AndrAndrewew MasonMason andand ChrisChris SegerblomSegerblom inin thethe 20082008 ISAFISAF YYouthouth WorWorldld ChampionshipsChampionships COMMODORE’S COLUMN

finishes. Our history can easily be remembered by just a few of our cherished trophies on display at Newport Harbor Yacht Club. The Derrick “Rick” Marsellus for the Outstanding Contribution to the Non-Calm Program Sportsmanship Perpetual is In memory of Derrick Marcellus (1944-1961) who perished while onboard Albatross, a 1920’s Schooner. With four instructors, a cook, and 13 students onboard, en route to the Dry Tortuga on May 2, 1961, the Albatross was hit by a white squall and sank instantly taking six lives. The Ahmanson Trophy, donated by the Ahmanson family in 1957 for Ocean Racing Championship is a magnificent President Roosevelt’s letter silver trophy and extremely heavy! The treasures and traditions of the A sometimes overlooked but equally of the district. Albert Soiland is the Newport Harbor Yacht Club have been treasured and peaceful space at author of The Viking Goes to Sea on my mind while Commodore this Newport Harbor Yacht Club is our library copyright 1924, Admiral of the Pacific year. We are extremely fortunate to in the Board Yachting Association and skipper of the cherish a few archetypal items at of Directors Schooner Yacht Viking IV. The author Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Several Room. dedicates this little narrative to his loyal years ago we discovered our misplaced Upon close crew and to those Corinthian yachtsmen Pirate Painting Collection, and it has inspection of who respond to the call of the open sea. been on display on a rotating basis our recently All near and dear to my heart! ever since. For example, the painting categorized Transpacific Ocean races and the currently on display in the Pirates Den and Transpacific Yacht Club was also written which depicts a blindfolded pirate out inventoried by Albert Soiland, M.D. copyright 1937. on the plank could be this year’s library you’ll It contains facts, fancies, and some Commodore being held at bay by a find classics gossip about one of the most unique gang holding a blunderbuss, swords, and and interesting Yacht Clubs in the world and a raised fist! You can use your own treasures. and the races it sponsors. I welcome imagination, while enjoying your The first your visit to our library, and hope you Derrick “Rick” Marsellus favorite beverage with friends. Commodore discover of one of your favorites or a Our Trophy Room is a walk down of NHYC, book you wish you had read several memory lane for many of us and a S/C Dr. years ago. Please bring your children or microcosm of club history. We can Albert grandchildren by and reacquaint them revisit sailing races we crewed in and Soiland, with the value of reading, not a lost art the corresponding successes and close 1917, has a or discipline, but a skill we should not few lose to computers and multimedia. While published visiting our library, take the time to look books on at the historical books and valued display. The traditions at Newport Harbor Yacht Club Saga of and pass this valuable information along Newport Bay to the next generation. and Newport As the 2008 season winds down my Harbor Yacht year as your Commodore comes to a Club, by close and we prepare to transition to the Albert 2009 team. It has been my sincere Soiland, pleasure serving as the Commodore of dated 1936 Newport Harbor Yacht Club. I look Ahmanson Trophy has a letter forward to your correspondence at from the White House from Franklin D. [email protected] Roosevelt, congratulating Newport All the best and warm regards, Harbor for their achievement as a safe Bruce R. D’Eliscu and commodious harbor for the citizens Commodore

Cover photo by Scott Mason 2 RACING

R AAB D EFENDS 23rd at ABYC. Chris says, “The Mercury minute MINIMUM race rule.” After 75 is a great boat to sail because of the fact minutes, Chris and Kenny Dair worked ERCURY ATIONAL M N that it has so many fine tune adjustments. their way to 6th and with one beat to C HAMPIONSHIP T ITLE For example, you can adjust the lowers the finish, moved into 3rd, clinching while sailing upwind and change the slot the over-all win with finishes of 6-1-2-2- by Maria Raab up to 18 inches!” Wind conditions during 3. The Mercury class has held their the regatta ranged from 6-20 knots. With national championships annually since After having a long summer, finishing a fleet over 20, Chris had a 6 point lead 1943. The class is mostly from the San 2nd in the Cal 20 Nationals and 2nd in the going into the last race in which he Francisco and Monterey areas Catalina 37 Nationals, Chris put some extra rounded the weather mark in 12th and although the San Pedro and Long effort into defending his Mercury National Baird rounded with a convincing lead. Beach fleet continue to grow. “What a Championship title on August 22nd and “Thank gosh, the Mercury class has a 90 great, well organized class!”

FACILITIES HYC’s Clubhouse underwent one of its first major remodels in N1947, just three years after this photo was taken. As this picture helps illustrate, our Clubhouse has changed dramatically over the years. It is now our generation’s turn to consider how best to update our Club’s facilities. This month the Long Range Facility Planning Committee will be sending out a survey to all NHYC members. This survey will be an important element of the planning process for the eventual replacement of NHYC’s Clubhouse. The results of this survey will be given to our architectural consultants for use in developing conceptual plans for a future clubhouse. We are urging all members to take a few minutes to complete and return this survey. - LRFPC, Sept 2008 NHYC Flag Officers, 1944

