2010 Fleet Scuttlebutt
8/29: Sunday Series 2: "The last Hurrah Race!" The morning was postcard perfect with gusty warm breezes and calm seas. We had a good showing of boats with Tip and Joan on Frolic, Dave & Tracy on Wabi Sabi, Elaine & Linda Regis on Elusive, "The Peter" and "The Mark Maitland" on Jean, Dave and Kent Williams on Third Time's A Charm, and what??? do I need a change in perscription for my contact lenses or is that "John Russell" skippering along with Ron Geddes on Rosy II? Team Cooke's David and Ted were on Auf'Blitzen and for a moment it looked like Nolo might be rigging to come out but we never did see her. The Jim Cooke designed course was "25" "28" Twice around that would ultimately be shortened to "21" "22" on the second leg. At the start all were on port tack with Wabi Sabi and Jean more to the pin end and Frolic closer to the CYC. On the way out to "25" Wabi Sabi passes Jean to windward and in what is being dubbed the "Exlax Smooth Move Play" of the race, Peter Maitland dips Wabi Sabi's stern and passes her to windward and stays clear of a cruising sailboat that sails right into the middle of our race. Part way out we heard Elusive notifying the race committee that they were dropping out of the race with a center board problem. As we approach mark "25" Frolic comes flying in from the right and edges out Team Maitland at the mark. Jean rounds 2nd with Wabi Sabi in 3rd. Jean follows Frolic out to the deep right side and Wabi Sabi tacks onto port to clear her air from Jean. Auf'Blitzen plays the middle and then Rosy II and Third Time's a Charm play the left. Then...the breeze starts to die and we all inch along where our movement seemed more affected by tidal current than by wind pressure. Ulitimately the decision to go to the right was the best move as Jean, who somehow got ahead of Frolic, made it to Mark "28" rounded it first followed by Frolic. Rosy II who had gone on the east side of Gray's rock made out and edged past Wabi Sabi. Wabi Sabi, determined to reclaim lost ground caught up to Rosy II and began numerous attempts to get past Rosy II. While Wabi Sabi was messing around with Rosy II, Team Cooke drove Auf'Blitzen more towards the mouth of the harbor and got passed both Rosy II and Wabi Sabi. After rounding the pin end and following Rosy II out to "21" Wabi Sabi was able to edge out Rosy II on the beat to "22" to reclaim 4th place. Jean easily took first place with Frolic taking 2nd, Auf'Blitzen 3rd, Wabi Sabi in 4th, Rosy II in 5th. Team Williams and Elusive got DNF for the day. Congratulations go to the winners of the day being Jean's Peter and Mark Maitland for winning the race and to Frolic's Tip and Joan O'Neill for winning the series. Gotta get one of those Tac Tics!!
8/26: Twilight Series 2: "The Party's Over Race": Warm gusty breezes along with clear skies and warm temps frame the final evening race of 2010. Sail Maker to the Stars, Gen Casey and Dave are on Wabi Sabi, "The" Peter Maitland and "The" Mark Maitland are on Jean and the dynamic duo whose code name on the water is "Tilton and the Snowman" are on Nolo. Elusive's Elaine Regis and Jim Cooke were seen doing test runs out of the harbor and must have decided the winds were too much and retired back to their rocky cove. The course "20" "22" Twice around. At the Start all three boats hit the line with a solid start but with Team Maitland in their normal start position on the pin end with Wabi Sabi in a "Townie Sandwhich" flanked by Nolo on the CYC side. The snowman edges out Jean and rounds mark "20" first with Jean riding her transom. After rounding Wabi Sabi follows Jean out on port tack and just before she was to tack over to stop eating Jean's bad air Jean tacks. Wabi Sabi ducks Jean and gets to windward and then tacks over onto starboard to cover. The once gusty wind backs off to a pleasant persistent breeze. Gen is hiking like like her Amstel Lights depend upon it. At the next crossing with Jean she ducks Wabi Sabi. This tack moved Wabi Sabi from 3rd to 1st place. Can the snowman pull a comeback out?...not this time. After losing to a huge comeback by Nolo earlier in the season Wabi Sabi pays Nolo the respect she deserves and is careful to properly cover. The course is shortened to "21" "22" and Wabi Sabi takes the winning siren but it is Jean's Team Maitland who sail away with the sexy shirts with the TC Logo on them for winning the Twilight Series 2 and the Combined Twilight Series. The Maitlands wardrobe of will be well stocked with the latest in proper sailing and yacht club wear for some time. 8/20: Sunday Series 2: "The Barbara Maitland