Five Weta sailors competed in the 6th East Coast Championship (ECC) held in conjunction with the 2025 NC Governors Cup Regatta, June 14-15.

There was a mix of monohulls and multihulls on the course, prompting the Race Committee to set a windward-leeward (WL) course with a reaching finish. To accommodate the wide range of boat speeds, RC used three separate weather marks: the far mark for the Weta, Isotope Catamaran, and Thistle; a middle mark for most monohulls including the Flying Scot, Buccaneer, and Wayfarer; and a short mark for the 420, ILCA, and Sunfish fleets.

The timing worked out well, with all fleets finishing within 15 minutes of each other, allowing the next race to start without delay. Weta courses typically ran 45 to 50 minutes. Successful race strategy centered on finding wind pressure, managing shifts, and steering clear of other fleets, especially avoiding the downwind of a parade of spinnaker flying mono-hulls on a light wind day!

Saturday’s racing began with light winds in the 5–7 knot range for the first race. Conditions gradually got lighter through the day, with the third race sailed in scattered puffs of just 1–3 knots. On Sunday, only one race was completed in a shifty 3–4 knot breeze before the wind gave out entirely.

The patchy wind patterns throughout both days led to numerous lead changes. The right side would get a puff, then the left side would get a puff, and then there are all those spinnakers to avoid! The fleet stayed close together throughout the regatta. In fact, I think everyone was in the lead at some point during racing.

Carolina Sailing Club took great care of the competitors, providing hearty meals throughout the weekend. Breakfast featured sausage, eggs, and biscuits on Saturday, followed by pancakes on Sunday morning. Saturday evening’s post-race feast was a highlight, offering everyone a chance to relax, refuel, and swap stories from the day on the water.

The Mid-Atlantic Weta fleet includes two special traditions as part of the ECC. The first is the “Road Warrior” award, given to the skipper who travels the furthest to compete. This year, it was a tight race between Bruce, who came from the coast, and Chuck, who made the trip from the mountains. According to Google, Chuck edged out Bruce by just 18 miles—earning him the coveted (and hard-earned) Road Warrior title.

The second tradition is the “Almost” award, presented to the sailor who almost earned a trophy in the ECC standings. One quirky requirement: each recipient must add something to the award before passing it on the next year. (You’ll have to attend next year’s ECC to see how it evolves!)