behalf of the entire Schurtz family, Ann “Would like to thank all at the CLYC for continuing the tradition of sailing as a family sport.” Thank you Ann and the entire Schurtz family for your support of CLYC sailing as well!  Full results are as follows:

Holy X boats!  It’s so great to see results and see all the kids on the water! 8 boats registered, all 8 were on the water!  A mixed up, mash up of finishes within the fleet last weekend leaves the X boat sailors in very close competition!  Leif Lundberg led the way with a 3, 1, 1.  Elle Ebeling had a great weekend with a 1, 3, 2 and Jude Sorensen had a very solid 2, 2, 4.  But look out, the younger sailors are gaining experience and confidence, one day they’re going to sneak up and bite you!!!

The MC fleet was dominated by Stu Oltrogge who took three consecutive bullets!  Emily Haugerud claimed two second place finishes with Byron Beasley taking the other second place. Randy Kotz had a nice weekend with a 4, 3, 3 scoreline. The MC fleet would like to welcome back Steve Taylor after a hiatus and Al Ludwig sailing his first races in the fleet!  It’s fantastic seeing you both on the water!

Emily Haugerud with father Stu and husband Dave riding along took two bullets in the E fleet; Commodore Brad Price took a pair of seconds with the Z-94 team (sans Eric Protzman) taking a pair of thirds.

The Melges 15 fleet is gaining traction and participation!  The Developmental Series is running week nights, the Championship Series is running on the weekends and everyone is having a ton of fun!  Riley Cooney continues to lead the First Series, however, Stu Schurtz made it to the lake last weekend and upset the results, he took a bullet in the first race of the weekend. Oh but don’t fret, Riley went back on a tear winning the next two!  Dave Atkinson continues his consistency with a pair of second place finishes.

Monday, June 26th is the start of the annual West Water Clinic for X boaters here in Clear Lake. It’s gone on for a number of years now and has been a very successful training clinic; X boats from Okoboji and Minnetonka join our Clear Lake sailors for training with Ana and Billy Starbeck.  Stu Oltrogge and Jeff Nicholas will also be on hand as “Guest Mentors” and lend their guidance in the ways of sailboat racing!

I hope you know by now we are hosting the 2nd Annual Melges 15 ILYA Championship; the group will be here August 3-6 looking for great breezes and in search of coveted new trophies. We’re expecting North of 50 boats for the event and will need a great deal of volunteers.  Everything from preparing lunches to running spectator boats and helping with haul out, friendly faces and willing/able bodies are needed.  Don’t have a ton of time….? Don’t worry, we have a spot for you!  Please contact Julie Oltrogge, clyciowa@gmail.com, if you’re able to volunteer and help in any way!

Leif Lundberg and crew are participating in the TRAP Regatta at Pine Lake, WI this week. After day one, they sit in a very respectable 15th place with all top 15 finishes.  The regatta finishes up today, best of luck in the remaining races!

Four MC’s made their way to Heath, TX and the Rush Creek Yacht Club with 75 others for the 2023 MC National Championship. Two words describe their experience, HOT and HUMID! Temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees with stifling humidity on top of it. Odd weather patterns produced winds from 30 knots to 0; the mornings started windy and died off quickly. Unfortunately, only Mark Tesar was able to bring back any hardware; Mark was the Top Master in Race Two with a 2nd place finish.  Mark was well on his way to making a national splash until a black flag in race 3. Todd Tesar finished the regatta just outside of the hardware in 16th place overall, Dan Allen in 21st overall and Mark Tesar in 26th overall. In the end we can say the 4 teams had a great time and some decent finishes in the extreme heat.

Two regattas are coming up very soon which will feature Clear Lake sailors. The ILYA E Scow Invitational is July 6-9 at White Bear; Commodore Brad Price will be in attendance at that event.  The same weekend, Nagawicka Lake Yacht Club in WI will be hosting the ILYA MC Invitational; as of this time, Mark Tesar and Dan Allen will be attending this event.  Off lake regattas are a fantastic way to meet new people and get far better at sailing, attend as many as you can!

Early notice for the 4th of July – it’s coming very soon, be prepared for the invasion! You’ve been warned!  If you would like more details, please go to www.clearlakeiowa.com.

Stay in the Clear Air,

Dan Allen
MC 2811 – Relentless
dsallen@cltel.net
www.clyciowa.com
www.clycss.com