USSCA MidAtlantic Region

Cooper River looking west to the skyscrapers
Photo by D. Howlett and R. Richards

Cooper River Yacht Club regatta was held this past weekend and the Sunfish sailed with Lasers on Sunday June 29, 2008.  It was a typical Cooper River day: large variations in wind direction and velocity. PRO Jim Greenfield set a short triangular course that had the sailors taking the marks to starboard and finishing in front of the club house.  The predicted gradient from the southwest held and the late afternoon build and shift to the south did not materialize for the races.  Because Cooper River (a dammed up tidal creek with a view of Philadelphia on the edge of  Camden, NJ.) is but 100 yards wide at best and kind of east-west in orientation the first leg was in the across direction.  This meant a generally windward start, but a very short leg.  Thus, the start was crucial, though not always decisive.  Art Littleton, the eventual winner, was very consistent in this regard, and was always in the leader group.  But because of serious lulls and puffs on a highly localized basis one could see a nice lead disappear in an instant. Connie Meeks flashed a first in the first race and one could see that the light weight reachers and runners had an advantage.  But  experience counts because the first six finishers at the end were Cooper River YC locals.  Mike Parsons finished second without a bullet and Allyn Miner, fast all day, took third and finished strong with two firsts.  Dave Oberg, a really good local sailor, took fourth and first grandmaster.  Mark Horihan was the first in the youth division.

Littleton leads McLaughlin and Graham in the light stuff
Photo by D. Howlett and R. Richards

Looking down the line at the last start
Photo by D. Howlett and R. Richards

Allyn Minor demonstrating excellent form and speed in shifty conditions
Photo by D. Howlett and R. Richards

by Bill McLaughlin 77721

Full Results

MAYRA website
Cooper River Yacht Club website

24 boats showed up to compete at the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association in Delaware this past weekend, June 21-22nd, 2008. Sailors travelled from at least 6 states for the competition including Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. Among the competitors was former Sunfish Regional champions and place winners, in addition to one former North American Continental Champion David Davies, whom shared the hotel costs with me over the weekend.

The group of competitors were treated to beautiful sunny weather and wind conditions that increased each day as it progressed between a range of 7-15mph, with the occasional gust over 20mph. Race Committee Chairman Dave Racine setup excellent Modified Olympic courses with each leg being approximately a half-mile for races totaling 3 miles in length. The starting lines were very square to the wind, probably one of the finest jobs of line-setting that I have personally witnessed. The benefit of the squared starting lines was that we did not have 1 general recall for the entire regatta. In addition, I would like to thank all of the people involved with the regatta for their excellent hospitality. I especially enjoyed the Saturday evening meal which highlighted Pulled-Pork, veggies, breads, and some fine dessert selections.

On day 1, the fleet managed to complete 4 competitive races all decided by less than 100 feet distance separating first and second, with 2 of the races won by just boat-lengths. However, at the end of Day 1, Brian McGinnis amassed four first-place finishes to end the day with 4 points total. 2nd place on Day 1 went to John Meier of Virginia totaling 12 points, 3rd place to Steve Evans of Delaware with 16 points, 4th place to Sarah Lester of Delaware with 20 points, and 5th place to Chris Raubacher of Delaware with 24 points.

The interesting element of the day was the upwind dynamic; each layline provided sailors with a small lift as they approached the mark on that tack. However, when in doubt, I tended to choose the right side as it seemed their may have been a slight velocity benefit on that side. Each race brought with it a little more wind and waves as the day progressed, I can recall sliding back my gooseneck slightly before each new race. Consistent downwind speed throughout the day was the necessary edge that propelled to cross the finish line first in all the days races. One thing I noticed is that I personally sailed with much more vang on then the other sailors, I think this contributed to my downwind speed advantage.

