June 9th RACE REPORT: A fine race by and large

Another race and two more first-timers to welcome to the nautical side of the Yacht Club!  Tracey Day volunteered for the first time on the Committee Boat, and Laura Garrett joined us for her first GYC race as captain of her Butterfly sailboat.  In her first race she  finished in the top three along with her Dad, Jim Voelz and her Mom, Peggy Voelz.  The dynasty continues!  Welcome Tracey and Laura!   And in other sailor-related headline news, Jackson Gall’s next race with us will be as a married man.  Congratulations Jackson!

Steely-nerved Race Chairman Jim Riffle was faced with making a race-or-cancel decision with nary a wisp of wind evident on the lake.  Figuring the approaching storms would have some wind ahead of them,  Jim confidently decided to "go for it".  Although the first race was, by and large, a bit of a yawner, the wind showed up as Jim expected, making for a good second race.   Thanks to Jim for his fine work!

We are very grateful to our Committee Boat heroes, Beth Auld, Tracey Day, and Mimi Riffle for making this race possible – we couldn’t have raced without them!    Tracey got into the spirit immediately by contributing the following bit of trivia:  Like many commonly used phrases, the familiar “by-and-large” was actually a nautical expression for being able sail into (‘”by”) the wind, and with the wind (“large” as in large sails).   For more see http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-and-large.html  .   How it morphed into its present meaning is anyone’s guess.

John Auld, assisted by Paul Hass and Beth Auld set up and took down the race markers.  Thanks!   And thanks to Wayne and Arlene Truex for hosting the Protest Meeting after the race.

We continue to need and welcome volunteers for all future races – see schedule in the “port” column.  Let us know which date you can help out. Volunteering for just one race per season is a big help to us.  We’ll train you, and you’ll have a very enjoyable time.  We are especially in need of those who can maneuver a pontoon boat and hoist an anchor.  By and large, the time commitment for most races is a little over two hours. 

In the first race the Voelz dynasty swept the first three finishing spots with Jim finishing first, Peggy finishing second, and Laura finishing third (as a sign of respect to Mom and Dad no doubt) on an overall, handicapped basis.  Jim was sailing the only Laser, winning his class.  The International class consists of many types of boats and is handicapped accordingly.   Peggy and Laura finished first and second in that class, followed by John Gall/Jackson Gall, Jim Riffle/Arlene Truex, John Auld/Paul Hass (they stayed upright fulfilling their resolution) and Riley Leonard. 

A better wind showed up for the second race making for faster times and a far different result.  Peggy Voelz finished well ahead of all other racers on a handicapped basis.  The next, fastest sailor was Riley Leonard then Jim Voelz.  Peggy and Riley were first and second in the International class, followed in order on a handicapped basis by  Jim Riffle/Arlene Truex, John Auld/Paul Hass, Jackson Gall/John Gall, and Laura Garrett.  Quite a difference in finishing order from the first race,  by and large. Again, Jim Voelz won the Laser class.

The next race is scheduled for Sunday June 23^rd.  Reserve your seat on the Committee Boat by contacting Committee Boat chairperson, Beth Auld.  And if you need a crew or a captain to crew for, let Race Chair Tom Schroeder know ASAP.