• Congratulations to MRA Series 1 Champs Martha & David Martini!

• The Queen of Capsize has a new King! Details on a "bad MRA Day" in Scuttlebutt!

• Bloody Mary's at the CYC drive Snow/Tilton to come from 3rd to 1st!  Details in Scuttlebutt!

• Tilton Tops Tip:  Jonathan at the helm and Bart Snow playing crew and tactician steal first place from Tip's Frolic at the 2nd Mark and takes 2nd 1st of the series!  Read about it below under Scuttlebutt.

• Bart is Back!   Snow/Tilton drive Nolo to first victory of the season on the Thursday Series.  Read about it below under Scuttlebutt.

• Sunday Morning Series starts with a robbery!!!!  Read about it below in Scuttlebutt.

• MTCA 2009 Season Calendar is updated with all scheduled events.  Click here to check it out and keep track of the Red Sox Scheduled Games as well. 

• Want your own 2009 MTCA Race Schedule to view or download click here.

• The 2009 CYC Twilight Series

  Sailing Instructions & Race Chart are posted and available in PDF format.  Click here to get them!

• Spring Social & Kick Off Meeting:  A wonderful evening with good friends and many predictions for a great 2009 sailing season ahead.  Many thanks to our hosts: Jim, Jane & Harry Cooke for hosting a wonderful evening!

2009 Fleet Scuttlebutt

9/6 &7:  MRA Labor Day Regatta:  Two beautiful days of sailing highlighted by very competitive sailing amongst all boats.  Team Martini sailed nearly perfect races and ended up series champs and also secured their position as Season Champs.  Congrats to Martha and David for superb sailing over a challenging season.  Also notable over the 5 races that constituted this Labor Day Regatta was team Cooke.  Team Cooke (David & Ted) were on fire and always very close to the ultimate winner of each race.  David & Ted you made Mom (Veteran Sailor Jane Cooke) proud!  Tip and Dawn on Frolic put up a gallant fight to reclaim some lost ground after day one of the regatta but ultimately Tip's choice of a older and flatter jib turned out to be the wrong choice for the lumpy conditions and ended up placing 2nd in the series and 2nd Overall for the Season.  Congrats to all who made it out for the beautiful weekend as we were all winners for having the opportunity to be out and enjoy one of the seasons finest weather weekends.

8/27: Thursday Twilight Series 2:  I awoke to NPR's detailed description of the "late" Ted Kennedy's funeral precession that was to go through Boston mid to late afternoon promising to significantly tie up traffic.  I called Tip, who was involved with running the Blind Sailing Regatta down in Newport RI, to let him know about the traffic challenge and offer to campaign his boat, Frolic, if he didn't think he would be able to make it.  I didn't have any chance at first place and couldn't pass up the chance to take Tip's hot rod out for a spin.  At 1630 the call came in for me to sail Frolic.  Mike and I arrived to Frolic wondering if I might be able to "pull Excalibur from the stone" and discover the true power of this winning boat or if it was "only Arthur who could wield its power".   After rigging Frolic Mike Robbins and I made our way out to the line to see Elaine and Jim on Elusive (poor Jim almost got whiplash when he saw me driving Frolic...hope the neck is ok Jim!), Karen and Mary Ann Solstad on Lille Venn, Mark and Peter Maitland on Jean, Jane Cooke and Kirsten Bosworth on Aufblitzen and finally Bart 'The Snowman" Snow and Jonathan Tilton on Nolo.  The race was "22" "21" Twice Around.  Winds were very light out of the southwest.  All boats got a good start with Nolo very quickly downshifting and driving out ahead of the pack.  Team Maitland got the pin end and rounded towards "22" on the inner track (heading out towards Fort Sewall) that we have seen Team Maitland take so often this season.  Halfway to "22" what breeze there was died and the "float fest" began.  Nolo was around first with Jean not far behind.  Frolic (on the inside), Auf'Blitzen (in the middle of this Townie Sandwich) and Lille Venn (on the outside) approached the mark.  Jane yelled no room to Frolic and we did everything possible to get on Auf'Blitzen's transom to follow then around the mark.  But Frolic "who does not like to follow others around a mark" had other ideas...she continued to accelerate to pass Auf'Blitzen...I couldn't believe it...we luffed the sails and still we accelerated!  At the last minute we decided to do a 360 degree turn and come back around "22" to avoid hitting the mark.  After passing the mark inside a Rhodes 19 we negotiated a tack onto port which would end up being a good move in the end.  Now at this point the pressure is on as I realized that I have successfully sailed Tip's Frolic into last place after squandering a 2nd place position.  My sweat pumps were on line and pumping as I started to channel my "inner Tip"...and then the boat started to move...not much at first but we continued to make headway towards "21".   A few tacks later we found ourselves ahead of Nolo and behind Jean on our way towards the shortened course finish line.  We crossed the line in 2nd place securing Tip and Bob's Series Two win and I had to smile as for that one brief moment I knew what it was like to be Tip...and it was Good!  Ultimately it would be a long row up harbor but it was a beautiful evening and Mike and I had accomplished what we had set out to do...turn up the heat on Nolo and melt "The Snowman".  Life was good!  Congrats to Mark and Peter Maitland for once again mastering the light wind conditions and drive Jean to a solid victory!  Next Thursday Twilight...2010 :(

8/23: Sunday Morning Series 2:  Promises of rough seas and strong winds from Hurricane Bill gave way to 4 foot swells and light and shifty "hints" of breeze.  It was a "20" "28" Twice Around (That Wouldn't Happen - or we would still be out there now) race.  The lead changed place so many times I couldn't keep it straight but what was significant was that after rounding "20" in last place Team Maisey struck out on a flyer that would be one of two flyers that would place them solidly in first place.  For the better part of a long and painful hour Frolic, Wabi Sabi and Elusive bobbed and floated to the nerve racking sound of luffing sails as the current drove them in towards peaches point.  For every foot gained towards "28" 15 feet seemed to be lost towards Peaches Point.  Meanwhile Team Maisey made constant headway towards and rounded 28.  On their way back they ceremoniously raised their beers (which had already come out after rounding "28") to the rest of us as they sailed on past as we floated "sans beer".  Ultimately the breeze started to fill in and shift and we all got moving.  Wabi Sabi was 2nd around 28 with Frolic close behind and Elusive in 4th.  Wabi Sabi stayed to the outside where there appeared to be better air and Frolic and Elusive followed Team Maisey in towards Brown's Island.  Ultimately, that appeared to be the better decision, probably because of the current as Frolic and Elusive narrowly edged out Wabi Sabi at the finish.  Congrats to Team Maisey for a solid 1st in this very painful race.  Jean goes into the final race of the Sunday Series 2 undefeated and the likely favorite to sweep the series.