3 RACING

M ORGAN C UP 2008 After a lengthy wait through an additional four flights, we came out a bit by Jeff Gordon flat in the afternoon session and only managed to win one out of another six Team Newport Harbor descended on races. We also assumed we won New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court another against NYYC #1 in that session facility in Newport, Rhode Island on on a foul, but they asked for redress and August 22-24 to compete in the Morgan we resailed the race at the end of the Cup Team Race Invitational. NHYC was event. We all got dressed up for the honored to have been one of only eight Regatta Dinner Saturday night and we teams selected to participate in this represented the Club well in our prestigious event along with Southern, coordinated attire and Crispin Ties. We Larchmont, Boston, Seawanhaka Island, about a mile from the Harbour received many compliments. Corinthian, and Puquot Yacht Clubs, Court docks. This was the most out-of- It has become a tradition at these together with two teams from the host the-way area clear of the tremendous team racing events for each team to tell NYYC. The event is sailed in identical harbor traffic in Newport in the a favorite joke during the dessert Sonars, a 23 foot keel boat using summertime, yet still in the breeze line. portion of the evening. While not one spinnakers. Very few of us on the Other than some relatively big wind shifts of the jokes told that evening can be Newport team had sailed these boats on Saturday afternoon, it turned out be a printed herein, it was a fun evening. before, yet were up against teams that use great spot to locate the racing venue. Matt McKinlay represented us in that them regularly, so we had our work cut After a short practice on Thursday department and I’m sure his joke took a out for us from the beginning. afternoon, we hit the race course Friday close second place to Southern’s. The three NHYC boats were sailed by morning ready to go. We were in the first Brian Bissell with crew Killarney Loufek, group to sail and managed a two win, four Mandy McDonnell and John Fuller; Adam loss session. We felt we should have had Deermount helmed another boat with another win or two, but took some Matt and Coury McKinlay and Bill satisfaction knowing that we beat NYYC #1 Menninger crewing; the third boat was and Southern, probably the top two rated driven by Andy Beeckman being helped teams at the event. A very nicely hosted out by Jeff Condon, Jeff Gordon, and cocktail party was held after the day of non-member but terrific crew Emily Flint. racing and I guarantee a good time was The weather was in the mid 70s all had by all. three days with moderate breeze and not Saturday morning we were again first too much humidity. Great sailing weather! out and managed to win four straight and The race course was set up west of Goat were feeling pretty good about ourselves! Sunday morning we were charged up to make a run, as double points were awarded for each win now and we felt we could vault ourselves into the top tier. It was not to be however, as we went three wins to two losses and managed to finish in fourth place. The racing was incredibly intense at all times with many races being decided with boats overlapped at the finish line. Most races saw multiple position changes on the last beat to the finish. The relatively short races averaged ten minutes in duration and were started on very short lines, both factors which contributed to the need for each boat and crew to be sailing at “10-10ths” from pre-start maneuvering through to the finish. There were many potential collisions but we managed to avoid any damage. We were proud of our showing given our lack of time in the boats and sailing time together, and I think we photos by Susan Gordon and Ned Jones 4 made an impression on the Easterners that we know how to team race on the west coast and do it well. We were also proud to beat Southern by one point, as the rivalry between them and NHYC is now going national with intensely close finishes between the two teams at the last three events in New Orleans, Newport Beach, and now in Newport East. The Harbour Court facility is amazing. Once a private mansion, it is every bit as stately and impressive as you might imagine a New York Yacht Club out-station would be. Several of our team members were able to stay in the apartments above the separate race office building which have been completely re-done in the past year and brought up to very modern standards. It became our headquarters for meetings, showers, stash-and-crash pad, etc. NYYC put on a great event. The race committee work was exceptional and huge amounts of man- power were thrown at the regatta as the format required mark-set boats, chase boats, change boats, ferry boats, etc. Again, we were very proud to have been able to represent NHYC at this event and we all had a great time. We were able to talk up our team racing event in March, and all indications are that we will have a full contingent for that regatta.

5 RACING

L ONG P OINT R OUND- UP W RAP- UP After a wild ride for some, and a hard pound for others, regatta participants were treated to a western BBQ fit for a by Charlie Underwood rodeo king. A smorgasbord of southwestern soul food was served up by Chef Polly and his hard-working crew for the It was a typical Newport Beach morning as I embarked on guests who descended upon Moonstone en masse. The great my first trip to Santa Catalina Island. There was a light southerly food was accented by lively entertainment and some fiercely breeze, a thick marine layer, and an indescribable feeling of competitive bocce ball matches. excitement, nervousness, and anticipation for the weekend The forecast for Sunday’s race was a west breeze between ahead. This was not only my first trip to Catalina, it was also my 12 and 18 knots. Again, Neptune did not disappoint, and as first Long Point Race Week. And it would prove to be an the boats headed out to the race course, the breeze began to exciting, exhausting, and ultimately, an incredible experience. pump straight down the channel. Friday’s race from Newport to This made for an extremely fast, Long Point was a tough one by any blast-reach race which saw the first measure. The westerly breeze that boat cross the line with an elapsed typically fills through the San Pedro Racers see wide range time of just over two hours. By all Channel in the summertime was accounts it was a wild ride conspicuously absent at the start line. highlighted by multiple wipeouts and This meant that the perennial strategy of challenging conditions in at least one destroyed spinnaker. of beating up to the coast to an Check out the photos by Brent optimum crossing angle was not the Jacobsen of some Day 3 finishers on apparent winning move. Instead, the perennially popular event. the home page of the website. fleet split at the start, with some boats The results were quite impressive heading left into the unusual southerly for NHYC boats with Douglas Ayres’ caused by a strong Catalina eddy. NHYC boats do well in Skylark placing first in the ORR A Light breeze and fluky winds put an division as well as winning the ORR emphasis on boat speed and position ORR and PHRF fleets. overall title on a tiebreak. Chubasco, on the race course, and when a light owned by NHYC member Donald northwesterly did eventually fill, the Haskell, won the PHRF division by boats which trusted historical one point with impressive and precedent were rewarded. Though it consistent results over a variety of conditions. Additionally, was a long race, all agreed that the opening round of the 2008 NHYC won the Bell Trophy, which is contested between NHYC LPRW set the tone for a close-fought and well executed regatta. and BYC and is awarded to the club with the lowest total On Saturday morning, the hot topic of conversation around overall scores. the coffee pot was whether there would be any breeze. This On the whole, the weekend was a tremendous success. concern was fortified at the start when the breeze shut off and The teamwork demonstrated between the two host clubs was boats drifted across the line. Fortunately, King Neptune smiled extraordinary and was essential to meeting the challenges on the waters off Catalina and offered a steady, 15-18 knot which this type of event presents. As a Long Point Race Week westerly which made the race a virtually perfect windward/ first timer I was thoroughly impressed and will certainly be leeward course – exactly what race organizers had hoped for. saving the dates for next year.

