2003 Thunderbird International Championships  

A sunny Shilshole Bay provided a variety of conditions for the 21 boats racing in the 2003 International Thunderbird Championships.  Winds ranged from 12-22 knots on the first day to next to nothing on the last day of racing. Local favorite Rev, skippered by Mark Harang, prevailed by sailing a consistent regatta with a fifth as its lowest finish. Peter Shorett sailing the beautifully restored Makima placed second after winning a tie breaker over Vidas Stukas’ Owl from Victoria . With Zig Zag, also of Victoria , coming in fourth, one must note that wood boats can be fast, all the top four boats having been constructed of wood well before Zig Zag’s owners Duncan Stamper and Keith Provan were even born.

The regatta began with four windy races. The wind ranged in the 20 to 25 mph range most of the day. With little time between races to sort the boats out, good crew work was at a premium. The ten years of sailing together helped Mark Harang and Brad Baker on Rev to get off to a great start with three bullets in races 1, 2, and 4 and a second in the third race after being over early. However, Owl wins the best come back award for his bullet after also being over the line in the third race. Makima wound up second for the day proving young Carl Shorett skills on the foredeck.

 Tuesday and Wednesday’s racing with more moderate breeze from the north challenged sailors with a new set of conditions including tide changes midday . Calling the layline proved to be key in several of the races with places being gained or lost on the approach to the weather mark. Rev held its lead by sailing fast and recovering after from a bad start in the ninth race. A battle for second through fourth places was heating up with Makima, Owl and Zig Zag, now separated by only three points.

Lack of wind on Thursday kept boats at the dock and provided time to catch up on old friendships and sun tanning. Unfortunately, Friday’s racing began with little wind and ended with a shortened course to the leeward mark. Makima drifted in from the left to finish first and win the tie breaker with Owl, who had gotten caught in the back of the pack as the wind shut off.  With the Sound completely glassy, the race committee decided to call an end to racing and the end of a challenging regatta. 

The week ended with the awards banquet on the ferry Skansonia on Lake Union.  Regatta Chairman and International President Dale Dunning was the emcee for the event.  Before the awards ceremony the guests were treated to a great slide show of pictures taken by Kelly O'Neill.

President Dunning acknowledged the efforts of his organizing committee members.  Dennis and Phyllis Counts did a great job organizing and executing the Auction, which provided the money to put on this regatta.  Catherine Picha handled the Registration and Housing and all of the loose ends.  Sandy Pratt did the Race Committee coordination with the Corinthian Yacht Club and headed up measuring of sails.  Walt Purcell did the Treasurer's job and Mike Murphy lead the social events.  Ken Lane handled measurement of the boats and Glenn Kuhn was responsible for  the programs.  Lisa Kuhn and Brad Kahn handled publicity while Dave Compton organized the box lunches and morning coffee.  Susan Tyler took care of loaner boats.  Dennis Canty negotiated the moorage with the Shilshole Bay Marina.  Joe James was our  liaison with the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle.  Benefactors who made monetary contributions for this regatta are Bill Hurley (1997 International Regatta Chair, Ken Neilsen-Past International Secretary and Honorary Life Member, Jamie Storkman-owner/skipper of #9 Fandango, Howard Seelig -part owner and crew on Predator #1255, Alven Hjorten-owner of #166 KATTU and Walford Larsen-home builder of one of the first 12 boats. 

Three longtime Thunderbirders were given Honorary Lifetime Memberships in the International Thunderbird Class Association.  John Monk past International President and owner of #1006 Aozora, Peter Gilson father of the spade rudder which the class adopted and owner of #878 AMR'A, and Sandy Pratt Seattle Fleet Newsletter editor and past International Measurement Committee Chair and former International Thunderbird champion (owner of #1177 Falcon).

The top 5 finishers for the regatta were awarded a beautiful plaque with a picture of their boat in action.  For complete scores click here. The top 5 finishers were:

1st; Rev #447 sailed by Mark & Kathryn Harang and Brad & P J Baker. 

2nd;  Makima #122 sailed by Peter Shorett with his son and Brian Huse crewing.  

3rd;  Owl #642 sailed by Vitas Stukas  with his daughter Anna crewing.

4th;  Zig Zag #158 sailed by Stamper and Provan. 

5th;  Invader #1244 sailed by Marty Godsil.

Jamie Storkman received the John Dewey Family Trophy for having the
most family members aboard while racing.  Erwan Oger and John Peters, #1130 Thoreen, from Vancouver B.C.presented a rubber squawking chicken to Sandy Pratt and crew of Falcon #1177 for their poor showing. 

The evening was capped off by a spectacular fireworks show on Lake Union.  All in all it was a fantastic week with great sailing and a renewal of old friendships and the start of many new ones.