2024 Race Results

Race Day #1 March

2024 is off and running! On March 16th (The Third Saturday of March) Maryland Model Yacht Club kicked off another season of racing.  John Ebell was the Race Director (RD) for this first day and wow what a nice day we were blessed with!  Usually the March first race is  extremely windy, blustery and cold. Heck, one year we started the day with 4 inches of snow on the ground! This was not to be the case as the wind was very gentle out of a North-ish direction and the temperatures were just a bit cool but warming. The RD set a course down by the tree where we usually sail. The wind was forecast to back during the day and this would let the wind hopefully square up the course for us. In addition, the RD tried to set the marks canted, with the intention that even if the wind was not square, it made for fairer, more interesting racing and strategy.  Ask the people who actually sometimes made out on starting out on port tack at the pin!

Finally, the RD also unveiled the promised two windward mark course!  Yes we did it and it actually worked great. On the more crowded DF 65 fleet, we hardly had any conflicts at all. In addition, the RD was impressed how everyone handled the change extremely well and only a couple times noticed people trying to round the old way. They were hailed right away and quickly rounded the right way.

Besides being impressed with how well everyone handled the new course, the RD was amazed how well everyone sailed!  Usually everyone is very rusty and makes lots of mistakes, both boat handling and steering. Everyone did great this first day, and there were far fewer collisions than normal. (This also could be in part too to Angelo’s off season Rules Seminar) I don’t know if everyone had practiced before this day, but it felt like no one missed a beat from last November.

Attendance the first month is always an issue, and the RD expected it, especially knowing ahead of time, that Steve Howard and Tom Walsh would be missing. As a result, the Vics were a little light with 4 boats. Craig, Sangeet, Victor and Kyle rounded out the competitive little fleet. After some very good racing, Craig eventually showed everyone how it was done and he had a very good day! Results are coming!

The temperature during the day was rising and it became nicer and nicer. Well, this warmness must have brought some people out, because sailors started coming out of the woodwork! To my amazement additional old sailors and new joined our ranks. I was delighted to see Veteran sailor Will Wagner show up with his ODOM, and his Daughter Anna!  Not missing the chance, I outfitted them DF 65s so they could join us for the next class. Two new sailors Mike Stefancik and David Amorosi came out with their DF 65s to join in the fun. Please make sure to welcome them when you see them next month. Finally, after some shaming, Jim Latoff dropped by (boatless) to say hi. He said he wanted to stop by and hopes to have his boats up and running by next month. It will be good to see him out again! This influx of racers brought the boats on the line for the DF 65 to 11!!! These included regulars Mike and Devon Rickels, Kyle, Victor, Alan, Chris, and Karta. It was a very competitive day! To everyone’s amazement, Will Wagner who hadn’t sailed in years, let alone never skippering a DF 65 before, went out and won the first race. Then to make sure everyone knew it wasn’t a fluke, he went out and won 4 more races in the DF 65 during the day. Wow what a run! The RD tried to keep his head from bursting his hat by reminding him that he was using my boat,  but he did sail extremely well. New member Mike Stefancik in his red “Devil boat” (yes #666) did very well as well as new member David Amorosi in his #981. Finally, the RD wanted to make sure everyone knew Will’s daughter Anna, also did very well. She succeeded in getting the boat around the course very well and was poking her nose into things when she could. I remember my first time sailing an RC boat, I couldn’t even get it around the race course.  You can tell its in her genes! Great Job Anna! Get your dad to bring you back. You are more than welcome anytime (with or without your dad!) While Will won several races, he did finish deep in one race and there were a couple other racers who were always up there, so be sure to check the tight results! We Look forward to seeing Mike and Dave back again next month as well as Angelo, John and hopefully Jim has his boats working by then, and they all to join our ranks in April. Heck when we add Tom and Steve also back, it promises to be an exciting April!

