#252 SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE

Lin Mccarthy on Monday June 6, 2005 09:31AM

SOUTHERN BAY RACE WEEK  2005 BOAT of the WEEK  -  Sledd Shelhorse's MERIDIAN takes bullets for all five races.  Racing in the 11 boat PHRF A class at SBRW, Meridian trounced her fleet in extremely light air, huge currents, fog, and eventually, on the third day of the event, perfect sailing breezes.   All the fleets battled fluky to non-existent wind the first day, a slight improvement in  conditions the second day, and after a tenuous first race on Sunday, great easterly sea breezes that built to 10-12 knots and stayed.  OVERALL RESULTS:  Boat of the Week:  Meridian, Sledd Shelhorse, Taylor 40,  as well as winner of PHRF A:  2.Sea Star, David Eberwine, J/36; 3.Cyrano, Bob Mosby, Frers 36.  PHRF B: 1. Cool Change, Rusty Burshell, J/30; 2.Bad Habit, Bob Archer, Pearson Flyer; 3.Strega, Neal Garrett, S2 9.2.  PHRF C: 1. Stardancer, John Blais, Pearson 30; 2.Callinectes, Ben Cuker, Cal 30.  3. Bowmovement, Martin Casey, Catalina 27.  J/29 One-Design: 1. Patriot, Case and Rob Whittemore; 2.Titillation, Paul Andersen.  J/24 One-Design:  1. Quicky, Mike Veraldi; 2. Bash, Ron Medlin; 3. Cavitation, Chris Duer.  PHRF-N: 1. Virginia H, Andy Armstrong, Soverel 30; 2.The Hunter, Justin Morris, Hunter 26.5; 3. Halaha, Jeff Rogers, Columbia 28.  CRUISING:  1.Windblown, Frank Miller, Ericson 38;  2. Ali-Ru, John Lones, Morgan 36T; 3.Windblown, Rick Sills, Irwin 33.  PRO:  John McCarthy;  Official Scorer:  Dick Boykin.  Non-Spin and Cruising race chairman:  Bob Williamson.  Mark Boats:  Bill and David Gibbings; Jane and Tom Fowler and Glenn Giles; Dave and Suzanne Hamilton.  Event Chairman:  Leigh Morgan.
Folks involved with supporting the recent US National Match Racing Championship Area Quarter Final (South) , aka Prince of Wales Cup, (hosted by HYC) may not have realized they were rubbing elbows with an American racer who had just come within an eyelash of  making the Volvo Ocean Race crew for the Netherland's-based syndicate ABN AMRO.  Jan Majer, was the last American cut (only 2 or 20 invited to try out made the team).  The article "Ticket to Ride" in the June issue of Sailing World Magazine (page 30) is a great story with neat-o photos.   [Majer finished 4th in the POW qualifier in the southern Bay.  His hosts while in Hampton were Ken and Andria Saylor and, of course, each of the J/24 skippers or reps whose boats were used in the regatta got to spend plenty of sailing time with Jan.] 
 
Harbor Fest related:
Update on TowneBank HomeTowne Regatta:  This is important info, if you plan to do this CBYRA sanctioned event, June 11, 2005.  Race organizers say questions and entry forms and fees should be directed to Larry Bryant,  5048 Bay Circle, Suffolk, VA 23435,  (757) 484-4966  or (757) 472-5969 or email  ldbwhisper@hotmail.com     Skippers Meeting is Thursday, June 9, 7PM, at Portsmouth Boat Club, 20 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth.  This is a change to information published early in the season.
 
SBRW 2005 Tid Bits:  The light air the first two days proved that there is a whole lot more to racing than "sittin' on the high side thundering up wind".   Those who sat on low sides, stacked keels, and paid attention to current tables came up high on the final standings lists. 
 
Advice from a well know skipper to a crew member  for racing and in life in general:  "If you can't be on time, be early."
 
Joke of the Week:  Overheard Friday morning as racers waited for final word on whether winds in "Big Bay" would be too high to allow for racing beyond the harbor:  "They, the weather channels, say winds over 25 with gusts as high as 40 knots!
 
One of the biggest post-race party attractions:  The dunking tank.  Kudos to all who sat on the seat of honor.  Especially those whose "friends" stocked the tank with ice from boat coolers!
 
To those, and there were a number, who learned about current at finishing marks, sailing backwards, and one more reason it is a good idea to have an anchor on a race boat -  the Close But Yet So Far Award.
 
Crew Quote:  First we thought, "Hey, look at us - we're catching everybody!  Then we realized they were sailing backwards to us!  Is there a racing rule about being overtaken from ahead?"
 
Media Kudos again to the Daily Press:  Very large color photo of SBRW action and great story in this morning's edition.
 
An event sponsor rep's quote:  I travel to a lot of the sailing events we sponsor. The people in the southern Chesapeake, and in Charleston, SC, are soooooooooooo much more welcoming and friendly than [other] areas. 
  
The races and the racers, the parties, the hospitality, the fun - a definite A+.   
 
MURPHY'S LAW:  Please, Mr. Beer Truck Driver, be careful when you pull the truck out this morning.  Today, I'll probably sleep late!   /S/ Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.
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