James Island County Park has been a favorite regatta site for many years. As far back as I can see in the archives the Reichard Kahle and Ricky Gerry families have been the glue keeping regatta success going in the low country. From donuts in the morning, daily lunch diversity and a good ole Low Country Shrimp Boil for a final banquet, it was an EC12 Championship to remember. A couple of days before the championship, Reichard was feeling the pressure of regatta details and murmured to me he wasn't planning on racing. I quickly alerted three class stalwarts who promptly said Easy solution! He's racing. The fleet stepped up to make sure that things that needed to happen were quickly resolved without Reichard's having to do it all. This EC12 Class is family and the team eagerly stepped up!
Congratulations to our new 2022 EC12 National Champion, Chuck Luscomb, who came to this position after several years of being close to the podium as well as on it. In 2011, in this county pond, Chuck was one step off the top with a second place to winner, Dave Brawner, but this Charleston championship was his to own and deservedly won.
Day one of racing brought 4-10 knots for seven total races, and the early leaders were local, Ricky Gerry and Region One perennial top skipper, Chuck Luscomb, who were tied. Chuck already had three firsts but was currently counting an eleventh. Seven points back was Alan Perkins followed by New Zealand's Chris Harmer. On their heels was Class Secretary, Scott Graf, along with Jon Luscomb and Regatta Chairman, Reichard Kahle. The day was marred by the backwards fall of three-time champion, David Ramos in the john boat, attempting to secure his EC12. The fall created a diagonal fracture of the Radius bone in Dave's right wrist. Dave's arm and hand were secured and iced on shore and he was whisked to the hospital by Michele Sysyn. Un-deterred, David, with functioning RC fingers protruding from a temporary cast, was ready to go the next morning. Unfortunately, he had missed four races, but was able to throw out three 24ths to salvage a regatta 10th, winning one race and recording nine top five finishes for day two and three. You can't keep a three-time champion down.
Day two, with another seven races on tap, we tried two different course directions as the breeze messed with us. It gradually clocked to the north affording more shifts and some course holes to frustrate the fleet. Auto tacks showed up and the breeze lightened. After fourteen total races, with two discards, Ricky Gerry was on top by two points over Chuck Luscomb and Scott Graf had a two-point edge on Jon Luscomb who was now tied with Chris Harmer for fourth. Alan Perkins and Reichard Kahle moved to sixth and seventh respectively.
Day three brought fresher winds in the morning but it did not last the full day. This was moving day for Chuck Luscomb. Combining clean and conservative starts, Chuck demonstrated superb boat handling and found good lanes to open the day with three firsts and a fourth at the break. One race he was over at the start and won the race. The championship was decided before lunch. Behind Chuck in second, Ricky Gerry maintained a top position with good finishes to keep the recovering Alan Perkins, who climbed up to third and Chris Harmer, a close fourth, at bay. Harmer, the only top ten skipper without a daily first, was extremely consistent all three days. His worst race was an eleventh. Terrific sailing! Ten different skippers won at least one race, a testament to the depth in this class. Kudos to local, Marie Powell, sailing her first big regatta, and to Florida's consistent Liz Perkins. Both ladies spent some quality time in the A fleet with good finishes.
I learned a long time ago that if you don't say nice things about your team, no one else will. Regattas have a lot of moving parts and here's to the off the water team who stepped up to make important parts happen. A sincere thanks to Judy Bonanno, Official EC12 Class Photographer, and Rebecca Fleckenstein, who carefully made the HMS fleet management system work to a charm. Thanks to Ricky Gerry who arrived early every day with ice and donuts; along with wife Becky, made the trophies, and he cooked the shrimp. Thanks to the Kahle gals, Monica and daughter, Leslie, who set up the dinner party and brought the lunches and to Leslie's boyfriend, Zac, for steaming the oysters. A tip of the hat to David Ramos, who made all the name badges; to David Linville who brought kegs of homebrewed beer for post-race and party refreshments; and to Joe Walter for designing the championship logo and ordering the handsome skipper tote bags. The most significant recognition, voted on by the skippers and RC, was the David Brawner, Spirit of Sailing Award, given to Regatta Chairman, Reichard Kahle, for all his timeless regatta management and consistent Corinthian sailing. Congratulations to everyone. You were a pleasure to be with on and off the water.