Heading for Warmer Climes.  Key West Race Week heats up, opening on January 20^th.  To date three (3) southern Bay boats, and one “beyond”, skippers and crew will be there.  Sledd Shelhorse’s Farr 400, Meridian X, will be racing in the High Performance Class.  And, two J70s will race one-design – Noel Clinard’s Loonatictu and Lud and Blake Kimbrough’s Nostalgia are among 39  J70s already signed up.  The Kimbroughs’ J70 will be fresh out of the box; KWRW is hull #99’s first taste of competition.  From “beyond” the southern Bay (Lexington, North Carolina), is well know Teamwork, Robin Team’s J122, sailing in the PHRF 1 class.

SOUTHERN BAY RACE WEEK 2013 – It’s a new SBRW!  Last year SBRW  was suddenly and devastatingly shortened by a Friday night tornado that hit regatta headquarters during the post-race/awards party.  Since that weekend, recovery, restoration, and rejuvenation have been underway. In the next few days racers will receive detailed information regarding the exciting changes and special $40 TORNADO DISCOUNT for SBRW 2013.  For openers, there will be racing on a different venue in a different format each day of the regatta.  On Friday, PHRF and One-Design boats will do multiple races (triangle-windward-leeward courses) in Hampton Roads harbor; on Saturday, all fleets (including Cruisers) will do a distance race in the Bay off Buckroe; and on Sunday, PHRF and One-Designs will do multiple races (windward-leeward courses) in the Bay off Ocean View, while the Cruising fleet will do one mixed legs race, also off Ocean View.  SBRW 2013 entry fees remain the same “racer friendly price”, the Early Bird discount package is still available, and there is one BIG, GOOD fee discount.  Every boat previously entered in SBRW 2011 and/or SBRW 2012 is eligible to deduct the $40 TORNADO DISCOUNT from their entry fee.  SBRW organizers expect  to have the event website updated for 2013 later today - www.blacksealcup.com or www.hamptonyc.com   Or, request SBRW 2013 information and entry forms electronically by emailing  mcbear@earthlink.net , put “I need my SBRW info” on the subj: line.  SBRW 2013 – opening night May 30; racing, parties, and all the rest May 31, June 1 & 2,   Y’ALL Come Racin’!

The sea water is COOOOOOOLD! How cold is it?  So cold that the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team has put out a bulletin advising that a number of sea turtles in Virginia waters have fallen victim to Cold Stunning, a condition that causes them to become lethargic and begin to float to the surface.  They may wash ashore and when they do, they look as if they are dead.  So, if you see a sea turtle on the Bay or on the beach, call the VASR Team at 757-385-7575.  Usually the sea turtles have left the southern Bay by now, but thinking is that a sudden drop in the water temps curtailed the travel plans of a lot of them. 

LASER SPRING SERIES BEGINS.  They are at it again – Sunday Laser racing.    You too can race your Laser NOW!  Racing takes place at the Old Dominion University Sailing Center off Powahatan Drive in Norfolk along the Elizabeth River. Racing is from 11 a.m. to 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. Skippers meeting is at 10:30 a.m. and the boat house will be open at about 10 a.m. for those changing or rigging up. The racing is FREE.  A limited number of Lasers are available for charter - first come first served. Charter fee is $10 for the day. For details and answers to questions, contact Robert Suhay at  robert.suhay@pilotonline.com

List your BOAT FOR SALE: The Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use FOR SALE list will be published on February 4^th, issue 626. This is an annual FREE listing for southern Bay and beyond racers and readers. The goal is to keep boats on the water! To list your boat (and/or boat hardware) send your info to mcbear@earthlink.net .  Include: Boat name; Boat make, model, and year; Asking price; Where the boat is currently located; A very few words about the boat (e.g., PHRF rating, great in heavy air, etc.); Your name and phone number – be sure to include area code.  If you have questions about the listing, call Lin at (757) 850-4225.

CBYRA 2012 PHRF High Point Final Standings:  Southern Bay (CBYRA Region 4) scorer, Tom Roberts, has compiled the final standings in our region for this past season. Congratulations to all.  REGION 4-SOUTH DIVISION (all qualifiers listed): PHRF A  1.Dave Eberwine, Sea Star; 2.Phil Briggs, Feather; 3.Dave Wilbar, Special K; 4.Richard Payne, Flying Colors.  PHRF B 1.Bob Archer, Bad Habit; 2.Ben Weeks, Rumble; 3.Greg Cutter, Gremlin.  PHRF C 1.Alan Bomar, Roundabout; 2.Justin Morris, The Hunter; 3.John Wandling, Eclipse.  PHRF Non-Spin 1.Leo Wardrup, Black Widow.  REGION 4 – NORTH DIVISION (all qualifiers listed):  PHRF A 1.Glenn Doncaster, Nanqu.  PHRF B 1.Bob Fleck, Mad Hatter; 2.Miles Booth, Shenanigan; 3.Dennis Hannick, Goin’; 4.Noel Clinard, Loonatictu.  PHRF C 1.Noel Clinard, Prophet; 2.Bob Fleck, Horizon.  No PHRF Non-Spin qualifiers.

