Southern Bay LASER Racers at District 11 Championships.  The 2014 District 11 Championships were hosted Saturday and Sunday at Tred Avon Yacht Club in Oxford, Maryland.  The Championship was part of the TAYC annual Heritage Regatta which also included Stars, Shields, and Log Canoes.  Henry Amthor (HYC) finished 2^nd overall among the 20 title contenders and Jon Deutsch (FBYC) was 6^th in the fleet that was heavily laden with northern Bay area racers, a number from Severn Sailing Association.  There were no southern Bay racers in the 11 boat Laser radial section.  Congratulations to Henry and Jon, who persevered through a light and damp air Saturday to enjoy a beautiful, sunny, breezy Sunday.  Also in Oxford was southern Bay race official John McCarthy running the Stars/Shields circle in preparation for PRO-ing the Star North American Championships at TAYC in October.

The 2014 505 World Championships wrapped up Friday and southern Bay racer Tyler Moore (HYC) along with crew Andrew Buttner, finished 15^th overall among the 153 world class competitors.  The 505 Worlds were held in Kiel, Germany, this year and two days of racing were lost to bad, bad (gale force winds), shrinking the regatta from the intended 10 races to 7.  Tyler and Andrew had their best showing in the last three races (post-delay), when they went 8-7-12.  To see complete results, media reports, and videos of the regatta Google 505 World Championship Regatta. 

Smith Point Regatta:  Craig Wright’s Afterthought was the first of the 3 PHRF A boats and Miles Booth, Shenanigan, first of the 3 PHRF B boats completing the annual distance event on Saturday.  The A and B boats sailed almost 60 miles (58.90 nm) in approximately 9 to 10 hours time.  The 2 PHRF C boats completed a 45.10 nm course with Lew Thatcher, Catitude, finishing first.  Eight  of the nine boats starting finished this annual race organized by Fishing Bay Yacht Club.  Principal Race Officer – Case Whittemore.  For complete scoring click on www.fbyc.net.

The local 505 Fleet welcomes southern Bay Racer Max Plarr.  Max is the proud new owner of 505  #7666 – a tricked out, go fast machine!

Racers who pine for a brand new hot J70, this may be your chance.  Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation and others are conducting a raffle for a brand new J70 and trailer (total value $47,000).  Number of tickets is limited to 650, ticket price is $100.  The raffle closes this coming Saturday, August 30.  For details click on  http://cisf.info/

On the Fall Horizon – Special Entry Deadlines Coming:

**2014 Neptune Atlantic Regatta (Sept 27) early entry special ($15 discount) deadline is MONDAY, SEPT 1.  From the Creek through the Bay to the Ocean.  This is a staggered start race (pursuit race) that starts just North of Little Creek, leaves Cape Henry to starboard (if the pointy end is aimed correctly), and finishes  off the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  Skippers Meeting Friday, Sept 26 at The Raven (outside) at the corner of 12^th and Atlantic Ave, VAB.  For info and to register click onhttp://www.broadbaysailing.org/misc/neptune14/index.asp  Questions? Contact Jerry Pattenaude (757) 545-0290.  Organized by BroadBay Sailing Association.

**2014 Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta (Oct 3-5) early registration deadline is fast approaching!  The cutoff date to print your boat's name on the t-shirt and in the Program is MONDAY, SEPT 1, which is also the last day to receive a $10 discount on registration.  Join the 54 boats already entered – to register and for additional info click here http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=1065 .  Questions? Contact Tom Chapman (804) 577-3202 or Jerry Latell (804)776-6151. Hosted by RappahannockRiver Yacht Club.  Gobble! Gobble!

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR – Fall on the Southern Chesapeake Bay – it don’t get no better!

