# 371 SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE

Lin Mccarthy on Monday December 3, 2007 08:43AM

 
Caribbean 1500 Update:  Some are back home from Tortola, the destination of the 1500 fleet, and some, aka the smart ones,  are still "down there".  Of the 69 boat fleet, 39 approached the bluewater adventure from the racing angle.  Some of the southern Bay entries faired especially well in the 5 handicap fleets. Phil Gillihan, who resides on Willoughby Spit (Norfolk) and sails out of Smithfield, VA, brought his Corsair 3600 catamaran, Parallax, in first in Class 2.   Wesley Jones, from Gloucester, VA, (FBYC) took second in Class 4 with Valient, a Fast 40.   Gordon and Eta Johnson, of Hampton, VA, (OPYC) sailing out of Southall Landings, finished second in Class 5 in their Beneteau  423, Didi Mau.    For details of all the finishes, check out the event web site at  www.carib1500.com
 
"Baby it's cold outside..."  Well, according to the Monday morning weather gurus it's gonna get cold and especially W-I-N-D-Y  - gusts to maybe 50.  We'll see.  But, whatever happens, we won't have the 2 feet of snow predicted for Maine!  And, that's a good thing!
 
THE BIG GABOON  -  No wind!  More than 30 boats started the race that marked the 30th Anniversary of the Gaboon.   Phil Briggs, the man who dreamed, conceived, and brought to reality 30 editions of this season-ending event, was on hand to do the registering and to race his J/36, Feather.  Phil's presence was to be expected.  He has chaired every Gaboon.  The wind was a gentle breeze on the nose as the 32 boats made their way out of Hampton River. When the wind dropped completely out, most of them were stranded near the turning mark a couple of  miles up the course.   The race was abandoned when it became apparent that no one would make the 1630 time limit.  At the time of the abandonment signal, Blue Bus, Chris Johnson's J/24, was the closest to, but not within sight of,  home.  Serving as the Gaboon race committee:  John McCarthy,  Buk Lawrence,  Glenn Giles, Scooter Boykin and Lin McCarthy.
 
Registration open  for  SBRNYCU  MURPHY GOES RACING -2008:  "Going Faster - It's All About the People"    February 2, 2008, hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association at the Old Dominion University Sailing Center (Norfolk).  This clinic is geared toward Non-Spinnaker and Cruising racers who want to improve their results on the race course.  The clinic will focus on the role of the crew (no matter how many) and emphasize concrete skills and techniques to help your boat perform better and go faster.  IDEAL FOR SKIPPERS AND/OR INDIVIDUAL CREW.  Course instructor, John McCarthy, will cover a variety of topics including Crew Work Upwind,   Reaching Techniques, Sail Trim, Working with the Pole, The Dreaded Double-Headsail, and more.  The fee, $35 ($25 for accompanying family member), includes morning refreshments, lunch, and all clinic materials including the course workbook.  Register by calling (757) 850-4225, or by email to mcbear@earthlink.net  (include your name, address, and phone number and on the subj: line put MURPHY CLINIC)
 
Mike McCartney and Leo Scott win inaugural  Left-Over Turkey Cup.  Sponsored the Saturday after Thanksgiving by Merry Point Yacht Club, the event drew 15 boats.  The wind was light and it was cold.  It was so cold that the racers were unable to finish all the post-race beer - they left a full 8 gallons.  Maybe this spring they could race for the "Left Over Beer Cup".  Kudos to event organizers Dave Peresluha and Barr Brooks.
Check this out:  Shackle Dogs@    Murphy says, "Yrs Truly the Racing Beagle, no matter how famous, does not make a lot of discretionary pesos - especially considering the brew budget (which is NON-discretionary) etc. So, the Murphster must be frugal when gifting time rolls around.  Shackle Dogs@, are for, you guessed it, opening and closing shackles.  Light weight, easy to handle, double as racer go-go gear, and sell for about $6."  Available through APS at 1-800-729-9767.  Check 'em out at  www.apsltd.com
 
Yesterday was only the third time in 30 years that the Gaboon Race had to be abandoned on account of  lack of wind.
 
Having trouble sleeping soundly?  Try reading the court decision that decides, at this point, who is the legal  Challenger of Record for the next America's Cup.  You can read the whole thing at  www.sailing scuttlebutt.com/news/07/1127.   If you are sleeping fine, bottom line: Justice Herman Cahn  has decided in favor of the Golden Gate Yacht Club. 
 
Bluewater ops:  Word is some southern Bay sailors are signing up to crew on schooner Virginia for her April 2008 trip to Bermuda and back to Norfolk.  It's a two leg (down and back) trip - you pick one leg to sail and fly the other.  For info go to the Virginia's website at www.schoonervirginia.org
 
CBYRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, this coming Saturday, December 8th,  0900 - 1200, at Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD.   Club delegates who are not able to attend should let our Region VP, Tom Roberts, know who has the proxy - contact Tom at  tjroberts2@cox.net    Lunch will be available after the meeting.  To make lunch arrangements, please contact Beth Kahr at (410-269-1194) immediately.   For directions to EYC, you may contact Lin McCarthy at (757) 850-4225. 
 
MURPHY'S LAW:  What?  A bunch of racers let a full keg of  [leftover] beer get away from them?  Yrs truly, Murphster, The Racing Beagle,  stands ready to help out at Merry Point.  Put my name on the return address label on next year's kegs for the "Left Over Turkey Cup".  Left-over beer - that's an oxymoron!   /S/  Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.
Fishing Bay Yacht Club
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