Birthday Race" The morning definetely felt like summer was coming to a close as it was overcast, light rain and cool temps. After much discussion on the porch of the MYC 3 "down harbor" boats decided to make lemonade out of the lemons that the weather had given us and came out to race. Team Maitland was first down to the start line, followed by Wabi Sabi and then Team "O'Neill on Frolic. Only one "up harbor" boat came out to play and that was "Team Cooke (David and Ted). The course was "W" "20" Twice Around. At the start it was Team Maitland taking their "traditional" spot at the pin end and was first off the line with Wabi Sabi close behind. Team O'Neill went higher and to the right while Team Maitland took the "Peter Maitland Tractor Belt" that runs right off of Fort Sewall. Wabi Sabi stayed higher and soon was overtaken by Auf'Blitzen who went more to weather. Around the first mark it was Jean, followed by Team Cooke and then Wabi Sabi and finally Frolic. Frolic and Jean played the right side, while Team Cooke played the middle and Wabi Sabi the left. Upon first crossing Wabi Sabi passed behind Team Cooke and then Jean. But on the next crossing Wabi Sabi made up some lost ground and edged in front of Team Cooke and they in turn slipped past Jean. Team O'Neill still lagged behind but the race was not over. On the broad reach down to what we hoped would be the finish Team Maitland footed off and slipped past Team Cooke and rounded just behind Wabi Sabi. Wabi Sabi hit the mark and then got clear of the mark and did her 360 penalty turn and continued out now in 2nd place behind Team Maitland. Team Cooke jumped onto the "Maitland Tractor Belt" in hopes of repeating Jean's performance the first time around. Wabi Sabi stayed farther left and caught a breeze to pass Jean. Team O'Neill stayed farther right and started making up lost distance on Wabi Sabi. After putting the pole out for a brief run to "W" Wabi Sabi rounded first followed by Team Cooke, then Team O'Neill and what??? what happened to Jean? She got stuck in a hole and by the time she got out Frolic had maneuvered into 3rd place ahead of Team Maitland. Wabi Sabi footed off to gain some speed to punch through the oncoming waves and pulled away from #2 boat Auf'Blitzen. By the next mark all positions were cemented and Wabi Sabi finished first, followed by Team Cooke then Team O'Neill and finally Team Maitland. All made it back to the moorings and ashore before the steady rain started to fall. Team O'Neill and Team Anderson go into the final Sunday race tied for 1st place and Team Maitland not too far behind.
8/19: Thursday Twilight Series 2: "The Quickie" Still recovering from the dismal previous Thursday Twilight Float Fest we all took to our Townies with hopes of a decent breeze, to make it back to our moorings before the cannons started firing and that the race committee wasn't too deep into the cocktails to set a decent course. The nice breeze that prevailed all afternoon seemed to die right before our start. Tip and Bob were seen paddling like they were doing olympic time trials to make the start. All the normal contestants were out...Tilton & The Snowman on Nolo, Kirsten Bosworth with ace crew Connie Blake on Auf'Blitzen, Team Solstad on Lille Venn, Elaine Regis & Jim Cooke on Elusive, Dave & Gen on Wabi Sabi and (drum roll please...) "The Mark Maitland" - imagine Tom Brady like applause - and "The Peter Maitland" on Jean...oh yeah Tip & Bob, Bob & Tip, Tip & Bob, Bob & Tip...(you had to be there!). The course was a paltry "22" "21" Once Around. I don't think I have ever not seen the Tango Flag absent but it was on this evening. At the start it is Team Maitland at the pin end and over first with Wabi Sabi right behind and Nolo on the outside. Mark Maitland downshifts, ignites his nitro and rockets to the first mark well ahead of number 2 Wabi Sabi. Upon rounding Wabi Sabi follows Jean out on Starboard, Nolo follows and then Frolic makes a decisive tack onto port which will give her a leg up and lead to her taking the second place slot at the next mark rounding. Nolo tries to tack to follow Frolic but gets tangled with starboard tackers and they sit in the "Marblehead Triangle" - that nasty little spot just north of mark "22" where the current is downright mean. On the final stretch for the finish line the positions don't change and Team Maitland bag another first place with Tip & Bob, Bob & Tip stealing 2nd place from Wabi Sabi who take 3rd. Nolo rounds out 4th place. The whole race took less than 20 minutes...with the sail to the mooring and back taking longer than the race.