Sept  6    Sat     HYC Annual – Middle Ground Light Race, HYC, all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    John McCarthy (757) 850-4225
Sept  6    Sat     Wolf Trap Race, FBYC, (distance race) all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    Brooks Zerkel www.fbyc.netSept 13   Sat     York River Cup, YRYC, all PHRF and Cruising Fleet, 2 races   Steve Bowen (757) 869-7830
Sept 13   Sat     FBYC Fall Series Day 1 (multiple races), all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    Tom Roberts www.fbyc.net Sept 14   Sun    CCV Fall Series, Races 1 & 2 (drop mark courses), all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    John McCarthy (757) 850-4225
Sept 14   Sun    Fall Invitational Regatta and Laser Regatta (Series), FBYC, one design small boats    Miles Booth www.fbyc.net 
Sept 20   Sat     Hampton Roads Sunfish Challenge & Distance Dinghy Race, Jonathan Romero (757) 285-6017
Sept 20-21        FlyingScotAtlanticCoast Championship / Capitol District Championship Regatta, FBYC   Noel Clinard (804) 338-4066 or Debbie Cycotte (804) 761-3048 
Sept 21   Sun    CCV Fall Series, Race 3 (middle distance, fixed marks), all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    John McCarthy (757) 850-4225 
Sept 27   Sat     Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta, BBSA, staggered start (pursuit race), all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    Jerry Pattenaude (757) 543-3029 
Sept 28   Sun    FBYC Fall Series Day 2 (multiple races), all PHRF and Cruising Fleet    www.fbyc.net 
Sept 28   Sun    Singlehand Race, HYC, PHRF cert required, lifejackets required, no spins, no headsail changes, no autopilots, no whisker poles    Michele Garn (757) 713-8077 
Oct   1    Wed   CCV Octoberfest Wed Night Series opens    Christian Schaumloffel (757) 496-3590

Labor Day Weekend – THIS COMING WEEKEND!  Last reminder:

Friday, Aug 30^th through Monday, September 1^st (the official Holiday). 

****Stingray Point Regatta       Friday, Aug 29 - Sun, Aug 31.  NOTE: Friday’s Stingray Light Distance Race is scored separately from the Saturday-Sunday Stingray Point Regatta.  This is a great Labor Day regatta that offers racing, social opportunities, food and drink, and the perfect end of summer celebration.  The regatta is open to all PHRF classes, One-Design classes, Non-Spinnaker, and Cruising Class participants.  In addition to individual class awards, the Brent Halsey, Jr. Memorial Trophy and the Potts Southern Bay Challenge Cup will be at stake.  SPR organizers have planned this event so that racers have Monday, the actual holiday, open for delivery home and/or family and friend occasions.  For details and info, contact Matthew Lambert at 757-846-8239 or go to www.fbyc.net  Organized by Fishing Bay Yacht Club.

****Dink Vail Regatta                Sunday, Aug 31.  NOTE: Free dockage at NYCC on Sat, Aug 30 and Sun, Aug 31 for all entrants. This is the 13^th Annual Dink Vail Regatta.  There will be starts for all PHRF class and Cruising class boats.  PHRF entries must include a current valid PHRF certificate.  The start and finish of the race will be in the vicinity of Norfolk Harbor Reach R10. First signal is 1100.  There is a 4pm deadline so that everyone can enjoy the 5pm post-race picnic buffet and awards presentation. This race is part of the BBSA Southern Bay Distance Series.  Entries are due by 5pm, Thursday, Aug 28^th. Welcome Reception and Race Instruction will be at 5pm, Sat, Aug 30, in the NYCC Skippers Lounge.  For information on entry contact Tom Lira at 757-718-1200 or go to www.norfolkyacht.com  Organized by Norfolk Yacht & Country Club.

MURPHY'S LAW: Yrs Truly, the Racing Beagle, is experiencing mixed emotions with the coming of Labor Day Weekend.  The holiday marks the “official end of summer”. However, the weekend celebration brings out the best grilling, best blow-it-out partying, almost best fireworks (4^th of July best-overall), and great racing leading into the southern Bay Fall Schedule.  So, gather the crew, check out the sails, pack the cooler, and get going.  Wrap up Summer and jump start Fall.  Race on! Ahhhoooooooooooo!   /S/  Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.