October 2006 Official Publication of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club I14 worlds 2006 Volume 79 • Number 10 Article & photos by Rich Roberts amlin and McNicol team up for a memorable victory The International 14 skiff has no keel, an unstable hull and way too much sail area for Long H Beach, so how did Howard Hamlin and Euan McNicol, who had been racing it for only a month, make victory in the class’s 16th world Nobody waits when your luck turns bad championship hosted by ABYC look so easy? Skill, consistency, engineering, strategy, tactics and staying right side up all week—all combined for a 1-4-2-2-2-3- (DNS) string of finishes in a fleet of 71 boats from six countries that included six past champions. The DNS (did not start) score reflected their dominance; they didn’t have to sail the last race. The event was a 27-year reunion for some venerable members of the class. ABYC was host of the inaugural I-14 fleet racing global competition in 1979. But while this was only their third I-14 regatta, Hamlin and McNicol (l) and Hamlin celebrate their world title in a third- McNicol have place finish Friday. enjoyed big Where’s a traffic cop when you need one? careers sailing other kinds of high-performance skiffs. Hamlin, 53, has won world titles in the 18ft Skiff and 505 classes and just this summer has collected other crowns in the European 18s, the 18 Skiff International Regatta at San Francisco and the I-14 U.S. Nationals on these waters last month, as well as his sixth second in the 505 Worlds. McNicol, 30, also an 18 Skiff world champion. Over dinner one night last year McNicol, an Australian, talked Hamlin, an ABYC member who lives just down the street, into racing an I-14, which is a skittish handful in any conditions. “He didn’t have to talk very hard,” Hamlin said. “I’d sailed against Euan for 10 years and have my highest regard for him. I was honored that he wanted me to do it with him. I thought we’d be competitive.” ...continued page 6 inside Commodore’s Comments ................................ 2 save the date Manager’s Corner ........................................... 2 Vice Commodore’s View .................................. 3 Stag Cruise ....................................... October 6-8 Rear Commodore’s Notes ............................... 3 Ladies Day ........................................... October 8 Fleet Captain’s Report ..................................... 4 Commodore’s Installation .................... October 21 From the Pages of History ............................... 5 Pam Am games RSX Trials ............ October 25-29 Labor Day Regatta ................................... 10-11 Flight 6875 ......................................... October 27 Junior Sailing ................................................. 12 Halloween Regatta ............................. October 29 I 14 Nationals .................................................. 8 General Membership Meeting ..........November 27 Hails from the Fleets ................................. 14-15 Turkey Day Regatta ....................November 18-19 sou’wester • october 2006 • page 1 commodore’s comments never thought I’d be making a farewell statement so soon. Last year at this time I was so busy making Board assignments, cajoling people into chairing various positions and events, I and planning the annual commodore’s installation dinner. And, now I’m saying goodbye and asking what happened to all that time in between then and now? Well, as I think back on this last year and all of the events, regattas, meetings, articles, happy hours and time spent at the club, I think I know where all the time went. It went into building friendships, establishing pro- grams, leading initiatives, making changes, continuing traditions and most of all enjoying the great things about ABYC. However, some years can be more challenging than others and this was at times a very challenging past year. Our club was confronted with management turnover, food service inad- equacies, yard and building repairs and many other challenges. But, the Board of Directors with the assistance of many members worked tirelessly at making the necessary changes and improvements to keep the club shipshape and operating smoothly. And, like Hilary Clinton’s words “it takes a village to raise a child,” at ABYC it takes a membership and a loyal staff to continue our traditions, build our relationships and support the sport of sailing that brings us together. I’m very proud to be a part of this club and to have served the membership as Commodore. To everyone that chaired a committee or a regatta, helped serve at dinners, decorated for luaus or did whatever I asked of you, thank you. Your generosity and