8/15: Sunday Series 2: The run of beautiful conditions for Sunday morning racing continues with a steady and cool 5 to 7 knot breeze out of the south. Jim posted a "28" "18" Twice Around course that would ultimately be shortened to "22" "21" for the second leg. Tip was sporting his floppy hat which at a distance made him look like the "Flying Nun" (Not everyone could pull that look off but Tip was able to). Elaine and Linda Regis were out on Elusive; Ron Geddes and Dawn Crow were on Rosy II, Dave & Kent Williams were out on Third Time's A Charm, Dave & Gen Casey were out on Wabi Sabi and finally Peter Maitland - armed with only his Tac Tic to keep him company - went solo on Jean. At the start it was Tip and Joan who hit the line first with Wabi Sabi close behind. Jean went high and to the right hoping to avoid putting out the pole. Rosy II went farther left. Elusive and Third Time's played the middle. Slowly but surely Ron & Dawn maneuvered Rosy II towards the front of the pack and were first around "28". Wabi Sabi got an inside overlap with Frolic and rounded 2nd with Jean and Frolic right on her transom. Jean ended up slipping ahead of Frolic who quickly tacked over onto port to head to the right side of the course in hopes of repeating the horizon job Frolic did on the rest of the fleet last week. All others went left or played the middle. Wabi Sabi slipped past Rosy II on the next tack and Jean continued to venture out to the left. As Frolic made her way back from the right met up with Elusive. Frolic, on starboard, cries foul as Elusive tacks too closely to Frolic forcing her "above head to wind". After doing their spins Elusive continues on to try and make up lost ground and determined not to come in last. Wabi Sabi is first around "18" after several tacks to avoid the wicked current that was setting them down on the mark. Frolic was next with Jean in hot pursuit. After rounding the pin end Wabi Sabi set out for the shortened course to "22" and then a quick job to "21" and then a bee line for the line. Thanks to Gen Casey expertly flying the jib telltales with all the wind shifts as well as her tactical calls including calling the lay lines Wabi Sabi takes the victory siren. The real excitement was the photo finish that followed as Peter slips Jean past Frolic at the line to take a stunning 2nd place. Rosy II was next across in 4th with Elusive in 5th and Third Time's A Charm getting a DNF. What happened with team Williams? I think Dave was day dreaming about getting himself a refurbished Lyman and just lost interest in the race. Now the real surprise came when we found out that Peter sailed sans beer! That's right the "Miller High LIfe" boat had nary a beer on board. No need to shed any tears for Frolic though as even with her 3rd in this race she is still solidly in 1st place for the series after winning the previous two races. No doubt Tip and Joan will be back with a vengence next week. Notably absent from the race was Sunday morning regulars Jonathan Tilton and Anne Walker. It was a little lonely without Nolo and we hope to see them out next week!
8/12: Thursday Evening "Colonoscopy Race": This was one of those nights that if you new how it was going to end up you would probably have stayed home and counted yourself lucky. The breeze was very light and shifty and the increasing overcast skies promised that winds would die out without the usual last 10 minutes of solid breeze right around sunset. At the start Team Maitland pull out ahead and never looked back on a "22" "19" course. Wabi Sabi was able to get out in front of Frolic after the first mark rounding. After rounding the 2nd mark "19" what little breeze there was started to die off. Instead of shortening the course and finishing us as we limped back towards the start/finish line we recieved the news that they would be sending us around again albeit on a shorter route of "
22" "21". Team Maitland got themselves far enough away from the whole that was about to open up around Mark "22" and was able to drift in the right direction. Wabi Sabi who was easily 20 boat lengths ahead of Frolic, Auf/Blitzen, Double Zero and Third Time's a Charm came to a screeching halt after rounding "22". Somehow Frolic and Auf'Blitzen were able to somehow generate their own private breeze and slipped past Wabi Sabi. After another 20 minutes of floating and bobbing we saw a CYC boat coming out. We were all hoping that they would put us out of our misery and either abandon the race or capture the places upon completing the original circuit. We were also hoping that the boat might offer us a tow back to the mooring as darkness was upon us and we still hadn't crossed the finish line. None of our hopes would come to fruition. Utlimately we would end up paddling up harbor and would get ashore after 9 pm. Dave Williams summed it up as he paddled past Wabi Sabi and exclaimed "Well that Sucked!". Dave commented that he had more fun at his last "Colonoscopy" then that floatfest to Tip and Bob who were pleased with their 2nd place finish. Let's hope next week the winds are a little more favorable and the race committee is a litlle more sensitive to the prevailing conditions.
8/1: Sunday Series 2: A post card perfect day with dry cool air and light breeze and a long course set the backdrop for a beautiful race. Of special note we had the most boats out (8) thanks to Ron Geddes/Dawn Crowe sailing Rosy II and David Cooke/Bryn Evans sailing Auf'Blitzen. All the other cast of characters were out to keep the skills razor sharp heading into Nationals Week. The "Jim Cooke" designed course was 28, 25 Twice Around. At the starting siren Wabi Sabi led the group off the line occupying the space close to the pin end usually reserved for Team Maitland. Team Maitland (with "Magic Mark Maitland" driving Jean slowly but surely passed Wabi Sabi as did Auf'Blitzen by going farther right. At the first mark it was Jean, Auf'Blitzen, Wabi Sabi and Nolo in hot pursuit. Where was Tip you ask? Well he was at the back of the pack and when no one was looking the wiley old salt that he is tacked over onto port and went on a "Maitlandesque" flyer that would ultimately put him wayyyyyyyyyyyyy ahead at mark 25. Auf'Blitzen must have liked what Tip was doing and headed out to the right as well. Wabi Sabi was able to pull away from Team Tilton who was breathing down their necks at Mark 28 and was able to outpoint Team Maitland who was also putting their money on the left side of the course. A slight wind shift favored Wabi Sabi and was able to get out in front of Jean on the tack onto port to head over to Mark 25. Rosy 11 played the middle of the course and made up some ground and nearly caught Wabi Sabi. With the rounding of Mark 25 it was a reach back to the finish line as the course was shortened with Tip & Joan O'Neill so far ahead they were putting away their sails at their mooring by the time the other boats approached the finish line. Auf'Blitzens David Cooke & Bryn Evans (good to see him out on the water) took a solid 2nd, Wabi Sabi's Team Anderson took 3rd, Team Maitland taking 4th and Rosy II's Ron Geddes and Dawn Crowe taking 5th, Team Solstad' Karen & Mary Ann taking 6th, Nolo's Jonathan Tilton and Ann Walker taking 7th and Elusive's own Elaine and Linda Regis taking 8th place. Poor Dave Williams came in 9th place. It was a great day to sail and with so many boats out racing a bad day to miss!