VIRGINIA BOATING SAFETY COURSE AND EXAM – Don’t let this slip up on you.  Depending on your age, you may have to have your official license/card to operate that race committee boat, mark boat, regatta safety boat, fishing boat, jet ski, etc.  Google the topic and find out what you need and where you can get it. There are plenty of sessions offered in our communities.  There is even an on-line option for the exam.  Also, check at your yacht club and/or sailing association; some have members-only (because of seating limitations) sessions on tap.

SEMINARS AND CLINICS REMINDERS:

HALF-DAY RULES CLINICS:

**** February 23^rd, 0900-1230, MURPHY RULES hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association at the ODU Sailing Center (Norfolk) – proceeds go to the support of the Cape Charles Cup. For information and/or to register contact Scott Almond at (757) 471-2663. Cost is $19 per person, includes refreshments during breaks. There is a discount for on-line registration at http://www.broadbaysailing.org

**** March 23^rd, 0900-1230, MURPHY RULES hosted by Hampton Yacht Club (Victoria Blvd, Hampton) – proceeds go to the support of Southern Bay Race Week 2013. For information and/or to register contact Lin McCarthy at (757) 850-4225 or email mcbear@earthlink.net . Cost is $19 per person, includes refreshments during breaks.

**** March 16^th, 0900-1230, MURPHY RULES hosted by Neuse River Yacht Racing Association (NRYRA), New Bern, NC – specific location TBA (stay tuned to SBRNYCU for updates.)

ALL-DAY SEMINARS:

…. February 2^nd, 0900-1630, NORTH U offers a rules and tactics seminar, presented by Dave Dellenbaugh in downtown Richmond – hosted by Fishing Bay YC. Cost $95 / $135 (non-USSA members). Lunch is not included. For additional details and to register goggle North U Sailing Seminars.

.... February 16^th, 0800-1800, US SAILING One-Day Race Management Seminar – hosted by Hampton Yacht Club (Victoria Blvd, Hampton). Cost: $50 / $95 (non-USSA members). Continental breakfast, lunch, break refreshments, and seminar materials all included. This seminar is designed for those who have some race committee experience as well as for newcomers to race committee work. For information and/or to register contact Lin McCarthy at (757) 850-4225 or mcbear@earthlink.net or click on www.hamtonyc.com and follow the prompts for the seminar.

…. February 23^rd-24^th, Safety at Sea Seminars at The Mariners’ Museum presented with Landfall Navigation & Storm Trysail Foundation. ADULT PROGRAM on Saturday, February 23^rd, 0830-1600, $75. JUNIORS PROGRAM (age 12 and older) on Sunday, February 24^th, 1130-1700. $35.  For details and registration, go to www.marinersmuseum.org/safety-at-sea or call (757) 591-7749.

MURPHY'S LAW: Yrs Truly, the Racing Beagle, spent the week patrolling the beach, hoping to help spot “cold stunned” sea turtles (see item in this issue). Last Tuesday morning, lamenting a late night of college championship football viewing, the Murphster saw what looked like a cold-stunned green sea turtle.   But, it turned out to be a score-stunned leprechaun wearing a “Go Irish” button.  He had wandered here from Miami.  Instead of contacting VASR, Yrs Truly, sympathizing with his demise, bought him a bottle of Jamison and a ticket home to South Bend.  (as told by Jim Willliams, former skipper of Treaty of Ghent, Hobie 33)    /S/  Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.

To SUBSCRIBE directly, send an email to mcbear@earthlink.net , put SBRNYCU on the subject line, give your name, and say, "Sign me up!"  SBRNYCU is free.  If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, send an email to  mcbear@earthlink.net  and put UNSUBSCRIBE on the Subject line OR, simply hit "reply" and put UNSUBSCRIBE on the subject line. The postal address associated with this email is:  SBRNYCU, 4401 Chesapeake Avenue, Hampton, VA 23669.   You may reprint or forward all or any part of this publication as long as you give credit to: 

SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE,  Lin McCarthy, Editor