Carl Buchan Eyes Worlds; Dad Vies For 2Nd In Fleet

What promised to be a knuckle-biting competition for the chance to represent the Seattle Star fleet at the Star Worlds later this year is quickly becoming a tune-up for Seattle's Carl Buchan.

Buchan won all five races last weekend in the Corinthian Yacht Club's Summer Flag Regatta to gain a virtual lock on the fleet championship.

Second was Don Campbell of Vancouver, B.C., and third was Foss Miller of Seattle.

As Buchan ran away with the regatta, competition for second overall in the fleet heated up considerably with Carl's father Bill, past Olympic and world champion, and Larry Whipple finishing the weekend tied.

Second in fleet will be decided in the Summer Olympic regatta in July. The winner of the district championships, to be sailed in Vancouver, B.C., July 14-15, will also go to the worlds.

The Star, an enigmatic 50-year-old design that remains a top challenging and competitive class, will have its world championships in Cleveland in September.

Raptor wins title

The 14 Thunderbird crews sailing in last weekend's fleet championship might have realized the inevitable during the first race. Grant Chyz and his boat Raptor came from near the tail end of the fleet at the first mark to first place at the finish, picking off boats one at a time.

After a fifth in the second race, Raptor ripped its spinnaker in the third race and quickly had to hoist a spare. The old spinnaker was fast enough, however, to help Raptor earn another victory and the fleet championship. Hard on Chyz's heels was Martin Godsil in Invader, who flew a new spinnaker with a thunderbird head emblazoned on it. Dee Jay was third.

All three boats will compete in the district championships run in conjuction with the WAVES regatta at Vancouver, B.C., June 30-July 2. Chyz hopes to defend last year's title, though he expects tough competition.

Jack & Jills join hands

Four local clubs have coordinated their Jack & Jill doubleheader regattas to help foster participation and determine the best male and female teams. The series starts tomorrow.

The Seattle, Corinthian, Sloop Tavern and Shilshole Bay yacht clubs have agreed to overlay an overall championship on the four existing races to determine series winners. The races include Shilshole Bay's race tomorrow, Corinthian's July 7, Seattle's Sept. 9 and Sloop Tavern's Sept. 29.

Races are to be run under PHRF handicapping and will have courses of 10 to 20 miles. The crew must be one man and one woman.

For details contact the sponsoring club or series coordinator Bill Bonney at 524-5672.

OPEN SAILING AT MT. BAKER

The Mount Baker Sailing Association is looking for people who want to sail but aren't sure how to gain access. The club, operated from the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center on Lake Washington, offers courses for basic sailing, intermediate sailing, racing and sailboarding.

The association also offers open sailing Friday evenings 5:30-8 p.m for those who have taken a sailing course or can demonstrate sailing ability. The cost is $6 for open sailing. The fleet consists of several Lasers, laser IIs and sailboards.

For information, call 386-1913.