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.

Spring Social Report

Yacht Club members gathered at Beth and John Auld’s beautiful home and enjoyed each other’s company, the wonderful weather, and a great view.  Thanks again to Beth and John for hosting us, and to Mimi Riffle for updating memberships.

Memorial Day Breakfast Report

Many lot owners and their guests gathered outside the GLOA office for one of the first opportunities of the season to visit with Grandview neighbors.  We observed Memorial Day by reflecting on the price paid by those who served in the military and the price paid by those close to them. We recognized those in attendance who had done so.  Our thanks to the Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department for providing a tent (and for putting it up and taking it down).   Yacht Club members volunteered to obtain the refreshments and arrange everything.  Thanks to Mimi & Jim Riffle, Arlene Truex, Beth Auld, Lisa Duret, Kevin Preuss, Tom Jennings and Tom and Julia Schroeder for their efforts.

MAY 18TH RACE REPORT

We had four new participants join us for the first race of the season.  Many of our regular sailors were out of town, but we had a good sized fleet. With cool air and water temperatures, it was probably a good thing that it wasn’t windy enough to cause the usual number of capsizes.  It was an exciting race nonetheless because of the close standings of the six boats during the entire race, and the surprises from the variable wind.   Peggy Voelz and the “Portsmouth Yardstick” have the last laugh, and she is probably just now learning about it while reading this report.

Our new participants were:  

·         Chris Braun, who will be racing a Laser this year.  He volunteered on the Committee Boat for this race to see how we do things.  Chris is new to the area, and is an experienced sailor and racer.

·         Ross Kunkler, who crewed for Tom Schroeder.  With plenty of instruction from Tom, Ross is now an experienced crew, but the other skippers will need to correct what Tom taught him!  We hope to have Ross take the helm as soon as possible in a race this year.

·         Maura Leonard, who volunteered for the first time on the Committee Boat after attending the instruction meeting on May 10^th.  Maura is veteran sailor, Riley Leonard’s Mom

·         Nicki Leonard, Riley’s sister, who was in town and helped out on the Committee Boat as well.  We discovered that Nicki has a very competitive spirit, so we hope she’ll “come sail with us” sometime this summer since more than a few of the GYC sailors share that trait.

Kevin Preuss, organized the race in his new role of Race Chairman which we are very grateful to him for taking on.

Riley Leonard set up a good race course with Kevin's assistance.  Thanks gentlemen!

The well-staffed Committee Boat (THANKS! To Chris Braun, Lisa Duret, the Leonard family - Maura, Nicki and Riley, and Arlene Truex) got us off to an excellent and prompt start. 

Jim Voelz was out front immediately and kept it that way, winning the Laser class.  The rest stayed reasonably close behind.  Although they sailed divergent courses, they converged to within inches of one another at each of the three “marks” (turn markers).  So close in fact that it is a little surprising no one tested the limits of their right of way, invoking a protest.   The wind was so variable that Schroeder/Kunkler who were way to port (left, remember?) and aft of (that means behind) the rest of the pack approaching the first mark, were easily able to catch up when the wind shifted, and they counted their blessings.  There was little motor boat traffic so it was easier than usual to read the wind by watching the water.

On the way to the 2nd mark

On the way to the third mark, Lasers skippered by Kevin Preuss and Tom Jennings were off to starboard (yeah, you figured it out – to the right) of the rest of us.   The two boats were overlapped, and since Kevin was leeward (downwind) of Tom,  Kevin had the right of way.  Tom wanted to turn to the port side, but couldn’t because Kevin was there.  Finally, Tom slowed down and went behind Kevin to maneuver himself to the mark.  By the way, regarding the pronunciation of leeward:  An experienced sailor will pronounce it "leward" instead of "lee-ward".

