What a weekend that was!  Pandemonium on the racecourse Saturday morning, followed by a very well attended, epic social event at the Hanson/Callanan Compound Saturday evening.  Many people showed up despite bumps and bruised egos to share their stories of triumph and despair over fantastic food and plentiful libations!

Not enough thanks can be given to John and Carolyn or Casey and Hunter for their hospitality.  The venue was perfect; sheltered from the strong wind but still had a breeze to keep the bugs away, expansive so people weren’t packed in but still small enough to be personal, a free food truck and huge bar.  The red carpet was laid out for all to walk and enjoy; thank you Hanson’s and thank you Callanan’s for hosting such a wonderful event!  Also thank you to all the members who came and enjoyed the setting, especially the many new members I saw there, it’s fantastic having you!

It’s been a few years, maybe only a couple, regardless of how long it’s been…the time has come for a new CLYC Swag Shop…!

The Sailing Center Board has partnered with American Solutions for Business (a CLYC sponsor/advertiser) and put together a “Pop-up Store” full of CLYC merchandise!  T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jackets; you name it, it’s on there!  Ladies, there’s even a really cool skort!  All profits from the sales goes to the Sailing Center supporting their various needs! The shop is live now but don’t wait, the shop closes on July 1st and I don’t know when the next opportunity to purchase will present itself…Order now and you’ll receive your merchandise just in time for the ILYA Championship! CLYC Shop

Only one racing session was “completed” last weekend…I put that in quotes as only half the MC fleet finished, a lone non-capsized X boat was finished in place and sent home and all but one boat in the M15 fleet tipped over!  Mayhem and carnage abound in the three Saturday morning fleets.

The MC fleet started first with the breeze blowing about 14-16 with some higher gusts; within ten minutes, the breeze had kicked into overdrive with gusts over twenty. The first victim was Dan Allen who tipped over at the first windward mark.  Then it was Jake Sorensen who tipped over at the first leeward mark, losing his mast in the process, followed by Eric and Nancy Protzman who death rolled on the second run…Stu Schurtz was forced to retire after a broken spreader bracket resulting in a bent mast…That hurts the check book!  Oh yeah, the actual racing continued…Stu and Deb did their thing in the heavy breeze leading from start to finish taking the bullet ahead of the Hulk himself, Todd Tesar.  Emily Haugerud with crew Kelly Purviance were third, Brad and Margaret in fourth and most impressively, Leif Lundberg with his crew (apologies for not knowing the name) finished fifth!

Second to attempt survival was the M15 Fleet who had whooping and hollering aboard boats and were quickly met with a gurgling end… Every M15 tipped over at least once, some multiple times, with the exception of Finley Nyhus and Matt Doane.  Fortunately or unfortunately they had a malfunction with their spinnaker and were not able to launch it; perhaps that’s the reason they didn’t capsize?  Brad and Mary Thompson must be very skilled righting a capsized boat as they did so twice and still managed to win the race in fine form!  They are heavy air warriors!  Second goes to Finley and Matt despite the speed handicap downwind, third was Ashley Stokke who was admittedly nervous during the racing but super pumped after!  Fourth place goes to Will Finstad.

The X fleet mostly remained on shore due to the crazy forecast; two brave teams to make it out; Jude Sorensen with Will Price and Charlotte Tisor with Tatum Hosmer… Guts of steel from the Z-7 and Z-24 teams!  Jude and Will led at the first windward mark and headed downwind, Charlotte and Tatum were just behind… Typically it’s easier to jibe the faster you’re going…BUT not if you oversteer… and just like that, Jude and Will joined a few other capsized boats and had a nice warm swim!  Charlotte and Tatum cruised on by completing the run and rounding the first leeward mark heading upwind with a vengeance!  PRO Charlie MacNider wisely finished the X race shortly after they rounded, finishing the Z-24 in place and sending them home in the midst of the increasing breeze and mayhem!  That’s the first bullet for Charlotte and Tatum this year; in fact that’s the first bullet for anyone in the X fleet other than Jude!  Nice work ladies on your first win!

Saturday afternoon and Sunday racing was blown out and canceled, giving the members another day to recoup and gather themselves!

Last weekend provides the club with examples of why the members of this club, Racing and Social are so important and how quickly we can all come together when needed:

First it was breezy and everyone knew the forecast was for more breeze.  The sailors who chose to go out did so knowing the forecast and some exercised caution and didn’t go… The decision to race is on the sailor; we have no one to blame when we tip over or break something. The wind was very sailable and raceable, in fact, in a regatta the same procedure would have been followed.

Safety is always a huge concern among sailors; we had an EXCELLENT response to capsized boats and those otherwise in “trouble.”  Thank you to all who helped right boats, pick up sailors and return them to boats and those who towed swamped boats to shore.

As much grief as many of us give our Race Officers, mostly in jest, we are so very lucky to have the race officers we do!  Charlie and team made the right call to end the X race in place and continue sailing the two remaining classes; a very tough decision to make in tough conditions! Well done Charlie, Bill and Kathy; thank you to all the race officers in the club for what you do!

The Sailing Center is finishing up week 3 with more smiling faces and kids learning our fantastic craft! Week 4 (next week) has been slightly modified; the classes will be Wednesday – Friday from 8am to noon.  Some spots are still available but you’d better sign up fast!

Our relatively narrow world of sailing exists among much larger events and people competing at International levels with stars and legends.  Take for example the cover of the latest edition of Sailing World Magazine… It’s a pretty small picture but can you pick out who the helmsman is?  It’s none other than Harry Melges IV of the Melges family fame and Lake Geneva.  That is the Quantum Racing TP52 he’s helming at the ripe old age of 23… Did I mention he’s also a member of the American Magic Team vying for the America’s Cup?

Keep an eye on the forecast for this weekend; early models indicate some storms and rain with the possibility of some gusty winds… See you on the course!  Until then friends!

Stay in the Clear Air.

Dan Allen
MC 2811 – Relentless
dsallen@cltel.net
www.clyciowa.com
www.clycss.com