6 photos by John Aschieris 7 TWILIGHT SERIES

Results Through June 26 August Harbor 20 A Harbor 20 A 1 Bill Menninger/Diane Menninger NHYC 1 Chris Allen NHYC 2 Jim Kerrigan/Tricia Kerrigan NHYC 2 Tom Corkett NHYC 3 John Fuller/Christopher Fuller NHYC 3 Phil Ramser NHYC 4 Chris Allen/Steve Schupak NHYC 4 Jim Kerrigan NHYC 5 Phil Ramser NHYC Harbor 20 B Harbor 20 B 1 Dick Somers NHYC 1 Ted Munroe/Chuck Champion NHYC 2 John Whitney NHYC 2 Leonard Connelly/Barrie Connelley SLBYC 3 Rod Swift ALYC 3 Glyn Davies/Tom Skibinski NHYC 4 Rolly Pulaski NHYC 4 Bill Allen NHYC 5 Terry Welsh NHYC 5 Win Fuller/Carlita Fuller NHYC Lehman 12 A Lehman 12 A 1 Jim Otis NHYC 1 John Drayton/Jennifer Drayton NHYC 2 Charlie Boukather 2 Richard Loufek/Gretchen Loufek NHYC 3 Taylor Grant NHYC 3 Caleb Silsby/Paige Silsby NHYC 4 Chuck Beek NHYC 4 Brian Bissell/Alexis Ruben NHYC 5 Alan Carmichael NHYC

Lehman 12 B 1 Jonathan Hibma 2 Tim Doane NHYC 3 Travis Winsor/Nicole Winsor NHYC

Results Through July 31 Harbor 20 A 1 Chris Allen NHYC 2 Jim Kerrigan NHYC 3 Peter Haynes ALYC 4 Phil Ramser NHYC 5 Lee Sutherland NHYC

Harbor 20 B 1 Glyn Davies NHYC 2 Helen Duncan NHYC 3 Leonard Connelly SLBYC 4 John Whitney NHYC 5 Rolly Pulaski NHYC

Lehman 12 A 1 Adam Deermount NHYC 2 John Drayton NHYC 3 Nick Madigan NHYC

photos by Scott Mason

8 RACING

T EAM R ACING after our first Commodore. racing arena. We are still trying to Let’s keep the momentum building. finalize schedules, but we promise you The Council has been won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for Summer has come and gone, but working hard to put together a “Big more details. the fun is not over yet. It is time for Wednesday” lecture in November Here’s how the rest of the year is more NHYC Intra–Club team race featuring a prominent leader in the team shaping up on the team racing front: scrimmages. If you weren’t able to attend these competitive but informal races last spring, the Yacht Racing October 19 Intra-Club scrimmage 1pm 4 vs. 4 Harbor 20 Council encourages you to mark you NHYC sail-off for Isaac Potter TR calendar with these dates now and plan and Soiland Cup representatives on sailing. It will be 4 vs. 4 in H20’s with the usual post-race noshing at the dock. October 25-26 Jean Schenck Memorial Team Race 3 vs. 3 CFJ Do you want to be a part of the @ NHYC defending NHYC Soiland Cup Team Race team? Now is the time to put your November 8-9 Soiland Cup Team Race @ 3 vs. 3 Flying Scot team together! This regatta is hosted Southern Yacht Club by Southern Yacht Club (3 v. 3) in Flying Scots with 3 man crews on Nov. 8-9. November 9 Isaac Potter Team Race 4 vs. 4 Harbor 20 There will be a SAIL OFF for the NHYC vs. BYC distinctive opportunity to represent the This regatta will be umpired burgee at this regatta which is named

T OP E XPERT ON R ACING R ULES TO G IVE S EMINAR –FRIDAY,OCTOBER 10

ISAF revises The Racing Rules of Sailing every four years. US NHYC’s Protest Committee, under the leadership of Doug Sailing, the national authority for the sport, adds its own Sloan, has arranged to have Dick Rose, the pre-eminent U.S. prescriptions to ISAF’s rules and publishes the result as the racing expert on the Racing Rules of Sailing come talk about the rules used in most events here. racing rules and the significant changes that are coming in Rose, who races a Laser and enjoys sailing a Megabyte, has 2009. Rose will be speaking to members at a club-wide event been racing (mostly in dinghies) for over 50 years. He has a on the evening of Friday, October 10. degree from Princeton in Mathematics and a Ph.D. from the Many sailors know Rose through his regularly featured University of Pennsylvania in Mathematical Psychology and was a column “Rules” in the monthly magazine Sailing World, where member of the faculty of the Department of Psychology at the he has used his unique, down-to-earth style to clearly and University of Washington for 26 years before retiring. simply explain common rules situations. As a member of the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee for Rose will bring that same clarity to his presentation at over 20 years, Rose chaired it for more than 12, and as such wrote NHYC. Sloan explained, “First, Dick has a wonderful way of the Foreword to the US Sailing version of the ISAF Racing Rules explaining how to look at the rules, so that any sailor in any of Sailing. He has also been the US Olympic Team Rules Advisor situation can understand better how the rules apply.” After for three Olympic Games, as well as a member of both the ISAF that, Rose will cover the changes to the rules that take effect Racing Rules Committee and the ISAF Racing Rules Working Party January 1, 2009, and will end by taking questions from the for over a decade. audience. Sloan welcomes all members and strongly encourages Sloan continued, “There are significant changes to the anyone that races—even occasionally—to attend. “With these rules coming in 2009, especially in how boats approach and new changes, just going to a regatta and hoping you get by on a round marks and obstructions—the dreaded Rule 18. All of casual understanding of the rules and the goodwill of your fellow that changes next year. There are even changes in the sailors may not be enough.” definitions. It’s the biggest overall modification of the rules I’ve Admission ofr $20 includes Rose’s presentation and a buffet seen in the past three cycles.” Rose is the Chairman of the dinner. Please make reservations through the club’s website International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Working Party that at www.nhyc.org, or through the front desk at 949-673-7730. handles Rule 18.