The finish was very exciting with no “instant replay” required since it pretty much all transpired in slow motion.  Jim Voelz finished first followed by Tom Jennings.  Kevin Preuss was doing fine, but got into a position that would have been fine, but with a wind shift, became very unfavorable.  In the last 15 yards he had to tack several times (turn such that the wind comes across the other side of the boat along with the boom– duck!) , putting him at a big disadvantage.  Meanwhile, fairly close to the finish line, Laura Garrett was moving along ahead of both her Mom, Peggy Voelz, and even further ahead of Schroeder/Kunkler, while Kevin was off to her starboard side.  Then the wind died down and shifted just a bit.   Who was going to cross the line first now?  Would it be Peggy or would it be Laura?    

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Laura and Peggy, Schroeder/Kunkler, who were windward (upwind of), were getting the slight wind first, blocking it from Laura and Peggy.  It wasn’t much wind mind you, so Schroeder/Kunkler were moving about as slowly and stealthily as an alligator approaching its prey, unnoticed.  Not having the right of way (because they were windward not leeward as you learned earlier), they had to sneak past Laura and Peggy and crossed the finish line first!   Then Ross did something that showed he is new to Grandview sailing.   Did you read last year’s blog?  If so, put the pieces of this situation together:  a) they had just crossed the finish line before the others unexpectedly  b) therefore they were very pleased with themselves and their sudden good fortune and c) there wasn’t much wind at that moment.   Yes, you guessed it; Ross became celebratory and initiated a “high five” with Tom.  They were lucky; the “high-five syndrome” wind gust did not strike them and capsize them.  But now Ross is aware of the dangers of “high five syndrome”.  

Meanwhile, Kevin Preuss managed to get across the finish line, but the Laura/Peggy drama remained unresolved. Laura mentioned that it was her birthday and she ought to win, so some “happy birthdays!” were shouted from various quarters.  Nevertheless, the wind moved Peggy’s boat forward first to victory. 

In the International Class, Peggy gets the last laugh on Schroeder/Kunkler because after the “Portsmouth Yardstick” (see port column for details) handicap for the boat type is applied to the elapsed time, Peggy beat them.  So did Laura.  So on a handicapped basis it was Peggy Voelz 1^st, Laura Garrett 2^nd, and Tom Schroeder/Ross Kunkler 3^rd.

And in the Laser Class, it was Jim Voelz 1st, Tom Jennings 2^nd, and Kevin Preuss 3^rd. 

Although we don’t handicap the Lasers for scoring purposes, if we did,  the overall results of all the boats on a handicapped basis would have been as follows:  Jim Voelz 1^st, Tom Jennings 2^nd, Peggy Voelz 3^rd, Laura Garret 4^th, Tom Schroeder/Ross Kunkler 5^th and Kevin Preuss 6^th.

The sailors chose not to have a 2nd race due to low wind.

Wayne and Arlene Truex hosted the first Protest Meeting of the year.  We enjoyed the views from the upper deck.  We did a more thorough job of welcoming our new participants and had fun re-living the race.  Thanks Wayne and Arlene!

The next race is scheduled for June 1^st and will be considered the Memorial Day Trophy Race (these days we avoid racing on holiday weekends).   We need Committee Boat volunteers to assist Tom Schroeder, so please contact Tom or our Committee Boat chairperson, Beth Auld if you would like to help out.  We don't like to post email addresses on the blog because they invite spam.  But you can phone Tom at 873-1637 using the Indy area code.

In the meantime, see you at the Memorial Day Breakfast and/or the Spring Social.

Sailor's Meeting Report - May 10th.

Thanks very much to Kevin Preuss and Lisa Duret for hosting our refresher course on Committee Boat, race set-up, and race procedures this past Saturday at their beautiful home.

New Participants:

We were pleased to welcome a new Committee Boat volunteer, Maura Leonard (Riley’s mom), and two sailors new to GYC, Chris Braun and Ross Kunkler.

Chris will crew/volunteer at first, and then race his Laser.  Ross plans on volunteering and crewing for a while, and then sail his sailboat in the International class.   Please welcome Maura, Chris and Ross when you have an opportunity.

Changes/Preparing for first Race:

Sailors will be getting their first race notice from Race Chairman Kevin Preuss for the race this coming Sunday, May 18^th.  As usual, you are asked to notify Kevin of your plans to sail (or not).