kindness has been kept me going this year. But now it is time for me to say goodbye and hand the gavel over to my good friend Jim Bateman. Jim will be a great commodore so please continue your support him, the club and the Board of Directors. Once more, thank you for a great year at ABYC! Commodore Nicole Peoples-Moffett - 2006 manager’s corner t’s 6:40 Friday night of the General Membership Meeting. I’m checking levels of pasta sauce and garlic bread when Sharon says “Kelly, did you see my email?” I immediately realize I I’m delinquent on my monthly contribution to the Sou’ Wester. Sharon mentions something about getting a picture of me; I tell her I think it best to stay “the man behind the curtain” at least until next month. First, my heartfelt thanks to my ABYC staff for their “whatever it takes” effort this past month. Starting with the Labor Day Regatta and Luau, the I-14 Worlds, Alamitos Bay Garden Party, a couple of Happy Hours and Board & Budget Meetings, they managed to maintain a level of sanity and provide excellent service to our members and visitors from around the world. Excellent job guys!! Many thanks to all of you. It what can only be described as a month of perpetual motion, both physically and mentally, I had a moment of reflection last night over a glass of fermented grape juice. I realized that as busy as the month of September has been, there is not a more beautiful place to work than right here at ABYC. When there was a spare moment, I would make my way to the observation deck on the third floor, and simply “soak in the view”. I would watch the I-14’s struggle through the jetty like a formula one racecar under the caution flag, waiting for that green flag. I watched our international guest enjoying the incredible surroundings of our club, while lining up at the beer keg for a cold one to wash the sea from their day. I saw Chris Erickson attempting the hula….a sight I’m still trying to get out of my head. Thanks to the many members who have gone out of their way to stop by my office to introduce themselves, and offering such kind words of support. A quick note regarding our good friend Jesus. He’s due to get out of the hospital within the next few days, and is recuperating from a recent illness. He sends his love and best wishes to you all. Kelly Whitlow Sou’Wester DEADLINE Friday, October 20, 2006 is the deadline for the November Sou’Wester. sou’wester • october 2006 • page 2 vice commodore’s view s I look forward to the challenges before us in 2007 I am reassured by the tremendous support we had from our committee chairs and members in the last year. My job was A facilities and my year started with a number of projects to finish up from our clubhouse refurbishment project. I am proud and grateful to say that we accomplished quite a bit this year. Starting from the top, literally, the window’s walk, the third deck of the clubhouse was completely shot. The window frames, trim and rails were rotted through and the roof leaked. Larry Kidd oversaw a nearly year long project to completely refurbish the third deck and its now in top shape for many years to come. Remember the rotted and broken bench outside the quarterdeck? Now it is completely rebuilt, again, under the supervision of Larry Kidd. All this was done under what was a tight budget to start with. Larry’s time, effort and expertise saved the membership a huge amount of money. On the second deck, we owe many thanks to the house committee under Todd and Cathy Smith and their committee of Stacy Conn, Elaenor Beland, Al and Jeanne Nelson, Jennifer Carey, Sandy Toscan, Ron and Elaine Wood and Diane Bateman. The clubhouse was transformed from shoddy to a clean, attractive and functional new look due to their efforts. Have you noticed the ship’s wheel on the wall over by the podium? Bob Bishop completely restored the wheel and replaced the clock. It went from horrible to beautiful thanks to Bob. On the first deck, we have a outfitted junior room again thanks to the efforts of Stacy Gibbs and Linda Peoples. When Tick Weber passed away, Terry Bishop picked up the trowel and took over the landscape and grounds. The flowers and new plantings around the club look great. Working with Cole Price, the staff and many members, we’ve made a good dent in the constant task of keeping the yard clean and orderly. We got a new mule and are nursing the others along as Joe O’Reilly rebuilds one and we move on to refurbish or replace the rest. The above are just some of the members that helped keep our facilities going. And let’s not forget our hard working maintenance staff and manager. Rick, Roberto and Jesus were always right there to help with our project while keeping to their own very busy schedules.