8/21: Thursday Twilight Series 2:  A beautiful evening with a steady light breeze, calm waters (despite threats from the weather guessers that we might have isoltated thunderstorms) and slack water going down harbor and incoming tide on the ride back up harbor, and 7 Townies ready to race = a perfect twilight evening.  Now just prior to the start I yelled over to Nolo, seeing that the boys of Summer (Jonathan and Bart) were underway heading for the line, that I "heard there will be a Bloody Mary party at the CYC immediately after the race".  Jonathan could be seen grinning like a cheshire cat...Big Mistake on my part (as I had uknowingly opened up a can of "whoopass on myself"...I had just teased the tiger!  Meanwhile the race committee finally settled upon one time around # "20" archers rock.  #3 Aufblitzen (skippered by "Super Mom" Kirsten Bosworth and crewed by her two sons) was first to cross the start followed by Nolo (Skippered by Jonathan Tilton with Bart - codename "Snowman" in the crew tactician position), followed by Double Zero (Elaine skippering and Jim Cooke crew/tactician), Wabi Sabi (Yours truely along with "Gen" - sailmaker to the stars Casey - whom I narrowly stole that evening away from Peter Maitland by calling her first knowing that Peter (who was on the west coast and in Pacific Daylight Time) would be behind the 8 ball.  Fortunately Jen hooked Peter up with her "BFF Sue" who was spotted fine tuning Maitland's rig who was next to start along with Tip and Bob on Frolic.  Team Solstad was out in force with Mary Ann at the helm and Karen in crew/tactican position. There were many changes of positions on the upwind leg but for the most part Aufblitzen's Team Bosworth appeared to maintain a healthy lead.  Frolic and Jean went far to the right towards lighthouse point, Nolo and Aufblitzen going far left and Wabi Sabi, Double Zero and Lille Venn working the middle.  Elaine Regis drove Double Zero to the biggest upset of the evening where they somehow played the right shifts to come from 4th to overtaking all and being first to round the windward mark with Nolo in 2nd, Auf'Blitzen in 3rd and Wabi Sabi in 4th.  Frolic was 5th around the windward mark with Jean close behind.  On the run to the finish Nolo downshifted and engaged their "Turbo" and pulled ahead of Double Zero and took a healthy lead that would see them to getting the 1st place siren upon crossing the line.  Wabi Sabi, meanwhile overtook Auf'Blitzen (Kirsten was working harder than a "one legged woman in an ass kicking contest" as she was seen rushing forward to put up/take down the pole and then make it back to the helm which she passed to one of her boys) and slowly slipped up on Double Zero.  Wabi Sabi aggressively dropped the whisker pole early as I noticed the wind shift forward into a reach and Gen played the jib sheets to maximise the shifty winds.  Wabi Sabi took the 2nd place position closely followed by Double Zero and then Auf'Blitzen and then Frolic....wait did I say that Frolic took the 5th position...that can't be right...but it was and Tip and Bob were heard laughing heartily as they crossed the line in 5th place!  (My opinion...they dipped into the happy sauce a little early in the evening and then took the attitude "headed shmeaded"  just pass me another one Bob").  Jean slid into the 6th place and Team Solstad rounded out the 7th place position.  It was nice to finally see another side of Frolic as the back of Tip's and Bob's head was getting rather boring.  One more twilight race left for the season and Frolic's attendance is in question due to Tip's involvement in a Blind Racing regatta next+ Thursday.  Stay tuned as this heated series winds down to its finale!

8/9:  Sunday Morning Series 2:  Light winds out of the Southwest and beautiful clear skies brought out all the Sunday morning regulars for this quirky shifty race.  The course was out to "28" Twice Around.  Just after the start the winds all but died leaving boats bobbing in the center of the mouth of the harbor.  Frolic chose to go farther to windward (towards Cat Island) and seemed to catch the breeze first as it began to fill in.  After many subtle changes in position with the rest of the group (mostly due to who handled the boat better in drifting conditions and which side of the boat's wake you were on) Wabi Sabi caught the first breeze as it entered our area and for a short time enjoyed 2nd place.  Jean next picked up the freshening breeze and soon after the rest of the group started making way out towards 28.  Frolic was first to round 28 followed by Jean who had stayed low and then by Wabi Sabi then Nolo, Auf'Blitzen (Race Note:  Jane Cooke at Helm and "The" Jim Cooke in crew/tactician role) and Lille Venn.  The boats that stayed inside on the beat back towards the pin ended up benefiting as Nolo and Auf'Blitzen both passed up Wabi Sabi.  I was almost sure that the race would be shortened and finished upon arriving at the pin end and was quite surprised to see boats ahead rounding the mark and heading back out in the direction of 28.  Jean, slightly behind Frolic at the pin rounding got to windward of Frolic and got out ahead into first for the first time in this race.  When approaching the pin we noticed that a revised course had been displayed "22" "21".  So around we went and headed out to "22".  Frolic apparently didn't see the "21" on the course change and after rounding "22" started making way back towards the finish line but soon noticed others heading out to "21" and changed course to round "21".  Ultimately, Jean took the 1st place siren followed by Frolic and then "The Dynamic Duo - Team Cooke" who had slowly but surely crept into and held the 3rd place slot.  Nolo followed in 4th, Wabi Sabi in 5th and Team Solstad in 6th on Lille Venn.  Some of us questioned the port rounding of "22" and "21" ...it just didn't look right!  But I learned that once you start a race if the course is changed you continue to pass all subsequent marks on the same side...even if it appears to be wrong.  I didn't win the race but at least I learned something.

