Heartbreaker Gets Dialed up In Milwaukee

Bob Hughs and Wally Tsuha’s Heartbreaker sailed consistently through out what proved a very shifty two days of racing. Heatbreaker who is also the US representative for the Canada’s Cup which will be held in early September was able to sail against the Canadian helmsman Terry McGlaughlin who was sailing Voodoo for Richard Grunsten. Richard was unable to attend the regatta as he is eagerly awaiting the birth of his first child.

The regatta was filled with challenges, the biggest being able to reach the starting line. With the warm water temps, the weeds have grown to the surface in Milwaukee, making the trip out to the course extreamly difficult. Boats were moving at only 1 kt out of the harbor, and then had to spend ½ hr clearing the weeds from the keel, rudder, and sail drive. Some boats also experienced engine troubles with the intakes getting clogged up.

In the first race the R/C postponed, and when they started the sequence in 5tws, many of the boats were either not yet at the starting area or were sailing up-wind checking the conditions. At the first start, only 7 boats were in the starting area. Butch Tompkins Bandit had engine troubles, and major weed issues and was late for the first start which they didn’t even know was happening. She later dropped out for running her engine inside of the 5 Min gun. She was not the only one, Morrigan, Iskra, Heartbreaker and Virago were also very late. Contentious, and Sorcerer started almost 20 min after the first group, and failed to finish within the time limit. Nitemare, and Inferno headed left up the first beat while the rest headed to the right. At the first mark, the Nitemare and a slim lead over Hot Lips , Inferno, Program and Pendragon. On the Run, Hot Lips played the right side to pass Nitemare, and the front 4 were closely bunched. At the finish, Hot Lips held on to win, followed by Nitemare who just nipped Program at the finish.

After race 1, the wind completely died, and it was time for a little Farr-40 water sking.. Brian Jackman’s Pendragon started the competition, and she was followed by Heartbreaker and Virago. Flipps and 360’s were attempted and the Heartbreaker crew came the closest to making them work.

Race #2 started in 5tws again, and the fleet split. This time Voodoo, Heartbreaker and Inferno jumped out to an early lead. Heartbreaker finished 1^st followed by Inferno, Nitemare, and Iskra. Voodoo sailed to the right into a hole and was forced to put a jib up to make the finish.

On Sunday, race #3 finaly saw the breeze return. With 12tws, the fleet started and once again split. There was a pretty good left shift that put Nitemare, and Hot Lips out in front followed by Program and Pendragon. On the run, Heartbreaker worked her way to the inside at the leaward mark, and was able to round in third. Just ahead of Pendragon and Nitemare. Hot Lips and Pendragon went right up the next beat, and most of the rest headed left. Hot Lips was able to check back in early enough but lost Heartbreaker who ended up winning the race. Hot Lips, Inferno and Program followed. This set up the showdown for the last race.

With the top 5 boats close on points the last race would decide the regatta. At the gun, Voodoo, and Virago were both over. Hot Lips headed left with Heartbreaker, Iskra and Inferno. At the top mark, Hot Lips tried to tack inside and hit the mark, while Iskra, Inferno, and Flash Gordon rounded clean. After Hot Lips completed her 360, she had dropped to last. Iskra passed Flash ½ way down the leg, but Flash had the inside at the leaward mark, and rounded in front. Voodoo sailed very well on the run to round in a tight pack at the bottom mark. She was sprung free on the beat and pulled off a third her best finish of the regatta. Heartbreaker finished 4^th which was enough to win her the regatta.

1^st Heartbreaker (Winner of The Hugo’s Crew Dinner)

2^nd Inferno

3^rd, Nitemare

4^th Hot Lips

5^th Iskra

6^th Voodoo

7^th Program

8^th Flash Gordon

9^th Bandit

10^th Sorcerer

11^th Morrigan

12^th Virago

13^th Pendragon