In the meantime, we have sent out our a) race set-up, b) racing,  and c)  Committee Boat procedures (just Committee Boat procedures for non-sailing volunteers).  These are available in .pdf format to anyone who requests them. 

Maybe re-read these after uncovering your sailboat and evicting the hornets that are in the process of establishing a colony there.

PLEASE NOTE: 2 KEY CHANGES FOR 2014:

1. We will no longer be using a starting flag.  The starting horn will be the only “start” signal.  This will make committee boat duties for our wonderful volunteers more streamlined, avoid confusion for sailors, and be more consistent with the way other sailing clubs operate.  We will however, continue to use both a flag and a horn for the “five minute warning”.   Once sailors see or hear that we are within 5 minutes to start, it this their responsibility to stay in earshot of the Committee Boat to hear the starting horn.

2.     Sailors are asked to serve on the Committee Boat on the same day they are responsible for setting up the race course, or to recruit a substitute who can lift an anchor/drive a pontoon boat, and willing to learn how to start and time races.  This is to provide additional help for our non-sailing volunteers.  If you sail with us regularly,  and have not been assigned a date for race set-up, please volunteer to help someone on the schedule set up since it is really a 2-person job (and a good chance to learn how).  Contact Race Chairman, Kevin Preuss  to sign up for a date.  Also, consider volunteering to help on the Committee Boat by contacting Committee Boat Chair, Beth Auld, and signing up.

After a long and brutal winter, we are looking  forward to seeing you on the water, at the “Protest Meeting” at the Truex’s, at the Memorial Day breakfast and/or at the Spring Social on May 30^th!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2013 SAILING SEASON & A SAILOR'S RESOLUTION FOR 2014

Here's  the best of our 2013 sailing season in the following order:  1. Highlights, 2. Thanks, and 3. Awards.  At the very end of the post is the 2014 resolution captured in two photos (Thanks Steve).

 1. Highlights and fun facts about our sailing season

Participation:

• We had 42 participants in total this year.  26 of those were sailors, and 16 were volunteers. 
• We welcomed 5 brand new sailors this year, and we are getting younger!  New sailors include Ben Hicks, Erin Gall, Nick Gall, Laura Garrett, and Josh Gray.   
•  Along with our 7 new committee boat volunteers that makes 12 new participants in total for 2013 - Welcome!. 
•  So more than 1/4 of our participants were new to sailing races this year.

The (Devilish) Wind: 

• In most races the wind favored the four or five boats that made it to the first mark first.  The rest were left without much wind. 
• The wind continued to punish those who relaxed or became celebratory after crossing the finish line by capsizing them with a sudden strong gust.  We call this “high five syndrome”.  

  

  Jim has just won the race, and is quite relaxed, making him a prime candidate for "high five syndrome", though he escaped it this time.

•  The wind also punished a few of us at the start/finish line: After coming about, with no forward momentum, it took Tom Schroeder and Bob Zachidny about two full minutes to go 5 feet to cross the finish line while Riley Leonard zipped by on the forward momentum he had before the wind died.  And Andy Jennings was actually blown backward within feet of the finish line.

Riley (foreground) is moving, Tom and Bob are not. (the finish line is marked by the orange pole)

Number of Races: 

We had eight race days, two more than last year.  That means we needed more Committee Boat volunteers than last year, which kept Committee Boat Chair, Beth Auld and our volunteers busy.

Firsts: 

• We had a mysterious visitor from a faraway land who introduced a new custom. 

  

  Nicholas and Graham stand and bow to Committee Boat volunteers

  Nicholas, the Hale’s foreign exchange  student, along with his captain, Graham Hale stood up and bowed to the Committee Boat volunteers after crossing the finish line, like they do in France (or so we're told).
• We had a baby being born during the "LABOR Day" race.   Peggy Voelz was in Montana with their daughter (the new Mom), keeping husband Jim posted on progress via mobile phone.   As sailors passed by Jim during the race, he would yell "still pushing"!  Shortly after the finish Jim waved two noodles in the air which signaled “It’s a girl!”