7/25: NOOD (Day3): Forcasts of heavy & gusty NW'ly winds kept many on their moorings a little longer than previous days anticipating having to work hard once we got out there. However, on the way out it appeared that the winds might not be as strong as originially forcasted. Still there was a nice breeze, clear skies with a few puffy cumulous clouds adding to the backdrop of a beautiful day. I know I speak for all that after two quirky days of racing that we were all hopefull that the day would be a good one with hopefully two good races prior to the 2:30 cutoff for race starts. Notably missing from the cast of characters where "Double Zero's" Connie Blake and Jim Cooke. Word trickled through the fleet that they had headed in fearing heavy winds. A radio call to them was answered by Jim who indicated that he was at lighthouse point and all attempts to try and talk them into turning around and coming back out failed with Jim's comment that "We'll be first to the Bar"! (We didn't know that when he said he was at Light House Point he was standing on dry ground and not in the boat as we thought). On the start of our race Nolo was closest to the pin followed by Lille Venn, Wabi Sabi, Jean, Frolic and Auf'Blitzen. Nolo and Lille Venn play the far left side, Auf'Blitzen plays the far right side and Wabi Sabi, Jean and Frolic play the middle. The far left turned out to be the right call and Nolo is first around the windward mark followed by Lille Venn, Wabi Sabi, Jean, Frolic and finally Auf'Blitzen. On the downwind run the breezes started to diminish while the pack of Rhodes 19 all flying spinnakers bore down on the Town Class fleet taking was little breeze was left. Nolo made it around the leeward mark just before we got swallowed up by the pack of Rhodes. Lille Venn was closest to the leeward mark and was carried around the mark while Berit and Rick fended off the Rhodes who were on all sides. Wabi Sabi was not so lucky. After negotiating a cooperative maneuver with the inside Rhodes to Jibe to round the right leeward mark Wabi Sabi Jibed onto starboard and the inside Rhodes jibed then jibed back onto port and yelled that they had changed their minds. With that Jean and Frolic and then Auf'Blitzen who were farther towards the left gate were able to escape the worst of the Rhodes onslaught. Nolo tries the left side again to try and duplicate their succesful first round, Auf'Blitzen again goes far right with Jean and Frolic going towards the left middle. Wabi Sabi was stuck at the leeward mark becalmed for what seemed like an eternity now in last place. Meanwhile little pockets of air gave some boats enough air to creep to windward while others merely floated awaiting a reprieve. Finally Wabi Sabi started to catch enough breeze to begin to make way. Jean was first to the windward mark followed by Auf'Blitzen whose decision to go right was a good one. Frolic, Lille Venn and Wabi Sabi converge on the mark simultaneously with Frolic gaining inside overlap. Frolic is first around with LIlle Venn just outside and Wabi Sabi is able to get inside on Lille Venn. Frolic jibes over onto starboard while Lille Venn and Wabi Sabi continue on port for a short run then both jibe back onto starboard. The run turns into a reach and oscillates between a beam reach and a beat with light and shifty air. Jean is over the line first and takes the 1st place cannon securing her win the series and Auf'Blitzen takes the 2nd place slot. Wabi Sabi is able to pass Lille Venn and Frolic to take 3rd with Frolic in 4th, Lille Venn in 5th and Nolo 6th. We were all hopefull that with 45 minutes to get another race off that the race committee would hustle and get a final race in. But with the wind shift the Race Committee called an end to the days racing. We didn't know at the time that none of the other lines got a single race in! On the ride in the strong NW'ly winds kicked in with a furry! It was a "Harbor Hurricane" on steroids that made the ride a wet wild experience. Fortunately all boats made it to their moorings with nothing broken. All congregated at the BYC to congratulate Team Maitland on their first NOOD and New England Championship win. Despite the quirky nature of this year's races the competition was very competitive and it was anybody's regatta right up to the end.
