Race Committee Wins Inter-Committee Challenge!

After foolishly bragging about our great sailing team all summer, we actually won the regatta!  No one was more surprised than I was, but it just worked out that all the teams had a bad race or 2.  We won race 1 and were last in race two.  We won the final race this morning, moving us to a tie for first overall, and won on the tie breaker.  A total of 8 races were sailed, with each team getting 2 byes.  Not enough boats, even though CYC borrowed 2 from the Goldman Program.  Those were the two boats we got bullets with.

Our team had no skippers, so for the first time since college I stepped up to drive.  After the first race, they couldn't wrestle the tiller out of my hand.  Tim S did the main on Saturday but couldn't join us on Sunday so we taught Amy S how to manage it.  Stephanie L learned about halyards and topping lift and such strings.  The real work was done by our team captain, Karen K.  With energy, strength and enthusiasm, she trimmed jib and kite and set and jibed the pole.  Yes, she was busy.

Captain Karen & RC Chair Janet drink from the Fido Cup

We raced on Saturday morning (SE wind) which was lovely and sunny, then it got a bit cloudy but never rained much on us, thank goodness.  We came in for a big lunch yesterday then back out for more races in a puffy, shifty westerly.  After the races, the competitors gathered and there was too much beer and rum for me, but it seems to have had a worse effect on some of our competition, no matter how slow I felt this morning.

The team rallied behind me and although we were last off the dock we got to the start in time. Today was northerly (again!) and sunny.  We had a nice awards ceremony today at lunch.

We laughed a lot on the boat this weekend.  Sometimes at jokes, sometimes at ourselves and our misfortunes.  I'm amazed and proud that we did so well; it was a great team.  Of course, it is more fun to win!  Each competitor got a great looking and cuddly long sleeve fleece that will make others jealous.  For first place, we each got an embroidered blanket, also quite cuddly.

We tied with the combo team of Mac and Dinghy Committees.  Stations Committee was third.  Our own Amanda A sailed with the Associates Committee and Rick L sailed on the Trophy Committee.  The Race Officer was Darcy Cook and she will write her own blog.  She was assisted by Tom K and Debbie N, with mark setters Lynn L, Chuck N and Scott S.  Sean did the scores and registration.  Jill did the food, which was awesome.  Dwight participated in his first race this weekend, with the Stations Committee.

The trophy is the Fido Cup, awarded to the racing yacht Fido in 1913.  How appropriate!  We'll have all our trophies on display at our Appreciation Dinner, November 23.

Janet B
Photo by Amanda Mason