Finally, the wind backed and started to fill in for the ODOMS. It really was turning into a beautiful day. Kyle had to depart early so we had a medium sized fleet consisting of Victor, Mike, Devon, Pirate Chris, Sangeet with his new ODOM, and returning like a time traveler, with his white ODOM #484, was Will Wagner. Well, this fleet was pretty aggressive and there would be tight racing all day long. Will could only stay for the first 3 races of which he won 2. Hope you can come back again Will! Again this fleet was tight with a couple boats finishing consistently high, so be sure to check the results.

To those of you who missed sailing in March, (and you know who you are) you really need to try and make April. It is guaranteed to be a great time!

Finally, one piece of other news, we are planning a Practice Evening some week night in the next couple weeks. Keep your eyes open for an announcement. I look forward to seeing all of you in April!

John Ebell

Day #1 March 2024 Action Photos

Race Day #2 in April

The course was set for our new windward gate, with the standard leeward gate. The day started out cloudy, but soon the sun came out and it was just a nice, gorgeous day.

Victorias started with light variable air, mostly from the NW, but shifting N and SE. Made for challenging races looking for “that puff or wind change”.  John Ebell took the first two races, but competition between Mari, Tom, and Craig made things very interesting for 2-4 places.

Windward gate was interesting. It was set too far to the north, so the left mark was typically favored. Until the fifth race. Tom and Mari went to the right mark and really took off away from the fleet. And they had quite the battle at the leeward mark to the finish. And Mari captured the finish in “her rightful place!”

DF65s got the benefit of steadier and somewhat stronger wind from the NW.  We reset the windward gate so the right side buoy was closer to the starting line and not so wide apart from the left side buoy.  This really improved the competition.  As the racer’s decided, it was quite varied between the marks for what was favored for anyone’s given position on the race course.

Mike Rickels was the dominator in DF65s, taking four bullets, but it spread out to Devin, John Ebell, and Mike (#666, the red devil boat).  Positions 2-4 were spread throughout the competitors.  A good showing by all.

ODOMs really got the benefit of building wind from the NW.  Much steadier.  The real challenge was my ability to Pay Attention at the finish.  Oyf.  I had real difficulty on two races deciding the finish order.  But everyone contributed and I think the finishes were properly recorded.  Competition was great, with no one boat dominating any position.  Even better, no one lost their rig or had to retire for any other boat failures.

I really came to appreciate the windward gate, and I think the club members did too.  Especially after the adjustment of the right side buoy.  I think this course is a keeper! 

Looking forward to ODOM Region 2 Championship Regatta on Saturday, 5/4.  If you have not registered for it, get into the challenge and register.  You will love the competition.  See you all there!

Steve Howard

Day #2 April 2024 Action Photos

Day #4 June 2024 Action Photos

 (May was cancelled due to bad weather)

You ever had such a good time you just had to tell other people? Well, that's how I feel about this past MMYC Sailing Day. It seemed like everything came together to make for just an incredible day. The day was beautiful, sunny, clear, and there was a perfect breeze from the North. Commodore Steve Howard made a perfect call and decided we would go back to a spot on the pond where we haven't been in awhile, the promenade! This really made the day, as it lined up very square to the wind, and gave us a very nice walk way and assembly area. The real gem was the tree cover and the shade! Believe it or not, it almost was too cool in the shade.  The guardrail lining the promenade afforded easy launching and a leaning post while sailing. It was perfect! Finally, what rounded out the day were the sailors. I think it might have something to do with Mari being there, but everyone seemed to be on their best behavior, and sailing was dare I say, fairly cordial believe it or not. In addition, John Houlfek did a great job in his first time as RD. Everyone I spoke to there agreed with me, it was a special day! Attached is a pic from the day, courtesy of John. Keep an eye out for the upcoming race results and other pictures from Saturday, and who knows, maybe even a race write up from our Commodore.  If you missed this past Saturday, you truly missed a special day!

See ya on the pond!

