SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH:  CBYRA ANNUAL MEETING,  9:30 AM at West River Sailing Club, Galesville, MD.  Contact: Amy Chalmers, CBYRA Staff Executive Assistant at (410) 269-1194 or Region 4 vice president Lin McCarthy at (757) 850-4225.2002 GABOON RACE - Sunday, December 8th. This is the race that everyone wants to do. Staggered start, so everyone finishes at the exact same time - right!  Racing is boat-for-boat after the start, though, and that is fun - where you finish in the water is where you finish in the clubhouse.  Entries are due no later than 12:30 PM on race day. Racers' start times will be posted at the registration table inside Hampton Yacht Club.  The starting begins at 1:00 PM.  Valid 2002 PHRF rating is required.  PHRF crew limits do apply. And, all boats must have lifelines in place. The start/finish line is in front of the Hampton Yacht Club docks.  Awards will be presented for PHRF A, B, and C classes as well as the Gaboon Spittoon for the first place boat; where applicable, a non-spinnaker credit will be given.  Award presentations will be Tuesday, December 10th at HYC.  For info contact: Phil Briggs at (757) 244-5477.  This event is sponsored by HYC.

CBYRA Executive Secretary John Dodge recently helped deliver Donnybrook from Newport to Annapolis through a gale (Force 8). The black 73 footer experienced wind up to 40 knots sustained, seasickness among the crew, and a broken main halyard in Delaware Bay.  All the rough stuff was out weighed by the glorious sunsets and just sailing according to John.  Then, they got to Spa Creek to find that the water had left with the northwest wind and they had to wait its return to reach their dock.  As they say, "That's sailboat racing [and race boat delivering]."

Dave Alexander and Pete Wallio did themselves proud in the Eastport Yacht Club (Annapolis) J/22 Turkey Bowl.  Not So Blue finished 3rd overall with a string of finishes of 4-3-4 among 14 entries.

Blue water racers' scheduling note for 2003:  The Marion-Bermuda Race starts June 20 in Buzzards Bay off Marion, MA. The mention of places called Buzzards Bay and Massachusetts doesn't do much to warm our December chill, but Bermuda and June sure do.  The regatta is open to mono-hull yachts from 32 to 80 feet LOD.

This Winter is supposed to be COLD and WET.  That will deter most racers or at least divert them to warmer climes.  However, there are still three scheduled events on the local keel boat calendar.  If you are not on the high and dry already, there are opportunities to race:
    Sunday, December 8        The Gaboon Race                HYC: Phil Briggs  (757) 244-5477
    Wednesday, January 1      SYC New Years Day Race   SYC:www.seafordyachtclub.com
    Wednesday, January 1      New Years Madness Race   OPCYC: Allen Overstreet
                                                           (757) 465-2503 or HYC: Phil Briggs (757) 244-5477

MURPHY'S LAW:  Speaking of cold and wet: While your baby is in the boatyard, don't forget, she can get blisters from the inside just like from the outside.  It's a good idea to keep the bilge dry.  Easier said than done when the rain, sleet, and snow is sliding down the mast  and down your neck as you head up the ladder to pump/sponge her dry.  Living to race, racing to live. /s/ Murphy the Racing Beagle

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