Day 2 was very similar to the first day as far as the weather conditions go, the only difference being that we were not on the water as late on Sunday as the previous day. Soon after reaching shore at days end Sunday, I noticed the wind howling again as it had around 3-4pm the previous day. With the wind starting at around 7mph for the first race, Brian McGinnis managed to pull off another 1st place finish, virtually clinching the regatta unless something catastrophic was to happen. Brian McGinnis finished the regatta off with a throw-out race of a 7th place, followed by a 2nd place finish in the final race to complete the regatta with 7 points total and earning him not only the Regional Championship, but qualifying him for the 2009 Sunfish World Championship currently destined for Nassau, Bahamas. The next 2 races really became a dogfight for second place in the regatta. Steve Evans pulled off a 2nd place, then 1st place, in the last 2 races to come from behind and capture 2nd overall in the regatta with 15 points. John Meier stayed consistent throughout and held on for third just a few points behind.

by Brian McGinnis 3481

Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association website

Five boats attended the second MAYRA regatta of 2008.  Results to come…

MAYRA website
Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia website

First of all, what a great day! After suffering through a horrendous heat wave the weekend before it was a pleasure to find such fine sailing conditions for this one-day regatta. The t-shirt says “The best small boat regatta venue you’ll find”, they weren’t kidding. 18 boats registered for the regatta and everyone ranging from master, women’s and juniors were in attendance. Being that it was an Area qualifier for the O-Day national championship; the Sunfish class had a bit more urgency than the other classes on the water. The wind conditions ranged from 8-10 in the morning for 14-16 in the afternoon and the direction remained constant throughout the day.

Jack McCarthy Was The Top BBYC Finisher
Photo by Scot and Suzanne Ellis

The race committee was run by a local legend. I don’t remember his name but at the skipper’s meeting he warned us that 11 races will not be out of the question. He abandoned the traditional “order” of starts. His philosophy was “Whatever fleet is ready, I’ll start” and it worked beautifully. He also believed more races instead of longer races (something that this author agrees with) were important, and to his credit the cream always seemed to rise to the top. We raced with Lasers, Optis, and 420s and the committee did a fantastic job keeping the fleets separated.

BBYC Youth Sailor Jake Ellis
Photo by Scot and Suzanne Ellis

I am trying to remember each race, however we sailed 7 races in just over 4 hours, and I am having trouble distinguishing one race from the next. I do remember that Art Littleton from Cooper River sailed a consistent regatta, recording only 15 points in 7 races. That is tough to beat. And he ended up the winner followed by Todd Pearce (20pts) and Steven Drapcho (32 pts).

Cooper River YC’s Judy Lazo Was The Top Female
Photo by Scot and Suzanne Ellis

The regatta ended with great burgers, grilled chicken and cold beer. And of course, the quickest awards presentation I have seen in a long time. I know I will be making the trip to Brant Beach next June to sail again….how about you?

by Todd Pearce 46714

Full Results

Brant Beach Yacht Club website
US Sailing O’Day Championship website

Bill McLaughlin sailing downwind
Photo by June Neuman of RYC

It must have been the hysterical weather reports. Mid-90’s hot and humid. Time to sit in the AC. Only three stalwarts of the class in MAYRA showed up. I was there early to putter with the rigging. Dave Graham, a consistently good sailer from Cooper River YC, the land of good sailors also showed up. Then the old master Jimmy Greenfield, showed up. But that was it. The wind was under 5 knots for almost all of the first three races with the occasional puff coming up the river from the southwest. Then it started kicking for the last two races. Jimmy Greenfield dominated in the light stuff, pointing higher and moving faster than Dave who finished behind him, and the two of them burying me in last. Even with a couple of good starts by Dave and me, Jimmy pointed higher and moved faster than his two sorry rivals. But in the forth race the finish got tighter with the same order of finishes. Of course that clinched it for Jimmy, but he started in the next races as the wind rose to over 12 knots with puffs to 15 or so. Again Jimmy got to the weather mark first by playing the shifts correctly, but not by much. I got my mojo working and was right behind. But then Jimmy headed for the dock to quit for the day! Like the batter just watching the ball go over the fence at the plate. I was really looking forward to a competitive race just to possibly mix up the order. It was not to be. I worked out a nice lead on Dave and that was it for the day. Jimmy 1, Dave 2 and Bill 3.

Jim Greenfield was untouchable for most of the day
Photo by June Neuman of RYC

The series was raced in an outgoing tide on the Delaware River with the wind blowing generally the other way without huge shifts. Because of this, the port tack after the start out into the current and nice clear wind was the only choice and many racers (The Lasers) would only tack once. Some shift ladder climbing was possible once you got out into the current, and both Jim and Dave used them to get ahead in the light to medium stuff.

