HUNTERDON SAILING CLUB NEWSLETTER.
August 1999
The 5th of July
Our annual Little Brown Jug marathon race and Holiday celebration was held on July 5th. Ray Buchanan calculated the handicaps and the pursuit race started around 12 Noon. However, we had a handicap for a Walker Bay 8 that was 30 minutes. Therefore, all of the other boats hung around the starting line for at least 30 minutes waiting for their offset starting time.
The wind was moderate and we finally sent the fastest (meaning the last boat to start) boat (an Albacore) off and racing. The course was Windward / Leeward / Windward/ Dog Leg Left to the power lines / Back to the Beach area / Downwind to the Dam / Over to the Launch Area / Back to the Dam and then to the Finish. Several boats found that capsize drills and man overboard drills made the sailing more interesting. All rounding were to port.
In the end, Tom Nawrot crossed the finish line FIRST in a Day Sailer and in a pursuit race that means TOM was the WINNER. One of the fast boats finished and then performed a capsize drill on the way back to shore. Ask around find out who that skipper was. Several Sunfish sailors looked like wet rats when they returned to shore. I guess there must have been some wind on the lake on the 5th of July.
The annual picnic followed and everyone had a great time. We were glad to see many of our new member come our for our gathering. Next year lets try to have 50 boats race for the Little Brown Jug. I had a suggestion that we plan a race of about 106 minutes in duration. Too much to explain here but yet another idea on how to have a pursuit race.
Barry Seip
Vice Commodore
UPCOMING EVENTS
August / September Events on the Schedule
Ladies Regatta on August 7th
Gravy Bowl Regatta for JETS on August 14th
Sam Nelson Regatta for Juniors on August 28th
Labor Day Sunfish Regatta on Monday September 6th
Millard Filmore Regatta for Force 5s on September 19th
Force 5 Nationals
The Force 5 Nationals were held on Lake Erie at the Grand River Yacht Club in Fairport Harbor, Ohio on July 22-24 with 43 boats participating. That’s a new high in recent years. Encouraging was the number of teenagers that turned up.
Two relatively newcomers won the first two spots after 10 races with one throw-out. John Potter of Beaufort, SC was first and teenage Bryan Parker of Ohio was second. Both have been medal winners recently.
Following them were well known names: Brian Weeks, our builder; Bob Cullen, Jim Bigham and Courtney Young, who won a jacket as the top master winner. Bryan Hicks, a former HSC sailor, made the top 10. John Embler of HYC who sailed with us at Spruce was 22nd. I attended.
Fairport Harbor has a long break-water which we sailed around to race on the open Lake Erie. We sailed almost all Olympic courses. The wind was fairly light the first tow days and then picked up for the first of two races on Saturday. Waves on the open lake were a challenge.
Bryan Hicks was elected president of the class association to fill out the last year of our past president’s term so that he could concentrate on updating the Force 5 web site. The site had 11,000 hits last year and is credited with being the class’s best source of publicity for getting new members and new racers.
HBWT
HSC DOUBLES STORAGE SPACE
Taking advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire more storage space, HSC has purchased the Rutgers shed ( a duplicate of ours).
Current plans call for housing our present "crash" boat in one and a new boat in the other, thus providing a standby craft such as could have been used several times this year for rescue and training, and also to better support larger regattas. These items were thoroughly discussed during winter executive meetings and funds earmarked in capital budgets.
Treasurer George Cassa reports a continuing strong financial position due to contributions and sale of two boats by members and increased membership due to our expanded training sessions. (C.E.)
SEIDE-LINES
H.S.C. 31st ANNUAL SUNFISH CLASSIC
LABOR DAY SEPT. 6TH
FIRST RACE: 1100 hrs
***No Entrance fee***
P.S. Whoever is in possession of perpetual award for this regatta please bring it to lake on Labor Day!
