08.02.2018
Dear Members,
We hosted an extraordinary EYC – RYC Regatta at our yacht club yesterday.
The conditions were great with 12 – 15 knot winds, Southwest to West. We were sheltered by the land and trees. Overcast skies prevailed for the entire day and the temperature was a comfortable 20º-23ºC / 70º-75ºF.
A windward – leeward course was set with a 200 meter triangle at the top to separate the sailors before the ran down wind. The wind was heavier in the am for the double’s races.
There were 40 Junior Sailors registered for the regatta. EYC had 16 junior members register and RYC registered 24.
A total of 23 Lasers were rigged and 20 raced, 21 if you include an RYC laser that experience mast step fail under pressure.
RYC won the Regatta! EYC gave them a run for their money in doubles as we were tied at 70 after the first race. We fell back in the second heat as RYC posted 126 and EYC had 158. RYC had 2 DNF during the first heat. EYC had a DNS on the second race as the skipper was hurt as they tipped. They are OK, just a little frightened.
Interesting point about the doubles, RYC had 12 lasers to EYC 8 lasers. During both heats four RYC lasers finished behind EYC. I calculated the total points per sailor and EYC scored 31.4 versus RYC 31.1. In doubles EYC scored 19.3 to RYC 21.1, for singles EYC was 21.8 to RYC 20.6. I realize this is wish full math but I thought it might be an indicator or larger picture of how we performed overall in the event.
Once the second race had finished everyone sailed back to EYC for lunch. Our Cook and Kitchen staff had prepared a warm lunch, hamburgers, hotdogs, party mix chips and Pop Shoppe Pop.
Following lunch a singles skipper meeting was called, once completed all the single handled lasers headed back out on Rondeau Bay. EYC had registered 8 lasers and RYC had 12 lasers for the singles.
During the singles RYC opened up the lead a bit more as EYC picked up 63 more points in the two heats. It’s worth mentioning during the first heat Hailey Kempe finished 200 meters ahead of the second boat. The second heat of singles race 6 RYC Lasers had a great start and EYC was hard pressed to recoup.
I posted the official results at the Yacht Club for all to view.
Our outlook for our future sailors is positive and we have a great chance at bringing the cup back to EYC in the next year or two (Rondeau is currently looking for the cup as it hasn’t been seen in years). Jerry O’Brien has offered to donate a new trophy if the original can’t be found.
Shannon and I crafted regatta pennants to award the 1st and 2nd positions. They can be hung at each club for bragging rights. The EYC pennant is on a bulletin board at the yacht club. We distributed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th place pennants for each race, orange participation pennants were awarded to everyone that competed.
We had plenty of help from the following volunteers that I wish to thank.
- Jim Shillington – Barge Operator – Mediator
- Heather Boswell – Scorer
- Peter B – Cook
- Anne (Grandma) Gooch – Race Committee
- Dave Allely – Crash Boat
- Karen Dutton – Crash Crew
- Bobby Joe Allely – Kitchen Duty
- Steph Pirscher- Kitchen Duty
- Kelly Shillington – Crash Boat
- Shannon Chesterfield – Kitchen Duty / Crash Crew
- Jackie Banks – Crash Crew
- Marc Kempe – Crash Boat & family Crew
- Dick & Tug Worst – Crash Boat
- Kaatje & Kaelyn Kempe – Coach Boat
- Gabby Gooch EYC & RYC Instructor – Coach Boat
- Dave Trinca – RYC Scorer
- Greg Gooch – RYC Coach Boat
- Ben & Allison Kloostra – Crash Crew
As Vice Commodore I am appreciative of how EYC members came together to ensure the 2018 EYC-RYC Regatta was successful, thank you everyone who supported our juniors.
We were loaned 5 fully rigged lasers, and extra sails from the EYC members listed below. Thanks to our members no EYC junior member was left wanting for a laser as we had plenty.
- Tug Worst- Laser
- Tim & Meghan Roulston – Laser
- Rick Wilson – Laser
- Doug Kerr – Laser Sail
- Jim Stokes – anything we needed
- Robin Poile – Laser
- Jess Mallory – Laser
- Kelly & Heather – Laser
I was especially proud of everyone who participated in the event, particularly EYC junior members! I personally witnessed more than one EYC sailor initiate corrections on their own infractions during the race, such a great characteristic.
The bar has been raised for future EYC – RYC regattas and I feel RYC will be hard pressed to surpass EYC’s generosity and hospitality as they host future regattas. The challenge has been set.
Kind Regards,
Jake Chesterfield,
Vice Commodore
PS – I was reminded that the outcome of the event is not the main goal. The event is to promote a healthy active community event promoting junior sailor involvement between the two clubs.