7/30: Thursday Twilight Series 2:  With the big guns of the fleet out of the water making last minute adjustments to their rigs in preparation for Nationals, 4 boats made their way out for a relaxed twilight race.  Very light winds predominated the evening but...as the skies were clear and bright and no rain was in sight you didn't hear anyone complaining (except those of us who had to row like olympians to get down to the starting line in time.  Wabi Sabi's Dave Anderson & Gen Casey (sailmaker to the stars) along with Dave and Sharon Williams represented the riverhead contingent while Jim Cooke and Elaine Regis represented the mid harbor group and Team Solstad (Berit, Mary Anne & Rick Stevens) represented "princess parking" group.  The race was posted as "21" twice around.  As it turns out posting the tango flag was wishful thinking as we all hoped to finish the once around course before the yacht club canons were fired to announce sunset.  Upon Gen Casey's recomendation, Wabi Sabi sat on the start line and got a slight lead at the start with Lille Venn & Team Solstad close behind in 2nd.  The broad reach out to "21" was an exercise in patience, fine adjustments, and being in the right place at the right time.  The lead switched back and forth between Lille Venn, to 3rd Time's A Charm to Wabi Sabi...all the while Elaine Regis and Master Tactician Jim Cooke were raising the hair on the back of our necks as we could all feel them inching their way up on our transoms.  It was Wabi Sabi around the mark first followed by Lille Venn, Elusive then 3rd Time's A Charm.  Wabi Sabi and Lille Venn stayed on port tack going in towards Little Harbor while Elusive jumped over onto starboard crossing the harbor headed for lighthouse point.  Motivated by Gen Casey's repeated "Just Sail the boat Dave...Just Sail the Boat" I was able to stay focused on keeping the boat going in the light air and covering the right boats to cross the line in 1st.  The real surprise of the evening was when we looked over our shoulders after crossing the line and hearing the sweet sound of the CYC siren anouncing our win we saw the huge grin on Elaine Regis and Jim Cooke (Cheshire Cat Grins) as the slid into the 2nd place position ousting Lille Venn who had appeared to have the 2nd position all wrapped up.  Third Time's A Charm finished in 4th and then we all started the long trek back up harbor to our moorings.  Lille Venn's "princess parking" was a real asset as I am sure Team Solstad moored, had dinner and gotten ready for bed prior to the rest of us made our moorings.  Wabi Sabi barely made the BYC before the yacht club canons were fired.  Fortunately Gen is good natured and not in a rush...probably because when she said "Beer Me'  (a common call made upon Team Maitland's Jean) I had two Amstel Light (in a can) chilled and ready to go.  Whew!

7/13: MRA Series 2:  Winds over 18 gusting well into the 20's was enough for recently embattled Wabi Sabi to send her and her "gunshy" crew back into port retiring from races for the day.  While as much as I loved my time up with Peter Maitland...I just couldn't bring myself to risk another event that would put me back would end up so soon back at Maitland Boat Werks.  The CYC got off two races with Team Martini and Team Frolic trading 1st and 2nd places in each race.  Jim Cooke and Connie Blake ended up retiring after the first race to head in as the wind continued to build.   It was great to see Gen Casey back out lending her skills as crew to Peter Maitland.  The two worked real hard and got really wet to keep Jean on her lines as the wind and seas built.  The day also saw a "Dave Reunion" as old "shields" partners 'Dave & Dave" sailed Auf'Blitzen and stayed in the middle of the pack on both races.  Congrats to all that were able to keep the right side up and the bottom side down!

7/10: Thursday Twilight Series 1 (Final Race of Series):  For those who don't believe in Karma...you should have seen Jean and Team Maitland pull ahead of the fleet and fly around the course on what could only be described as a wispy breeze evening.  Peter Maitland spent the better part of the previous week helping to refurbish Wabi Sabi and make repairs to get her back into the water thereby building up copius amounts of good karma which came into play last evening as they took 1st place in the race and secured a second place in Series 1.  Coming off the Sunday Blow Out (Quite Literally) where Team Maitland took the top award during the "Brass Balls Race" they showed that they had the moxy to take care of business in light air as well as small craft advisory winds.  The race course was "21" "19" Twice Around (which was ultimately shortened due to the light winds).  At the start Lille Venn got the inside start at the pin (preferred) end with Wabi Sabi over 2nd and Team Maitland driving Jean a little higher on the line was over third along with Nolo (Jonathan Tilton skippering and Mike Schaeffer crewing).  Tip & Bob were late to the start but you just knew Frolic was back there slowly creeping up on you (does that make me paranoid?).  Jean rounded the first mark in relative bliss while the next grouping (Nolo, Lille Venn & Wabi Sabi) converged and got tangled.  Wabi Sabi and Nolo were overlapped entering the 3 length zone when Lille Venn squeezed in between them and then claimed neither Wabi Sabi (who was inside on the overlap of all three) or Nolo (overlapped all 3 on the outside) had any rights to mark room.  Even though Wabi Sabi and Nolo did not agree with Lille Venn's aggressive call and instead of arguing the point Nolo rounded wide to avoid Lille Venn and Wabi Sabi did a 360 to avoid hitting the mark and rounded the mark behind Nolo.  The leg out to 19 was painful and many positions were changed.  Wabi Sabi was overtaken by Frolic, Nolo and Third Time's A Charm - Go Team Williams!!!!   Auf'Blitzen tacked over onto port early from back of the pack hoping to get an advantage by going towards the middle early.  The majority of the fleet had to go through the Sonar fleet to make it to round 19.  After rounding 19 those who stayed close to lighthouse point saw a definite advantage.  Jean flew across the line first beating some of the Rhodes 19's!  Lille Venn crossed 2nd with Frolic in 3rd and Team Williams Third Time's taking 4th.  As Jane put it best..."It was a beautiful evening...just not a beautiful evening to race"  (Unless of course you are Team Maitland!)  

7/5:  Sunday Series 1:  "The Brass Balls Race"...A beautiful sunny day that was blowing like hell!  With Wabi Sabi still out of the water for repairs, Tracy and I headed down to the CYC race booth for a bike ride and to see what crazy sailors were going to go out in the 20 to 27 kt steady winds with gusts to over 30.  I arrived to join Bryn Evans, Jane & Jim Cooke, Berit and Mary Ann Solstad with 30 seconds to go start.  Now...I would be lying if I said that I was shocked to see the Maitland Boys out on Jean...I figure Peter can fix anything that breaks and Mark is well seasoned to adrenaline sailing but when I saw Dave and Kent Williams out on Third Time's A Charm I had to wonder whether Dave's time in places like Afghanistan and other popular middle east tourist traps had given Dave a false sense of invinsibility.  With the sound of the siren and the winds whipping the flags at the CYC yardarm at a deafening level the "Brass Balls Race" was off with Team Maitland getting a brilliant start towards a "22" "20" Twice around course.  Bryn and I went out to Light House Point to keep an eye of the boats just in case either ran into trouble.  From the point it was clear that the winds out on the water were blowin' like stink.  I could swear I could see Jean's hull glowing red as she rocketed through the water like a space shuttle re-entering the atmosphere.  We all held our collective breaths on each tack that Jean and Third Time made.  Ultimately Jean crossed the shortened course line to win the race and Dave and Kent abandoned the race after submarining Third Time's bow while trying to enter the harbor.  The day ended well as we assisted getting Team Williams towed over to the Russell's vacant mooring.  While I question their sanity I have to say my hat is off to Team Maitland and Team Williams for having "The Stones" to go out and brave the elements where most 30 to 40 foot boats would be seeking refuge in a quiet harbor.  No damage was done...and Team Maitland moves into first place for Sunday Series 1 ahead of Wabi Sabi.  Stay tuned for the final race of Sunday Series 1 promises to be a good one with Jean and Wabi Sabi 1 point apart!