7/24: NOOD (Day 2): Fog and light shifty breezes cause "painfull" delays to day 2 of the NOOD. By noon we had all done the long and slow slog out to Half Way Rock only to be put into a postponement that would last nearly 3 hours as the fog rolled in and out of the race area. It go so bad that Frolic picked up a lobster float, moored and Tip and Bob were seen taking naps while the rest of us nuts went back and forth in the race area careful not to stray too far from the race committee boat in the fog. Finally the word came in that there was a hole in the fog closer towards Marblehead Rock so the whole Halfway Rock group head out on a 270 degree heading towards mark 18. Ultimately, the fog broke and a south easterly breeze filled in to get the first race off. Positions changed several times but it was Team "Dave" who took home the 1st place by narrowly edging out Frolic who took 2nd place. The 2nd race of the day saw many leaders and positions changed like the direction of the breezes with Wabi Sabi 1st around the windward mark. Nolo's "Casey and the Snowman" ultimately make up ground on the run and get an inside overlap at the leeward gate. Wabi Sabi fouls Nolo by misjudging Nolo's turn around the mark and ends up spinning cirlces in the water to clear the protest. Team Maitland sneaks past Wabi Sabi and heads out in hot pursuit of Nolo. Team Maitland must have had that new "Tac Tick" working for them as they beat Nolo to the windward mark. Lille Venn is next around followed by Auf'Blitzen's Team Dave. Wabi Sabi gets fouled by Frolic who screamed in on the port layline and crosses ahead of Wabi Sabi nearly causing Wabi Sabi to hit the mark. It was Frolic's turn to carve circles in the water. Team Maitland ends up with their 2nd 1st place by edging out Nolo, Lille Venn follows them across and Wabi Sabi scraps their way forward to challenge Auf'Blitzen's Team Dave for 4th place. Wabi Sabi notices a windshift ahead of Team Dave and drops their pole and rigs for a broad reach. This gives Wabi Sabi the extra "umphf" needed to edge out Auf'Blitzen. Another very long day on the water. One more day to go...let's hope for smoother sailing on Day 3!
7/23: NOOD (Day 1): Analysis Paralysis is the best way to sum up the nearly 3 hours we all waited for the race committee to get a race off. Winds were shifty and went from light to blowin' like stink back to light again. Proudly we had every boat that was in the water out on the line. Jean's Mark and Peter Maitland, Nolo's Casey (Gen) and the Snowman (aka Bart), Lille Venn's own Berit Solstad and Rick Stevens, Double Zero's Connie Blake and Veteran Jim Cooke, Frolic's "Dynamic Duo" (wouldn't they look great in tights!) Tip O'Neil and Bob MacGillivray, Wabi Sabi's Dave and Tracy Anderson, and last but definitely not least Auf'Blitzens "Team Dave" (David Cooke and David Goldsmith). When the race commitee finally got us off it was Team Maitland (with Mark driving) who got out in front with a daring port tack start at the pin end and maintained the lead for the race to take 1st. At the start of the 2nd race the wind had filled in to the strongest breeze of the day and Wabi Sabi's Team Anderson took advantage and out tacked Tip to take 1st.
7/18: Sunday Series 2: (First Race): Hot and Gusty!!! It was a Team Maitland kind of race day..."pop one open, and hang on for the ride of your life - just don't spill the Miller High Life!". Elaine & Linda Regis were out on Elusive, Peter and Mark Maitland on Jean, Joan & Tip O'Neill on Frolic and Dave & Tracy Anderson on Wabi Sabi. To say the winds were all over the place would be an understatement. Despite that Jim Cooke "made Lemonade out Lemons" by giving us a good course of "25" "22" then shortened to "21" "22" to finish. Off the line it was Wabi Sabi, Elusive and Jean all hankering for the pin end and Frolic slightly behind and higher towards the race booth. A broad reach ultimately turned into a run and positions seemed to change by the minute. Team Regis broke from the pack like she had Nitrous Oxide fueling her boat and shot forward like a "Bad out of Hell". Meanwhile Team O'Neill slowly closed the distance upwind and to the right. Wabi Sabi and Jean jockeyed positions back and forth like a reciprocating engine. At the "25" Elusive rounds 1st, with Wabi Sabi, Jean and Frolic close behind. The wind continued to build and now on the beat back to "22" we were all hanging whatever "meat we had" over the rail and held on for dear life. with Team Maitland and Wabi Sabi taking turns in narrowly crossing in front of each other. Team Regis falls behind at this point and never is able to recover lost ground. Wabi Sabi is first to "22" and then to the pin end with Frolic and Jean right on her transom. On the way out to "21" Wabi Sabi edges around 1st with Jean so close that we could have passed "the grey poupon" and Frolic edging around in third. Frolic makes a play to the left side of the course and does what Frolic always seems to do...sneaks up and gets ahead by beating Wabi Sabi and Jean to "22". Jean seemed to be going so fast that there was a frightenging "Whooshing Sound" coming off her bow wave as she and Wabi Sabi sailed in close formation each trying to get an advantage for the mark rounding. Team Maitland decided that they were ready to tack over onto port and ducked Wabi Sabi's stern and Wabi Sabi tacked to cover. Ultimately Wabi Sabi narrowly edges out Jean on the rounding of "22" and positions hold to the finish line with Frolic's Team O'Neill taking first, Wabi Sabi in 2nd, Jean 3rd and Elusive in 4th. Noticably absent was Sunday Morning Veterans Team Tilton who opted for sleeping in on the "Big Boat" leaving Nolo on the mooring. Jonathan did wave greetings and salutations as we all passed by Finnisterrae on our beat back up harbor. That was one of the most competitive and hard fought races I have been in. Team Maitland/Masey has raised the competitive stakes this year by their stunning shut-out to win both the first Thursday and Sunday Series. Can Team Maitland take the whole season? Will Frolic rise up like the Leviathan that she has been in season's past to take the 2nd series? Or will Dave Williams put in Third Time's A Charm and whip all of us? Stay tuned!
