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2007 Swift Solo North American Championships
We had a very successful and fun event this year. The Jericho Sailing Center was host to the 2007 Swift Solo North Americans and we were greeted by all with open arms. We had many races, six on one day, taking a toll on bodies and boats by the end of the week but I wouldn't change a thing.

The first clinic day was spent unpacking late arrivals and a several short practice races folowed by some starting drills. After our return back to the dingy park, we surrounded the newly arrived boats that still needed rigging. As usual there was no shortage of tools and helping hands to get things under way. Shopping lists were made for little bits forgotten.

The second clinic day saw an afternood of starting practices. A prize was given to Mark White for the best start of the day and a lot of work on stalling out on the line was done. With the currents on Eglish Bay, this was a taller order than many would think. We followed the practices with a couple short races so people could get some tuning in. Again the day's sailing was spent rigging the new boats.

The third day of the clinic saw mostly practice races. Robert tore his kite and had to head in early for repairs.

The first race day was a long one. We got in six races in our race only day of sea breeze. By the time we stopped racing, many a tounge was hanging low. All of the starts were tight and very competative.

The second day of racing saw light and shifty winds from over the hill. Places were traded often depending on how lucky you were at picking the correct time to tack. The beach was favored for the currents but by going in, you lost presure. Robert Harper was the only one to make going outside for more wind to pay off. Bram and Ron found heading for the beach to be best for them.

The rest day was spent regaining strength and fixing little bits that people broke. In the evening, we had the AGM and a nice dinner at the club.

The third day of racing was more of the same with light shifty winds and people tended to work the same sides of the course as they did on the second day. Some of the newly rigged boats made it out for some racing with trading drivers so more people could get in on the action.

The last day of racing saw Bram taking it easy and loaning his boat out to Chris Wickham so he could get some time on the water. Ron missed the last day due to a breakdown suffered on the previous day. With so many races with close action and tacking duels, many of us were feeling the strain of the week and those that did not sail were enjoying the rest.
Final results:
Place Sail # Skipper Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Race 9 Race 10 Race 11 Race 12 Race 13 Race 14 Race 15 Total
1 USA013 Dally Bram 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 6* 1 1 2 1 1 9*DNC 9*DNC 18
2 USA050 Harper Rober 6* 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 4* 3 9*OCS 3 1 3 31
3 USA002 Watt Ron 1 1 2 1 1 2 6 2 3 2 9*DNC 9*DNC 9*DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 39
4 USA033 White Mark 2 9*DNC 9*DNC 4 4 9*DNC 7 5 4 3 1 4 4 3 2 43
5 CAN Roger Write 4 4 4 9*DNC 9*DNC 9*DNC 5 7 6 9 DNC 4 3 2 2 1 51
6 CAN001 Jocelyn Mike 5 5 5 5 9*DNC 9*DNC 4 4 7 9*DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 4 4 70
7 USA Chris Wickham 9*DNC 9*DNC 9*DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 2 3 5 9 DNC 9 DNC 2 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 84
8 USA056 Keith Councell 9*DNC 9*DNC 9*DNC 6 9 DNC 9 DNC 8 8 8 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 9 DNC 5 98
Here are some of my observations and thoughts from the regatta.

1. The Jericho sailing center is one fantastic place. Mike, Roger, Keith, and Dave are very lucky. I am green with envy. The whole staff at Jericho went out of their way to make us feel at home, and we did make ourselves at home. I\’ll be back the next chance I can get time and afford the trip.

2. One of the keys to sailing a Swift fast is to keep the boat as flat as possible. Even people on the RC and shore crews commented that people who seemed to have good speed were very flat. The boat is also much easier to handle when flat. If you roll up on the wind, you get too much drag and the rudder comes up out of the water.

3. Make sure all your lines and controls are fee flowing. I don\’t know how many times I would get in the lead only to have a total rats nest hoisting the kite and either end up with a knot in the haliard or take too long and have the kite hourglass on me. Also don\’t hoist the kite while going DDW. It will only twist up and foul. Stay high while hoisting the kite and it will flow out from the boat. Same is true for the dowse. This is when the head will go behind the spreaders and make the rest of the dowse dificult and the next hoist all but impossible.
Bram running well
Keith in light wind and a borrowed kite.
Getting ready
Mark running well/
Ron in good form.
Ron out in the lead.
Our host, Mike.
Post race.
Our lovely photographers.
Ron port tacking the fleet.
I'd like to thank everyone who came and helped out. This was yet another great regatta with great people. Once again, thanks to the staff at the Jericho Sailing Center. Everyone was a class act and always willing to help. You have an awsome facility with awsome people. Keep up the great work!

Robert Harper