#154 SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE
on Tuesday June 3, 2003 05:49PM
Wild wind (gusts well above 30 knots and frequent) took Sunday away from the Laser racers at the District 11 Laser Grand Prix Regatta in Hampton Roads. They did get in three races on Saturday before Mother Nature threw her hissy fit. Henry Amthor won the championship with three 2nd places. Walt Bryde took home the 2nd place trophy (4-4-5) and Brian Shores (3-6-6) 3rd. George Panayides, defending 2002 champion, had a 1st in both race #1 and #2, but fouled in race #3 and accordingly withdrew. Alain Vincey won the Masters trophy and Barb Amthor the Womens. Predictions of Armageddon-type conditions kept most racers home, but 16 sailed on Saturday into the teeth of oncoming weather. Races #1 and #2 were ideal - wind in the high teens and building. But, race #3 (26-28 knots) was a significant challenge, sending half of the fleet back to the Hampton Yacht Club docks and giving many racers some swimming practice. Race Committee team: PRO: John McCarthy; Official Scorer/Finish Line Boat: Dick Boykin; Chief Judge: Joe Bousquet; Signal Boat Skipper: Buk Lawrence; Safety Boats Coordinator: Bill Gibbings; Mark Boat Skippers: Dave Hamilton/Henry Hudgins; and Support Boat Skippers: Gil Snyders/Louie Lewis. Leigh Morgan and George Panayides were event coordinators for host HYC.
The only thing Norfolk's Harborfest lacks is... ????? That's right - a sailboat race! So, the folks at Portsmouth Boat Club have filled the void. The 2nd Annual TOWNE BANK HOMETOWNE REGATTA is this Saturday, June 7th. They've got the T-shirts and they've got the arm bands (arm bands = PARTY). Skippers Meeting is this Thursday at 7:00pm at the Bar and Grill at the Holiday Inn (on the Portsmouth seawall, ICW Mile Post Zero). For info and/or to enter contact event chariman Bobby Burnell at (757) 393-4873 or email at T37Solas@aol.com
Black Seal Cup - Southern Bay Race Week "Brew Crew" Reminder: Plan to sign up for one shift (or more) at the race week parties. Volunteers sell tickets, serve rum drinks and beer, and help serve food at the event parties. Check out the Volunteer Schedule at the web site at http://blacksealcup.com/ and then sign up with Dave Hamilton at david.hamilton@sun.com
They're [coming] baaaaack! PlayStation, that is. Steve Fossett's mega catamaran left Little Creek (Norfolk) on Friday evening, intent on catching a blast from the incoming weather front to make a run at the 24 Hour Distance Sailing Record. Sunday morning the team issued notice that the attempt was being terminated after 8 hours into the actual run. The wind dropped and so did PlayStation's chances of making a realistic record attempt. They expect it to take 2 days to return to Norfolk, because the front stands between their location and their destination. But, then again . . . the weekend storm, once it hit the Atlantic, gained strength and as of late yesterday (Sunday) was reported moving northeast and spewing winds of up to 60 knots. You can follow PlayStation at www.fossettchallenge.com
Racing on Saturday, against predicted odds (one sailing sage bet the HOD's would not leave their trailers), and sticking close to shelter, the 2003 Wolcott Memorial Regatta got in 5 races in the Lafayette River before conditions deteriorated to the "get off the water" level. Mark Wheeler with crew Chris Kennedy won the 8 boat fleet event (2-1-1-2-3) and Eddie Wolcott and Drew Johnson were 2nd (1-4-2-3-1). Devon Sweeney and Jeanenne Cochran finished 3rd (3-2-4-1-2).
Speaking of Hampton One Design sailors, Latane Montague sends along this piece of "tell-all" info on the winning boat at the Memorial Day Fishing Bay to Urbanna Race (affectionately known at the Rosegill Regatta). Latane said that Leroi Lissenden, skipper and owner of race winner Voodoo Chile (Tripp 33), had a pick up crew of "entirely rogue Hampton One Design sailors". Voodoo Chile won the race by 1 hour and 23 minutes and according to Latane, "The Hampton sailors were relieved not to have to use Leroi's funny colored nylon front sail and had to be convinced to put away their trapeze harnesses after they disappeared over the horizon, out of sight of the competition." Lissenden, who sails out of Urbanna Creek YC, and the HOD gang won the 19 mile race against 12 other spinnaker boats.
CUP NEWS: The sponsors of the York River Cup are looking for a more public place in which to display the trophy. Word is the River's Inn Restraurant ( at York River Yacht Haven) has been suggested. It's worth a drink at the River's Inn's classy bar to find out whether the effort is successful. Also, the Cape Henry Cup is being replaced by another trophy. This word is that Sonny Smith has donated the actual CH Cup to wonder dog, Murphy, The Racing Beagle, who snoozes in it. Or, more likely, snoozes after she drinks beer from it!
2003 Screwpile Regatta notes: Better get your act together now. Rumor has it that at least one of the favorite hotels is booked full already. Check the web site at www.screwpile.net for info.
R.W.Beck's Graceful, wins the York River Cup; Smoke wins A/B Fleet and Dream On, C Fleet: Graceful won the non-spinnaker fleet and the 2003 YR Cup by virtue of greatest margin of victory in her fleet. John Boon reports that the fleet of 13 boats sailed in Saturday's weather in "a little rain" and "a little wind". RESULTS: PHRF A/B: 1. Smoke, Nightwind 34, Dan Smoker; 2. Four SeaSons, J/30, Mike Mastracci; 3. Battlewagon, Pearson 37, John Hanna. PHRF C: 1. Dream On, Steve Bowen; 2. Movin On, Mike Austin. PHRF Non-Spin: Graceful, RW Beck; 2. Jade, Pearson 30, Barry Campbell.
The Urbanna Creek Yacht Club Spring Regatta ran Saturday and Doug Anderson's Seadog (Catalina 25) from Yankee Point YC won the non-spinnaker event. Taking 2nd place was another YPYC boat, Anker Madsen's J/29 Stephanie. Maurice Dickerson, Sharp Tern (Cal 25) from Rappahannock River YC finished 3rd overall in the two race event, losing the tie-breaker procedure to Stephanie.
OOOOPS! Calendar Correction: The Broad Bay Sailing Association (BBSA) Regatta is scheduled for JUNE 28th (not June 15th). Please correct your schedules and contact Jean or Jerry Pattenaude for info on registration, location, classes, etc. (757) 543-3029 or email jpattenaude@cox.net
Special Event Heads-Up: Ware River Yacht Club will host the 2003 Hampton One Design National Championship, August 15-17. HOD Class Webmaster Mark Wheeler has set up a Nationals page at www.shorenet/hamptonone/HODNationalsHome2003
MURPHY'S LAW: Mega cat, huh!!??? PlayStationwill need to make record speed if she gets anywhere near me! And, I'm not playin'. That kitty better stay clear of this boss beagle. Living to race, racing to live. /s/Murphy the Racing Beagle
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SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE, Lin McCarthy, Editor