The Inland 20 National Championships concluded the I-20 season with a back to back repeat champions in Steve Scheck and Leigh Leonard sailing a masterful regatta.

The Lake Wawasee Yacht Club in Syracuse, Indiana were gracious hosts and not only provided good racing, but opened up their homes, prepared fantastic meals, and really welcomed the I-20 fleet for an enjoyable National Championship Regatta.

The racing started on Friday afternoon in light and variable conditions. Finding the wind was key and taking advantage of the shifts made tactics very challenging for the entire fleet.

Saturday morning looked promising with winds around 8 and fairly steady. As race time approached, the winds lightened up a bit, although there were some puffs to be found in the 10 mph range. Staying in the pressure proved to be the key, although the irregular lake chop tested the sailors’ ability to read the water. At the end of the 3rd race on Saturday, and the 5th race for the regatta, 1st and 2nd were locked up but the battle for 3rd through 5th involved the top half of the fleet.

Saturday evening's dinner will be remembered with tenderloin, pasta salad, baked potatoes, beans, fruit, with ice cream and brownies for dessert. The volunteers at the Lake Wawasee Yacht Club sure know how to host a dinner! The evening social had a great atmosphere with a fire in the fireplace at the club house and lots of talk about sailing all sorts of scows.

As sailors took to the water on Sunday morning, the winds looked steady, but like Saturday, they started to swing a bit. Some of the conditions can be attributed to the shape of the lake, and the local knowledge paid off as two Wawasee boats went 1, 2 to finish the regatta.

In great form, the boats were packed up, awards were presented, lunch was served, and sailors were on the road around 1:00 for the trip home. Enough can't be said for the excellent organization.