Bill McLaughlin rounds a mark inside of Dave Graham
Photo by June Neuman of RYC

A word must be said about this club. It is the most unusual facility I have ever seen for a Yacht Club. A long, heavy duty peer wide enough to store a variety of racing boats a couple of hundred feet long. At the end is a wider section topped with a 2 1/2 story high Victorian boathouse complete with finials and brackets with a proper multi-chromatic paint job. Really nifty to look at and it puts you out in the breeze on the Delaware River. Which brings me back to the low turnout. It was hot, and it made you sweat, but it was a good day on the water even when you were hanging at the club because of the wind, which was predicted in the weather reports. (5 to 10 knots) The race committee was excellent and cold water was available after each race. Glad I went even if Jimmy beat the pants off of me, again.

by Bill McLaughlin 77721

Full Results

MAYRA website
Riverton Yacht Club website

Memorial Day is often referred to as the unofficial start of summer. Many people choose to spend the holiday outside with family and friends. In 2008, Memorial Day did not disappoint.

Gorgeous weather attracted thirteen sailors to Spruce Run Reservoir for Hunterdon Sailing Club’s annual Memorial Day Sunfish regatta. RC Pro Doug Brown ran four challenging races in a gusty breeze that shifted between the West and Southeast during the day.

For Race 1 the RC set a windward leeward course with a windward offset mark, leeward gate and downwind finish. This was a fun change from HSC’s traditions and the first time sailing such a course for a few people in the fleet.

The boat end of the starting line was favored. Derek Jackson and Steve Manson were the two boats closest to the boat, while Tufts University Sailor Caleb Zimmerman elected to start in clear air near the pin in anticipation of the first left shift. At the gun, Steve had better speed than Derek, which eventually caused Derek to tack to the right to avoid falling into Steve’s bad air. Along with the rest of the fleet, Caleb and Steve continued out to the left side of the course. As was anticipated, Steve and Caleb tacked on a nice left hand shift which carried the two of them up the course. Unfortunately, Derek found himself swallowed by shadows of the lake’s western shore.

At the windward mark, Steve is leading. Derek managed to escape the grips of the shore and recovered to second place. Caleb follows them closely. Steve elected to sail on starboard towards the right hand gate with Derek following and blanketing him for the entire leg. Halfway down the leg Caleb jibed in a shift onto port and a nice puff carried him towards the left gate mark. At the bottom of the leg, the order remained Steve, Derek and Caleb, but the three sailors were much closer.

Rich Bauman chases Susan Mallows, and Joe Sullivan downwind in Race 1

The wind continued to move right for the first half of the next windward leg. Caleb looked ideally positioned and was in the lead. Derek elected to tack towards the right side and lee-bowed Caleb which forced him further right into the dangerous shadows of the shore. Steve patiently waited for the wind to shift back to the left. As the three approached the top mark, Derek had snuck into the lead. Steve was second and Caleb was third. The three continued that way until the finish downwind.

For the second race, the RC extended the windward leeward course to be three times around. The pin end of the line was favored. Fordham University’s sailing coach, Joe Sullivan, put on a clinic for the fleet by starting at the pin on port tack. Derek Jackson was the next boat down the line from him and the two easily crossed the entire fleet. The wind persisted very hard left during the later half of the windward leg which left Joe and Derek spiraling around the windward mark searching for the starboard tack layline. Steve Manson nicely anticipated the left hand shift and it carried him to the windward mark in first. He is followed by Derek, Dave Davies and Caleb Zimmerman.

During the first downwind Derek again elects to cover Steve as they head to the right gate. They end up sailing high of the mark, which causes Steve to have to jibe back to the mark and give up his inside position to Derek. Dave and Caleb gained a little on the leaders by sailing a shorter more direct course to the right gate, but still rounded in 3rd and 4th.

The position of the front boats remains unchanged to the next windward mark. During the downwind leg, Derek and Steve head to the right gate. Dave and Caleb jibe and head for the left gate. The wind shifts and gusts hard towards Dave and Caleb. Steve and Derek change their strategy and jibe towards the left gate. Dave rounds the left gate in first followed by Steve, Caleb and Derek.

Dave Davies rounds the leeward mark ahead of Steve Manson, Caleb Zimmerman and Derek Jackson

During the next upwind leg Derek catches a few shifts and finds himself in front again. Steve makes similar gains and follows him closely at the windward mark. The two of them engage in an intense battle downwind that includes several jibes as Derek struggles to stay in front of Steve in the shifty, puffy conditions. The two finish on the right side of the line. Steve manages to obtain an inside overlap at the finish mark and is victorious by a foot.