John Ebell

Day #6 August 2024

What an interesting day our August Race Day turned out to be!  I have heard of home and away pond advantage, but never heard of away pond while you were home. Thats what happened!  Upon arrival to the pond, RD Mike Rickels determined that the underwater vegetation was going to be a problem. After looking over the entire pond, he did find us a new location at the very southern end of the pond. It was clear of vegetation, easy to launch from, and he was able to line up on axis with the wind to boot. What a Win/ Win situation I thought. Little did I know how it would turn out. 

We had never sailed at that location of the pond so an advantage knowing the location was thrown out the window. As the day wore on, we all were delt little and big surprises. Who knew that end of the pond would regularly serve up 40 degree shifts left! and also right.  I later commented to Mike that the course was equally skewed in both directions!!

We had a pretty good turn out, and everyone made the best of the wind, and it was actually a beautiful day. Several of the new guys continue to impress us. David Rakena took 3rd for the day in Vics and actually won two races in the same class. He also topped himself taking 2nd for the day in the DF65  taking a 1st and a second. I watched him seek out the wind paths downwind and ride them effectively to the leeward mark. He definitely has some smarts!

Richard Herbert is also excelling, as he took 2, 2nd place finishes in the DF 65 and 2, 3rd place finishes in the Vic.  However, what really impressed me was his performance in the One Meter Class. Richard took 2nd place for the day in the One Meter Class with (6) yes (6) 2nd place finishes and a 3rd out of 7 races. That is some consistent racing. I like to attribute it to the boat I sold him, but I think its more a thing that competitive racing pumps through all Aussies! I think its bred into them!

James Earle actually had one race in the One Meter Class won but forgot which lap he was on and sailed past the finish. He also had a 3rd and 3 x 4th place finishes. I had several battles with him downwind. He is quite the competitor.

Rick Yepe, in his first time really ever racing, had a 5th and a 6th place finish in the One Meter Class. Lots of potential there!

John Houfek had a 3rd place finish and several other strong finishes in the DF 65 Class. I know once he finds his groove, we all better watch out. John also was quite adventurous sailing a Soling One meter in the One Meter Class. He found out that that boat is a heavy air boat. Its still fun to be out there John, so good on ya for trying it!

Eric Thesing had a 3rd and (3) 5th place finishes with his brand new Focus in the One Meter Class. Its a good looking boat Eric, keep plugging away with it!

Norm Mathews continues to also improve with his DF65. It was very encouraging to see him come to the pond early and practice. Very easy to see his improvement from race day to race day!

Kurt Boren also did well for the day in the DF 65 class with a 2nd, 3rd and (2) 4th place finishes. Kurt also won the sportsman's award for helping Jervis Retrieve his boat! Thanks for that Kurt!

Mike Rickels did a bang-up job as RD. Although I don't know who is more the task master now, him or Tom Walsh!!

It really is great to be racing with you all and the competition is a lot of fun. It's also great to see our newer members get out there and start doing well.  Here's a warning to all you guys who have missed a month or two. Better get you game face on, because these guys mean business!

More info coming soon so keep your eyes open!

John Ebell

 Aug 2024 Race Results

Overall race results for 2024 thus far are here.

Race Day #7 September 2024

September 2024 Race Results HERE

Overall race results for 2024 thus far are here (when available)

September Race Summary

On the day of our practice at the pond in Columbia, I fell in love with it all over again. Everything about the day was perfect. The ponds best feature shown again, with its parking and unloading close. The wind was centered perfectly down the pond, blowing from right to left at a nice speed. All was right with the world. Not speaking from experience here, but from what I have heard, I could compare this to trying to get back with your ex-wife. Everything seems nice at first, but then shortly later, you experience and remember all the bad things that caused the breakup in the first place. Well, this is exactly the same with our pond in Columbia. On our race day, I quickly remembered all the nasty little things and abuse our pond can serve up.

