NO OOCHING! June 1 Race Report

(Photos courtesy of Dick Pitman)

Highlights of this very well attended race  included welcoming a new sailor, a miraculous come-from-behind win,  a protest denied, some interesting and humorous  rule-book lessons, and new nautical term – “ooching” (you are not supposed to ooch), a fun protest meeting with gourmet food,  and greeting  some of our sailors  for the first time since last fall.  Those are the highlights. The wind, however, was lousy (only during our race).

 

Sherri enjoys her first race

First, a welcome to our newest sailor, Sherri Agnew who will be sailing her new Butterfly sailboat.  This time though she crewed for Tom Schroeder  to learn the starting procedures, basic right-of-way rules, and  low-wind racing techniques such as when to call it quits and find a tow back to your dock.  We look forward to seeing Sherri in future races.

Many thanks to our volunteers!  The Committee boat was handled by Beth Auld, Ross Kunkler, and Bob Orben. 

Bob prepares race sheet while Beth and Ross wait for participants to check in

Beth readies racers for the start

Race set-up/take down was performed by Dick Pitman and Tom Schroeder.  We are also grateful for Wayne and Arlene Truex for being “race central” before the race and hosting the protest meeting at their home, which is the “home port” of the Grandview Yacht Club.  Oh yes, and Dick Pitman turned paparazzi and got some good photos.

The start was a crapshoot as far as strategy was concerned.  The variable, if even present wind gave no indication of its likely direction in the moments prior to the starting horn.  

A directionless start.  Which way to go?

Andy Jennings was over the line before the starting horn and had to return and restart.  Four boats, including Andy, chose to bear to the port side on their initial tack and soon found themselves in a very time consuming “dead spot” with no wind.  Meanwhile the other seven boats headed toward the starboard and had at least a little wind, but not much.  Andy Jennings somehow got ahead of the wind-starved three boats which were all trying to get to starboard with the others where the better wind appeared to be.  Andy however decided to keep his bearing, taking him far, far to the port of the first mark until it was almost ninety degrees to his starboard side, and he was actually near the second mark.  Then he changed his course and enjoyed a strong wind coming across the port side of his boat pushing him quickly toward that elusive first mark.  He now moved so fast that even with a much longer total distance to travel, he got to the first mark before all of the other ten boats, even the seven that were enjoying a little wind. 

Andy sneaking by Jim

Andy sneaking up on Arlene & Jim

Despite his need to re-start the race and an unlucky initial choice of bearing, Andy won the race based on that strong wind he somehow found and put to use.

The field of boats was very spread out because of the “dead spots”.   

2013 Champion John Auld & Paul Hass

Riley in his new Laser

Peggy and Kevin try to catch Jim

Captain Schroeder with first-time sailor Sherri Agnew sat without wind for so long between the first and second marks that Schroeder decided that since in last place anyway, he would forfeit that

While waiting for a tow, Tom entertains Sherri with almost true stories about the other sailors

position and accept Dick Pitman’s kind offer of a tow from the dam all the way back into the seventh addition inlet so that they would be able to return to take down the race course markers and still have a chance of joining the protest meeting.

Uh...excuse me.... I would gladly pay you Tuesday for towing me to my dock today...

Lance and Bianca Snider who were nearby, gutted it out, and finished the race when a bit of a wind came up just as Tom and Sherri were being towed.