Prior to the start of Race 3, the RC changes the course to a triangle, windward leeward. Instead of a downwind finish, the start and finish line is moved to be stationary in the middle of the course, which allows for a short final upwind leg. At the starting gun, the pin end of the line is favored. Steve Manson was closest to the pin, but Derek Jackson was on top Steve and squirted out to windward of him. The two sailors drag race out to the left, tack on the first header and easily cross the fleet. The two sailors extend their leads around the course to finish first and second.

The fleet shortly after the start of Race 3

In the final race of the regatta, the RC again changed the course to a WH course (Windward Leeward Harry Anderson). The boat end of the line is favored. Dave Davies ideally positions himself next to the boat. Derek Jackson is immediately to Dave’s left, and Steve Manson is immediately to Derek’s left. Derek manages to ace the start and leaves Steve and Dave in his disturbed air.

Nils Swyzzen sailing upwind after the start of Race 4

Derek, Steve and Dave round the windward mark spaced out in first, second and third. There is a gap between them and the fourth place boat Caleb Zimmerman.

The three leaders stay in their respective positions with what appeared to be comfortable gaps between each of them until they rounded the pin end of the line and headed for the leeward mark for the final time. At that point, the race suddenly became very interesting.

Derek elected to guard the left side of the course to ensure an inside position at the leeward mark. Dave went hard right and Steve split the difference. Dave reminded everyone why he won the Sunfish North American Championship a few years back as his keen sense for the wind proved to be correct. Each sailor’s lead quickly shrank as they approached the leeward mark. The three rounded the leeward mark seconds apart.

Steve and Derek had been engaged in an intense battle for every second of the four race series. It was only appropriate that the regatta would not be decided until the final crossing between the two sailors, ten yards from the finish of the last race. Derek narrowly crossed Steve on port tack by less than six inches to win the race and the regatta.

Derek and Steve were separated by a single point in the regatta. Susan Mallows was the top female and finished sixth overall. Nils Swyzzen was the top junior and finished ninth overall. These individual accolades were all over shadowed by midget Andrew Stockman who was sailing in his first regatta. Andrew displayed a natural talent for sailing and finished every race in the difficult, breezy conditions.

Andrew Stockman enjoying the beautiful day

The day was highlighted by the return of a long time Hunterdon Sailing Club member, Elliot Zimmerman. For several years Elliot was instrumental to the HSC’s growth by generously donating time to Race Committee regattas and teach the adult Learn to Sail program. In the family spirit of the holiday, Elliot flew in from California for the weekend to sail with his son Caleb. The entire fleet was thrilled to see Elliot again and thanks him for his years of service to the club.

Elliot and Caleb Zimmerman sailing upwind together

Last, and certainly not least, the members of HSC must thank, honor and remember the members of the armed services who gave their lives to provide us the freedom to share this Memorial Day with our friends and family.

The entire fleet was grateful for the day together

Full Results

Hunterdon Sailing Club website

Doug Brown took several hundred GREAT pictures of the regatta, including the ones seen in this blog post. All of the pictures are available on a CD for $10. The proceeds from the CDs will be donated to Hunterdon Sailing Club’s Youth Sailing Team. Email Doug (MUSailingcoach at aol.com) for more information.

Swartswood Yacht Club hosted thirty-four skippers to a beautiful day of sailing on Swartswood Lake. Skippers saw a gusty winds shifting between the south and west from 8-20 mph. North Jersey sailing legend Steve Manson added another notch to his belt by sailing a consistent series to take top honors in the Championship Division. Practice has paid big dividends for John Wolbeck from Wolf Lake Sailing Club in NY. This was Johns first time winning the Challenger Division, but certainly not his last.

John Wolbeck sailing on Swartswood Lake

Detailed Summary, Full Results and Pictures

The first Mid-Atlantic regatta was SANJL Day 1 at Spruce Run Reservoir in Clinton, NJ. Twenty five sailors wiped the dust off their Sunfish and ventured onto the waters in a light, shifty northerly breeze.

Steve Manson showed a keen eye for the complicated winds which allowed him to be the most consistent sailor through the four race series and win the regatta. He was followed by Derek Jackson, Brian McGinnis, Bob Griswold and Dave Davies. The 2007 Midget North American Champion, Simon Bertocci, won the Challenger Division. He was followed by Mike Wheeler, Will Kresic, Alec Manson and Sean Meszkut.

Alec Manson sails upwind on Spruce Run Reservoir

Detailed Summary and Full Results