NOR Basic Rules of Racing:  We race DF65s with an A-Rig and long or short keel and follow the class rules. Keep it fun.  RD has full control over their 8 races.  

2024 Maryland State Championship Regatta Report

Eleven tough Sailors braved the 90-degree heat to compete in this year’s DF65 Maryland State Championship. Luckly, there was a nice wind of 3 to 9 MPH which kept it pretty nice at the Northern Maryland Model Yacht Club’s venue in Frederick, Maryland.  The day consisted of 8 highly competitive races and the competitors were enjoying pizza, beverages and comradery in the air conditioning by noon at the on-site pizza place.

The event was free and sponsored by Sail Wars who provided seven beautiful trophies, free boats and a gold necklace for first place.  Rob Dutton volunteered to be Score Keeper and called the line.  Mari bought pizzas for everyone after racing!  Thank you, Mari and to all of you for making this a spectacular event! Now onto the racing…

Mari won the first race by besting Bart and Mahi by 20 feet, as Walter took third.  In race two, we saw Walter claim victor, as he edged Bart at the line and Mari settled for 3rd.  It looked as though Bart was going to take race number three and then the electrical gremlins attacked Mahi. This opened the door for Walter to get his second bullet and for Mari to finish second.  Bart’s problems continued for three races and dashed any hopes he had at becoming the State Champion. 

Meanwhile, our newly crowned 2024 State Champion Walter went on to win five of the eight races and finishing no worse than third in any of them.  Mari who finished second overall, won two races and finished no lower than forth had a great day.  Dick ended up in 3rd just by being Mr. Consistent.  The highest he finished was in second only once and the lowest was a seventh. On the other-hand Kyle was Mr. Inconsistent as he won one of the races, but a ninth and a couple sixths limited him to forth place.  Bart’s mechanical problems really hurt him, as he was losing power to his receiver during three races.  Those three races ended up as a ninth, tenth and twelfth place finishes.  Mahi’s high finishes in the other races still led him to a 5th place finish.  Alan Krusinger’s race finishes averaged out to a sixth-place finish and that’s right where he finished in the regatta (sixth).  Dave Bermingham finished with three fourths, but one ninth and two eighth place finishes contributed to a solid seventh place finish overall.  

The regatta was a great success as the weather turned out nice and the sportsmanship was high. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to next year!