9 RACING

Y OUTH W ORLDS by Chris Segerblom

July 10th through the 18th the sailing club in Aarhus, hosted the 2008 ISAF Volvo Youth World Championships. Fifty-eight nations competed in seven classes for the Volvo Perpetual, awarded to the overall best performing country. This year’s US Sailing Team representatives were decided at a qualifying event held by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach last January. Andrew Mason (skipper) and I, after a heart stopping qualifier and regimented training leading up to the Worlds, were honored to represent our country at the most profound Youth Regatta of the year. With everyone competing for the gold medal in six days of intense racing, the Youth Worlds’ competitive atmosphere gave it an exciting, Olympic-like quality. Racing conditions in Denmark were caused by a pretty typical European frontal influence. A low pressure system over Northern Denmark made for a range of wind speeds and directions. On Later in the regatta we also was important to sail for the clouds the first day of racing southwest winds experienced lighter winds from a more because those brought the wind and reached the point where the race left direction off the water, but overall the shifts. committee was forced to abandon racing too little breeze was not an issue and it Off the water, the City of Aarhus after two races due to a 30 knot squall. and regatta hosts were very hospitable. We were welcomed at the opening ceremonies held in the Aarhus city hall by the mayor as well as the Crown Prince of Denmark. Throughout the week, regatta events kept us busy most often, but in any off-time there was always the four-star Radisson Hotel to go back and relax in or the many shops, restaurants, and ice-cream stands to go tour in the city. The US Team even found time to go- kart on our lay day from racing, and eat at the local restaurants for team dinners/debriefs. Finally, the closing ceremonies ended the event at the town concert hall where all the medal winners took their places on the podium to hear the gold medalists’ national anthem. Overall, Britain’s “God Save the Queen” was heard the most as they became the 2008 Volvo Trophy Winners. However, the US even took home some hardware with a silver medal in the Laser fleet for Florida

10 sailor Luke Lawrence and a bronze in the traveling, organization, and training 29er for San Diego sailors Judge Ryan required by these international events. and Hans Henken. Andrew is on to college at Georgetown Although our results in the multihull where he will sail for the defending didn’t really meet our expectations, we collegiate champion Hoya sailing team took home with us greater knowledge of and I continue to sail on the Newport big event racing, catamaran sailing in Harbor High School Team. Thank you to general, and especially what it takes to US Sailing and especially our many yacht compete against the top youth sailors in club supporters. Also, big thanks to our the world. We will take our Youth Worlds coaches who included Pete Melvin, Jay experience forward with us in our sailing and Pease Glaser, and John Williams who careers as not only better sailors but with all provided us dinghy sailors with the many life skills learned from the valuable multihull information and tips.

11 RACING

I-420 WORLDS AND off to Zadar for the Jr. European Championships. The disappointment in J R .EUROPEAN some of our scores at the Worlds was C HAMPIONSHIPS offset by the excitement of making the gold fleet in Croatia and winning one of by Jeff Aschieris the races during the regatta. I was honored to represent my This summer I was selected as a country as a member of Team USA. Mac member of the USA International Mace and I had accomplished our goal of Sailing Team participating in the I-420 sailing in a world competition, but gained World Championships and Junior much more from this experience. As a European Championships. The events team we all learned to train extensively, were held in , and Zadar, to live in a foreign country and to adapt Croatia. Also representing NHYC on Team USA – Athens, Greece to changing conditions on the race Team USA were my skipper Mac Mace, course. I will never forget marching into Chris Segerblom, and crew Kayla the opening ceremony with our country's McComb and Sydney Bolger with crew on the racing ahead of us. flag waving as a symbol of effort, pride, Caitlin Beavers. On the race course we faced the most and freedom. I would like to thank my Upon arrival in Greece, we difficult wind conditions that we have ever parents, teammates, our coaches, the experienced some culture shock the encountered. Sailing in foreign oceans Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation, first few days away from home. As this with unfamiliar currents, weather patterns CISA, NBSSA, and all of the members of was my first trip to a European country, that changed continuously, and competing NHYC for making it possible for me to I quickly realized that I needed to learn against sailors of all ages and nationalities travel abroad this summer and compete about foreign currency, language was a whole new experience. For most of at these events. barriers, transportation, and unusual the Worlds, we were in a Meltemi weather food. One look at the restaurant menu system which is analogous to a Santa Ana and the common phrase “it’s all Greek wind, but much windier. Kevin Burnham, to me” was given new meaning. Many who earned a gold medal in Athens in challenges, both on and off the water, 2004 in the 470 class, commented that, presented themselves. I learned that “It’s going to blow like stink and feel like sailing in foreign countries is quite a bit you’re looking upwind into a hairdryer different from sailing here in the United turned on hot!” Many of the days after States and having considerably less racing, we were fortunate enough to have time in the I-420 than the rest of the dinners with Kevin and each night we fleet did not help. We all adjusted to would listen to his wild stories from his these conditions after days of boat Olympic days. After making the silver fleet work and practice and became focused in Athens, and finishing mid-fleet, we were Team USA – Zadar, Croatia

CABO 2009

RACE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION

1) On-line Registration 2) Immigration Forms and Procedures 3) Marina Reservations Ned Jones sailing for NHYC in the 2008 Hinman Masters at New York YC in Newport RI. They came in second to Seawanhaka Corinthian YC. See Flyer for All the Details!

