2006 Tulip Time Tune Up

Report by  Jon Vandermolen

The 2006 Tulip Tune Up will go down as one of those regattas that you always remember if you were there.  Gull Lake was never more beautiful as we sailed under brilliant blue skis, sunshine and great breeze.  It was cold, but if you were dressed properly, it almost felt like being on Biscayne Bay with sea foam green water, white caps and foam trails running down the length of the lake.

Saturday the wind was forecast to blow out of the NW at 10-15, and if you’ve ever sailed on Gull Lake you know that that is the perfect direction for racing.  20 boats entered this year’s event and things looked great as the boats hit the water Saturday morning around 10 AM .  The wind was out of the NW at about 10 mph.  As we all reached the starting area the wind just shut off to nothing, zero, not a ripple.  We thought, “How is this happening?”  We all just bobbed on the water thinking damn, and then like magic the wind turned on again, and this time at 15 + mph out of the NW.  Perfect!

Race one saw a clean start as all 20 boats headed up the course.  The racing was tight as the boats were all fast on the flat water.  Lake Springfield ’s Joe Londrigan / Chris Walner and Gull Lake ’s Jim Babel / Bill Hawk reached the first mark together followed closely by a pack of seven boats.  Positions changed back and forth in the pack as Joe stretched out his lead.  On the last run to the finish the pack spread out six wide as everyone tried to reach the line.  It was a bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang finish. As it turned out Joe won, Greg Smith and TC Belco finished second followed by Jimmer VamderMolen and Jon Klerk third. 

Race two was just as exciting as the waves and wind began to get bigger.  As is true on any lake the shifts can really make things dicey as the boats near the marks.  Huge gains and losses can be made as the marks are generally close to the shoreline and the wind gets fluky.  Three boats broke out and separated from the pack for another photo finish and this time Lake Springfield ’s Todd Gay / Pat Brewer finished just ahead of Jimmer / Jon who beat Joe and Chris by just inches. 

Race three saw the same three boats lead most of the way.  The pack was much closer to the front runners this time around as they could not pull away.  It was really tough going in the pack if you were in there.  With all the shifts and puffs it was incredible how the positions changed from minute to minute, tack to tack.  Long time Gull Lake sailor Charlie Barnes broke his mast and others had to retired due to equipment failure as the wind was full tilt boogey.  In the end Jimmer / Jon won the race going away, Joe / Chris crossed second, followed by Todd / Pat in third.

After day one local boys Jimmer VanderMolen /  Jon Klerk were tied for the lead with 1993 World Champ Joe Londrigan / Chris Walner.  Only three Gull Lake sailors have won this event in its 53 year history, but Jimmer felt confident going into Sunday.  He knew he had his work cut out as the wind was forecast for 15 – 25 mph with gusts up to 35 predicted.  Although it’s been 13 years since Joe won his Gold Star, he is still one of the best big air sailors in the world today and it would not be easy for Jimmer to beat him.

When we reached the Yacht Club at 8:30 AM Sunday morning there were already white caps on the water, and the temperatures were in the high 40’s.  The forecast called for NNW wind 15-25, and it was right on.  Only 10 boats left the harbor to battle each other and the elements, but the racing was again fantastic.

The Race Committee got us going just after 10 AM .  Gull Lake is a 5 mile long lake that runs NW to SE and the wind was coming right down the middle.  We sailed a course 4 and each leg was 2.5 miles long, a marathon race.  Jimmer / Jon broke out to a 45 second lead and never looked back.  They led from gun to gun and pretty much horizoned the fleet.  Joe had some difficulty and was in seventh place starting the last run to the finish but he passed four boats to finish third in the race.

Going into the 5^th and final race Jimmer / Jon had two point lead over Joe / Chris.   There are no throw out races at Tulip Tune Up, so the last race would decide the championship.  Neither Jimmer nor Joe had very good starts as they were staying close to one another.  Both reached the top mark deep in the pack. Jimmer battled back and was right behind Joe to start the final beat to the finish when disaster struck.  Jimmer and Jon had a breakdown on their jib tack which forced Jon to climb to the bow and re-tie the tack.  This maneuver sent them to the back of the fleet.  Joe went on to finish fourth in the race and win the championship by three points as Jimmer finished ninth.

Tulip Tune Up is one of the best regatta’s to sail in and one that everyone should sail at least once.  We were all tired in the end but will remember this regatta forever.  Some of the rides downwind were just awesome.  The Race Committee, Club staff, and volunteers did a great job.  The parties were a hoot and the accommodations second to none.  Everyone had a great time as usual.  See You All Next Year Boys!

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