Cat44 32nd Annual Commodores Cup 2004

The Turnout

Another Cat44 Commodores Cup Race has came and gone. The main storyline is that Bill and Colleen once gain proved why their names appear on the trophy more than any other.

The back storyline is all about the resurgence of interest in the fleet and the appearance of bright new crisp boats and sails. This year there were 5 new boats on the start line - Danny, Hunter, Tom, Dick and Doug, and Steve Maffetone bought new sails just prior to the race

The fleet turned out in great numbers and it was pleasing to see a bunch of new faces and new competitors, and even more pleasing to note the turnout of friends and supporters. Brett Moss provided much humor at the start with an excellent poem on the contenders - see Brett's ode to Cat44 below

Ron Kern also organized the 2nd annual Inlet to Inlet race and his windsurfers helped to swell the ranks on the water - see the I-I Windsurf report below.

Many thanks to Kim and Wolf for helping with the photography. Great job to both of you. And to all you sailors out there, make sure you thank them the next time you see them.

Sally

Don Balthaser

Steve Maffetone

Scott Corson

Chris Summers

Hunter Fry

Sebastian and James

Bob Shell

Jen McMahon

Quan Le

Hunter Fry

Mark Jones

Wolf Serrer

Bill Clark

Terry Lusk

Willie Stolberg

Dick and Hawk get snapped as they prepare to head out

Doug and Debbie Russell head out in their bright new boat.

Brett and Mark share a humorous moment

Brett heads out in his Marstrom A-Class

The Skippers their crew and their boats

Bill and Colleen Stolberg

Hunter Fry and Jen McMahon

Scott and Tracee Corson

Steve Maffetone with new crew Quan Le

Doug and Debbie Russell

Danny Steyn and Stacey Serrer

Chris Summers and Dave Martin

Dick Russell and Jane Hawkins

Mark Jones and Kerry Geiger

Sebastian Lewis and James Martin

Tom Klash and Cynthia

Brett and Mikey Moss

The Start

Throughout the week the weather forecast ranged from NE 5-10 to SE 5-10. Race day started off dark and gloomy with low lying storm clouds that strengthened the wind in the early morning and created considerable chop. As the day heated up the sun burned off the clouds and the wind started to lighten up, but the chop remained and would play a significant part in the race.

This years course had an tight reaching/upwind start to the Whistle Buoy (A mark), then a long reach to the B mark at the Lighthouse Can, and then a very broad reach/downwind run to the finish at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

With 13 boats on the line, the start was pretty hectic, and a couple of starboard starters really put the cat amongst the pigeons.

The Race

Scott and Tracee sailed into an early lead on the upwind leg with Hunter in close contention, but Dick and Hawk were the first around the mark, closely followed by Scott, Doug, Hunter, Mark and Danny. Dick fluffed his tack allowing several to pass, and the whole fleet was quite tightly bunched at the A mark.

Scott sailed off in to the early lead on the long leg to the A mark, but this is where the race got really interesting. The strong chop and varying wind strength played havoc with all the skippers. At times you would be flying, perfectly setup in the groove, and seconds later you would be parked, bouncing in the chop while the rest of the fleet passed you by.

This race had the most lead changes in recent Commodores Cup history. Scott was the early leader, then Dick, then Scott, then Doug, then Mark, then Hunter, then Doug again. All the while Willie was making excellent speed recovering from a tough start.

Bye the time the Fleet hit the B mark at Hillsboro light house, Willie had sailed into 2nd behind Doug, followed by Danny, Mark, Scott and Hunter. On the long light and bouncy return leg, Willie was the class of the field sailing away from everyone to very well-deserved victory. The rest of us remained fairly close all the way to the finish line, as the photos will show.

Tom Klash had a great day, apart from finishing 11th ahead of Bob, Tom was hot on the heels of the fleet for most of the race. Nice to see the new boat paying off so handsomely Tom! Bob Shell picked up the last place finish winning the traditional six pack of Old Milwaukee in the process

Note: Brett Moss on his Marstrom A Cat won line honors despite having to make a repair to his tiller during the race

Willie and Colleen Stolberg get the Commodores Cup AGAIN

Danny and Stacey in 2nd place ahead of Mark Jones and Doug Russell

Danny  and Stacey finishing 2nd

Doug And Mark duke it out in a race for 3rd place followed by Scott and Hunter

Doug and Debbie finishing 3rd

Mark ahead of Scott

Hunter and Jen sailing into

6th place

This shows just how tight the finish was - Dick Russell ahead of Chris, Seb, Steve and Tom

Chris and Dave hold off Tom and Cynthia

Dick and hawk sailing into 7th place after leading to the weather mark

Seb and James hold off Steve and Quan

Brett Moss takes Line Honors

Post Race Photos

2004 Commodores Cup Results