12 NON-CALM

S UMMER by Caitlin Beavers U.S. Women’s Junior Double Handed Championship

There were 33 participants in this year’s U.S.Women’s Junior Double Handed Championship held in Sausalito, CA.It was my second Ida Lewis (Sydney Bolger’s third) in Club 420s and because we were aging out together this year we decided to make it our best. We arrived on July 7th and spent two days participating in clinics to help everyone get used to the tough conditions. Our first day of racing brought a shifty breeze of 12-25 knots, strong currents, and plenty of injuries but we made the most of it, winning all three races that day. Regatta days two and three were all about connecting the puffs since the breeze ranged from fleet and the men’s fleet into two fleets, a long four weeks together, we had all 25 to 0. gold and silver. Then we had four regatta had our fair share of new experiences as Sydney and I came into the last days. It was an amazing experience and we sailors, big breeze, and each other. When day prepared with wetsuits and all grew as sailors. I left I definitely didn’t take into account goggles, persevering through the cold After a long and memorable trip in that we would be spending twenty-three water and strong winds to finish 30 Greece, we flew to our next adventure in hours a day together for an entire month, points ahead of second place. Zadar, Crotia. We had plenty of time to but it has been the best month of my life Immediately after the last race I leaped relax from the plane flights because our so far. into the back of the boat and gave boats arrived a little late. Hotel Funimation I’d like to give many thanks to CISA, Sydney the hugest hug of her life. provided plenty of entertainment complete Newport Sailing Foundation, Lido Sailing Congratulations to all the other NHYC with its own waterslide, which I’m sure we Foundation, my family, my skipper sailors Emmy Dahl and Heather May all spent a fair share of time on. Our Sydney Bolger for being such an amazing 4th, Sally Mace and Carly Shevitz opening ceremony was very exciting, with a friend and without her none of this would (SBYC) 7th, and Annie Schmidt (SFYC) thunder and lightning storm as a beautiful have been possible, our chaperones, our and Mackenzi Burke 25th for a great background for the evening. The next coaches Elizabeth Kratzig and Zac regatta! morning we started racing; we had two Leonard, and MOST of all our team USA days to separate the fleets and then four leader Larry Law who did an outstanding 2008 International 420 Open regatta days. At the end of the regatta and job organizing the entire trip. Worlds and Ladies World Championships and 420 Junior European Championships

Five days later Sydney and I flew to the I-420 World Championships in Athens, Greece. When we arrived, everyone had a day to explore before beginning the long and tedious process of putting our boats together. After two long days in the hot sun and three practice days we were finally ready. The first two days of the regatta began with qualifications to split both the women’s

13 NON-CALM

S UMMER OF THE L ASER by Chris Barnard see the entire fleet make their way around the course. In the end, I finished 3rd overall, just 6 points out of first place. Such a The summer of Laser Radial sailing began with a seven hour short margin of loss kept me thinking back at small mistakes in road trip up the Golden State freeway to the Bay Area where the each race that cost me from taking the title, but each one I know 2008 U.S. Youth Championships took place out of San Francisco will help me avoid similar ones in the future. Charlie Yacht Club. During the first week of the trip, I participated in a Buckingham also showed another strong finish placing 7th in the clinic across the bay at St. Francis Yacht Club consisting of Full Rig division. several strong participants as well as world-class coaches. I then The final event of the summer was the CORK regatta taking traveled back to Belvedere where the Youth Champs would be place in Kingston, . Kingston was the sailing venue for held. Newport Harbor Yacht Club was very well represented in the 1976 Summer Olympics and still provides a great venue the Laser Radial, Laser, Club 420, and 29er Classes. The racing today. I arrived on August 13th and spent the next couple of took place on the Olympic Berkeley Circle where the conditions days enjoying the area as well as several hours on the waters of consisted of 2-6 foot wind chop with winds of 16-28 knots, living Lake Ontario preparing for event. The event started on August up to the cold and windy 16th with two days of qualifying in reputation that San Francisco is order to split up the 180 boat fleet. known for. Throughout the event, I Days One and Two brought the typical showed great boatspeed and sea breeze of 5-16 knots with 3 foot consistency putting myself in the chop. A dominant performance lead of the radial fleet from the consisting of four bullets, a second, start. However, in the final race of and a fifth place finish gave me a two- the event, a poor start put me way point lead on second and 14 points behind. Over the course of the on 3rd. Day 3 was the first day of the long race I fought back to a gold flight races bringing a beautiful potential regatta winning position. 18-20 knot breeze with a large 4-6 Unfortunately at the final leeward foot wind chop that made for mark, unable to keep balance of awesome downwind surfing. The day the boat in the sharp turn in the could not have gone smoother with extreme conditions, I flipped, two bullets by comfortable margins. costing me the regatta and placing Day Four consisted of some of the me in third overall. Knowing how close I was to grasping the most frustrating conditions I have ever sailed in. With a storm championship in such tough conditions and to lose it on very passing through the night before, the race course had extremely fundamental mistakes was one of the worst feelings I have ever shifty, puffy, and unpredictable offshore winds. To start off the experienced. Nevertheless, it was an experience I won’t let day, I won the pin end of the line and seemed to be very myself ever forget and will use it for my “fuel to the fire.” Other punched off the line, but the conditions immediately showed me strong finishes included 3rd place from Charlie Buckingham in their worst, continuously putting me further and further behind the Full Rig Laser Class, a 5th place finish by Mac Mace and Jeff and eventually dead last. Knowing that the race was so fluky Aschieris, followed by Chris Segerblom and Kayla McComb and unpredictable, I had to tell myself it was not due to my finishing 8th place in the 420 class. mistakes and I had to put it in the past. The next few races A few weeks later, I made another trip up to St. Francis came with similar conditions, except for the fact that there was Yacht Club where they played host for the Laser and Radial absolutely no pattern at all. Fleets would get inverted in a North American Championships on July 24 – 27th. The regatta matter of seconds with completely different winds crossing and consisted of lots of tactical decisions with the strong current and mixing across the course. I finished the day with a 2, 4, 11, and shifty winds on the city front as well as hiking through lots of somehow managed to build my lead to 8 points over 2nd and pain in 12-28 knots of breeze. In very frustrating conditions and 52 points on 3rd. The last race day came down to the final 20 other hardships, I finished a respectable 8th place. Although it minutes of the time limit to start a race due to the gradient and was a decent finish in a tough fleet, it wasn’t up to my high sea breeze fighting for advantage. Finally, the sea breeze filled standards. Overall, I was just glad to get out of cold San in at a solid 3-6 knots at a steady heading. Noticing an Francisco for the summer. extremely favored pin end and the breeze being very light, I Back in warm Southern California, the Laser Nationals were quickly made sure I was up on the line and at the favored end. hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach. I was very Catching the fleet off guard as well as my closest competitor, I excited to be back in warm weather that would be greeted by was already ahead of the fleet before the gun went off, port the beautiful, consistent, strong sea breeze along with the tacked the fleet, and won the race and the regatta by a awesome wind chop that the Pacific provides. The regatta took comfortable margin. In the end, I finished a dominant 47 points place on August 8 – 10th in 5-20 knot breeze. Over the three ahead of second place. The regatta was extremely fun on the days, the lead changed several times, sometimes in my water with great sailing conditions as well as off the water with direction. With over 80 boats on one line, it was quite a sight to lots of friends from around the country.

