Our win-win for the HHSW Regatta (May 1 – May 3:
Alisa Finney (mainsail trimmer) — Shane Zwingelberg (helm,navigation and tactician) — Charles “Chuck” Rush (Jib trimmer) — David Williams. (Jib trim assist; foredeck; halyards) — Bill “Pretzel” Hetzel. (Navigation; halyards)
I’d have to say we had two completely new crew (David Williams and Bill Hetzel) for the regatta,
and they did a fabulous job of performing seamlessly as part of the team. The crew was able to
maintain focus and perform accurate gear changes in accordance with continuous wind
fluctuations.
We could not have accomplished that without Shane Zwingelbergs’ impeccable coaching, driving,
tactician, and navigational skills. Shane’s current reading on Saturday, and his ability to anticipate
the wind fluctuations on Sunday were key in our overall victory. “The boat felt great” Shane stated
afterwards and we were all dialed in as a team. Chuck Rushs’ jib trim was flawless as always, and
My mainsail trim was at the top of my game both days. It was a very sporty weekend and all the
crew never stopped micro adjustments and titrations that eventually allowed us to pull away from
the fleet and make the bullet twice.
Our competition was also at the top of their game as well. We had to work hard at the final pull
away both days. Fahrvergnugen is fast downwind and it helped us gain the needed distance. Shout
out to H. Marie Harkenrider on Arctic Turn for a nice second, and Dan Buan on White Cap for third!
It was a great weekend for some fabulous competition!
This was my second time taking first place overall for the HHSW Regatta. It has always been my
favorite “Season Opener”.
Race committee did a wonderful job with their timely and clear communications.
Both days of the after race parties at the sailing center were fabulous. The energy in the room was
palpable with exhilaration from the sporty competition; as well as the love of yacht racing in
general. There’s nothing like being in a room full of people who share your same passion!
Winning the Helly Hansen Sailing World BVI trip drawing was unbelievable! I was shocked when I
heard them calling “Fahrvergnugen” and “Alisa Finney”. I had just told Chuck Rush not 10 minutes
earlier, that I was “feeling lucky today”! It was truly a win / win day for us and we are sooo excited
to go! Our Cal25 Nationals competitor from Detroit, Paul Neucterlein on Never Alone, had just won
the BVI trip last year, and we are waiting to hear if the Sailing World BVIs’ defending champion from
Detroit will race against us in the BVIs this November. We will be racing against Paul and some of
his Detroit fleet in our upcoming Cal25 Nationals this September (18, 19, 20).
Click on the following link to see more: 2026 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series – Annapolis
–Alisa Finney
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