Tragedy Strikes Chi Mac

[Kris O]

Other than the storm, pretty uneventful. We had a crew of 12 on a Sydney/BH 41, including the owner who is quadrepalegic. He has no body movement other than slight use of his neck. Weather was predicted to start southeast and then clock to the west sometime earlier Sunday. We decided to play the left of the course which we later found out hurt us a bit. Good solid 10kts of breeze Saturday, dropped down to 5 through the night. We always kept moving. Sunday the wind slowly built. We had crossed the rumb line but remained off shore. At some point we had our large assym up and were surfing along at 14kts with sunny clear skies. As the wind built early evening, we carried the owner down below and got him strapped into his bunk. We had trouble pulling up weather on the computer and the tracking site went down on Saturday and never came back up, so we were listening to the radio for indications of the storm we saw in the distance. Not much was said about the storm. Wind readings at buoys and ports were mild and less than what were seeing on the boat. We debated for a long time whether we would get hit with the storm as it seemed to be tracking north but there was A LOT of lightning. Had the 3 t'd up and the chute twinged down as the wind slowly built. A lightning flash showed us a roll cloud coming. Hoisted the 3, blew the chute and got it mostly put away as the wind hit. Did not get the pole down so we went through the storm with the pole banging against the head stay. With the 3 and main we were hitting 15 plus for an hour. Rain and wave spit hurt on your face. really hard to see. We were very concerned on how long it lasted because we were approaching Greys reef. Because of how the storm hit...the whole crew had harness/life vest on but did not get fully foul geared up because of the heat. Everyone was wet and cold through the storm. As the storm let up, we hoisted the 1. then eventually the chute, then back to the 1 etc. Saw some double goose eggs in the straights then the wind built and clocked right after the bridge and had another quick chute blow that was not picture perfect. We finished at 6:30 am Monday, 6th in section and 34th overall. I pretty much had hypothermia at the finish. I got about 4 hours sleep during the race as did most of the crew. With the winches grinding the whole time sleep was not easy to come by. Definitely one of the faster races I have been on which was very welcome compared to the early forecast we saw. Spent the first 5 hours on the island trying to clean up and dry out the boat. Then Lunch and a drink, Nap, dinner then off to the ferry. Slept at the airport Monday night and caught the 5:55 back to detroit and salt lake. Got in a full day of work yesterday

[Kris O]

Oh yeah we did hear a MayDay midday on Sunday from a boat in our section and were monitoring if they needed help. Coast Guard really had trouble getting out of them what their exact location was. Middle of Lake Michigan was the initial direction given. They had a man overboard, which they ultimately recovered themselves...turns out it was the owner and I am guessing it happened in a jibe but dont know for sure. IT was a reminder to all that every person on the boat should know proper radio calls and how to determine boat position. I think many people do not know what to do in an emergency and rely on others on the boat to have this knowledge.

[IOR Geezer]

Thanks for the report, it sounds like quite an adventure!

[doghouse]

Well, a lot happened this year. It was a very mixed event for us. We are all saddened by the loss of life, especially in our very class. We had a great race going, which got slightly interrupted by the squall. We were reaching to the bridge from G3 when it hit us, and were under jib and main. We had prepared, and have a very experienced ocean racing crew, so as soon as the first gust hit, everyone was instantly up and we dropped main and reached off at about 14-15 kts under J2. Saw around 45 kts or so. Maybe 50. The 20/20's were covered up as the main went down, and the last number we saw was 40 kts. After it blew out, we had to bob to the finish, which cost us a shot at the overall. Manage to win our section by a pretty good margin, and 10th in fleet, finishing about an hour after the last GL70. Beat several turbos there, including a Rodgers 46, which seems to be a design that always falls prey to us, and Talisman, who dropped out, but we were smoking anyway since it's an IMS abortion that I really can't believe isn't in a dumpster somewhere. Was happy to see our buddies on Shorthanded get a podium in our class, as they are really good peeps. As we finished, the race committee was very discombobulated, and took awhile to confirm us. We later found out that the calls about Wingnuts were coming in at this time. I can't describe how saddened we were at the news. It certainly put a pallor over everything instantly. One thing I do know though, is that life moves on, and the best thing we can do to honor the ones no longer with us is to press on with great racing whenever we can. That what any sailor who truly loves the water would want.