14 W HO WAS D ICK S WEET? by Susan Kenney

ne of the many race regattas that our Newport Harbor Yacht Club Juniors sail during the summer months is Othe Dick Sweet Perpetual Team Racing Regatta. The Dick Sweet Regatta is a team racing regatta. All SCYYRA Junior Sailing Programs are invited every year to send one three-boat Naples Sabot team. Teams compete for the Dick Sweet Perpetual Trophy which will be presented at the last event. The trophy is composed of three event days. The first two events are used as a seeding for the final knockout Series finale at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club on July 21. The first meet was held at San Diego Yacht Club, June 30 and the second meet at Newport Harbor Yacht Club, July 7. Our team members this year are Connor Kelter, Jimmy Madigan, Kieran Chung, Greer Wattson, and Carolyn Smith. But, who was Dick Sweet? I was one of the fortunate young sailors, a Non-Calm, at Newport Harbor Yacht Club to sail under his command in the 1960s and 70s. I remember a wonderful, patient, warm, and friendly sailing teacher who loved what he did. But, I was young and did not pay too much attention to who Dick really was. So I did some research and would like to give a special thank you to Bill Moses of NHYC who helped find more in depth information. To begin with, Dick Sweet was the Junior Sailing Director at Newport Harbor Yacht Club in charge of the Non- Calm Program from 1954 to when he retired in1978. Dick was raised in Long Beach where he spent his summers racing Skimmerettes and crewing on Snipes. That is where he met and became friends with Ed Warmington and Bob Allan of NHYC. When he came down to teach at Horace Ensign Middle School he also began to teach sailing at Lido Island Yacht Club during the summers. In 1954 it was suggested by Commodore Jim Sheppard that he come and direct the junior program at NHYC. Not long after, Dick started at NHYC full time under the direction of Phelps Merickel who was in charge of the Non-Calm Program at that time. When Dick took over the program he further undertook the Race Committee work and the Twilight series. He often worked 12-hour days, six days a week during the summer months from June to September. He said that the most important thing he was able to accomplish was not only teaching safety in sailing but keeping the competition growing among the various junior, senior, and national championships. He was also responsible for setting up the Inter-club racing in the bay which is now called Balboa Bay Fleets. He started crewing for Bob Allan on the sloop Holiday and gained an enormous amount of ocean racing experience which he passed onto his young sailors. He was inducted into the Intercollegiate Hall of Fame in 1973. Dick was interested in not only the skippers but the crew and that was probably his greatest contribution to young sailors. Dick thought that the first and most elemental process of learning to sail for the junior was to crew in a Snowbird. (Side note: That’s how I learned to sail.) Then he felt that the sailor was ready for any other kind of racing. For this reason, Dick hoped that other boats such as the Flying Junior and other double handed boats would grow. And, grow they did; CFJs and 420s just to name a few, are sailed today in high school and collegiate competitions. Dick ran the program at NHYC from 1954 to 1978 when he retired due to health problems. He came back in 1981 to re-organize the junior program which he did in short order and again left due to his health. However, he later was able to resume racing, and he and his good friend Bud Desenberg won the Beer Can Race once again in 1989. Dick Sweet died in April 1990. His name is remembered with great fondness and appreciation from this Non- Calm and so many other people whose life he touched. In May 1990 NHYC outfitted a new bay race committee boat and named it the Richard B. Sweet in his memory for his contribution to the sailing youth in all of Newport Harbor and to some of the best of the best sailors of that era. Bill Symes, Scott Allan, Dave Ullman (BYC), Argyle Campbell (BYC), Tim Hogan, Henry Sprague just to name a few. Any of these names sound familiar? Dick Sweet left a very sweet legacy for many of his sailors who now have young sailors of their own who love the sea and sailing just as he did!