***Warning to non-sailors.  You are about to be bored to tears.  If you are reading this to find out about "ooching" you can just skip to item "C" under the "Lessons" section down below.  And yeah, its worth it. You're welcome.***

It doesn't happen often enough, but there was a protest to be decided at the Protest Meeting.  One of the boats touched a turn marker flag and should have taken a 360 degree penalty turn before continuing with the race, but did not.  The perpetrating sailors touched a mark with their sail after having gotten past the mark successfully without touching it (at low speed),   but then were blown backward.    They assumed since they had initially gotten successfully around the mark, their subsequent touching of the mark did not require a penalty 360 degree turn. At the protest meeting, a small “race committee” was hastily deputized to give a ruling on this protest as well as answer a general question posed by a sailor about whether or not it is  allowed to “scull” the boat (move it forward by rapidly fanning the rudder from side to side).  The committee gathered the information that was available to them at the meeting (accounts given by the perpetrators; the protester was not present).  Then they disappeared around a corner for a “sidebar”.  As they were reading the rule book boisterous laughter could be heard at one point, followed by the sounds of more serious deliberations.  Commodore Tom Schroeder delivered the race committee’s ruling on matters as follows:

1. The protest for touching the mark was not valid because the perpetrators were not notified by the protesting sailor promptly enough for them to take action (a penalty turn).   Those who protest the actions of another boat must notify that boat immediately so that that boat’s sailors have a chance to take a penalty turn, etc.   The protester did eventually notify the perpetrators, but did not do so in timely enough a manner.  As required, the protester did notify the Committee Boat of his protest immediately after the race.    Being present at the protest meeting or otherwise delivering an account of the incident within two hours after the race is also required.  If either party is not at the protest meeting we rule based on the information gathered at the protest meeting.  If a party was not present at the meeting and is not in agreement, they may appeal the decision when notified of the outcome. In this particular case an appeal would be moot because of ruling #2 below.

2. Although the protest itself was not valid, the fact that the boat touched the mark, regardless of at what point in time, disqualified that boat because the sailors did not take a penalty turn before continuing with the race. 

LESSONS FROM THE RULE BOOK INCLUDING TOUCHING A MARK, “SCULLING”, “OOCHING”, ETC.

A. Until reading the rule book, even a couple of those on the “race committee” were unaware that it doesn’t matter when you touch any mark, you must take a penalty turn regardless.  Yes, even if you got around that mark at some point, or the mark you touch is not the mark you are to round next.  For instance, in this race Andy Jennings sailed very near the second mark on his way to the first mark just because of the bearing he chose.  Had he touched the second mark on his way to the first, he would have been required to take a penalty turn. 

B. In answer to the question about “sculling” and whether it is allowed:  The answer is that “sculling” defined as “repeated movement of the helm not necessary for steering” is prohibited.

C. During their full reading of the section describing “Prohibited Actions” (including sculling) the committee broke into raucous laughter when they discovered that “OOCHING” IS PROHIBITED.  “Ooching” is a nautical term and is defined as “sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly”.  No kidding it is right there in the rule book in section 42.2(c).   Also humorous was that when Tom Jennings arrived and heard what we were laughing about, he said “Oh yeah, ooching, that’s in section 42”.  Now THAT is encyclopedic knowledge of the sailing rules!

As usual, we enjoyed some great munchies.  Then Lance and Bianca Snider arrived and broke out some just-prepared sizzling-hot gourmet roasted stuffed peppers along with some sushi.  A fine protest meeting indeed, and it broke up just before the thunderstorm we were happy not to be sailing through.    

Oh yes, and the race results are as follows:

Laser Class:

Andy Jennings 1^st, Jim Voelz 2^nd, Tom Jennings 3^rd, Kevin Preuss 4^th, Riley Leonard, 5^th.

International Class: (handicapped results for all boats other than Lasers)

John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Peggy Voelz 2^nd, Laura Garrett 3^rd, Bianca & Lance Snider 4^th

Overall handicapped results (not for scoring)

Andy Jennings 1^st, Jim Voelz 2^nd, Tom Jennings 3^rd, Kevin Preuss 4^th, John Auld 5^th, Peggy Voelz 6^th, Laura Garrett 7^th, Bianca & Riley Leonard 8th, Bianca & Lance Snider 9^th.

Our next race is Sunday, June 15^th at 2pm.  Committee Boat volunteers are needed.  New sailors and volunteers are welcome to join in.  Contact Tom Schroeder for more information.