[Shife]

Suzanne's funeral will be held this Friday at 11am. I believe that Mark's is scheduled for the 29th. I'll pass along any details if I hear anything.

Snow Funeral Home Obit

Beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away suddenly Monday, July 18, 2011 with her boyfriend, Mark Morley, while living her life passion of sailing. Age 40 years. The daughter of Jean (Miller) Burns and James and Mary Makowski, Suzanne was born December 12, 1970 in Saginaw, Michigan. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1989. She then attended and graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Science. Suzanne was a pharmaceutical rep for several companies and most recently employed at Great Lakes Medical Supply. She was a member of the Bay City Yacht Club. Suzanne had a passion for gourmet cooking, traveling, scuba diving, skiing, but most of all…sailing. Surviving are Suzanne’s mother, Jean Burns and her husband Rev. William Burns, Saginaw; Suzanne’s father, James Makowski and his wife Mary, Saginaw; Suzanne’s brothers and sisters, James S. Makowski Jr. and his wife Michelle; Michelle Makowski; Brian and Carrie Madison; Jeff and Dawn Madison; Jim and Shari Madison; Lisa Pierce; many nieces and nephews. Suzanne was preceded in death by her grandparents, Fred and Alma Miller, Simon and Katherine Makowski. Funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Michigan. Rev. Fr. John Mancini, O.S.F.S., will officiate. Honoring Suzanne’s wishes, cremation will follow. Friends may call at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at St. Christopher Catholic Church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Christopher Catholic Church or the charity of their choice.

[doghouse]

Thanks Shife

[Kris O]

our view of the approaching storm. If not for a lightning flash we would not have seen the roll cloud. Moderate winds and chute up. we weren't even sure at this point if the storm was going to hit us.

[Bob Hughes]

Thanks for the kind words, dude. You've got a pretty good group of guys yourself. Enjoyed hanging out with you guys.

I was totally gutted when I heard of the loss of life. Took the focus away from the race for a while. Thoughts and prayers to the WingNut family and crew.

Well, a lot happened this year. It was a very mixed event for us. We are all saddened by the loss of life, especially in our very class. We had a great race going, which got slightly interrupted by the squall. We were reaching to the bridge from G3 when it hit us, and were under jib and main. We had prepared, and have a very experienced ocean racing crew, so as soon as the first gust hit, everyone was instantly up and we dropped main and reached off at about 14-15 kts under J2. Saw around 45 kts or so. Maybe 50. The 20/20's were covered up as the main went down, and the last number we saw was 40 kts. After it blew out, we had to bob to the finish, which cost us a shot at the overall. Manage to win our section by a pretty good margin, and 10th in fleet, finishing about an hour after the last GL70. Beat several turbos there, including a Rodgers 46, which seems to be a design that always falls prey to us, and Talisman, who dropped out, but we were smoking anyway since it's an IMS abortion that I really can't believe isn't in a dumpster somewhere. Was happy to see our buddies on Shorthanded get a podium in our class, as they are really good peeps. As we finished, the race committee was very discombobulated, and took awhile to confirm us. We later found out that the calls about Wingnuts were coming in at this time. I can't describe how saddened we were at the news. It certainly put a pallor over everything instantly. One thing I do know though, is that life moves on, and the best thing we can do to honor the ones no longer with us is to press on with great racing whenever we can. That what any sailor who truly loves the water would want.

[Shife]

Suzanne's funeral was very moving. I wore a stainless wingnut around my neck in their memory during the Bayview this weekend. It will have a permanent spot in my gear bag. Mark's funeral is this Friday.