15 CRUISING

confidence building, but we hung in there R AGTIME – for the night. The last day, we sailed to Moorea and C RUISING TAHITI anchored south of Cooks Cove for the night, by Chris Welsh sharing the cove with the Maltese Falcon. In the morning, the stand-ups were a great way We returned to Papeete in late July to paddle over and meet the crew; after to finish race related repairs to Ragtime, chatting a while and getting the call to with a goal of moving on to Tonga. The depart, they did a full sail exit from the cove repairs were replacement of two 1.5" – very impressive, and we garnered an keel nuts which were galled in place, and invitation to visit them in San Francisco next getting the diesel motor going again. month. I just got a report from my parents in Without boring you, these tasks were Honolulu that the Maltese had arrived there longish – the keel nuts had to be cut off en route home. with a die grinder, then a die run up and The Maltese is indescribably big. down the threads four times, then the Ragtime was a toothpick by comparison to The next day, we set off for Bora Bora new nuts installed. Whose idea was it to her 280 feet of length and thirty some feet with one of our friends from Tarawana who take a black boat to the Tropics?! After of beam. Under sail, she launched into the is a charter captain. This was a great break three days of work, this was done, and trades, heeling 15-20 degrees and 13-14 as we arrived after dark, and crossing the all of the keel bolts retorqued. knots or more. I was proud to see Tom coral reef entrance passage with local The engine repairs were a little Perkins checking out Ragtime as they left. knowledge on board was comforting. involved, and thus needed a bit of Our high speed cruise was an anomaly Again, we picked up a mooring in front of perseverance. A new injection pump was in the Tropics. Cruisers knew Ragtime was Bloody Marys and went ashore for a very fitted, and then the injectors themselves different, but they were thrown by 10 knot lively dinner with more friends. Bora Bora were rebuilt. Eureka! The engine ran sailing and 300 mile days. Most were is populated with he-shes, and our again and we were free to travel. excited to hit 7 knots, and several described waiter(ess) was about the fourth he-she we As time had been eaten up with dropping the sails at night on long had met. It was a very lively dinner, these tasks, we elected to delay on passages. They also did not relate to the everyone had a good time, and we Tonga and just sail French Polynesia. Our overnight visits. One commented that at five returned to the boat on our stand-up customs agent, Moana, joined us for this days in Huahine, they thought they were paddle boards, having given up on the trip, and his connections and language cutting it short. Oh well, it worked for us. drama of blowing up the dinghy, mounting skills were invaluable. This turned into a Next stops - The Cooks, Tonga, and the motor, etc. Amazingly, despite magical trip. Our first leg was Tahiti to Auckland for the Coastal Cup Race to the cocktails, no one swam on the way back to Raiatea/Tahaa where we picked up a Bay of Islands on October 24th. We're the boat. mooring at the Tarawana Yacht Club looking forward to a grand homecoming for After Bora Bora, we started for owned by friends of ours. I can't say the boat. Huahine and then wimped out for a three enough good things about visiting the The inter island sailing was great. From hour cruise back to Tahaa and our friends Tarawana – modern moorings, great Tahiti to Tahaa, we had a full moon and there. Entering the cove, we sailed a loop food in a wall-less building with made 14-19 knots in warm tradewinds, and around Tamsen to our mutual delight. specatcular views, and interesting we pretty much had those conditions every Another night of great food and good people. We met various cruisers from day. Inside the lagoons, we made great people, and we are looking forward to around the world, including the crew of speed in flat water but with the breeze still seeing the Tamsen folks again in Auckland. Tamsen, a 170' Perini-Navi anchored on. Lagoon sailing was lively with brightly Huahine was a short hop the next day, nearby. The stand-up boards were colored water, reefs everywhere, and and the same routine – stand up boards, pressed into service by all. Tarawana thankfully, excellent navigation marking by and dinner ashore with other cruisers. A Yacht Club occupies about two acres on the French. little bit of a difficult anchorage for us – the southern tip of Tahaa – a must if you The crew was Moana Henry from Tahiti, with only light racing ground tackle, are cruising the area. Food, potable Devin Vaughn, Shawn Rowles (friend from anchoring in 85' of water was not water, showers, etc. the USA), and myself. Lobster Cruise – October 31 to November 3

oin your NHYC cruisers for a fun and informative weekend in Moonstone learning to hoop net for lobsters. For the last three Jseasons, we on Sea Pearl have had success right in our own cove. You don’t need to get wet, well not too much, or even leave your own yacht. We will arrive at Moonstone on Friday, Oct 31 and stay until Monday morning, Nov 3. Obviously you can arrive and leave according to your needs. We plan to have a community lobster feed on shore on Saturday night. If you plan to attend and are new to hoop netting, you will need to purchase a few items first. I have put together a Lobster Hoop Netting Syllabus which is available at the club office or on NHYC.org. There is also a brochure on lobster fishing available from the Department of Fish and Game at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/lobsterbrochure.pfd

16 ANGLERS

2008 FIRST FISH FLAGS/LOCAL WATERS*

SPECIES BOAT SKIPPER ANGLER DATE Striped Marlin - Released Cazador Chris Allen Nick Allen 8/9 Striped Marlin - Taken Shadow “Old” Wink “Young” Wink 8/3 Swordfish (AVAILABLE) Big Eye Tuna (AVAILABLE) Albacore Shadow “Old” Wink Pete Binaski 6/20 Yellowtail Gordo John M Curci John M Curci 5/31 White Sea Bass Halfmoon Packy Offield Packy Offield 3/13 Yellowfin Tuna Gordo John M Curci John M Curci 8/9 Bluefin Tuna Dos Gatos Matt Merickel Dave Kennett 6/21 Dorado Shadow “Old” Wink “Old” Wink 8/1 Halibut Que Bueno Randy Hause Randy Hause 4/11 *Local Waters-----between Point Conception and 31st parallel.

AWARD OF MERIT FLAGS/OUTSIDE**

SPECIES BOAT SKIPPER ANGLER DATE LOCATION Pacific Blue Marlin - RLSD Alegre Jeff Littlell Jeff Littlell 4/27 Mexico Atlantic Blue Marlin - RLSD (AVAILABLE) Black Marlin -RLSD (AVAILABLE) White Marlin - RLSD (AVAILABLE) Pacific Sailfish Anzuelo II Hector Bill Bennett 6/2 Pamas Bay Atlantic Sailfsh Mstrs BF Sharky Packy Offield 5/11 Cancun Spearfish (AVAILABLE) Wahoo (AVAILABLE) Yellowfin Tuna +100# (AVAILABLE) Big Eye Tuna +100# (AVAILABLE) Bluefin Tuna +100# (AVAILABLE) **Anywhere outside of local waters

JUNIOR FLAGS/AWARDS***

SPECIES BOAT SKIPPER ANGLER DATE Striped Marlin Cazador Chris Allen Nick Allen 8/9 Albacore Bastante Rod Neighbors Kellen Neighbors 8/9 Albacore Bastante Rod Neighbors Trevor Neighbors 8/9 Albacore Cazador Chris Allen Nick Allen 8/9 Dorado Bastante Rod Neighbors Kelly Neighbors 8/5 ***All of the Flags/Awards are available to “Junior Fleet Members,” as a separate category.

