Recap of the Class Champ at Dillon CO

Santana 20 National Championship Regatta report

Disaster @ Altitude peaks Class Championship

By IV McNamara s20sailor@gmail.com

Team Disaster @Altitude consisting of master tactician / owner Andrew Kerr, helmsman Payson Infelise, and Chief Rail Meat Officer Phillip Infelise put on a commanding performance winning first overall in a fleet of 21 boats. The Santana 20 Class Championship Regatta was held August 8-10 on Dillon Reservoir, Colorado, elevation 9,017 feet. Dillon Yacht Club, Santana 20 Fleet 28, and Dillion City Marina did a excellent job organizing and hosting the event. The mountains and the jet stream combined for some fun sailing over the 3 days featuring wind ranging from 1 to 25 knots with a few gusts clocked in over 50… broaching the entire fleet! “Lake Dillon is one of the most challenging and beautiful venues in the world, it demands that your team pays attention all of the time. Dillon YC, the race committee, Regatta Chairman Mike Mckeever and Santana 20 fleet 28 did a terrific job running a great championships for the class,” said Andrew Kerr. The Santana 20 class enjoys a friendly, competitive atmosphere and all the top sailors frequently share their knowledge with beginners and veterans alike. A hallmark feature of the S20 Class Championship is the coaching seminar led by long time class member, 12 time S20 class champion, professional sailing coach, and british transplant Andrew Kerr.  Many secrets of sailing the Santana 20 in diverse conditions were shared: tips for changing gears, trimming in heavy breeze, weight placement, and starting tactics. (Free tip,  make sure you are going fast at the start!) Another popular feature of the Class Championship Regatta is that it usually immediately follows another regatta giving participants the opportunity compete in two events. Special Thanks to the Race Committee led by Principal Race Officer Paul Kresge, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office who both showed top notch skills adapting to the challenging conditions Dillon presented; every race the C Flag was flying at least once. The 2018 event returns to Southern Oregon's Howard Prairie Lake on July 27-29. For complete results, classified listings to find your own boat, and details on future regattas visit the Class Association website: s20.org 

Land & Sea

Many thanks to Francine Ulatowski of Land & Sea Photography for this picture of Team Disaster @ Altitude