New Nautical Terms:   

We had some new nautical terms introduced to us in 2013. You’ll find these explained or used in context in our race report blog entries. 

• By and Large 
• Bob and Weave 



Skyward - as in " the skyward pontoon" get it?

• Skyward
• Snarling (of the anchor line) 
• Aggravate the Sail 
• "Become Celebratory " 
• High-Five Syndrome (can infect someone who has "become celebratory").

2. Thanks to the following who made our races and social events possible:

Our wonderful Committee Boat volunteers: 

• Beth Auld 
• Eileen Carroll 
• Tracey Day 
• Norm and Susan Egbert 
• Steve and Gretchen Fisher 
• Josh Gray 
• Bonnie Hicks 
• Dave and Linda Maudlin 
• Emily McGurdy
• Jack and Sandi Miller 
• Donna Mount 
• Bob Orben 
• Mimi Riffle 
• Tracey Wilson 
• Tricia Zachidny

  

  Donna gets ready to start the race

  

  Just another lazy afternoon on the Committee Boat

Our event hosts:   

Spring Social: 

Larry and Nancy Olson 

Memorial Day Breakfast: 

Mike and Leah Essex  (and for sponsoring our use of the Harrison Lakes Country Club for the banquet)

July 4th Breakfast: 

Dan and Judy Hoyt

July 4th Kayak Race:  

Max Henry 

Labor Day Breakfast: 

Ed and Dolores Krome

Hey, by the way, we still need event hosts for 2014!  Please consider hosting the Spring Social, Memorial Day Breakfast, or Independence Day Breakfast. 

And thanks to trailblazers Brad and Carole Arthur for volunteering to host the 2014 Labor Day Breakfast.

Home-Port Harbormasters:   

Before the Race at Truex's

After the race at Truex's

Again this year, after every race, Wayne and Arlene Truex hosted the protest "meetings" at their home.  This is after all the activity that occurs at their dock before the race since they store all of our race equipment and rig and launch three or four boats at every race and then get them all unrigged and everything put away.

Various Yacht Club Efforts:  Thanks to....

Mimi Riffle for all of her hard work again this year as Secretary/Treasurer handling with memberships, treasury, trophies, organizing the banquet and a dozen other things including, being one of two people, who each were on the committee boat 70% of the time.
Jim Riffle for helping Mimi with just about everything. And for his race coordination when Tom Schroeder was unable to, along with Tom Jennings and Kevin Preuss. 

Jim and Mimi

Tom Schroeder for his work as Commodore.
Julia Schroeder who finds herself helping out behind the scenes with just about everything husband Tom does, and keeps him on an even keel (most of the time).

Beth Auld for her work as Committee Boat Chairperson, having a fundraiser for the club with t-shirts, bought a megaphone, found decorations and trophies for our events, among other contributions. Beth came up with the idea of having a Committee Boat training and refresher course, and she and John hosted it at their home.  Beth recruited volunteers (about half were new) and volunteered herself at about 70% of our races.

Beth thanks our committee boat volunteers and gets ready to present them with tokens of our appreciation

Kevin Preuss for volunteering to be Race Chairman next year.

John Sohn for serving as our arbiter and judge of protests, although we didn’t keep him very busy this season since we were all so civil to each other!

Jim Voelz for sharing his tips for winning races. 

Jim teaches us how to race

And as a testament to those tips, Wayne Truex (keeping track of all of our errors

We are looking like serious sailors aren't we?

from shore) even commented that we are beginning to look like serious sailors.

We are thankful for photos from the past season courtesy of the Hales, Millers, Zachidnys, and others.   These photos really added to this year’s blog.   If you would like to share digital photos of our races, but need help with the logistics, Tom Schroeder will be happy to assist you to make it really easy.

