We LOVE It When You Tease US That Way...

We started writing this blog last September when there were something like 300 days left until the start of the 2014 North American Championships being held in Sheboygan, WI. At that time we stated this goal: 100 boats sailing in the NAs.

We have been working hard to convince people to attend. We've promised discounted (free) beer. We survived a polar vortex winter. The ice melted reliably...several hours ago.

About two weeks ago when we were sitting at 80 registrants I offered to personally buy breakfast for the 100th boat to register for the regatta.

Then just two days ago it happened: The 100th boat registered for the regatta. Wow.

I hereby officially invite Lenny Krawcheck and his team to breakfast at Field to Fork in Sheboygan on the date of their choice.

Everyone here at the World Headquarters of the 2014 Lightning North American Championships being held in Sheboygan, WI (Please come!) is beyond excited. We cannot WAIT for you to arrive. We can't wait to start measuring boats!! (This is kind of a sick group we acknowledge...)You know what we all did to celebrate? We went through another draft of the sailing instructions. Then we reviewed the site plan to add some more boat parking slots. Then, we reviewed the number of ATVs we're going to have on hand to be sure we can still get the whole fleet in and out of the water in an hour. Then we got into a spirited discussion about whether or not to order in more bow number stickers.

The fact is: 100 registrations is NOT 100 boats floating out there on August 11. Some teams are going to have car trouble. Someone's mother-in-law is going to recover more slowly than anticipated from another face-lift and they are going to have to pull out. WE NEED MORE REGISTRATIONS.

If you are having trouble with the Online-registration program, please call Laura in the office. She is ready to help. If you even think you might find a way to get to Sheboygan, try hard to come.  If you don't come, you won't be able to say you saw the WORLD'S TALLEST FLAG POLE in person.
Here's a link: http://mortenson.wistia.com/medias/tejnwpitig

9 days until the first sailing in Sheboygan. Please come! Can't wait to see you.

Just How Badly We Want You In Sheboygan (Volume 234)

We've All Been To A Regatta Where...

We've driven up to the club and it's a ghost town. You get the distinct impression that all the members have taken their vacations that weekend so that they didn't have to share the club. You get the idea that the club just doesn't care if you're there or not. And by the way after what time can't they start the last race? Our organizing committee wakes up screaming in the night from the same recurrent nightmare: Someone got the idea we didn't care. 

The 2014 Lightning NAs will NOT be that kind of regatta. That fact, more than anything else is the big reason you should hook the boat behind the car and drive quickly toward cheeseland. WE WANT YOU. WE HOPE YOU'LL COME AND HAVE FUN. IT MATTERS TO US. Let's see...how can I prove it to you. Hmmm...here's an example. Perhaps this will entice you.

Yesterday, I got an email from Peter Mayer who is the current Commodore of the Sheboygan Yacht Club. He is not a Lightning sailor. He IS the Commodore. Here's what he wrote me:

Bill,

We booked entertainment for Tuesday, August 12th starting at 7PM (immediately after the Lightning meeting), in case you want to add it to your blog and direct it to be added to the Sail Sheboygan Lightning website entertainment tab.  Here is the information:

Tuesday, August 12^th starting at 7:00PM – Redfish will be performing for Lightning participants and club members.  Redfish is classic rock, tropical and country mixed in a blender and served with a paper umbrella. http://www.redfishband.net/

...blender...paper umbrella...I hadn't yet been educated to all things Redfish, so I went to that link and I immediately started smiling. Redfish is made up of two guys: Red...and you guessed it...Fish. Do I really need to say more? I doubt it. But take a look at this:

 Who knew Redfish would even consider a stop in the middle of the WORLD TOUR and book a gig at SYC on a Tuesday night?! If the Commodore of the host Club takes the time to book a band for your regatta, and he books Redfish, you know the Club is behind the regatta. And if you know the Sheboygan Yacht Club (The Friendliest Yacht Club on Lake Michigan and indeed in all of Sheboygan County) is behind the regatta and it doesn't make you throw the sleeping bags into the boat and start checking the trailer lights, then you're farther gone than is good for anyone. You had better register quickly before the regatta fills up completely. PS: I will buy breakfast for the 100th boat to register. We're almost there!!

Thanks to Commodore Mayer...and to everyone who has already registered. Did I mention we hope you'll come?!