6/28:  MRA Series 1:  "Bad MRA Day"...The day did not go as planned.  The weather forcasts were calling for 3 to 5 kts with a chance of afternoon isolated thunderstorms.  Concerned about making the start line on the other side of Cat Island by 1230 race time we headed out early trying to avoid having to bring out the dreaded paddle.  The last observed wind speed prior to leaving the house showed 1.6 kts.  However, winds were begining to come up as we passed MH1 and there was a thick fog bank on the south side of Marblehead Neck.  Frolic, Auf'Blitzen, Double Zero & Wabi Sabi all made it out to the EYC Race Committee boat for what was planned as a "C" course.  By the time of the laser start the winds had come up to over 15 kts steady with gusts over 20 kts.  Seas were building rapidly.  Despite a growing feeling of concern I looked over at Jane Cooke (who had just launched that morning and was present along with David Cooke for their first race of the season) to see if she was lining up for a start or planning to head back in.  All boats started maneuvering for the start but with obvious concern about increasing wind and waves.  I recall saying to my crew, Sail Maker to the Stars Gen Casey" that "if Jane can do this we have to at least give it a try" and decided we would attempt the windward leg.  It was Tip over the line first in Frolic, followed closely by Wabi Sabi, then Auf'Blitzen and then Double Zero.  The windward leg was wet and challenging having to luff the forward half of the main to keep the boat relatively flat.  Wabi Sabi had her first challenge while preparing to tack I lost grip of the tiller and had a few long seconds of panic as the boat rounded up into the wind and shook like a sky scraper in a 7.0 earthquake.  Thanks to Gen's quick reaction we were back underway quickly and rounded the windward mark in a distant 2nd place.  The run downwind was more like slalom skiing as the boat flew (we didn't put up the whisker pole but ran on a broad reach - as we didn't want or need any more sail area).  Meanwhile, Jim & Connie on Double Zero "wisely" made the decision to abandon the race and head back into port.  Wabi Sabi's run was headed strait for the Brimbles rocks.  We had made the decision on Wabi Sabi to head back to the Race Committee and retire and head in but had to change tack to avoid the Brimbles and make a course back towards port.  By this time the waves had grown to 6 to 8 feet and as our bow passed through the wind a large wave caught our bow and broached the boat.  As Gen and I jumped to the high side of the boat I slipped and hit my head on the coaming and my left hand carrying the uncleated main sheet dropped down to the bench seat...which was low enough to cause the main sheet to partially cleat.  Broadside to the wind and waves with the main cleated...bam...we got wet as the boat went over.  Having been through this once before we jumped on the centerboard but the boat filled quickly and we had all we could do to prevent the boat from turtling.  Numerous attempts to get the main and jib down failed.  I was able to swim under and uncleat the main and also grab our tow line.  We were sure glad to see the EYC RC Chase Boat (manned by David Soule and Bob Cushman).  Gen made several attempts to swim the towline to their boat.  Once finally hooked up they tried several times to bring the boat into the wind so that we could get the mast upright.  Each attempt was counteracted by a tall wave that ultimiately won over.  The Beverly Police boat had arrived on the scene and picked up Gen out of the 58 degree water and then ordered "yours truly" aboard.  After being hauled on board I attemtped to coordinate the rescue/salvage of Wabi Sabi but the police said that there were other boats in trouble and they had to get us ashore asap.  The last thing I saw of my boat was just the mast - above the spreaders" above water.  At that point I had very little hope that I would ever see Wabi Sabi again.  After being checked out ashore by local EMT's we got ride home to a hot shower from the Marblehead Police.  Ultimately, after warming up and changing clothes Gen drove me over to the EYC to get a post mortem on the boat.  Man was I shocked to see a wooden townie mast alongside the EYC pier.  When we arrived on the dock Bob Cushman was arranging all of the gear that had turned to flotsam and was floating around the boat after the capsize and David Soule pumping the boat out.  Although damage was done Wabi Sabi was still intact and floating (although barely as she was towed back in mostly submerged).  The EYC guys towed me back to the Mooring and that ended up a very bad day for Wabi Sabi.  Meanwhile while Gen and I were working on our swimming skills Auf'Blitzen lost her mainsheet and had to limp back to port under jib power alone.  Well done Jane & David.  Jim and Connie made it safely to their mooring as well.  The only one to finish the race was Frolic's own Tip O'Neill and seasoned crew Dawn Crowe.  Kudos to them.

Post Mortem Epilogue:  Wabi Sabi was hauled out with the help of Jonathan Tilton, Peter Maitland and Bob Maitland.  Wabi Sabi was shuttled up to Maitland Boat Werks up on Maitland Mountain where Peter performed masterful reconstructive surgery on Wabi Sabi to get her ship shape again.  The sign over Peter's Barn should read "Where the Magic Happens" or "The Impossible Right Away...Miracles Take Slightly Longer!"  After a week and a half of TLC Wabi Sabi is ready to go back in the water and join the rest of the season.  I want to extend my deepest thanks to Gen Casey (who has helped me through two capsizes - will she ever sail with me again???? - stay tuned!), Peter Maitland for taking a big chunk of his week to help me make repairs, Tip O'Neill for following up with me and providing me a badly needed wire cheek block for the boom outhaul, Raymond Bates: skipper of the Laurence H. Constantine, who rescued my prized "Maitland Model" tiller from the waters off of Cat Island and finally EYC's ace veteran Race Committee members, David Soule & Bob Cushman who's dedication, professionalism and knowledge of seamanship saved Wabi Sabi from a watery grave off the Brimbles.  I learned later that Jane Cooke had earned the title of the "Queen of Capsize" for some of her wild days in years past.  Well I believe that our Queen has a new King.

6/25:  Thursday Twilight Series:  After what seemed like 40 days & 40 nights of rain we were all able to climb aboard our "arks" and get out for a race.  A beautiful night and a bright breeze and a course of "19" "22" Twice Around.  At the start of the start all were out with the exception of Frolic.  With two minutes to the Townie Start and the background music to Jaws playing in the background Frolic was sighted making a beeline for the starting line with paddle out.  At the sound of the starting siren it was Mark Maitland and Kristen Starke on Jean out ahead and first across the line.  Wabi Sabi over in 2nd and Nolo's Bart Snow/Jonathan Tilton (Snow Skippering) in a close 3rd position.  A reach to 19 where Bart snow dropped Nolo down in 2nd gear and powered past Wabi Sabi for the 2nd position.  Rounding 19 it was a run out to 22 with a beat back to the starting pin.  On the beat back across the harbor Bart Snow makes up the considerable distance upon Jean and overtakes Maitland/Starke to take the lead for the 2nd circuit.  All the while Wabi Sabi was trying to hold her position in 3rd against the loud swooshing sound of Townie bow wake coming off of Elusive close behind.  About the time we were all rounding 22 for the last beat to the finish Bart & Jonathan were calling for a launch (having crossed the line in first place) for a pickup at the mooring to take them ashore to the Bloody Mary's that waited for the victors at the CYC bar.  Maitland/Starke held a solid 2nd place with the the battle of the night for 3rd and 4th place between Elusive, Wabi Sabi and Frolic.  Elusive stayed high in the harbor (towards lighthouse point) while Wabi Sabi and Frolic stayed towards the right side (Fort Sewall).  Wabi Sabi ends up getting "Janed" (defined:  the zen and art of choosing the right tack and playing the right side of the harbor to overtake boats well ahead) by Elaine and her "harbor savy tactician" Jim Cooke by narrowly crossing ahead of Wabi Sabi to take the 3rd place with Wabi Sabi having to do 2 extra tacks to get around moored boats.  Meanwhile, the stealthy crew of Frolic had made up for their poor start and nearly caught Wabi Sabi.  Wabi Sabi was able to squeeze out Frolic taking the 4th position with Frolic in 5th and Third Time's A Charm in 6th.  It was nice to see the Williams brothers out working out the kinks on 3rd Times A Charm in their first showing of the season.  All in all a beautiful night to be on the water...especially if you were the crew of Nolo which appears to be unstoppable in its quest to for a sweep of the Twilight Series 1.

