William I Koch International Sea Scout Cup
Dan Halloran and Eric Lardy in red.Three Sea Scouts from Sea Scout Ship Fiesta Island (SSS 1001) competed in the William I Koch International Sea Scout Cup (WIK Cup) held at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from June 20 – June 25, 2004. Twenty-eight teams from six different countries were in attendance (United States, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Norway). These 56 Sea Scouts gathered for the week for fun, fellowship and sailing competition. They were there to see who was the best sailor of 420’s.
Dan Halloran and Eric Lardy qualified earlier this year in the Southern California sail off and Megan Hohnemann qualified in the Northern California sail off. Megan is a member of a ship in Northern California as well as here in San Diego. She is active here in San Diego when attending school at The University of San Diego.
On Monday the 28 teams were broken into two fleets of 14 teams each for a practice day on the water. The winds were high and all sailors were able to participate in four races each to prepare for the qualifiers on Tuesday. The teams were again randomly broken into two fleets for the qualifying round on Tuesday. After a day of heavy winds and rain the top seven teams from each of the fleets advanced to the Koch Cup and the rest would be place in the Kiwi fleet to compete for the Kiwi Trophy. Eric and Dan qualified fifth in their fleet and advanced to the Koch Cup Fleet and Megan did not place in the top seven and would race in the Kiwi Fleet.
On Wednesday during the first day of the Koch Cup the winds changed from heavy to light. The Koch Fleet got in only seven races when the competition was called due to too little wind. After the first day of racing Eric and Dan were in fifth place. The Kiwi fleet competed on Thursday giving the Koch fleet a day to rest. During the lay day the Koch fleet received a ride on a tugboat and visited Martha's Vineyard for a day of shopping, bike riding and fun on the beach. Friday both fleets returned to the water with the Koch fleet doing six more races and the Kiwi fleet doing four. The winds on Friday were light in the morning and picked up to a steady breeze in the afternoon.
After the day of races on Friday Eric and Dan slipped down one spot and finished in sixth place behind three US teams, the team from New Zealand and the teem from Australia. The winning team was from Orange County. Megan placed sixth in the Kiwi Fleet.
A New England Clam Bake at the residence of William I Koch, along with the presentation of awards capped off Friday night. Many dignitaries were in attendance including the Chief Scout Executive Roy Williams, Russell Coutts (three time winning skipper of the America's cup), and Bill Koch (Businessman and winning skipper of America's Cup).
When asked about his experience, Dan stated, “This was one of the most fun regattas I have ever been to. Normally, at a regatta, all of the other competitors are extremely uptight and very attentive, while trying to find a way to mess you up. Everyone at the Koch Cup was laid back, always being cooperative and even singing songs. It was a great time.”
Dan Halloran (Skipper) is 16 years old and attends Francis Parker Upper School in Linda Vista, Ca. He is a junior in the graduating class of 2006. He is an Eagle Scout and has been in scouting since his days as a Tiger Cub in First Grade. He has been in Sea Scouting for the past three years and has achieved the rank of Ordinary. He enjoys playing guitar, sailing, and has a black belt in Goju Ryu Karate.
Eric Lardy (Crew) is 19 years old and just completed his freshman year at San Diego State University. He is an Eagle Scout and has been in scouting since his days as a Tiger Cub in First Grade. He has been in Sea Scouting for the past three years and has achieved the rank of Ordinary. He enjoys, sailing, barbecuing and backpacking.
Megan Hohnemann (Skipper from Northern California) is 18 years old and just completed her freshman year as the University of San Diego. She is attending USD on a Navy ROTC scholarship. She is a member of Sea Scout Ship Siren Song out of Stockton, California and Sea Scout Ship Fiesta Island (1001) when in San Diego for school. She has achieved the rank of Ordinary.
The WIK Cup is held every two years and is being planned for 2006 in the Florida area.
Dan Halloran, Chief Scout Executive Roy Williams, and Eric Lardy
Last Modified: September 2, 2004
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