Another weekend of glorious summer temperatures and sun; one which created the perfect setting for our first social event of the year! So MANY members came to the party at the yacht club, it was fantastic! How is it possible the Social Members outdo themselves every time they’re in charge of the eats??? I have no idea how it happens, but I’ll tell you, they’ve done it again!  Thanks a ton to all those folks who brought dishes to share.  Casey and Hunter would like to thank those who helped set up and tear down at the party, your help is always greatly appreciated!

Early notice for the next party: Saturday, June 17th at the Yacht Club building starting at approximately 6:30 pm.  X Boat parents and Board Members are in charge of food for this soiree; don’t disappoint friends!

Melges 15 sailors; would you please go out and register for the ILYA Championship!?!? ILYA Championship Registration Showing the commitment of the local fleet to hosting a great regatta will go a long way! Speaking of the M15 Champs; don’t forget to contact Julie Oltrogge, clyciowa@gmail.com, if you’re able to volunteer. One day, part of a day, would be fantastic if you’re able, a fitting space will be found! We host the regatta from August 3rd – 6th.

The Sailing Center opened its doors on Monday to a large group of enthusiastic young sailors.  7 more sessions are planned for the Summer so please make sure you get your young ones involved!  Let’s keep the love of sailing and all things Clear Lake alive! www.clycss.com

Mother Nature was not playing nice again this weekend in terms of wind!  She keeps throwing that big letter E (East) into the mix!  Didn’t Forrest Gump say something about a Clear Lake Easterly… You never know what you’re gonna get… It was something like that I think. PRO Charlie MacNider was busy not only setting the course and running starting sequences; he had his trusty X-ray flag handy for those unfortunate sailors who dared jump the line. Those unfortunate souls having poor judgment and being a touch aggressive right in front of Charlie included Chris Krogh and Dan Allen in the MC fleet, Avery Tidrick, Finley Nyhus and Brady Amble in the X fleet… I guess you can’t say this group was laying back and taking it easy.

Leif Lundberg continued his streak of bullets in the X fleet, scoring a pair Saturday. Both races were hotly contested with Jude Sorensen who took a pair of second place finishes.  Stu Oltrogge kicked it into high gear on Saturday, winning both races in the MC fleet.  The E fleet got a full schedule of four races over the weekend!  Emily Haugerud cleaned up with 2 wins on Saturday, while Mark Tesar earned a tough pair of wins on Sunday. Emily Haugerud wins the “Bottoms Up Trophy” (a fictitious award which should be made official) for being the first boat to capsize in 2023; a HUGE puff towards the end of the first run was the undoing of the day for Team Loon; thankfully no one was hurt and nothing was broken! The Melges 15 fleet is off and running; the results are clear, Riley Cooney has a knack for this new boat!  4 races, 4 bullets… Yikes!  Nice racing Riley!  Dave Atkinson has been consistent in his sailing, taking all seconds.  Welcome to the fleet Brad and Mary Thompson who start their year with a 3rd.

My short recaps of the racing don’t do it justice!  If you’re able, please get out and watch the racing from the water.  Watch from your lakeside deck if you’ve got one, or bring your binoculars and watch from shore.  Every fleet has been extremely compressed together and the competition is tight.  While some sailors have managed to pull off multiple wins in a row, I have a feeling that may be a limited occurrence the rest of the year!  Race Results

Obscure Rule Alert – (RRS A7) “If boats are tied at the finishing line or if a handicap or rating system is used and boats have equal corrected times, the points for the place for which the boats have tied and for the place(s) immediately below shall be added together and divided equally.”  Todd Tesar and Dan Allen finished the second MC race at exactly the same time according to PRO MacNider, this forced the research of how to handle the situation… And the previously mentioned rule is the solution… Todd and Dan “tied” for fifth and were therefore both awarded 5.5 points… A tie in sailing…I can’t imagine that happens often in one-design racing, but if it does again, we now know the rule.

This weekend brings our normal racing schedule; once again, be ready for back-to-back races Saturday or Sunday morning as we are behind schedule right now.  Sunday afternoon the first Mixed + event of the summer is scheduled.  If you’re interested and haven’t done so yet, please contact Jeff Nicholas for further details!  jnicholas@cltel.net

Early notice for X boat parents and X sailors:  Sunday, June 18th @ 2pm is the Annual Russ Schurtz Memorial Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass Regatta. Parents you’d better take some time to get back in a boat and familiarize yourselves with the X; you know what happens if you don’t… Your kids will never let you forget your utter failure and the shenanigans which ensue from your lack of preparation!

Commodore Brad Price is fresh off his finish at the Annapolis to Newport Regatta.  The event turned into survival mode with 30 knot winds and 10 foot seas shortly after the start.  Many teams were forced to stay in Chesapeake Bay until things slightly calmed, nearly half the fleet retired after leaving the Bay. After 4 days at sea, ripping through large waves and working together in shifts, Brad and his fellow crew members finished just after midnight Wednesday morning. Congratulations Brad on completion of your latest adventure!

Next week, June 14 – 17 is the MC National Championship in Texas. Stu Oltrogge, Eric Protzman, Mark Tesar, Todd Tesar and Dan Allen will make the trek down I35 in search of good finishes and silver.  Currently 82 boats from 19 states are registered, ready to do battle in the near 100 degree heat.  Who in the world chose Dallas in June !?!?!  Regardless, It should be a great regatta, good luck to those attending! If you would like to monitor results, you may do so here.

Next week we will not have a Crows Nest as I will be out of town for a regatta… Please don’t forget the party on Saturday, June 17th and the Russ Schurtz Memorial Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass Regatta on Sunday, June 18th.

Until next time friends!

Stay in the Clear Air,

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