7/15: Twilight Series 1 (Last Race): Light and shifty breezes characterized the evening and a course set for "21" "19" that would be shortened to "21" "22" on the second time around. Most of the normal cast of characters were in play and notably absent was Nolo's "A-Team -Tilton and the Snow Man (aka Bart Snow). Reportedly Bart needed more time to study the operations of the "talking timer" used on Nolo for precision starts! On a "pre-race drive by" Peter Maitland was sporting an early "Miller High Life" to loosen things up after uttering the command "Beer Me" early. All the boats seemed to hit the line with a good start and then started to spread out with Team Maitland going their traditional low route to the left and Frolic and Elusive taking the high route to the right. Jean was first to the mark in a lead that would only continue to grow for the remainder of the race. Wabi Sabi rounded second but Elusive's Elaine Regis fresh from the Cape pulled out the "grease job of the century" by squeezing in between Wabi Sabi and the mark to slip ahead on the beat to "19". Frolic rounded in 4th with Lille Venn in 5th. Those that went tot he right towards lighthouse point seemed to make out (Jean and Frolic) although Elusive seemed to enjoy great boat speed anywhere Elaine and Jim decided to sail (Must be the new Sails with the Sexy Draft Lines!). At "19" it is Jean then Elusive and...what "where did Tip come from?"...Frolic pulls ahead of Wabi Sabi who narrowly fetches the mark. Positions hold on the reach to the pin end of the line and we head out for the 2nd lap. Sadly (from the author's perspective) no changes in position take place in the next set of roundings. Elusive's 2nd place over Frolic was just the ticket to place Team Maitland into Series 1st place edging out Frolic's Tip and Bob narrowly by 1 point. Congratulations to Team Maitland for securing their 2nd Series Win of the Season (they also won the Sunday Series 1).
7/11: Sunday Series 1: Lots of wind characterized what is normally a "light breeze" Sunday morning race. It was so breezy that Salty Dogs "Tip & Joan O'Neill" almost cancelled their participation in the race. Fortunately they sailed down under power of their "Main" only and then decided to put up the jib and come out and play. The course was engineered by "the" Jim Cooke and turned out to be a punishing "28" "21" twice around. At the start it was Frolic who made a last minute tack to hit the line with speed and be the first over. The rest of us were happy to avoid the pin as we all congregated around the pin end for the start. Wabi Sabi continued out to the right to chase Frolic while Team Masey went to the left side. Nolo's team Tilton and Auf'Blitzen's David Cooke stayed to the right as well. Wabi Sabi was 1st to reach "28" with Aufblitzen and Frolic battling for 2nd place. AufBlitzen wins out after the rounding but Frolic continues to challenge AufBlitzen during this next leg out to "21". Team Masey takes Jean way in to the right in hopes to get a break. Wabi Sabi is first to round "21" and heads for what they hoped would be the finish. All working really hard to keep the boats under control in the wind that remained steady throughout the course. Meanwhile Jim must have settled into a comfortable rocker there on the CYC porch and decided "what the heck" let's send 'em out again for another spin around the course. Wabi Sabi rounded the pin first with Frolic and Auf'Blitzen close behind. Nolo's team Tilton announce that they have had enough fun for the day and would retire to their other yacht "Finnisterrae" which was better suited for the prevailing winds. The second time around was much like the first time with Frolic being able to hold off Auf'Blitzen to take 2nd with AufBlitzen in 3rd, Jean's Team Masey taking 4th. Now before you shed a tear for Team Masey (who probably went "Beer Me" soon after starting the race), they ended up winning the 2010 Series 1. Congratulations to Peter & Gen who were powered by Miller Light and the determination to get the job done!
