Road To The Cup – Week 14

 

Road To The Cup – Week 14

Top-10 as of 8/27/17

 

Week 14 racing included just the Twilight race on Thursday night.  Seven boats showed up in conditions that can optimistically be called light.  This from Steve Uhl and John Casler.

 

“We had a dying sea breeze, but the committee sent us on a long course down towards Beverly.  Jim Taylor led at the Marblehead can but the wind completely died and he turned back, thinking better of drifting out so far.  A long 40-minute downwind drift ensued, and John Casler bailed out partway down the leg.  But the hardcore pressed on.  Once rounding the far mark, the breeze miraculously returned to get us safely home.  Making their first twilights of the year were Kathleen & Mike Lane, and also Tim McCaffrey steering 1925.  Scoring was 2585, 1466, 2623, 1925, 3021.  DNF  1775, 1926.”

 

So, finishing 1st was the obviously patient Steve Uhl.  Taking 2nd was Team Martini, and finishing 3rd was Team Lane.  Honorable mentions go to Tim McCaffrey & Brian Drummond in 4th in their first time out, and the mystery boat 3021 who took 5th.  

 

In contrast to what I said last week, I am informed that due to the 7:18pm sunset on August 31st, the powers that be proclaimed this past Thursday the final Twilight of the season.  A sad day for sure, but more importantly, that finishes up Twilight Series 2 and with it, the Twilights overall.  

 

Series 2 concluded with just four races, but consistent with our historical practice, we nonetheless allowed one throw-out.  So, finishing 1st with a line of DNC-1-1-1 for 3 points was Steve Uhl.  Talk about taking it to the hoop.  Taking 2nd was Team Martini, who rolled a 1-3-2-2 for 5 points.  And finishing 3rd was Team Heffernan with a line of 2-2-DNC-DNC for 10 points.  Honorable mentions go to Ann Sousa in 4th with a line of 4-5-3-DNC for 12 points, and John Casler in 5th with a 6-4-4-DNF for 14 points.

 

So, for the Twilights overall, which includes bragging rights for the Charlie Barr Trophy, congratulations to Team Martini with 12 points overall.  This marks the third or fourth consecutive year they have won it.  Well done.  Finishing 2nd just four points back was Steve Uhl with 16 points, and taking 3rd was Team Heffernan with 18 points.  Honorable mentions to Ann Sousa in 4th with 21 points and Team Colsman in 5th with 23 points.  

 

Out on the MRA line, crickets, because as you know, there was no MRA racing in Week 14.

 

So, in Cup competition, Twilights changed things a little as Dave Nelson and Steve Uhl swapped positions.  Counting the Series 2 throw-out actually caused many folks to drop a point.  The top 10 are listed below.  

 

 

Week 15 racing will include the two days of the Labor Day Regatta on Saturday and Sunday, which constitutes MRA Series 4.  

 

Other News, Notices & Miscellaneous Scuttlebutt

Labor Day Party  Don’t forget that our Labor Day Party will be a joint party with our friends in the J70 fleet held on Saturday evening September 2nd at the home of Sloan & Charlie Pendleton.  Social Czar Elise Nash is working with our hosts and her J70 counterpart, Alix Israel, to make this a great event.  The event will feature barbecue, so potluck requests include veggie options, salads, apps and desserts.  And of course, both fleet bars will be there.  The evite went out on Sunday.  Please reply asap so we know how much food we need.  

 

The 2017 America’s Cup – Trials Tribulations & Lessons”  Yati Harsono sent this in, “Just in case, you’re interested.  Conway Felton is a Board member.”  Sounds like an interesting event.  

 

 

 

Another Winter Storage Option – Seacoast Specialty Marine in Newburyport is offering winter storage.  Here is a blurb from their ad.  “From the time your boat comes out of the water to the time it goes back in – we have you covered. Avoid shrink wrapping costs, transportation headaches and maintenance woes. We love you. We love your boat. Let us be your full-service solution.  

 

We have 50% of our space spoken for and want to give you the opportunity to secure one of our remaining spots. We’ll open up availability to a wider audience on September 1st. If you would like to reserve a spot email or call us by August 31st.  Payment will be due in full September 15th.  Our rate sheet is available here.  Or call at 978-255-2769.”

 

Donate Your Sails  The Nahant Sailing Program (NSP) has 6 Rhodes 19s that are used to teach kids and a twilight program for adults.  The majority of funding comes from an annual fund raiser by The Friends of Nahant Sailing.  The Rhodes sails need replacement, so if you have or are purchasing new sails, please consider donating your old ones to “The Friends of Nahant Sailing.”  Not only will it help the program grow, but the donation is tax deductible.  Please contact Bob Cusack at (781) 581-1159 or rjcusack@verizon.net if you are interested.

 

Mail Bag

As you’d expect, we got a few emails about Nationals, including this from co-chair Matt Hooks.  “Excellent recap, thanks Kim.  Glad it was a good event, even with only two days of racing. Always appreciate your RTTCs.”  I think I speak for everyone when I say thanks to you, Nat and the team for all of the hard work.  Sorry you could not be there, but we understand.  And, a huge congrats on your engagement!

 

We got this nice note from Chris Schreiber.  “Debbie & Beecher & I want to thank everyone for their help and hospitality!  We had a blast and really look forward to returning, for East Coasts/NOOD/whatever… really enjoyed the competition and the camaraderie.  If you’re in Maine give us a shout!”  That we will Chris.  Don’t be a stranger.

 

Yati Harsono wrote in regarding last week’s late-night picture at the Nationals party. “Great write up!  I love the photo of Renee, Christina and me – the sailing sisters!  Thank you so much!”  Sailing sisters, eh?  Sounds like trouble….

 

Finally, we heard from Jeremy Bloxham, who in reference to our fog washout on Saturday at Nationals, sent in the photo below with the caption, “Vineyard Sound on Saturday, where it’s supposed to be foggy.”

 

 

 

–kp (kpandapas@comcast.net)