38 Years Ago At A Lightning North Americans In Sheboygan...

Now that you've registered and are about to get into the car to drive here, it's time to ask..."Where were you in August of '76?"

This is the 4th time Sheboygan will play host to at least one of the Lightning North American Championship regattas. Previously the 1993 WMJs were held in Sheboygan and the NAs in Milwaukee. In 2005 the NAs were held in Sheboygan after the WMJs were held in Milwaukee.

In 1976 regatta was also held in Sheboygan...

That regatta will forever be remembered for the first race of the qualifying series when the fleet encountered a classic Lake Michigan North Easter following the passage of a cold front. To quote the Sheboygan Press from the following Monday:

"The big story of the weekend came Saturday when 30 boats failed to finish the race and an estimated 20 boats were capsized by 10 foot seas and winds around 25 knots with gusts blowing to 30 knots. With 20 boats over, at least 60 persons were in the water causing the rescue operation to concentrate on saving people while boats were abandoned. Of the boats that were abandoned, the last couple weren't found until late Saturday afternoon and one wasn't located until 10am Sunday.

It was a rough day for the scorers, some of them worked, threw-up and went back to work. Some were reportedly ill by 9 a.m. but didn't get back to shore until after 3 in the afternoon."

The second race of the day was abandoned and all sailors accounted for. It is a happy irony that Matt Burridge, who with his Father owned one of the boats that was later found on the beach several miles from the race course, came back to Sheboygan and won the 2005 event without having to sail the last race.

Amazingly, by the next day the wind had blown itself and the waves flattened to the point that the first race of that day was not completed within the time limit and had to be re-sailed.

The first race of the '76 event will never be forgotten by anyone who was here that year.
It's good history to know before we get started this year.  Nobody here is frightened of Lake Michigan. But just the same, we NEVER take its power for granted either. Remember, there was a polar vortex winter here. The lake is about 10 degrees colder than normal. That does not mean it's going to blow 20 every day. In fact, the recently-completed Thistle Nationals also hosted here was a light air event. But do yourself a favor: bring some warm clothes! You can always leave them in the hotel.

It's incredible, but here we are in the last week before the 2014 NAs. The organizing committee is ready. Sail Sheboygan and The Sheboygan Yacht Club are ready. The Race Committee and the Judges are ready. The Measurement Team Is Ready. There was a time when the concluding sentence would have asked, "Is your liver ready?" But that is so inappropriate in these more mature times...

Drive safely. See you soon.