By Paul Miachika
The Jordanelle Reservoir is just a few miles east of Park City, Utah, at an elevation of 6,500 ft. With temperatures 30 to 40 degrees lower than Phoenix, and views of the local ski hills, this was too enticing of a sailing venue to pass up on the weekend of September 12-13.
Over 50 boats raced in the 2020 Park City Fall Regatta, including 16 Lasers competing for the District 23 Laser Championship. I was the lone racer from AYC, amidst those from Colorado, Idaho, Texas, and the local and very active Utah fleet. Two days with ten races and all with decent wind, except a drifter at the end of Day one. I placed 1st in that race. Having great wind resulted in very competitive and enjoyable racing, and taking a 5th overall placing.
Paul Swan won the Districts with a net score of 14 followed closely by junior sailor Alex Horne of Dallas with 18 points. The race committee set extremely square start lines, and the courses (WLW) were approximately 30 to 40 minutes in length. Some local knowledge helped, but it was typical lake sailing. You had to get good starts, recognize the puffs and dead spots, and work your way through them to be successful. Weather and leeward mark rounding’s were busy, and it paid to have an inside overlap; otherwise, you had to “keep your nose clean.”
We were treated to some great food on Saturday after racing by an Argentinian food truck, whose owner happened to be a huge fan of the famous Danish sailing icon Paul Elvstrom. The onshore facilities and launching ramp were first-rate, and there was plenty of room for social distancing with everyone observing proper health protocols. If any of you AYC sailors have a chance to sail in Park City, I would highly recommend it.
Photos: Walter Tierney and Katherine Horne