7/10: MRA Series 2: The "Peter and Jim Made Me Do It" race: After waking to the forecast of impending doom from the weather forcaster's who were calling for "End of Days" like heavy rain and thunderstorms and reviewing the radar which painted a menacing line of thunderstorms ranging from Canada to Philadelphia I began calling around to see what the other skippers thought. However, current conditions were beautiful and promised to be nice for at least two hours. After a discussion with Tip we had made the decision to not risk it by getting caught in the Brimbles with a storm bearing down on us so Tracy and I made the decision to go over to the boat and take care of some maintenance items and go for a harbor sail. Then a salty dog voice from behind me (as I am standing by the transom) says...are you rigging to go out? It was "the Jim Cooke" and Connie blake. I was shocked as I thought for sure that they would be on dry ground. As Connie flew by she said something about going out to give a try for one race and that we should come. Peter meanwhile swings by on his admiral's barge bringing him out to his little yacht Jean and say we should go out and give it a try. So in a quandry but wanting to be supportive of the group we agree to at least sail out and see how things progress. No sooner do we get out there the CYC's PRO Tom Thompkins has the line ready to go and gives us an early and quick start to try and get one race in before we have to return to port for weather. Wabi Sabi gets the best start ahead of David Cooke's Auf'Blitzen and close behind is Jean's Team Masey. The boats are close on their first crossing with Wabi Sabi tacking over on Jean's lee bow as they didn't think they would make the crossing. Jean ducks Wabi Sabi's stern and loses some headway towards the mark as a result. Wabi Sabi makes the mark on that tack and round several boat lengths ahead of Jean and AufBlitzen. Positions remain unchanged on a brisk run towards the leeward mark. Wabi Sabi is first around followed by Auf'Blitzen who tacks over to the left side of the course and Jean who takes the right side. Wabi Sabi plays a loose cover on the two who are shooting the corners and again is first to the weather mark. Wabi Sabi crosses the finish line 1st while Auf'Blitzen narrowly squeezes out a 2nd place over Jean. Somewhere along the line Jim and Connie must have abandoned and gone in. The race committee sent us in after the one race and all made it back to moorings and land before the skies opened up and drenched the area with flood like rains. Whew! we got lucky on this one!
7/8: Thursday Twilight Series 1: Brisk and blustery winds and building seas were what faced the sailors on this Twilight race with the race course being "W" "19" Twice Around. Wabi Sabi's Dave and Gen Casey get a great start and get out ahead with Jean, Frolic and Lille Venn abeam and Nolo across last (word on the street was that the Snowman had a tough time with the talking timer). Fortunately it was a broad reach (and not a downwind run) out to "W". Wabi Sabi resisted the urge to put up the whisker pole as the other boats were doing. Wabi Sabi rounds "W" first and heads out to the left and is followed by Jean and Lillie Venn. Frolic and Nolo go to the right. It was a long brutal slogg out to "19" battling 4 foot rollers and having to bisect a sonar race to get to the mark. Wabi Sabi is first around and heads on a broad reach (with skipper Dave almost totally spent) towards what they are hoping will be a shortened course. As they approach the line they are dismayed to see that the course stands and after a few explatives sent the way of the CYC race committee Wabi Sabi heads out to do it again. Frolic is right behind and Jean and Nolo behind them. Meanwhile, Aufblitzen abandons and heads in and Lille Venn who went way out to the left lags in 5th place. Second time around Wabi Sabi replays their plan that worked for them on the first time around. Somewhere along the line Nolo nearly swamps taking on a foot of water in the process. It definetely was knarley and probably geared more towards keel boats. Wabi Sabi gets her first 1st place siren of the season with Frolic in 2nd, Nolo in 3rd, Jean 4th and Lille Venn in 5th. Needless to say we all slept well that night! Many thanks to ace tactician Gen Casey who called the shots on the course as Wabi Sabi's skipper hung on for dear life!
6/27: Sunday Series 1: A light breeze, perfect temperatures and clear skies created the canvas for a beautiful Sunday Morning Race. At the start Team Regis (Elaine & Linda) were across 1st closely followed by Wabi Sabi on a broad reach out to the 1st mark. Places changed many times as Jean's Team Masey (Peter & Sail Maker to the Stars - Gen Casey) took Jean high and Nolo's Team Tilton (Jonathan & Anne) and Frolic's Team O'Neill (Tip & Joan) going low initially but both passing Wabi Sabi and followed Jean high and past the first mark (#28). Wabi Sabi watched increduously as the boats that had passed her went right by the mark without rounding it. Wabi Sabi followed Elusive around the mark and headed for the 2nd Mark (#19) and informed all the wayward boats that they were heading for the wrong mark. Jonathan Tilton was heard saying as he turned Nolo towards the correct mark "Well this isn't pretty is it!". Amazingly enough Nolo rounded the mark and actually caught up to Wabi Sabi and started a long battle for 2nd and 3rd place. Jean and Frolic ended up heading in towards the harbor as Nolo, Elusive and Wabi Sabi stayed left towards Cat Island. Elusive, unchallenged still rounded the next mark and was followed by Nolo and then Wabi Sabi. Upon approaching what we were sure was to be a shortened course to finish we saw that Jim Cooke (Race Committee) had modified the 2nd circuit and the race continued. On our way to the next mark Wabi Sabi overtakes Nolo and falls into the number 2 spot behind Elusive. The final mark rounding is where it got interesting...Jean who had gone on a series of "flyers" to the corners came from out of nowhere to meet up with Nolo at the last mark rounding. Ultimately Nolo was able to hold a narrow lead and took 3rd behind Wabi Sabi in 2nd and Elusive in an "unchallenged" 1st place. Team O'Neill rounded out the group in last place which had to be disappointing. Frolic doesn't like to see other boats transoms but rather is used to having all others observe her shapely transom. Jean is still the boat to beat on the Sunday Series 1!