On our race day, the wind came from one of the worst possible directions, South Southeast! That is, from the parking lot over top of all the buildings! This direction causes downdrafts, wind reversals, huge dead spots and huge veers in wind direction. This results in a lot of roulette sailing. One can be leeward of the entire fleet, then find themselves windward of the entire fleet, only to be leeward of the fleet again in 50 feet. I especially love the phenomenon of sailing in the same exact same direction as your competitor who is only 10 feet away but realizing we are both on opposite tacks! Needless to say, everyone suffered through the day. It was interesting to talk about it with several sailors who had not raced here before. They expressed how mentally exhausting it was, and how they were wiped out at the end of the day. Well, at least its not just me!

Victor Gorkhov was RD for this day. John Houfek volunteered to also help, and he set all the race marks. Given the wind, that particular moment in time, it was as fair as could be!  Victor oversaw a very orderly day, gave everyone ample time to prepare for each race, and called a tight line. Good Job Victor!

Everyone tried several strategies to try and best deal with the wind. The wind varied during the day from 0 to 10 knots. I don’t believe any one strategy worked best. However, I think two things did seem to payoff over the day. I would be curious to hear from others about this as well. But to me, it seemed the wind was more favorable on the right going to the first mark and staying to the right I think might have been a little better. However, what was a big factor was staying away from “The Pack”. You know, the tight group of boats where no one is moving, everyone is blocking everyone’s wind, no one can see and there is the inevitable mess of boats getting tangled up. Always seems like everyone (except the one guy who can squeak away) loses when they occur. Staying out of the pack, even if it means sailing further, usually pays off. But then, it determines if you are windward or leeward when the wind shifts LOL!!! Where’s my Dark and Stormy!

For the Vics long missing Ara showed up. However, I believe it was to sell his red Vic to new sailing addict Eric Thesing. Also, Kevin Osborn, who had raced with us a while ago, dropped by. Ara set up Kevin with his red vic and Eric used my loaner Vic #91. John Houfek participated in his first Vic race with his new to him #468. I was also very happy to see Jervis Dorton back, albeit a little late. Tom Walsh, Richard Herbert, David Akena and myself rounded out the Fleet. Finishes were spread all over the contestants. Of note, was John Houfek with a second place in his first ever Vic race. John also notched a couple 3rd places as well. Eric Thesing, also racing a Vic for the first time, also scored a couple third place finishes! Good job guys!

For the DF 65 we talked Jervis Dorton into using the club's boat and giving it a try. I figured this was fitting, since he has had an unbuilt one at home for ages. He needs to build it and come sail it. Another person joining us was Eric Thesing’s Brother Scott. He stopped by again, just to watch. I am pretty certain he will be pulling the trigger soon. Mike Rickels, while starting the day slow, ending up taking the day by 10 points. John Ebell’s last place finish in race 6 sealed his fate. (Damn Wind) Thank God for Drops!

As the day wore on for the One Meters, the wind both picked up and died off even more. Richard Herbert showed how consistency wins sailboat racing, by getting 4, 2nds and a 1st to eek out a one-point win of the day over Tom Walsh. I want to add this is Richard’s first year racing with us. Way to go Richard! (Damn Aussies LOL)

The season is winding down, as we only have two race days remaining. This is where every point counts, as everyone is pushing to finish as best they can for the season. Nothing is settled!  Also, while the scores are ongoing, there is the surprise element in the overall scoring that hasn’t been reflected yet. Still outstanding is this great equalizer called drops. This is the scoring modification that allows every skipper to drop his 21 worst races during the year. In the case of missing a day, or two, or three, one can drop those races as well. This allows people to miss time or have a few bad races and even it out for the good racing they did enjoy. It ultimately shows who sailed well over the entire year. Mike Rickels has computed the scores and John Houfek has posted them on our web site. Based upon experience, while the numbers show one thing, the championship is still yet to be decided, and season placings are nowhere near being settled. Don’t waste your last opportunities, be sure to make the final October and November race days and score the best you can for the year!

Remember, October’s Race Day is again at our pond in Columbia! Vics start at 10 am, DF 65s at noon and One Meters at 2pm. Look forward to seeing everyone again at the pond. PS I heard a rumor that Club Commodore Steve Howard might make it as well! We will see!

