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Sailors are having one hulluva time Day 1 of the Howard Prairie Regatta brings ideal conditions for skippers By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN HOWARD PRAIRIE LAKE -- Blue sky, accented by puffy white clouds, provided the backdrop for championship sailing Saturday on the glistening waters of Howard Prairie Lake. It was a picture-postcard day awaiting one last brush stroke. That came when the predictable northerly winds swiped across the mountain lake 19 miles east of Ashland. The image was complete and racing began in the annual Howard Prairie Regatta. Because of ideal conditions -- wind gusts were between 4 and 10 mph -- the action was fast and furious in the first three of five races scheduled this weekend. The regatta concludes today with races at 10 a.m. and noon. "I love it out here," said Bryan Simpson, a 28-year-old sailor from Jacksonville, who skippered his 21-foot Hog Wild boat in all three races. He competed in the PHRF (Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet) competition, which uses a handicapping system. Other classes were Geary 18, Laser (one-person crew), Lido 14 (two people), MC Scow (two people), Open Centerboard (two people), Open Cruiser (two people), Tasar (two people) and Viper 640 (two people), the fastest class of boats. "It doesn't get a lot better than this out here," said Simpson, who grew up on Howard Prairie working on sailing crews. Now, he skippers his own crew. "I'm out here to win, but within the rules," he said. "A lot of these other sailors are my friends, and we're also here to have a good time and enjoy each other." Pat Collins, commodore of the host Rogue Yacht Club, said lake conditions and high-altitude winds are major reasons why a record field of 92 boats sailed. "Big national races like to come to this lake because of all the area offers," said Collins. "We have a beautiful lake, consistent wind for sailing at high altitude, impeccable camp sites and some of the nicest people you can find running the place." The first day of racing saw fast times and impressive performances by several boats. Final results of all racing won't be known until tonight, when all scores from individual events are tabulated, then averaged out. Sailboats glided along at nearly 10 mph on straightaways and slowed considerably while tacking around course markers and buoys. "Crews learn to work together in going through the wind," said Harry Heidenreich, a race official and former sailor, who is a member and instructor for the Coos Bay Yacht Club. "That's one of the most important factors." Many skippers agreed that while competing and winning are important, so to is the camaraderie. "The essence of it all is being with your friends in peaceful conditions and in competition that's friendly and tough," said Collins. "My husband (Dana) and I have been coming up here for 35 years to race." Pat and Dana Collins entered a 21-foot San Juan sailboat. "We started out here with an 11-foot Penguin boat and then had a Sealark 14-footer," she said. "Then, we went to the San Juan for more size and speed." One of the biggest and most intriguing boats in the competition is the Capri 25, a sprawling, 25-footer. The boat is owned by Wayne Buck of Medford. It has a mini-kitchen and bathroom and sleeps four in its cabin. Mike Dickinson, Mark Warwick, Rich Hartwein and Buck operated the sailboat Saturday. "I've been sailing for 15 years, and I've moved up to this level of boat," said Buck. "It's a bigger, faster boat than I've had before." It's not just for racing, but also for family outings. "It sleeps four or five people, and we kick back and relax on it," said Buck. "If we can't make it for the whole weekend, we come up after church on Sunday. It's only a half-hour away to some real paradise up here." The Howard Prairie Regatta has been held for nearly 30 years, according to Dick Barbara, vice commodore of the Rogue Yacht Club. Racers this year have come from as far away as San Diego and Seattle. Saturday's Results (through first three races) Tasar -- 1, Jeff O'Brien; 2, Dana Collins; 3, Chris Arroyo. Viper 640 -- 1, Ray Pescader; 2, John Hartman; 3, Greg Adams. Geary 18 -- 1, Tim Mills; 2, Michael Rodde; 3, Oscar Barney. MC Scow -- 1, Michael Rettie; 2, Randy Law; 3, Bruce Harlan. Open Centerboard -- 1, Michael Westbrook; 2, Paul Harlan; 3, Morris Lane. Open Cruiser -- 1, John Kling. PHRF -- 1, Bryan Simpson; 2, Eric Martin; 3, Paul Tremaine. Laser -- 1, Jim Christopher; 2, Bruce Braley; 3, Dave Nielson. Lido 14 -- 1, Mike Pinckney; 2, Jon Walsh; 3, John Papadopoulous. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.