2015 Bottom's Up Regatta Report - LLSC

Special thanks to David Reddaway for this report from the Bottom's Up, emergency-held at Lake Lanier this year.

2015 Bottom’s Up Regatta
Southeast Spring Series Event
June 6 and 7, 2015

A published 4:00 start time on Saturday allowed participants to drive same day and attend the 2015 Bottom’s Up Regatta. The event was originally scheduled to be at Lake Murray Sailing Club where it has been a 50+ year mainstay for the Southeast Spring Series. However, three weeks out, it had to be cancelled. In cooperation with resident LMSC Fleet Captain Bob Lockwood and RVP Loy Vaughn, the regatta found a temporary home at Lake Lanier Sailing Club, home of the SE Fall Series Old Goat Regatta.

With a very light air Saturday upon us, you would have thought we were on the coast. At 4:00, yes, the “lake” breeze filled in enough to run two 40 minute races in light choppy conditions. In Race 1, Brent Mckenzie and David Reddaway started at the boat and tacked immediately to port to head to calmer waters. The majority of the Fleet went left, which normally pays 8 out of 10 times. However under choppy conditions, the protection to the right made sense. David finished 1st and Brent 3rd with Scott Griffin keeping us company in 2nd. The fleet caught on in the second race and Reid Collins made, I believe, his first ever Thistle regatta bullet in race two. He out sailed David Reddaway in 2nd, Scott Griffin in 3rd, and Loy Vaughn in 4th.

The nice thing about the Southeast Series is any of the top ten or twelve at any event could place in the silver. This was proven Sunday morning when we were able to run 3 races in fleeting breeze. The Gise brothers, Mark and Scott, were on fire posting a 5, 2, and 2 improving to 3rd overall. Loy’s 1st in the 3rd race helped secure 2nd overall, while Scott Griffin didn’t seem to look back as he sailed into 1st overall, especially by winning the last race. Where’s Greg? Well having been one of the hottest Southeast sailors for many a year, Greg has been investing in the Griffin legacy. There is a new Griffin boy born to Greg and Heather and believe it or not, Heather allowed Greg to come to the regatta! Having a lot on his mind, Greg went out in Race 4 and posted a bullet, proving he has not lost his touch. In 5 races, 5 different winners, two of which finished out of the top 5 overall. Embroidered beach towels were awarded to the top 10 skippers and top 5 crew. Now they are ready for Nationals at Ft Walton!

The most difficult issue was to find a great PRO and committee on short notice. Long time Thistle owner and LLSC member, Mark Turner, stepped up. Mark has a passion for great Race Committee work. He has developed a dedicated team which operates almost flawlessly. They ran a great event and squeezed out 5 quality races in trying conditions. 

Attached are the scores. Enjoy and we’ll see you on the circuit!
David Reddaway

Name	Crew	Sail #	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4	Race 5	Total	Place
Scott Griffin	Gavin Mcormick	3997	2	3	3	4	1	13	1
Loy Vaughn	Andrew deRussy	4007	4	4	1	6	5	20	2
Mark Gise	Scott Gise	3951	6	8	5	2	2	23	3
Brent McKenzie	Jack Smith	3615	3	5	2	9	4	23	4
Michael Lenkeit	JD Reddaway	3980	7	7	6	3	6	29	5
David Redddaway	Carol Reddaway	3883	1	2	9	5	13	30	6
Greg Griffin	Mark Reddaway	3976	10	9	4	1	7	31	7
Reid Collins	Mike Kirschner	3579	5	1	12	10	8	36	8
Bob McCormick	Jim Roberts	1167	15	11	7	8	3	44	9
Laura Graham	Andrew Phillips	1995	9	9	10	11	10	49	10
Dan Russell		3828	13	12	11	7	11	54	11
Marian Evatt	Brian Anderson	3444	11	13	13	13	9	59	12
Cathrine Ryals	Rick Scarborough	399	16	10	15	12	12	65	13
Will Morang	Kelly	357	8	16	8	17	17	66	14
Len Wert	Tucker Munday	3813	14	14	14	14	14	70	15
Adam Anker	Lady Chef Peyton	841	12	15	17	17	17	78	16