We had been disappointed last year when the regatta was rained out and we couldn't show off ACT III. Previous years, we had participated in our Columbia 22, "Dragonfly", almost always the smallest boat in the fleet. We were looking forward to taking out more sailors with disabilities, and their helpers in our much bigger boat. Unfortunately, I had removed the raw water pump from ACT III's engine for replacement. After calling the pump supplier on the west coast and requesting rush delivery, I knew it would be close. But UPS kept their promised delivery date of Fri., June 26. I met the truck en route to take delivery in the early afternoon instead of evening so I had time to install the pump. After discovering and correcting a mounting plate reversal that must have occurred at the pump factory, she was good to go.
With my friend Leif Guerjoy and his daughter, Bailey Irish as able crew, we motored over to the Portsmouth Yacht Club in a dense fog early on Saturday morning. Thank goodness for chart plotter and radar! By the time we enjoyed coffee, doughnuts, introductions, and the Skippers Meeting, the fog had cleared and a perfect sailing breeze had sprung up. Besides Leif and Bailey, our crew were Theo, Jill, and Damien. They had great questions, big smiles, and a cooperative attitude: we all had a ball. After the sail, there was an excellent BBQ for everyone at the PYC. As always, Jesse Gage and his staff and volunteers made the 18th Annual Challenger's Cup Regatta a smashing success.
Mate Heidi had chorus rehearsal all day so could not join the regatta. She was proud to find that Act III had won a number of regatta prizes and she quickly filled the new sailfislh cookie jar, donated by West Marine.
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