the 2007 Rebel Nationals
Awosting YS, Greenwood Lake, NJ - July 14-19
Monday: Junior Nationals - 4
photos (mostly) by Uncle Al, Neil Robb and Nick Tanis
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Graham (l) and Maurice hoist their main. It's time for ...
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... the final pair of races of the Junior Nationals.
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Josh and Stephanie look nicely trimmed as they head out for race #4.
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Having duly warned by-standers by saying "gun", Race Officer, Dan Murphy (2nd from left) fires
the RC's very powerful cannon to begin the race 4 starting sequence.
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Signal flags adorn the railing to indicate the course to be sailed (#1) and the state of the countdown, as excited fans look on.
- click here for full-size pic
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I sacrificed yet another bit of my already failing hearing by using hands that should have covered my ears
to capture the start signal and its attendant cloud of smoke. - click here for full-size pic
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Off to a fine start and what appears to be a slight, early lead are Maurice Ott and Graham Kilduff (4072) but Josh Zimmer and Stephanie Montana (US-1592) are also in great shape - especially since their main series rivals, Theresa and Ethan have yet to get off the line.
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Cleverly footing off, Josh and Stephanie have sailed over John Tesser and Thomas Schneiders' wind.
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Maurice tacks to starboard. Josh will have enough clearance to ...
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... cross and sit on Maurice's wind but ...
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... John (off Maurice's bow) ends up having to tack right into Josh's dirt to keep clear of the starboard tacker, Maurice.
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Surprisingly enough, John Tesser and Thomas Schneiders emerge from all this
with the lead over Josh and Stephanie on the first reach.
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Theresa and Ethan (4179) meanwhile, have their hands full as they battle Jim and Julie for 4th place a bit further back.
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At the gybe mark, it's still John and Thomas leading the way, while Josh and Stephanie lurk,
ready to pounce on the slightest mistake by the leaders.
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The decisive move: Josh has gybed and come up inside John where Josh is about to take John's wind and move into the lead.
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In the end, Josh and Stephanie (1592) romped to another win, handily beating Maurice Ott and Graham Kilduff (l) who moved past John and Thomas on the final beat to place a fine 2nd, their best finish of the series. Theresa and Ethan (4179) are just about to round onto the final beat to the finish in 4th place.
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In the end, Theresa (4179) rescued a 3rd while John (4174) - failing to keep the boat moving -
fell to a disappointing 6th after rounding onto the final leg in 2nd place.
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Race 5: Uncle Al opted for a water-level view of this starting sequence.
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With just a few seconds to go to the gun, Josh (1592) tacks towards the line. Maurice will have to hurry if he's to start on time.
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A big dead spot near the gybe mark has bunched the fleet but note how Josh and Stephanie have ...
- click here for full-size pic
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... defended the inside position for the gybe and will be ...
- click here for full-size pic
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... well placed to come out of their gybe with clear air and all the right options. - unlike ...
- click here for full-size pic
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... Theresa (4179) who is having her wind blocked by ...
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... John (4174) and Maurice (4072). Josh and Stephanie, meanwhile, sail merrily away.
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The second reach: Pursuing Josh are (l to r) John, Theresa, Maurice and Zach.
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Josh rounds onto the last leg comfortably ...
- click here for full-size pic
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... ahead of John, while ...
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... Theresa is holding a close 3rd over Maurice (4072) and Zach (4183)
- a 3rd that that will allow her maintain series 2nd and remain dry - unlike ...
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... the 2007 Rebel Junior Champions ...
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... Josh Zimmer and Stephanie Montana who manage to look great, even after receiving the traditional winners' dunking.
Congratulations, Stephanie and Josh!!!

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