As of 9/12/08 17 MOTHER SABOTS

Congratulations to the new Nick Scandone – Gold Medal Winner! Mother Sabots' Board for 2009:

COMMODORE: HELEN MACKEL

VICE COMMODORE: SUSAN GORDON

SECRETARY/TREASURER: JAN HOUGHTON

More trophy winners: Tulip Time II A Fleet 1st: Carlita Fuller B Fleet 1st: Sarah Kraus A Fleet Low Point Trophy: Gale Pinckney B Fleet Low Point Trophy: Sarah Kraus Most Improved Skipper: Sarah Kraus

Former Newport Harbor Yacht Club Non-Calm and Mother Sabots coach Nick Scandone achieved his lifetime goal and won Paralympic gold in China. What makes this goal particularly remarkable is that Nick was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease six years ago and has been literally fighting to stay alive. Earlier this year, there was debate within US Sailing as to whether to send Nick’s alternate on the team to China because of the progressive nature of his disease. But Nick defied the odds and convincingly won gold with two races still to go. CABO2009 “At the dock before the first race I had about a 10-minute moment of tears,” Nick recalled. “It’s hard to describe what I was feeling, but it was definitely a sense of RACE WEEK IN CABO – accomplishment.” In the next issue of Hard on The Wind, we’ll talk with Nick about his Paralympic experience. THINGS TO DO Things to do in Cabo while you are waiting for your 2009 Cabo sailor to finish the race…the topics are as follows:

1) Water Sports and Beach Bums 2) Desert Rats 3) Golf Addicts 4) History Buffs 5) Spoiled “Spa-nicks” 6) Party People 7) Serious Shoppers

See Flyer for All the Details!

18 FROM THE MANAGER

Mark your calendars now to be HOTW certain not to miss the Club’s bountiful Editor offering on Thanksgiving. Give Mom a Anne Nutten break this year and have the family Committee gather at the Club to celebrate and Chris Allen give thanks. Pam Bacich Our active December calendar is Dorothy Beek Donna Bents quickly filling up. If you have not yet Kristin & Robert Bents completed your planning for your Jane & Scott Calder reparing this article is a reminder Holiday luncheon, cocktail party, or John Clement dinner, don’t delay too long and Juli Cook how quickly 2008 is passing. This is Lyle Davis Pthe second to last issue of HOTW contact our Event Planner, Crystal Michael di Donato for the year. With the busy Holiday Evelyn, to assure your space and time. Tim Doane Season rapidly approaching and the The Annual Meeting this year on Jennifer & John Drayton Jayne Hause conclusion of the committee schedule we December 6 sets the stage for a busy Byron Henderson want to take a moment and thank the weekend which culminates with our Jeanette & Bowie Houghton volunteers who are so much the glue that annual visit from Santa on Sunday Ned Jones evening, December 7. Our plans for Jim Jordan binds this fine Club. Stephanie Martin Again in 2008 the dedication of time the afternoon events which precede Nina A. Nielsen and expertise has helped assure another Santa’s arrival will be detailed in the Harriet Pallette successful year. The success the Club colorful flyer soon to be mailed which Steve Schupak Dennis Scholz continues to enjoy is in large measure also covers all the menus for the Bill von KleinSmid attributable to member usage. We Parade of Lights week as well. As part Judith Wattson continue to see our activity level grow and of that document, we will invite you to Chris Welsh join everyone at the New Year’s Eve George West appreciate the support the membership Tod White provides to our efforts. Open House on December 31st from Robert Yates Looking forward to the month of 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The Club has Contributors October a focal point will be the annual elected to abandon the galas of recent Commodore Bruce R. D’Eliscu, Casino Night which is cleverly promoted years in an effort to infuse some new Thomas Gilbertson, CCM, on the back cover of this issue. As stated enthusiasm into the evening. This Jeff Aschieris, Chris Barnard, Caitlin Beavers, Jeff Gordon, last month the Skipper members who adults only offering will provide a Susan Kenney, Maria Raab, Chris produce the event have again partnered Cocktail Party atmosphere with hors Segerblom, Charlie Underwood with the Newport Harbor Sailing d’oeuvres station format. Music will be provided if one wishes to dance, yet Layout and Design Foundation and with this partnership your Vince Mattera Design contribution through the silent and live the intent of the evening is to enjoy auctions are tax deductable. This festive camaraderie, food, and drinks as a evening, enhanced this year as a costume preamble to the New Year. Newport Harbor Yacht Club party, invites everyone to display their Although the calendar is quickly 720 West Bay Avenue • Balboa 92661 alter egos and come together to be part closing in on 2009 the remaining 673-7730 Phone • 673-3972 Fax of the fun! months promise to continue the “fun” 723-6878 Boatyard endorsed all year by Commodore [email protected] D’Eliscu. We trust you all will be part Web site: www.nhyc.org of the good times ahead. Commodore Bruce R. D’Eliscu Vice Commodore William H. Crispin Rear Commodore W. Bradley Avery Directors IN MEMORIAM Bruce R. D’Eliscu William H. Crispin W. Bradley Avery Marc L. Foster Jeffrey J. Gordon MRS.NED “MARJORIE” Jeffrey D. Littell ANDERSON Edwin A. Meserve August 6, 2008 Richard S. Robinson, Jr. Member since 1955 Thomas E, Springer III General Manager Thomas Gilbertson, CCM Tick tock, tick tock, the croc is coming with the Captain’s clock to… Casino Night!

October 25th, 6:30 pm Come in your best Halloween costume to win prizes, bid on auction items worthy of a pirate’s bounty and have a swashbucklin’ good time supporting nhsf! Be thar, or be squar! $65++ Cancellation Policy in Effect rsvp to the club (949) 673.7730 Shore Boat Service Available