Road To The Cup – Week 1
5/26/25
What You Need To Know
- Time To Register – Registration is open for everything. Details and links below.
- Twilight Opening Day – Thursday May 29th The first Twilight of 2025 will be Thursday evening May 29th. First gun is 7PM. SIs are attached and important info below.
- On-The-Water Clinic – Saturday June 7th Fran Charles will coach us through an unscored short-course day, with Jud Smith serving as PRO. Details below.
- First Party – Saturday June 7th The first party of the new season will be held after sailing at the home of Rebecca & Larry Ehrhardt. Details below.
Last Week’s Racing
There was no Twilight race this week.
Out on the MRA line, what was to have been a 2-day start to our MRA season ended up just one day, as Saturday was a casualty of Thursday’s nor’easter. Saturday’s conditions were fine, but it took the waterfront staffs a couple of days to put the waterfronts back together. The MRA called it Friday morning, and the early decision was much appreciated.
So, Sunday ended up our opening day. Early on, conditions rivaled Sugarloaf in February, at least that’s how it felt with temps in the mid-40s and a gusty northwesterly at 15-20. The CYC anemometer showed gusts in the low 30s. Conditions moderated as the day wore on. By afternoon, sun had given way to clouds, temps made it into the 50s, and the pressure settled into to the 10-15 range with gusts in the high teens. It was a two-butts-on-the-rail day.
Seven teams made it out, which while not an impressive absolute number, was more than I expected around 8am when it was still winter. That also won us the attendance prize for the day, beating out six Etchells and four IODs. Making their debuts were Team Uhl, with Clark Uhl skippering and his national Champion dad up front, Doug Morgan & Bill Rothwell sailing 1210, Jim & Dan Gabriel, Team Lane / Heffernan, Team P, Team Rubin and Anne Marije Veenland, sailing with Stefan Thibodeaux.
Also making her MRA debut for the EYC RC was Kate Dailey. She cut her teeth running Laser races but this was her first MRA appearance, and in a word, she was excellent. She got us off on time, she turned us around quickly and kept the races moving, despite the shifty northwest conditions, and she communicated clearly and consistently. A star in the making, if you ask me.
So, taking 1st on the day on a tiebreaker was Team Uhl, with a 5-1-2 for 8 points. Taking 2nd was Team Morgan / Rothwell, who put up a consistent 3-2-3, also for 8 points. Taking 3rd was Team Gabriel, who rolled a 4-4-1 for 9 points. Honorable mentions to Team Lane / Heffernan in 4th on a tiebreaker with a 1-5-4 for 10 points, and Team P. in 5th with a 2-3-5, also for 10 points. Congrats to all who made it out.
So, in Cup competition, just getting started.
Week 2 racing will include Twilight 1-1 on Thursday evening 5/29, and the 2-3 races of MRA Series 1 Day 3 this Saturday May 31st.
Other News, Notices & Miscellaneous Scuttlebutt
Time To Register – If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Here are the links.
Twilight Update – We’re saddened to report that Twilight PRO David Graham, 90 years young, landed in the hospital last week. He’s out and doing better, but it’s unclear when he’ll resume his Twilight duties. Town Class Fleet Captain Bart Snow has organized coverage from among his fleet members, so racing will go on. He’s also inviting Rhodes fleet members to help if they can. Anyone interested should email Bart at bartsnow@hotmail.com, or call 781-631-0069. We wish David a speedy recovery.
Twilight SI Changes The 2025 Twilight SIs are attached, and reflect two changes you should know about. All else, including the chart showing the marks, remains unchanged.
- The number of boats required to run a race has increased from 2 to 3.
- Boats in the starting area must notify the RC if they are not going to race.
Fleet 5 On-the-Water Clinic – June 7th – As we did last year, the fleet will hold an on-the-water clinic on Saturday June 7, organized by old friend Joe Fava. The day will be coached by EYC Dean Fran Charles and their sailing director Justin Ahern, and include a mix of drills followed by short course racing. Eat your Wheaties.
Fleet 5 Summer Kick-Off Party – June 7th – Our first party of the season will be generously hosted by Rebecca and Larry Ehrhardt, at their Ballast Lane home just steps from the Eastern Yacht Club. Rich & Rosy Denton will deliver a fully stocked fleet bar, so it’s doubtful anyone will go thirsty. And as you may have heard, Rosy is propagating a new Fleet 5 tradition of creating party-specific signature cocktails for each of our events, and she’s promising to create one for this event as well. Please note that this party will not be potluck, as we’re hoping you’ll go straight from the water to the party. So just bring yourselves. The menu will likely involve a few apps and burgers on the grill. Stay tuned for details.
Race Week Registration – The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta, will be Thursday through Sunday, July 24-27. Your MRA fee covers the entry fee, so you don’t have to pay an additional fee, but you do have to register, which you can do here.
Nationals Measuring – Fleet measurer Stefan Thibodeaux asked that we remind you that all boats competing in Nationals will require a completed measurement certificate. If you don’t have a certificate, or if your certificate is out of date because you made alterations to the boat since the last time you were measured, please email Stefan at sjthibodeaux@gmail.com to schedule a measurement.
Measurement Editorial Comment from the Fleet Captain – Even if you don’t plan to race nationals, you are still required to maintain a current certificate.
Boat Needed for Race Week – Clark Uhl plans to be around this summer and wants to sail Race Week. If you have or know of a boat he could use, please contact him at clarkuhl555@gmail.com.
Center Consoles Needed for Nationals – The EYC RC needs a couple of center consoles to use for Nationals. If you’re willing to help, contact Cindy Smith at race.committee@easternyc.org.
Pleon Coach Needs Housing – Bridget Hickey will be a Pleon coach this summer and is looking for local housing. Bridget’s R19 creds run deep. Her dad is Dave Hickey, current class EC VP and driving force behind this years ECs. Her mom is Angela Duplin Hickey, and of course her late grandfather is none other than the legendary Joe Duplin. If you can spare a room this summer, contact Angela at daveandangela5@gmail.com.
If You Spin, Send It In – As in year’s past, to promote fair sailing, sportsmanship and keeping it on the racecourse, we’re continuing ‘If you spin, send it in.’ So, if you spin, please send an email after racing to kpandapas@comcast.net with the subject line ‘Spins’ and let me know how many fouls you committed for which you exonerated yourself. I’ll tally them up, give an appropriately laudatory sportsmanship shout-out, and also keep you apprised of the season totals. The season winner with the most spins will be appropriately recognized at the awards party this fall.
Mail Bag
No mail this week.
Complaints Department
Got Gripes? Don’t be shy. Unload at kpandapas@comcast.net. The buck stops here. -kp