6/26: MRA Series 1 (Final Race) "The Brimbles Triangle": After a long slog out to the race course in light breezes the first and ultimately only race started with most boats hitting the line with Wabi Sabi slightly behind. Shortly after the pack seperated into "those who went right, those who went left and those that stayed in the middle". Rounding the windward mark it was Nolo, AufBlitzen and Wabi Sabi with Nolo not too far behind and wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back there was Frolic and Jean who seemed to have ticked when they should have tacked and were getting muddled down in the "Brimbles Triangle". On the run for the leeward mark Wabi Sabi overtakes and passes AufBlitzen on the inside and rounds the leeward mark just behind Nolo. Nolo and AufBlitzen go far to the right, Wabi Sabi stays more in the center. On the final windward rounding it is Nolo, AufBlitzen and Wabi Sabi. Nolo and AufBlitzen initially seem to escape the Brimbles Triangle effect (circling winds from all directions, wierd currents) on their downwind run for the finish line. Wabi Sabi got stuck in a bad area of the Brimbles Triangle and seemed to founder for some time. Finally escaping it Wabi Sabi was able to make up a lot of lost ground and come in 3rd behind Aufblitzen in 2nd and Nolo in 1st. Meanwhile Jean and Frolic were still grappling with the wierd effects of the "Triangle" and were ultimately scored where they were (Jean 4th and Frolic 5th) and the races abandoned for the rest of the day. On our way in we went from "no wind" to the "harbor hurricane" to round out the day. Congrats to Team Barnes for doing everything "right" and taking home the win.
6/17: Thursday Twilight Series 1 "From Worst to First": On a Seattle like evening with misty overcast skies that threatened rain 3 boats took the chance, threw caution to the wind and set sail to start the Twilight Series for the season. I was able to sail as crew on Elusive with Elaine Regis, Mark Maitland and "Sail Maker to the Stars" - Gen Casey were aboard Jean and the dynamic duo team of Tip & Bob were aboard Frolic. The course was "21" "W" Twice around. At the start it was Elusive hitting the line in the lead with Jean a boat lenght behind and Frolic 3 boat lengths behind...What...Tip & Bob in last place...no I wasn't drinking...they were actually in last place at the start. I did learn that as frustrating as it is to try and catch Frolic, it is equally stressfull to have them behind you knowing that they are slowly closing in on you. Jean sailed faster to the first Mark with Elusive gaining a narrow inside overlap in 2nd and Frolic in 3rd. Frolic broke from the pack and went over onto starboard tack towards Fort Sewall and appeared to get hung up in the middle of the Sonar race going on at the mouth of the harbor. Elusive and Jean continued out towards Grays Rock. Winds continued to lighten as we bore down on "W". Frolic's decision to stay insided panned out as they went from last place to first upon rounding "W". Jean was in second by a boat lenth with Elusive in 3rd. It was a slow slog towards the finish line on a broad reach. The course was shortened and Frolic got the winning siren with Jean following in 2nd and Elusive in 3rd. The real gift of the evening was the clearing in the weather that followed us in to the finish line. With the skies clear and a light breeze that picked up enough for all to get to their mooring it turned out to be a beautiful evening to be on the water...of course even better if you were Tip & Bob :) !
6/13: Sunday Morning Series 1 "Clash of the Titans": On a morning that said "stay in bed and pull the covers over your head" Jean's Team Maitland and Frolic's Team O'Neill set sail for the first sailed race of the 2010 season. With Jim Cooke setting the course and officiating from the CYC racebooth, plenty of light rain, cool temps, fog and the Old Spice Jingle playing in the background the two Titans of the Town Class fleet started the "20" "25" Twice around course. Frolic got the start ahead of Jean and maintained the lead through the first circuit. However, not to be undone by a little fog, Peter Maitland used a little basic navigation seamanship to help sail towards the marks that were hidden in the fog. Armed with a compass bearing and a prayer, Jean made up ground on Frolic by going to the right and rounded the last mark about 5 boat lengths ahead of Frolic. A scrappy dog fight ensued as the two Titans raced for the finish line and ultimately Team Maitland's Jean pulled out the upset victory over Team O'Neill narrowly crossing the finish line ahead of Frolic.
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.
5/31: Boats in the water as of May 31st: All Townies have been rolled and then rolled back with the exception of Jane' Cooke's Aufblitzen which was awaiting a special "teflon coated" bottom paint to come in from Switzerland's team Alinghi surplus. She should be rolled and launched later this week. We were all heartbroken to hear the "sickening crack followed by a crunch" while rolling Tip's Frolic back over. His starboard coaming gave way and will need some fiberglass repairs before launch. Boats in the water: Patience & Jean (just launched today!). Nolo, Third Time's A Charm and Wabi Sabi are expected in by Thursday morning (June 4) prior to the first Twilight Race. Vegas odds are 2 to 1 in favor of Team Maitland on pulling off the first win of the season! That of course depends upon whether "The" Bart Snow is onboard Nolo for her maiden race and if Tip is able to pull off the Fiberglass repair of the century and have Frolic in the water by race time! Stay tuned...lots of drama is building around this first Twilight race!