6/21:  Sunday Morning Series:  Wet & Yucky!  No race!  Reports say that Jim Cooke had to fight to put up the "November" flag canceling the day's race.

6/20:MRA:  With some trepidation about the weather and the forecast for potential rain and light wind 4 boats determined to take advantage of the break in the weather head out to the Brimbles Line.  Making their debut appearance at this year's MRA was Frolic (Tip O'Neill & Dawn Crowe) and Double Zero (Connie Blake and Veteran Sail Engineer & Tactician Jim Cooke).  The first race started out a C course but was shortened to an A course presumably for shifting wind.  With the Pin End grossly favored the Patience started off in 1st and ended the same.  Double Zero's Connie Blake took the right tacks and took a solid 2nd while Wabi Sabi and Frolic battled for a tight finish with Frolic narrowly edging out Wabi Sabi for 3rd.  Actually, the only reason I knew the course had been shortened was Tip asking for room to finish since we were headed for the pin end that I was preparing to round with inside overlap thinking that I was in good stead...I should have known "if you think you're in good stead when battling Tip you should think again...look around and see what has changed.  The 2nd race shook things up a bit with Tip & Dawn taking the top spot with Wabi Sabi narrowly edging out Team Martini on Patience for 2nd and Team Double Zero sliding back into 4th place.  The last race of the day saw Team Martini taking the top spot followed by Frolic in 2nd.  After a grueling tacking battle, Connie Blake and ace tactician Jim Cooke managed to best Wabi Sabi and took 3rd place.  All in all a nice day of racing and many thanks to the BYC Race Committee for well run races with excellent communications.

6/18:Thursday Twilight Series:Rain, small craft advisory and cool temps keep the Townies ashore with no race.  (Actually we all decided...if Jane's not racing then we're not racing without her!)

6/13:  MRA:  A beautiful day for the 1st MRA race of 2009 for the Town Class sailors.  Unfortunately conflicts, injured backs and boats not yet in the water resulted in only two  boats coming out to race:  #558 Patience (Team Martini) and #2091 Wabi Sabi (Anderson/Casey).  Light but steady winds predominated the day.  Race 1.  Patience hits the starting line just ahead of Wabi Sabi and maintains a lead throughout the "C" course to win.  Race 2.  An aggressive Team Martini is over the line early on the start giving Wabi Sabi a head start.  You know it is not your day when a boat has to go back and restart and then still beats you to the windward mark and holds the lead on the "A" course to win.  Congrats to Team Martini on their two wins.  Many thanks to Gen for doing a great job in crewing on Wabi Sabi for the day and making my day with the hilarious "Rex Antrim Story"...6 inches...ha ha :)!  Tip, get out here and give the Martini's some competition! 

6/11:  Thursday Twilight Series:  "Marblehead Reporter Headlines...Tilton Tops Tip!"  On a wet, dreary, Seattle looking night 5 boats gathered for a "21" "22"  twice around race.  After a confusing start by the race committee (the Warning Siren went off a minute early followed by miscellaneou siren sounds that presumably meant "Ooops we didn't mean it") Frolic (Tip and Bob) - in their first race showing for the season - crossed the start line 1st followed by Nolo (Jonathan @ the helm & Bart crew), Wabi Sabi (Me and Mike Robbins), Jean & Team Maitland (Peter & Mark Maitland - sporting racing stripes on their new sails - looking very fast), and Lille Venn (Rolf & Mary Ann Solstad).   The breeze was steady but light. The route from "21" to "22" turned out to be a reach and Nolo - with Jonathan Tilton at the helm manuevered in for what was undoubtedly the "Tactical Play of the Night" by getting a better rounding at "22" slipping inside of Frolic and taking the lead.  Positions continued to hold on the broad reach (no whisker poles flew this race!) back to the starting pin.  Meanwhile Team Maitland made notable progress on several legs inching up on Wabi Sabi enough to put the fear of Maitland into Wabi's crew.  One screw up and Team Maitland would have easily taken 3rd place.  The race finished with positions holding true to the starting sequence with the exception that Jonathan skippered Nolo to its second 1 st place of the Twilight Series.  Nolo is fast and the Tilton/Snow team seems unstoppable...but then again this was Tip's first night racing.  It was great to see Rolf out there jumping in feet first to get some race experience.  The Twilight Season is off to a great start with lots of drama ahead for sure as everyone settles into the groove and gets used to their new sails, settings and crew!6/7:  Sunday Morning Series: "Call the police someone got robbed"!  Three boats made it out for the first Sunday Morning Race of 2009:  Jean (Peter Maitland & Gen Casey)  Lille Venn (Karen & Mary Ann Solstad) and Wabi Sabi (Dave & Tracy Anderson).  The course was "28" "W" Twice Around.  The breeze was light and shifty.  At the start it was Jean over the line first followed by Wabi Sabi and then Lille Venn.  All rumors about Jean being "one fast boat" proved to be true as Peter downshifted and pulled away leaving Wabi Sabi and Lille Venn in her dust.  Positions held steady thru the first circuit.  The course was shortened to "21" "18".  On the way out to 21 Karen and Mary Ann slowly but surely inched up on Wabi Sabi and made "yours truely" a little nervous.  On the downwind leg out to 18 Lille Venn stood in perfect striking position in taking Wabi Sabi's air and nearly road over Wabi Sabi.  Rounding 18 (still in the same boat order as we started) things got interesting.  Team Maitland approaching Marblehead Rock tacked over onto Port while Wabi Sabi stayed on Starboard almost all the way to light house point.  Somehow after seemingly hitting every possible power boat wake head on Wabi Sabi had gained on Jean and after tacking crossed Jean's stern.  A few more tacks by both sides left Wabi Sabi ahead of Jean and resulted in an unexpected win by Team Anderson on Wabi Sabi.  I think Wabi Sabi got a dose of Jane Cooke's good fortune to pick the right place to be at the right time.  Bottom line...Jean was robbed...they were faster, sailed better, and even looked better.  Call the police!  As for Wabi Sabi...Get out the WD40 'cause I felt rusty.  Hopefully I can work the kinks out, brush the rust off and be ready for our next pairing with Team Maitland...cause' Jean is one fast boat this year!  My hats off to Karen and Mary Ann for sailing a great race and putting a lot of pressure on us. 

