September 2011.Indd
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Volume 83, Number 9 September 2011 Laser Radial Men’s and Youth World Championships This July I competed in two back-to-back put me far back by the windward mark, regardless of World Championships held in La Rochelle, France. It how hard I worked that first beat. One big observation was like a marathon of sailing, with two full weeks of I had was how close the skills of all the competitors racing day after day. It was an exciting, stressful, and were to each other. In other words, I had my work cut exhausting trip that gave me many lessons to bring out for me. I ground out each race. By the end of the home. qualification series, I was just making gold fleet, it was a huge relief. But in gold fleet the competition got Week One: Men’s Laser Radial Worlds three times better. I finished 35th out of 150. The conditions during the first week were very Week Two: Youth Laser Radial Worlds similar to a breezy day on the San Francisco Bay. The breeze was between 15-30 knots every day. There was The weather fully changed the second week. big chop too. Our course was in a large bay, so the cur- After an entire week of strong breeze sailing, the wind rent either went with or against the wind. I was excited died down to between 7-15 knots for the whole regat- to race in strong breeze, but a little annoyed to race ta. Wind shifts were important the first week, but this against men who weighed more than I. But I knew that week they were everything. Some races I would be weight wasn’t the only factor in boat speed, so I made on the correct side of the shift, but other races showed a goal to focus all my energy on my speed and tactics. me how detrimental being on the wrong side of a shift Right away, I learned how strong the fleet was. The could be. I struggled in the lighter conditions. It was starts were crucial. Mistakes early in the race would really unlucky that Youths wasn’t in strong breeze too September 2011 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker practicing everything I learned this summer, in the years to come. Domenic Bove SCYC Junior Member Greetings from the Helm As we wind down the summer months, and the school year is starting up, our club is still presenting fabulous activities and racing schedules for our mem- because I was so well prepared for it. I felt just a little bers to enjoy. As we all know, the great weather is still slow the whole regatta and it was really hard to keep ahead. positive. On the last day of qualifying series I wasn’t as As we reported in the August spinnaker sheet, lucky as at Men’s. I just missed gold fleet by one point. we are very excited that we managed to jump through I was disappointed to be in the silver fleet, but I took it all the hoops leading us to the environmental studies as an opportunity to practice my racing against sailors process for our addition and tram. much nearer to my skill level. I finished 81st out of 270. With this huge hurdle behind us, we are going After two weeks, I learned many lessons about to start collecting the donated money raised for the tram. big fleet sailing. For example; all about starting, hold- Please be prepared to receive a letter in the mail from ing my spot, accelerating for different biases or condi- me asking to send in your donation. All donations are tions. just how important boat speed is, to minimize any appreciated very much. We know it is difficult during maneuvers that might slow me down,and how to make these times to part with money. There is still the need to gains at laylines. I improved on my reaching and know- raise money for the tram, and Lalaine Dowdell will be ing when to go a low or high course. One of the biggest spear heading this effort. On behalf of the entire mem- lessons that I got from Worlds this year was how to bership, management, and board of directors we whole predict the shifts and stay in phase. I will definitely need heartedly THANK YOU for your help and donation! to keep working at it though. I’d like to thank Rob and De Schuyler for all Next for me sailing-wise is collegiate sailing. their time and energy of the past year. The both of them And even though in college I’ll be racing on short cours- have done a fantastic job bringing excitement and joy to es in smaller fleets, all of these lessons will carry over. our membership with the many events, activities and the Starting, playing shifts, planning smart mark roundings, addition of many young members. and making my boat go as fast as possible will be espe- If you were unable to make it to the Art show cially important next year. and Auction you missed a great time. Chuck Hawley Thanks so much for the opportunity to compete was awesome and did a fabulous job as auctioneer. I at this year’s Men’s and Youth Radial Worlds. I will be was very impressed by how many artistic members our 2 September 2011 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker club has. I often talk about the hidden talent within our membership. I want to thank all our artists who displayed their talents over the last several weeks. I believe Rob and De have plans for continuing this event in some form. For one, I think the Club looks great with all the art work. Keep your eye on the calender for upcoming events; get involved with your club. Ask yourself, not what has the club done for you, but what have you done for your club. Thank you for your continued support, be safe and I look forward to seeing you around the club or on the water Rear Commodore’s Report Michael Wood The 15th Annual Golf Tournament this year Commodore took us up out of the fog and into the bright sunlight of the Boulder Creek Golf Course. It was a beautiful day Vice Commodore’s Report and it was fun being with yacht club friends in a differ- ent environment. Janell and I had a wonderful time at the Art We gave out a few authentic trophies along Auction sponsored by the Corinthians. What a great with the traditional “Yatch Club” matchbooks. event! The club never looked better with all the Steve Niemann’s team including Tom Web- beautiful artwork on display. Thanks to everyone ster, Greg Haws and Bob Haase won first place while involved—fantastic job! The hors d’oeuvres (prepared Jon Kim’s team of Nancy Beekman, Maxfield Mur- by the Yachtswomen of the Year alumni with smoked ray and Eric Lynch placed second. Rob Schuyler’s salmon by Ric Diola) were absolutely wonderful, the team of Dan Borror, Susie Ritchey, Jerry Ritchey art was spectacular and everyone had lots of fun— and Tom Dexel took third. due in no small part to the good humor of auctioneer Nancy Beekman and Rob Schuyler had the Chuck Hawley. I knew about some of SCYC’s art- longest drives and Greg Haws had closest to the hole. ists, but I had no idea there was such a concentration Greg beat out a triple ricochet shot for closest to the of talent in the club! This event kicked off fundraising hole. for the Corinthians’ Jack and Jill project to obtain two Next year there will be a beautiful perpetual keel boats for members to use. I understand the event trophy with this year’s winners engraved on it. raised over $6300! W now have over 40 Corinthian members—and we have been adding about 2-3 more Oh My Goodness !!! every month. The energy they have brought to the club is palpable and it is heartwarming to see SCYC’s The Luau and Mediterranean Dinners were future unfolding before our eyes. absolutely delicious this month. There is no place in Construction on sprinklers and the new roof will begin soon, and we have inked a deal to begin work on the final bits of engineering for the tram. We are awaiting a hearing date from the city to receive our final approvals and then we will be on our way. The Fall One Design series has begun—and the Moores are back! Great to see. Don’t forget to enter Fall SCORE and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Day on the Bay! Dave Emberson Vice Commodore 3 September 2011 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker town you can get a dinner this great for such an inex- pensive price. It is phenomenal. Those of you who are missing these Themed Dinners just don’t understand what is going on. And for GOODNESS SAKES, come to the Asian Dinner on Sunday, September 11. Get away from the crowds and enjoy a quiet evening with a few of your friends. Be on the lookout for the pink ladies as they are planning a great Four Generations Dance Party on Saturday, September 24th with music from the 40s to the present. They have rented a jukebox so you will have over 1,000 songs from which to choose and great food by KISS. More details to be posted on the flyer (Staff Commodore’s Ric Diola and Chuck Hawley board but get the date on your calendar now.