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The view driving up to FBYC as I was dropping my crew mate
Dwight Timm off at 7AM Monday morning to bring yougogirl
back to RRYC. (shot by Diane Cook-Tench) |
Now that I've gotten the important final results out, I want to post some of the details of racing in Fishing Bay Yacht Club's 73rd Annual One Design Regatta. Saturday, Dwight and I got ashore just as the storm was breaking and I managed to get some great shots of the wild action on Saturday as people raced to help those overturned by the wind. Most of the junior fleets were caught out on the water, along with about a third of the 112 boats racing.
Here's the press release that I did manage to send out to meet the Rappahannock Record deadline this week for Thursday's paper so if you're local, be sure to pick up a copy tonight or tomorrow.
IRVINGTON, VA, August 14, 2012 – Last week, the Rappahannock River Yacht Club’s Typhoon sailors traveled to Fishing Bay Yacht Club’s 73rd annual One Design Regatta. “Just getting there Friday morning was a bit sporting at times with winds clocked between 15 and 22 knots once we reached the Bay” said Dwight Timm.
Saturday, the winds picked up as over 120 boats, including large junior fleets set out to race. “As we neared the starting line of the first race, a pin dropped down on the deck. Seconds later the boom swung out of the mast itself and we were off,” said Diane Cook-Tench. “Our main sail was already reefed so we had to leave it that way and race with just our Genoa.” “The boom was swinging around and it was crazy fun - we still managed to beat a couple of other top competitors.” “Before the next race, Dwight Timm lashed our boom to the main with rope and we were able to compete with a full main.”
“The winds grew stronger during the second race. “We were keeled over so much that I couldn’t see anything but the telltales on the Genoa.” “Dwight Timm handled the main sail and navigation, making sure that we didn’t hit other boats on the course,” said Cook-Tench. “At the leeward mark on the second race, we narrowly avoided a collision when a boat from another fleet lost its rudder, coming to within two inches of us,” stated Dwight Timm. The third race was quickly cancelled as heavy winds and a storm front arrived fast catching many sailors out on the water. Volunteers scrambled for hours, working to upright boats that had turned over out in the water and bring everyone ashore safely. Luckily, racers later enjoyed a great pulled-pork barbecue
dinner, shared tall tales and dance to live music by the Chris Stanley Band.
Day two brought beautiful weather and good wind for racing. The Fishing Bay volunteers and the PRO Rick Klein did a remarkable job throughout the entire weekend. On Sunday, there were able to fit in four races, making up for Saturday’s rough weather. With six races completed, the low scoring race is tossed out, helping to raise everyone’s final score.
Irvington winners Frank Birdsall, Tom Richardson and daughter Hannah Richardson had a clear lead and won First Place. Second - Fifth Place racers were close, just a couple of points separated the rest of the field. Gary Hooper and Mike Kennedy took Second Place with Chuck Carmichael finishing in Third Place. While area
Typhoon racers used to jokingly call the annual Spring and Fall Typhoon Races the “Crockett Cup” because these brothers were so hard to beat, they’re facing more and new competition these days. “Competition is certainly heating up and we’re happy to have more sailors to compete with in all the races. It’s great fun,” said Typhoon Fleet Captain Ned Crockett. (Having noted the winners, it’s also important to note that every Typhoon racer in FBYC’s One Design was a member of RRYC’s club. They report that FBYC sailors couldn’t have been friendlier.)
For full details go to http://www.fbyc.net/Events/2012/08.11.onedesign/FR-SJ-Typhoon%20Final%20Standings.html
Competitive club racing continues this coming weekend. “We tore a 3 ft. hole in our brand new Genoa sail in heavy winds on the first day. The shackle on the bow holding the Genoa broke, too. But, yougogirl will be repaired and ready to take on all racers August 18 and 19th when the Rappahannock Yacht Club hosts its new One Design and Junior Invitational Regatta,” said Dwight Timm.
“Information and registration for the new one design regatta are posted on the Club’s home page, www.rryc.org” said Debbie Cycotte. “The regatta is open to the following classes: Flying Scot, Typhoon, Laser Radial, Club 420 (Non- Spinnaker), Sunfish and Optimist Dinghy (Red, Blue, White and Green Fleets).” “Additional classes may be added at the discretion of RRYC. Classes with 5 or more boats entered will be given individual starts.”
“We are also expecting participants from FBYC, WRYC and ICYCC and hopefully from some other Chesapeake Bay yacht clubs,” said RRYC’s Junior Sailing Director, Bo Bragg. “Arabella Denvir’s terrific work with our young sailors in her Premier Sailing classes is really making a difference in both the ability and number of junior racers in the Club’s fleet.” “Our junior program continues to grow, with over 60 boats competing in the last Club invitational, hosted earlier this summer.”