6/4The First Twilight Race:  As I mentioned before Vegas odds were favoring Team Maitland until it was known that "The" Bart Snow was planning on skippering Nolo.  With Bart entering the picture it was anybodies guess as to who would take home the first cup.  At the start of the 22-19 Twice Around race it was Jean & Nolo across the line first on a broad reach that ultimately turned into a run towards 22.  Lille Venn skippered by Berit Solstad and crewed by the birthday girl, Mary Ann Solstad crossed third and Wabi Sabi crossed 4th.  I (Wabi Sabi) was honored to be joined by Berit's friend Rick who is an ace Ethchells sailor out of Vermont.  Nolo was first to mark 22 closely followed by Team Maitland (who included Genevieve Casey - Doyle Sailmaker and crew to the stars).  Lille Venn tacked onto port early followed by Nolo and Jean to go towards the right and Wabi Sabi remained on starboard as we were pointing high wanted to minimize the number of tacks.  It appeared that going to the right side worked because we ultimately got set by the current and didn't make up much room for not having taken a tack to the right side.  Jean slipped out ahead of Nolo on the next circuit and maintained a healthy lead approching 22 for the 2nd rounding.  However, Bart expertly played the funky winds and two extra tacks by Jean allowed Nolo to edge her out for the lead at the final rounding of 19 and crossing the line in first followed by Jean, then Lille Venn and Wabi Sabi.  Sorry Rick...I would have like to have done better for our first sail together but the competition was fierce, I was rather rusty and it is just plain hard to make up from a bad start.  Congrats to all who were able to make the first race.  I guess all is not lost as I did beat Tip...but that is only because Tip wasn't in the water!  After the long solo sail up the harbor with my inflatible in tow I was happy to see there were pendants on my mooring float (Jonathan couldn't make the same claim) and was also pleased to gently glide in on my first attempt at picking up the mooring solo.  After putting Wabi to bed and covering her up (now well after sunset) I rowed ashore to the commercial street dock to be greeted by Gen Casey and Peter Maitland who kindly waited after coming ashore earlier to help me get by inflatible on the car.  What a great group we have.  Thanks guys!  A final note of best wishes goes out to Berit who leaves early tomorrow morning for an Alaska trip.  Bon Voyage Berit!

6/4:  Happy Birthday Mary Ann Solstad!  Mary Ann celebrated her 82nd (or 83rd ...who's counting?) birthday by supervising the launching of 3 Townies at the CYC and then by sailing the first Twilight Race.  The day's events started earlier in the afternoon where good team work and coordination amongst the various crews led to a flawless launch of Nolo, Lille Venn and Wabi Sabi at the CYC.  Many thanks to Jonathan for sponsoring the launch and Peter Maitland for the use of his trailer to help launch Lille Venn.  After the succesful launch followed the rigging in preparation for the first race just hours away.  

