Jamie Brickel's MBYC New Year's Regatta Report

Anyone who went south for the warm weather should have come north for the
New Year's Day regattta at MBYC. THe MBYC people were very gracious, but a
little disappointed that we were unable to send more boats. Everyone should
put it on the calendar for next year. It may be a three day regatta since
New Year's Day is on Friday.

There were 22 boats and the temperatures in the high 60's to low 70's. I
think there were 5 boats from Larchmont, one from SSA and the remainder
from MBYC. There was also a fleet of 6 Penguins. The winds on Saturday were
from the south with the velocity about 12k for the first race and falling
off to about 6 by the end of the 5th race. On Sunday, racing was to start
at 11:00am but there was absolutely no wind until about 12:30pm and then it
was less than 5k. The startiing lines were far and long enough. The courses
were windward-leeward-windward with a length of about one mile for the
first three races and then shortened to less than 3/4 mile as the breeze
lightened. Unfortunately they shortened the first leg rather than the last
causing a big cruch at the first mark. The longer courses allow boat speed
to become a very important part of the race.

We had generallly good starts except for one race where one boat was over
early and tried to recross the line taking us and one other boat out of
contention. We found that we were unable to sit on the line and accelerate
with about 10 seconds to go and thus had to a find and develop an opening
even if it was not at the favored end. We found that we were not fast
downwind.

On Saturday, after a few false starts, the one minute rule went into
effect. In the first race, we were at the starboard end of the line, moving
well and got to the first mark in 4th. We lost some distance, but no boats
downwind and kept 4th place. It was interesting to have 15 boats arrive at
the windward mark within 30 seconds of each other so a small mistake such
as a bad tack meant a loss of 7 or 8 boats. Approaching the windward mark
on port tack was not the recommended procedure. In one race Pedro Lorsen
was forced into that position, tried to bail out, but found himself sailing
down  the lane between two lines of boats. It was a case of calling
1-800-GOODLUCK because the lane narrowed with much banging, crashing,
hollering and a 720. We had one incident of trying to squeeze into the
leeward mark which made us do two jelly donuts. It was really messy.

Saturday was the best day and we probably should have stayed out later but
there was the 65th annual meeting of the Frostbite Club. There were special
reports such as the Treasurer who indicated that all the funds had been
invested in the Asian economies due to the impending collapse of the US
economy. Awards for "abandoning ship while still upright" were mentioned.
Alex Pline should have been submitted as a candidate for this award. There
might have even been a special award to Tom Stout for success in entering
the boat while at the dock. The Measurement Committee has the responsibilty
of measuring crews, was chaired by the father of three girls who gave an
enthusiastic report on the staus of crews. Sorry, this is a very polically
incorrect group!

Pete Lorsen, the father of Pedro, hosted a party for all participants
Saturday night.

On Sunday, racing was to start at 11:00am, but there was no wind. Around
noon a light breeze came up but it never got above 5k. We were never
competitive in these conditions and in the last race there was some very
effective roll tacking going on. It was impressive to watch, but very
illegal.

I think the leaders mostly had Banks Sails, but the new U-K sail was used
by the manager of the U-K City Island loft. He had the boat set up
differently with loose shrouds.His theory was that the bend to leeward
going upwind was not a problem and that the mast could move forward
downwind. I think he ended up 2nd for the regatta. His boat is a Vanguard
and from the location of the mast blocks, the mast rake is the same as
mine.

MBYC used a car horn with a rechargable automobile battery as a power
source. It is loud and very effective. They had a bullhorn to call the boat
numbers of persons who were over early. MBYC has no pump. If you turn over,
they take the boat into the dock and you are finished for the day. There
seemed to be no requirement for dry suits.

It was a good time and we should get 2 or 3 boats from Larchmont and MBYC
for the Mid-Winters. They will need housing. Kimberly be prepared!