John Ebell

Race Day #8 October 2024 Race Results HERE

Overall race results for 2024 thus far are here.

October Race Summary

This introduction might sound familiar, but October’s race day was an incredible challenge. While the skippers sailing were battling with each other, it seemed the hardest part of the day was again battling the ever-changing wind. The pond in Columbia is well known for dishing out some crazy wind patterns, but October was one of the worst I ever remember. Speaking to several skippers after the day's racing, Richard Herbert and Eric Thesing said they were mentally wiped out from the constant concentration and fighting the wind. Several others, including myself, said at the end of the day, they felt exhausted. RD Tom Walsh did as good a job as humanly possible calling the race courses as the wind often shifted 180 degrees. Of course, then there were times it was dead and others when it was gusty. Again, it solidly reinforces my desire to get back to the Melford Pond in Bowie. Pond location changes will be sent out long before the season starts again.

Attendance this month was very good, as we had 9 Vics, 12 DF 65s and 9 One meters on the line. And even with those impressive numbers, we were still missing several people. I am looking forward to the day when everyone attends and the pond will be full of boats. Most notable missing a great deal this year, has been Club Commodore Steve Howard. Steve has been in the process of buying a new house in Rhode Island and selling his house here in Maryland. He is slated to move before the end of the year. However, I have it by a reliable source he will actually attend this coming Saturday’s Year End Finish! Let's hope the real estate Gods will be working for you Steve and good luck up there. I sincerely mean that, as he will be joining a prestigious model yacht club up there, and they are loaded to the teeth with famous big boat sailors. I look forward to hearing future stories of your exploits Steve!

In the Victoria class Mari Spina sailed an incredible day. At the end of the day, it came down to the last race of the day as whether Mari or I would have bragging rights for the day. I believe the wind Gods took displeasure with her and she took a fourth. This gave me the victory for the day. If you check the scores, she was one point up going into the last race. So I guess in this instance, I have to thank the wind Gods.  The balance of the fleet had their shining moments as well. Craig Huzway decided to grace us with his presence from up north. He was dangerous as always, taking a first, second, and a couple thirds for the day. Welcome back Craig! John Houfek notched a third in one race and never finished below mid fleet the entire day. Remember, this is John’s only second time racing a Vic. Way to go John! Eric Thesing also got a third and a fourth. He too has just started racing a Vic. Richard Herbert suffered through the wind as well but also managed to get a third and a second. Great to see improvement in those new guys. Both John and Richard were able to finish ahead of Mari in the last race so I thank them for that! It was also good to see Ara Sahakian back sailing with us, sorry for the terrible wind day. Finally, Victor Gorkhov and David Rakena each suffered a DNF or DNS which hurt their scores for the day but both of them were always in it. The Wind Gods can be brutal!

There was a good crowd out in the DF 65s. 12 boats hit the line again in ever changing wind conditions. Be sure to check the pic out of the floater race. Mike Rickels was the guy to beat for the day as he had 4 bullets out of the 7 races. Unfortunately he had a DNF which hurt him, but he was still able to eek out a 2 point victory over 2nd place. Racing was so tight there was only 2 points difference between the top 4 boats. I survived a tie breaker with Mari for 2nd place as I had more 2nd place finishes and last race score was better. Again, she must have been jinxed by the wind as her last race was a 10. That wind I believe helped me twice this day. 4th place Devon Rickels had 3 second place finishes and a 3rd to take 4th for the day. David Rakena had 2 third place finishes for 5th place. Also of note, in the sixth race, Kurt Boren made a statement with a well earned bullet. Congrats Kurt! Ricardo Yepe, Victor Gorkhov and Eric Thesing fell victims to the wind gods. Gentleman all I can say is, now you know why sailors drink!!