Fleet News

Fleet Scuttlebut

• 9/2 Labor Day Regatta Day 2:  A beautiful day to conclude the MTCA racing season.  Race 1 went to Wabi Sabi who held a solid lead throughout the race.  Race 2 was all Frolic with Tip & Dawn sailing a masterful race.  Although kudos go to Mark Maitland for another stunning port start off the line where the rest of the fleet on starbord struggled to get over the line!  With Frolic way out in front, Aufblitzen, Jean and Wabi Sabi battled the local area traffic, wakes and even a "mean spirited coast guard vessel" who nearly took out Team Maitland at the windward mark.   And with the sound of the gun as Tip & Dawn crossed the Line...the 2007 MTCA sailing season came to a close.  MRA Sailors met at the EYC after sailing in for the awards ceremony.  A great time was had by all.
• 9/1 Labor Day Regatta Day 1:  To quote a wise old salt..."never cancel a race from the living room" (Jim Cooke).  That was the motto for this beautiful Saturday on the water with what started with a small craft advisory but yielded a great afternoon on the water.  Close starts both races but lots of shifty winds separated the boats.  Wabi Sabi got to see what it was like to be Tip pulling in 1st place on both races (It is good to be Tip!).  Team Maitland and Aufblitzen had photo finishes both races with Team Maitland taking 2nd on the first race and Aufblitzen taking 2nd on the second race.  It wasn't the same without Lille Venn and Frolic!...Berit, I hope Alaska is treating you well and Tip...I hope BC won!  Cyou tomorrow!
• 8/30 Twilight:  Team Maitland has the Mojo & Takes Top Spot on Twilight Series 2!  After a very close start between Nolo, Wabi Sabi & Jean,  Wabi Sabi pulls out ahead of Nolo and battles Jean to the 2nd mark.  After rounding the CYC mark it is Wabi Sabi, Jean then Nolo on a shortened course out to 18.  In a very close finish leg Wabi Sabi get's stuck behind a large, moored sport fishing boat and gives Team Maitland just the edge they needed to sneak past to take home the 1st place glass with Wabi Sabi in 2nd and Nolo 3rd.  Congratulations to Team Maitland for capturing the top spots for both Twilight Series.  They own Thursday Night Twilights!
• 8/26 Sunday:  The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat!  A nice breeze and a nice course provided lots of shake ups.  Right from the start it was anybody's race.  Jean & Aufblitzen were neck and neck around the first mark but here is where the pack separated.  Tip took a quick tack to starboard along with Nolo and Elusive, stayed close to Childrens' Island and took off from the group...a lead he would keep till the end.  A thunderstorm threatened out of the west resulting in a shortened course coming around the CYC mark.  In the end Tip & Joan expertly made all the right tactical moves to top all for 1st. Elusive, who was very fast and consistent the whole race, trumped Nolo for 2nd, Nolo a solid 3rd, Wabi Sabi 4th, Aufblitzen 5th and Jean 6th.  Team Mailtand had to be disappointed falling back from their 1st place early on especially coming off of such a hot performance on Thursday night!  Berit, wherever you are we missed you today!!!  C-you all Thursday for the last race of the season! 
• 8/23 Twilight:  Light winds and strong currents were the theme of the night!  Lille Venn led the pack off the line with Wabi Sabi in 2nd.  Speeds seemed to top out at a roaring 1.3 kts on the upwind leg as all were digging into their "light wind bag of tricks" to make it to the upwind mark.  Lille Venn made the first tack of the night and all behind benefitted from watching their set.  Wabi Sabi was first to round the upwind mark and start the long and slow trek back to the finish line.  Meanwhile drama ensued as the pack approached the windward mark and Jean made a strategic play on starboard for the mark causing many in the pack to tack off placing Jean in the #2 position around the mark.  The rest of the story is all Team Maitland...Peter, wrangling to position Jean as a contender for the series 1st place, brought out Barbara Maitland for the first time in 2 years.  Barbara played that jib like a violin allowing Jean to close the gap on Wabi Sabi.  In what Jim Cooke called a "photo finish", the night (and the 1st place glass) went to Team Maitland.  A special note of thanks to Dawn Crowe for her tactical guidence and expert sail handling allowing Wabi Sabi to earn a strong 2nd place for the evening. Lille Venn topped Tip & Bob of Frolic to take 3rd for evening with Frolic earning 4th.   This series is unbelievably close with the top three places still up for grabs as we approach the final race of the season!  Do not miss next Thursday's Twilight for what will be a most exciting conclusion to the 2007 Twilight season!  Click here to see results: /twilightseries.aspx !
• 8/19 Sunday:  Shifty winds and a downwind start set the stage for an interesting race with many changes in place throughout.  Jean came from behind on the start to dominate the first leg...but wait...Aufblitzen comes from the left side to squeeze into 1st rounding the mark...Hey where's Tip?...Frolic makes a strategic play to the left side after rounding the leeward mark and duals with Aufblitzen all the way to the upwind mark.  Jim Cooke (manning the booth) changes the course and sends the group out to 22 and this is where a lot of shake ups took place.   Aufblitzen takes bad power boat wake upon rounding 22 allowing Nolo and Wabi Sabi to close in.  Frolic stalls out just prior to the finish line as does Nolo and Aufblitzen.  Wabi Sabi got its "own personal wind" just at the right time and squeezed into 2nd place just behind 1st place Frolic with Nolo right behind in 3rd.  Berit and Karen in Lille Venn come screaming past Aufblitzen to squeeze out a well earned 4th followed by Aufblitzen in 5th.  Jean & Elusive were neck-in-neck approaching the finish line with Jean inching out Elusive for 6th.  Lots of shake ups and challenging conditions.  Thanks to Jim Cooke for another well run race!  One more Sunday race to go! 
• 8/16 Twilight:  After 4 long days of flying I looked forward to a relaxing twilight sail.  But with the winds blowing and gusting off the CYC I realized there was more flying to be done.  77 Jean got a great downwind start and was 1st around the leeward mark followed by Wabi Sabi then Frolic (nice to see what Tip's bow looks like for a change!) but it wouldn't last...Tip took the inside, while Wabi Sabi gained on the Maitland boys.  The next thing we knew the race was shortened and here comes Tip and Bob like to two Bads out of Hell and squeezed into 1st place and Wabi Sabi narrowly topped team Maitland for 2nd under the expert tactical guidence from special guest star Dawn Crowe on Wabi Sabi.  Thanks Dawn!  Great race!
• 8/12 Sunday:   Nature gave us lemons today with light wind & big wake but the Maitland boys took those lemons and made lemonade!  Congrats to 77 Jean for a fine demonstration of light wind sailing to take home 1st place!  Tip and Joan of Frolic fame and the Solstad Girls of Lille Venn also sailed a great race with Frolic taking 2nd and Lille Venn 3rd.  For the rest of us it was a painful day!
• 8/9 Twilight: 00 is HOT...HOT...HOT!  The "Connie Factor" strikes again as the ladies of double zero produce "Smoke on the Water" passing by 77 Jean who had a healthy lead the majority of the race.  2091 Wabi Sabi applies some vaseline to the hull and sneaks past the mark and a moored boat to top Tip for 3rd place.  A beautiful night all around.  Thanks to Jim Cooke for a good race!
• TC Nationals Highlights:  Nahant's Rex Antrim takes the coveted Walsh Cup and the series First Place.  RI's Peter Shaw takes the series 2nd.  Marblehead's Jonathon Tilton and Nolo take 3rd (All wood boats in the top 3) and Peter & Mark Maitland score 4th (or first place amongst the fiberglass fleet!).  Congrats to all as the races were sailed in challenging winds, waves and current.  A heartfelt thank you to the Nahant Dory Club for its hospitality and running a great program.  Next year it's the Ocean State for TC Nationals 2008!
• 8/2 Twilight:  The ladies schooled the men on the art of Twilight Townie Racing!  The Solstad Girls' Lille Venn rides off into the sunset with a 1st and Jane Cooke skippers Auf'blitzen to a strong second.   
• NOOD Race Week Highlights:  Congrats to Tip O'Neill and Bob McGillivray for taking First Place!  Congratulations to Jane and David Cooke for winning the historical Campbell Cup! Jean and Wabi Sabi each get their first NOOD 1st place.  Berit Solstad makes a historical comeback after a bad start to take a 2nd place almost inching out Frolic for 1st!  Lew Livermore proves that he can step right back into any boat and be a fierce competitor taking 3rd place overall along with his grandson Matt! 
• 7/22 Sun Morning race started with a daring port tack start by Mark Maitland.  Jean held the lead until the upwind mark rounding where Lille Venn snuck in and captured the lead that Berit and Connie held to the end.  A beautiful day and a close race!  Good sailing Berit and Connie!
• 7/21 MRA we bobbed, we drifted, we ate and then were canceled! 
• 7/19 Thursday Twilight- only the old merchant mariners were out to battle the rain and fog.  And contrary to rumors Peter didn't call the non-sailing Rhodes fleet "Girlie Men" ... I think it was Jim Cooke!
• Jonathan Tilton, of Town Class Nolo Fame, made it back to the fleet from the Marblehead to Halifax race achieving 4th place in class aboard Bart Snow's boat.  Good Job! 
• 7/15 Sunday Series: The best race so far this season.  7 Boats in all took the line for a beautiful Sunday morning.  Congrats to Tip who tacked at just the right spots and also to Jane Cooke who was right on Tip's tail the whole race for a solid 2nd.  Nolo is Back!  Jonathan Tilton and Anne Walker guided Nolo to a commendable 4th place in their first race of the season.  Lille Venn reportedly blew out her gooseneck by the downwind mark and was towed in for repairs.  We wish team Solstad well in getting expeditious repairs done.  Cya next week!
• 7/12 Thurs Twilight Series Number 1 comes to a close.  A beautiful night for a race and 6 boats on the line.  Congrats to Frolic's Team O'Neill for a First place and a 2nd in the Series and a special congrats to Jean and Team Maitland for scoring second in the race but took home 1st place in the Series!  Go Team Maitland!!!! 
• 7/8 Jim Cooke makes a first step back towards getting out on the water by running the race booth with Jane & Pat.  Thanks for running a great race!  Berit's back from sea and skippered an excellent race giving Lille Venn a 3rd place in the 1st Sunday Series.  Tip and Joan played the windshifts like champs and pulled ahead of Wabi Sabi to win the race and secure a 2nd Place in the Series.   
• 7/7 Sat MRA got off to a tough start with Auf'Blitzen's Jane Cooke and Chris Hamilton wrestling with a broken outhaul just prior to the start.  They made repairs and limped back into port under blustery conditions leaving Frolic, Jean and Wabi Sabi to battle the elements.  Everyone was watching Frolic for the infamous "Tip Tack" (i.e. when Tip Tacks!)  A great day was had by all.
• 7/5 A wet, wild and wooly Thursday Twilight race.  The smart ones headed back to their moorings.  Wabi Sabi got a great start but then got knocked down at the first mark on a jibe that went horribly wrong.  Jean overtook and held the lead to cross the shortened course in 1st place.  Nicely done Mark!
• 6/29 Elusive is Launched!  All boats for the 2007 season are in.  Despite the threat of Severe thunderstorms 3 boats,  Jean, Frolic & Wabi Sabi brave the forecast and are rewarded with a beautiful night of Twilight Sailing.  Congrats to Tip and Bob for sailing Frolic to her first victory of the season.  Knowing them there are many more ahead! 
• 6/28 Nolo and Rosy II are launched!
• 6/24 Sheee's Baack...and better than ever!  Jane Cooke enters the season with a first place along with special guest crew Elaine Regis.  Go Jane!  Tip enters the season with a solid 2nd place for Frolic and looked great.  Wabi Sabi starts off great but eats crow at two mark roundings to end up last.  Lille Venn comes from way behind on a late start to smoke Wabi Sabi and almost catch Jean.  Mark Maitland and Megan raced a great race and scored a solid 3rd for Jean in a duel with Lille Venn on the final leg.  It was great to have all the boats out.  
•  
   6/23 The Lights dim on Marblehead Neck!  No it wasn't another microburst...it was Nolo hitting the power lines by the Corinthian.  The mishap took place as Jonathan was attempting to move Nolo on her trailer prior to launching her.  Minor damage to the mast spreaders took place and Jonathan is hoping to have her in for the Thursday Twilight race.  Good luck, Jonathan!
•  6/16 MRA: Match racing returns between Team Maitland and Team Wabi Sabi.  After an interesting "dinghy start" Team Maitland of Jean pulls out ahead.  Jean and Wabi Sabi meet again at the down wind mark and Jean develops a rigging problem allowing Wabi Sabi to pull ahead and ultimately win.  Kudos to Team Maitland for their seamanship on quickly rigging a temporary fix to continue on with the race.  Many thanks to Christine Hamilton who did a superb job as crew on Wabi Sabi and on her first day out significantly contributed to a 1st place.  Thanks Chris!
   
