Lightning NAs – Women’s, Junior and Master Underway

Sheboygan, WI (August 9, 2014) – Day one of the 2014 Lightning North American Women’s, Junior and Master Divisions ran short on wind, but was not lacking in competition. The 53 competitors were able to complete one 4 leg, windward, leeward light air race. Veteran crew Neal Fowler took the helm and he and his team of Todd and Kristine Wake won the Masters Race. Fowler explained the team didn’t have a feel for which side would be favored in the light and shifty conditions. He described the teams outlook today and suggests to always do the best you can wherever you are. Keep your boat speed fast all the time. You are not as good or as bad as you think…just relax and think about how to keep the boat moving forward and fast. Matt Fisher and his team of Tobi and Dan Moriarty finished second and Jim Crane and brothers Larry and Peter Bone finished third.

In the Junior Fleet, Tanner Probst sailing with his sister Jenna Probst and Maya Weber inched out the team of his other sister Abbie Probst and her crew of Becca Jordan and Katie Braungart. Tanner credited his teams’ success to the fact of being able to stay focused and keeping a good attitude while racing in the challenging conditions. His team also took advantage of the Coach Program provided by Greg Fisher yesterday. “It really helped with our boat speed today. That was a key factor in our win today.” Julianne MacDonald, Abby Bennett and Allie Jones rounded out the top three. Fisher is providing on the water coaching between races for the Junior Fleet.

Laura Jeffers, Johanna Schon and Pauli Kaiser won the Women’s Race. We tried to keep our boat in the pressure today explained Jeffers. We were able to capitalize on the left breeze early on our first beat, then were able to cross over to the right for the second half. Maegan Ruhlman and her team picked us up downwind, but we were able to find some pressure on the left the second upwind leg. We were lucky to find good lanes as the Women’s Fleet got mixed in with the Masters that leg. ILCA Boat Grant skipper Whitney Kent and her team of Megan McMahon and Katie Hall finished second and Kathy Lindgren, Denise Cornell and Kim Orlebeke finished third.

Racing was postponed on the water and then moved onshore until four o’clock. Overall, a successful day one at the Lightning North Americans. The Race Committee did a great job with the challenging conditions.

Day 2 of the WJM’s was again a light air event… the Women and Juniors got in 3 races and the Masters got in two. Tanner Probst’s Team won the 1st and 3rd races of the day to take a 4 point lead over Abbie Probst and her team. The Master’s had about 10 starts, but only two races. Tito Gonzalez sailing with his daughter Trini and Cristian Herman won both of those races, to take the lead in the Master’s Division. Claudio Biekarck, Gunnar Ficker and Eduardo Melchert had a 2, 2 and is tied with Team Matt Fisher for 3rd. In the Women’s Division, the Boat Grant Team of Whitney Kent, Megan McMahon and Katie Hall won the 1st race of the day. Team Jeffers won the 2nd and 3rd races of the day to keep them in 1st place. Kent’s team is in 2nd with Team Lindgren right behind them in third.

The Women’s, Junior and Master Divisions continues racing through August 10. The North American Championship begins with qualifier races on Monday, August 11.

Event Website
Results