The final class of the day suffered I believe, the most unpredictable wind of the day. With the sun lower and temps cooling off, things got even lighter. Being unpredictable made racing a very crap shoot situation and it showed as 5 different people took bullets in this class this day. I don’t think I have ever seen it spread out amongst so many people. Tom Walsh kept a constant vigil watching the wind, to try and give the class as fair racing conditions as he could. However, the wind still screwed with everyone. We had some downwind starts, some running to the supposedly windward mark, and also beating to the leeward mark! Craziness, but its Columbia!  Mike Rickels and I were pretty much in a battle again, as the goal was not to have a stinker of a race and get knocked out. We traded 2nds and 3rds and were never deeper than 4th. I was able to eek out two 1st place finishes which ended up being the difference for the day. There is a lesson here for everyone. When you encounter crazy wind conditions like these, don’t over commit, try and stay in the center of the course and sail conservatively. Going out on the edges pays off once in awhile, but usually ends up over all, causing you to be knocked back deep. Trying to absorb a deep score is always a killer. Devon Rickels notched two bullets and a second to secure 3rd place for the day. Richard Herbert had a first and 3 second place finishes but suffered successive DNFs to be dragged down to 4th place. David Rakena came out of the box hot winning the first race of the day but again, I believe the Wind Gods gave him the fickle finger of fate for the remainder of the day. Ever competitive Mari Spina suffered boat issues and didn’t finish 3 races. However, there was some under the table talk, that she scored a Bullet in the last race of the day on Eric Thesing’s Focus. I don’t know anything about that, as the official scorekeeper has Eric scoring a bullet in the last race of the day. So congratulations Eric, I guess??

Regardless, we do this for fun, and I know even though as frustrating as it was, I had fun, and I think everyone else did too! A big thank you goes out to everyone who stayed a little late and helped put things away. It is always very much appreciated. Several of us went (eventually) to the Green Turtle afterwards and had a fun time rehashing the day’s events and talking about new boats and future racing. I plan to go relax a little after racing again this Saturday, so if you can, get a kitchen pass and come join me for a little while afterwards.

John Ebell

Race Day #9 November Race Results HERE.

Overall race results for 2024 thus far are HERE.

See photos after the Race Summary (thanks Richard!)

November Race Summary

The last race day of the year lived up to expectations! The forecast was for pretty strong winds and it didn’t disappoint! It was wild and wooley! All day the wind was gusty and every once in a while it would moderate to perfect, then the wind would radically change direction and then gust again. Just as soon as you tacked, it would veer back even more in the opposite direction. Ah Columbia!

Richard Herbert stepped up this this month and volunteered to be RD for the day. He set an ambitious, but fair course, which worked perfectly for all the classes during the day.

We had a pretty good turn out for the Victorias, as 8 boats started the day. We were graced by MMYC Commodore, Steve Howard in his last MMYC race day. As I confirmed in prior write ups, Steve has purchased a new home in Rhode Island and will be relocating there before the end of the year. However, lose some gain some. I convinced future new member, Chris Taylor, who was just coming to race his new Seawind, to hop in the Vics with my loaner boat. Chris, who had never raced model boats before, jumped right in and held his own in the new environment and challenging conditions.

The wind was very difficult to deal with. Craig and Steve seemed to be dialed in for the day both taking 1st s and 2nd s for most of their finishes, as they tied for the day on points. Craig however won the tie breaker. I couldn’t get dialed in for the conditions and could only manage a 3rd for the day. As it seems to be a pattern, Mari was one point behind me but only because she suffered a DNF in the 4th race. Be warned, when she stops incurring those crazy bad incidents, she is going to be near impossible to beat.

Eric Thesing followed Mari in his evolving red Victoria. DF 65 skipper Kurt Boren tried his hand at a Victoria and held his own quite well. I think that boy needs a Vic of his own!  Ara Sahakian joined us again this month and managed to get a 4th in one race. He almost had a 3rd but I was just barely able to catch him before the finish. Good Job Ara!

Finally, new member Chris Taylor closed out the fleet. I was truly impressed by him, just even being able to get around the race course on this challenging day, let alone finishing the races. It was one of the best first time outings I have ever seen.