• 6/21 Twilight Race canceled for thunderstorms! :(
• 6/17 Jane Cooke guest crews on Wabi Sabi and as tactician helps Wabi Sabi get a first (Thank you Jane!), Lille Venn pulls an upset at the windward mark and trumps Team Maitland for a 2nd place. 
• 6/14 Twilight: Lille Venn launches in time for the Thursday Twilight Race.  Wabi Sabi, Jean and Lille Venn tackle the wild and wooly weather for a high seas Race.  The Maitland boys "bring home the bacon" and school Wabi Sabi and Lille Venn in the fine art of high seas racing! 
  Congrats to Jean for a fine dispaly of Seamanship!
Marblehead Town Class Calendar of Events
2007 Season 
 

April 27, Friday	Opening Spring Meeting & Social Hosted by Jim & Jane Cooke Kenneth Road, Marblehead 7pm Cocktails, 8pm Potluck Dinner
June, 2 Saturday	MRA Series 1 - Day 1
June, 3 Sunday	Sunday Series 1
June, 7 Thursday	Thursday Series 1
June, 9 Saturday	MRA Series 1 - Day 2
June, 10 Sunday	Sunday Series 1
June, 14 Thursday	Thursday Series 1
June, 16 Saturday	MRA Series 1 - Day 3
June, 17 Sunday	Sunday Series 1
June, 21 Thursday	Thursday Series 1
June, 23 Saturday	MRA Series 2 - Day 1
June, 24 Sunday	Sunday Series 1
June, 28 Thursday	Thursday Series 1
June, 30, Saturday	MRA Series 3 - Day 1 Independence Day Weekend Series
July, 1 Sunday	MRA Series 3 - Day 2 Independence Day Weekend Series ** Awards Party  - MRA Series 1 & 3 at CYC
July, 5 Thursday	Thursday Series 1
July 7, Saturday	MRA Series 2 - Day 2
July 8, Saturday	Sunday Series 1
July 12, Thursday	Thursday Series 1
July 14, Saturday	MRA Series 2 - Day 3
July 15, Sunday	Sunday Series 2
July 19, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
July 21, Saturday	MRA Series 4 - Day 1
July 22, Sunday	Sunday Series 2
July 26, Thursday	NOOD Regatta Marblehead Race Week MTCA Annual Cooke-Out (after last race, about 6 or 6:30 pm) Hosted by Jim & Jane Cooke Kenneth Road, Marblehead
July 27, Friday	NOOD Regatta Marblehead Race Week
July 28, Saturday	NOOD Regatta Marblehead Race Week
July 29, Sunday	NOOD Regatta Marblehead Race Week ** Awards Ceremony @ BYC
August 2, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
August 3, Friday	Sail to Nahant/Walsh Cup Team Racing Regatta BBQ after races end Nahant-Nahant TC Fleet Sponsor
August 4, Saturday	TC Nationals Regatta & Socials Nahant-Nahant TC Fleet Sponsor
August 5, Sunday	TC Nationals Regatta & Socials Nahant-Nahant TC Fleet Sponsor
August 9, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
August 11, Saturday	MRA Series 4 - Day 2
August 12, Sunday	Sunday Series 2
August 16, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
August 18, Saturday	MRA Series 4 - Day 3  **Awards Party  - MRA Series 2 & 4 @ BYC
August 19, Sunday	Sunday Series 2
August 20, Monday	Essex River Cocktail Cruise Social **Dinner in Essex Follows Cruise
August 23, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
August 26, Sunday	Sunday Series 2
August 30, Thursday	Thursday Series 2
September 1, Saturday	MRA Series 5 - Day 1 Labor Day Regatta
September 2, Sunday	MRA Series 5 - Day 2 Labor Day Regatta  **Awards Party - MRA Series 5 @ EYC
TBD	MTCA Fall Awards & Social