IMPORTANT PHRF MEETING FOR SOUTHERN BAY REGION:  Wednesday, November 5, 7-9pm, Hampton Public Library, Main Branch (Victoria Boulevard).  This is the meeting for PHRF members and delegates to discuss fleet splits for the coming season as well as any other concerns other than specific handicaps.  If you have concerns, proposals, suggestions or comments that you would like to be taken forward to the annual Bay-wide PHRF delegates meeting later in November, this is the place to express them.  For information contact Randy Pugh at (757) 301-2859. NOTE:  For an issue to be considered at the Bay-wide November 15 meeting of the PHRF delegates, it must come through an official PHRF delegate.  The November 5th meeting in Hampton is an opportunity for racers to impact the topics at the November 15th meeting in Annapolis.

Twenty-nine racing skippers and crews set out Saturday to see the lights. The 2003 'Round the Lights Race, sponsored annually by Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, saw most of the fleet choose to head for Middle Ground Light first and then Thimble Shoal Light.  The wind did go light late in the race, but 22 of the boats finished before 6:00pm. RESULTS: Spinnaker Fleet: 1.Christian Schaumloffel, Mirage, Hobie 33; 2.Skip Amory, Woof, J/105; 3.Mike Nestor, Glory Days, Cal 39.  Non-Spinnaker Fleet: 1.Jeff Rogers, Halaha, Col 28.2; 2.David Washbourne, Pandora, Catalina 27; 3.Jake Brodersen, Midnight Mistress, C&C 35. Doug Faun's Whistler won the Cruising class.  Race chairman: Bob Williamson.

Frostbite Series - Race #1:  It was a gray, rainy Sunday morning - some skippers told their crews to bag it;  some crews told their skippers to bag it.  But, those who did go out as planned had a peaceful, warmish, almost restful day on the Bay. Winds were mostly 10 knots with gusts to 11.  As they say, "Half of life is just showing up!"  So, the shortened [to 4 races with no throw outs]  series is underway.  Race #1 RESULTS: PHRF A: 1. Phil Briggs, Feather, J/36;  2.Skip Amory, Woof, J/105;  3.Christian Schaumloffel, Mirage, Hobie 33. PHRF B: 1.Rusty Burshell, Cool Change, J/30;  2.Bill Gibbings, Jonathan, NY36;  3.Greg Cutter, Gremellyn, C&C 30XL.  PHRF C: 1.Ron Lewis, Incentive, O'Day 27; 2.Roger Worthen, Calamity, Catalina 27; 3.Ben Cuker, Callinectes, Cal 30-3.  PHRF NS: 1.Dave Taylor, Insolvent, Columbia 10.7; 2.Pam Burdett, Aria, Tartan 34; 3.Lester Knight, Vagabond De, O'Day 34.  PRO: Dick Boykin

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2003 - CCV AWARDS PARTY - HIGH POINT AWARD PRESENTATIONS - MUSIC - DANCING - FOOD - DRINK - SEE YOUR FELLOW COMPETITORS WITH THEIR CLOTHES ON!  For info call any CCV Board Member or Dave Bouchard at (757) 484-8388.  Open to all.  And, Karl Petersen, one of the party honchos, says the live band performing will be The Remainders.  In Karl's words, "Their specialty is classic and new rock and everything from "Mustang Sally" to the latest Dave Mathews and Santana."  He says they will be a great show with lots of energy and that The Remainders are easy to dance to too.  Make your ressies now - bring the whole crew.  Remember, you do not have to win (an award) to be present and have a blast!

Randy Pugh, a member of the Frostbite race committee, cracked a rib when he slipped and fell on the way out to the course Sunday.  After a quick trip back in to shore and to the hospital, he was back home and recovering before the racers finished their post-race party brews.

If you have ever suffered the indignity of "using the bucket" on a race boat, you will really, really enjoy Wendy Mitman Clarke's column, "Christine is Dead", in the November issue of Chesapeake Bay Magazine.  Head technology run amuck!

Good news about young sailors: Word of yet another high school sailing team formed up on the southern Bay.  Smithfield High School has a dozen of so youngsters and 6 FJ's in their new program.

Mark your workshop/clinic calendars:  North U Seminars as announced the dates for two courses coming to the southern Chesapeake.  A one day "Cruising and Seamanship" course will run February 28, 2004, in Richmond.  For racers, the two day "Racing Tactics Seminar" will run Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, and will be hosted at the Old Dominion  University Sailing Center.  Keep you eye peeled for info and application forms.

THE GABOON RACE - the annual  "bring 'em all - family and friends, babies and old ladies" pursuit race sponsored by Hampton Yacht Club has moved to Sunday, November 23, 2003.  Another important change has been made to the Notice of Race - the PHRF crew limitation has been removed.  Carry as many as you can carry safely.  It's a fun event.  For info contact Phil Briggs at (757) 244-5477.

Yankee Point Yacht Club's 2003 Fall Regatta was another RDTI (rescheduled due to Isabel) event.  It was run October 19 and Dwight Timm, Silver Fox, won the spinnaker fleet and Doug Anderson's Sea Dog took first place honors in the non-spin fleet.

 Soon to be upon us - Scheduling Meeting for 2004 Races:  Region scheduler, Martin Holland, expects to be contacting yacht clubs and sailing associations soon with the date of this region's race scheduling meeting for PHRF and MORC events.  Now is the time for club officials and members to decide their druthers concerning race dates 2004 - so that their representative is ready for the region meeting.

 Juggernaut and Sea Dog win classes in Rappahannock River Yacht Club Fall Regatta:  RRYC held two races for the Fall Regatta and Mike Dale, Juggernaut, won the Spinnaker fleet over 2nd place finisher Dwight Timm, Silver Fox, and Anker Madsen, Stephanie, who finished third.  In the Non-Spin fleet, the top three finishers were: 1.Douglas Anderson, Seadog, 2.Maurice Dickerson, Sharp Tern, and 3.Brad Miller, Schiehallion.

NOVEMBER RACING SCHEDULE:  Bundle up and git on out there!
Sun    Nov 2     HYC Frostbite Series #2  (Dick Boykin - 890-0093)
Wed   Nov 5     PHRF Southern Bay Region Meeting (Hampton) (R. Pugh - 301-2859)
Fri      Nov 7     CCV  Annual Party/Awards
Sun    Nov 9     HYC Frostbite Series #3  (Dick Boykin - 890-0093)
Sat    Nov 15    PHRF (Bay-wide) Delegates Meeting (Deep Creek Lodge
                                                on the Magothy - Annapolis)
Sun    Nov 16   HYC Frostbite Series #4  (Dick Boykin - 890-0093)
Sun    Nov 23   2003  GABOON RACE     (Phil Briggs - 244-5477)

MURPHY'S LAW: The name isn't everything.  Applied to sailboat racing, frostbite is good.  Applied to mountain climbing, frostbite is bad.  And, of course, snake bit is never good.  In either case, snake bit really bites! 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