In the DF 65 class, nine DF 65s showed up to stretch their legs in the blustery conditions. With their smaller, more properly proportioned rigs, it was going to be a good day for them. Heritage Harbor’s own legend, Alan Krusinger, showed up to test the flukey wind skills he has mastered there, against the Columbia Monster. He did quite well taking two 1st s, two 2nd s and two 3rd s. Coming in cold he only managed a 5th in the first race of the day. That was just the difference I needed to eek out first. Otherwise it would have been Alan’s day.

I am pleased to report, newcomer Eric Thesing is reaping the rewards for all his efforts. Eric placed 3rd for the day with his very consistent scores on a very difficult day. Then, to put the cherry on top, Eric won the last race of the day! Congratulations Eric! It just goes to show that hard work and applying yourself, really does pay off. Its going to be exciting next year isn’t it! Then there was snake bit Mari Spina, who had to take the hit of a DNS the first race. Despite having two bullets, that DNS dragged down her overall score, and anchored her in 4th place.

Sailing again today for the first time, Chris Taylor took a liking to the DF 65 class, as he actually scored a 3rd and a 4th. He liked it so much he bought the boat at the end of the day! We are looking forward to him joining us next year also in the Vic and the One Meter Class!

The wind took its toll on the remainder of the class causing great difficulty sailing. Kurt Boren had one DNF and Steve Howard had to withdraw from racing halfway through the day, due to equipment failure. Hawkeye Mathews suffered a broken Jib sheet as well. However, once we were able to tune Ara Sahakian’s boat a little, he improved his placing by 3 places in the final races. Overall though, it was a very exciting series.

Another new member, Bob Adams, dropped by to see how our club works and to discuss his (new to him) ODOM. Bob also recently had back surgery and is still recovering. He sailed my boat for a few minutes and I could see the smile grow. Bob says both he and his boat will be race ready come spring. We are looking forward to him joining us as well.

The sun was dropping, but the wind continued its stubborn ways for the One Meter class. Again, racing was very blustery, from out of control, down to some nice firm pressure. Due to Navy home football, Pittsburg sky boxes, minor back surgery, away on work, family matters, and other litany of reasons, even with the decent numbers in the other classes, we were missing a great deal of people this month. This was very prevalent in the One Meter Class, as this month we only had four competitors. Chris Taylor tried to get his brand new Seawind going, but he had a lot of bugs, so he decided to pull out for the day. This was the last chance for Club Commodore, Steve Howard, to claim any bragging rights before his departure. One thing I had learned from the whole day of crazy winds, was to stay in the middle, maybe right of middle but don’t go to the edges. While it was tempting, the evil seductress of the wind would hammer you hard before one could ever get back. As a result, you would find yourself in the cheap seats. I think I remember this happening to Mari and Steve more than once, as I heard the groans! Lots of shifts but plenty of pressure made sailing the ODOM this day a real joy! I was able to hold off Mari and Steve most of the day. James Earle is still tuning his ODOM and getting accustomed to it. Look out next year when he has it dialed in. On the Score sheet you can see that Steve Howard was credited with winning the last race of the day, and for him, forever. However, a little birdy told me, that since RD Richard Herbert was going to be buying Steve’s ODOM, he let him race the last race. So I guess I should say, Good Job Richard! Also very good RD work! Thanks for keeping the day going fast for us, because it was getting cold fast.

To help fight the cold, several of us (Mari, Steve, Chris, Richard and myself) cleaned up the race equipment and then headed over to the Green Turtle. Not bad food and stories were exchanged. Thank you again for your generosity Richard! Next time you all should stay and hang out. It’s a great way to make friends, and discuss and learn about the racing that took place.

Another good place to make friends, learn and talk about sailing and our club will be the upcoming Annual Club Meeting. I hope everyone attends, as this is where club business is discussed and decided. Be sure to participate with the club more than on the water. Meeting is scheduled for January 18th. Put it on your schedule now and look for club notices for specifics.  Look forward to seeing everyone then.

John Ebell