We start this week’s Crows Nest with the highlight of last weekend, which of course was the social event at the Zanios and Hendricks homes.  We cannot find enough words to thank them properly for having us.  Jamie and Nancy, Randy and Denise… We owe you a tremendous amount of gratitude for allowing us to take over your homes for an evening; you provided an amazing setting for the members to enjoy!  It will certainly be a party to remember and talk about!

Today, July 25th, is the final day to register for the event before the late fees kick in; sailors, if you haven’t done so already, you can register here. Monday, July 29th is the final day for everyone to order tickets for the Tuesday and/or Friday parties at the Surf Ballroom. Both evenings will feature live entertainment, mingling with folks from around the country and food catered by Chef David from the Surfside Restaurant. Chef David is a French master chef trained in culinary techniques by the finest restaurateurs. Those tickets are $55/person and can be purchased here. Please don’t expect to show up at registration and be able to buy tickets, we won’t have that option.

The Boater’s Closet is the apparel provider for the Championship and has a wide array of cool items for sale ahead of the event.  While they will be on site with merchandise during the event, they’ll have a limited inventory; check out their website and get your merchandise delivered to the event!  Boaters Closet – ILYA Merch

If you’re planning to be out on the water watching the Championships, please contact Mike and Lexa Starbeck, michaelstarbeck@gmail.com to see if he needs your help; many of the E’s, C’s and MC’s will have crews on standby on power boats in the case it gets windy or they need to be dropped off if the wind goes light.  Of course some folks bring the entire tribe with them, they’ll want to go out to watch, help them and us by taking them with you!

This week is a big one for our youth sailors. The ILYA X Boat Championship starts today, Thursday at Delavan Yacht Club. Jude Sorensen with Will Price, the Sorensen sisters, the Tidrick sisters and the Harris boys will be representing the CLYC proudly!  Good luck to them! Good luck to the parents as well, thankfully the waters of Delavan aren’t as confusing as those at Geneva…Far fewer buoys for Jake to run over…

Don’t forget the Jack MacNider Regatta was scheduled for last weekend, we all know how the racing situation wound up… That means the Jack MacNider Regatta will be raced for this weekend.  Be prepared for back-to-back races on Saturday.  Given the oddities of our weather this Summer and our lack of racing, be prepared for back-to-back races each day every weekend, only the first three races will count for the regatta. X boaters who aren’t traveling to Delavan should know you’re still able AND should race this weekend if you’re available!

ATTENTION E and C Fleets; you may already know this, however, you will be racing this Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Back-to-back races are planned; the plan has been cleared with each of your fleets and PRO Tommy Erickson has graciously agreed to run those races.

Racing Report: Can you believe, I have none… I wish it weren’t true but it is…

Since we’re not racing here, how about a few exciting events that have been happening and are about to happen throughout the world of sailing:

Harry Melges IV, the grandson of the late Wizard has been named as the Helmsman for the American Magic AC40, which is the boat used for the Junior America’s Cup. He along with Finn Rowe, Ripley Shelley and Kyle Navin, all from Lake Geneva were named to that team by the New York Yacht Club.

Steph Roble from Lake Beulah and Maggie Shea from Chicago are competing in their second Olympic Games in the 49fx class. Lara Dallman-Weiss from White Bear will also be competing in the Olympic Games with now 5 time Olympian Stu McNay in the 470. The Opening Ceremonies are tomorrow, Friday, July 26th with the sailing schedule beginning Sunday, July 28th. If you would like to watch the Olympic Sailing events, go to Olympic Sailing

Who says sailors only live on the coasts…?

Ryan and Jenny Amble have an X boat For Sale:  1999 Melges X Boat, complete with Melges trailer, full deck cover, envelope cover, 2 whisker poles, floatation panel .  All rigging updated in 2019.  2024 Main and Jib (Quantum, new/unused), 2022 Main and Jib (NS), 2015 Main and Jib (NS), 2009 Main (NS), 2008 Jib (NS). $7,000. Contact Ryan Amble 515-988-8634

Let’s hope this coming weekend provides more action to bring you!  See you on the water this weekend!  Until then friends!

Stay in the Clear Air,

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