3. Trophies and Awards: 

Awards: Laser Class

1st Place:   Tom Jennings

2nd Place: Jim Voelz

3rd Place:  Kevin Preuss

Crew Awards:   

We have a competition for those who crew for our captains.  Crew members receive the same number of points as the captain they crew for in each race.

1st  Place: 

Arlene Truex

2nd  Place: 

Catey Hale 

3rd Place:  

(tie) Bob Orben and Lance Snider

Lance

Bob (and Mimi)

Good Samaritans Award:  

Bianca

 Lance and Bianca Snider won the “Good Samaritans Award” for stopping during a race to help keep the capsized Hobie catamaran from turtling (see the August 18th race report).  They then went back to finish the race, but of course finished last. 
They were awarded our last unsold sweatshirt to signify that they would give the shirts off their backs to those in need (they really would).   It is a 2XL which is good because they will have to both wear it at the same time since we only had one left!

Awards: International Class: 

The International Class consists of boats of many different types, which are handicapped according to statistics published by US Sailing.  Except for the Hobie which we manually calculate.

1st Place:   

John Auld

"Awright!!!" John exclaims as he makes off with the 1st Place trophy.

2nd Place:   

Jim Riffle

3rd Place: 

Peggy Voelz

Awards:   Ghost Class:

Tom lifts the heavy ghost class trophy and prepares to give it to the winner.

   Last year we introduced the ghost class in honor of Larry Olson who really wanted to be sailing, but was unable to. This year’s winner in a spooky sort of way, kept the same boat idle (he bought Larry’s Laser sailboat).  Josh Gray is the winner.  The reason for his absence is very honorable, so we didn’t give him any grief about that (he was busy working on his Eagle Scout project most of the summer). We hope to see a lot of him and his Laser next year.

Josh

Oh yes, and Larry Olson tells us that although we didn’t SEE him at the banquet, he was actually there, and overheard everything that was said about him.  Uh oh!

 

 

Awards: Rookie of the Year 

This award is based on points accumulated during the season:  Our rookie of the year was Laura Garrett. Laura is the daughter of Jim and Peggy Voelz from the Voelz racing dynasty.  In Laura’s first race, they finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd on a handicapped basis.  Laura was a model of perseverance in a year with a very difficult wind.

 

 

Awards: Holiday Trophies:  

Memorial Day Trophy 

Tom Jennings

July 4th Trophy

Jim Voelz

Labor Day Trophy

Tom Schroeder

Awards: Booby Prize:   

Tradition requires that the white porcelain chamber- pot trophy be appropriately awarded:   

You may remember that in 2011 Bob Orben and Wayne Truex won this trophy jointly because they disqualified each other in the same race. 

In 2012 the winners were John Auld and mystery man and good sport Paul Hass for the dramatic capsizing, turtling and successful recovery of the Orben Y-Flyer.   

This year we also have joint winners, They are Committee Boat volunteers Sandi Miller and Susan Egbert. Like recipients of the past, they will have to fight over who gets to display the stylish trophy shown below.  Due to high seas, both Sandi and Susan got feeling a bit seasick.   Sandi even registered a written protest complete with a stick figure drawing.   She said that they were bobbing like "wobbly Weebles" on board the Committee boat.  The chamber-pot trophy was decorated to be a depiction of the Committee Boat’s dilemma, complete with wobbly Weebles and Sandi’s stick figure drawing.

Awards: Championship Trophy: 

2013 Champion John Auld

The Championship Trophy goes to the captain who scored the most point using our scoring system.  This means that he won the most races with the most number of competing boats.  This is the first year he sailed his own boat with great results. This year’s winner had four crew members who can share the glory.  They are Bob Orben, Paul Hass, Bob Zachidny, and Catey Hale
Like last year’s winner, this year’s winner did not miss a single race and is the only one of all of our captain or crew who didn’t.

This year’s Champion sailor is John Auld.

That wraps up our highlights of the 2013 season.
For the 2014 season, Steve has provided us with a great resolution:

We would be pleased to have you join in our sailing activities in 2014 - Happy New Year!
(And there are some sailboats available, see port column)