Greetings!
The Oakcliff International Match Race was a big hit and Oakcliff took multiple podium finishes at the Vineyard Race! Other highlights in this weeks newsletter include the Classic Racing Series and Investing for Sailors schedule change as well as the upcoming Shields Regattas and Dawn's report from the Perini Navi Cup.
-Nico
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| Recap: Oakcliff International Match Race | 
Laurie Jury and Team Koke Kiwimatch have been unstoppable in Swedish Match 40s and the larger Grand Slam Series. With two second place finishes in the Chicago Match Cup and the Detroit Cup, Jury was going to be hard to catch for Will Tiller and Full Metal Jacket racing. Then, at the Knickerbocker Cup last week in Manhasset Bay, which was also sailed in the Oakcliff Swedish Match 40s, Jury didn't drop a single race,winning 1st place and a commanding lead in the Grand Slam Series. By winning the Oakcliff International and the Grand Slam Series, Laurie Jury and team won an invitation to the prestigious Congressional Cup, a grade 1 match race to be held next Spring in Long Beach, CA.
He and Koke Kiwimatch were very nearly perfect again this week in the Oakcliff Grade 2 Invitational. They went 15-3 in the double round-robin and were perfect in the semifinals and finals, with 2-0 wins in each.
"We come from a big boat background," said skipper Laurie Jury, "and we've really struggled the last few years in small boats." When asked what's next for Koke Kiwimatch, Jury explained "We've got the Nation's Cup at Sheboygan," referring to the US Sailing Center there, "where we're representing New Zealand, and after that it's the Gold Cup in Bermuda."
Nicolai Sehested and TRE-FOR Match Racing, who started poorly at 1-3, came back to take second in the event. "We started to improve as the breeze picked up, and also as we gained hours in the boat," said Sehested of the turnaround. Dave Perry Chair of the US Sailing Match Race Committee, Oakcliff Board Member, and competitor in this years Oakcliff International called Nicolai and team the most improved this year.
Bill Simon, the Race Director at the Oakcliff Sailing Center, offered his congratulations to the winners and thanks to the volunteers that made the event possible. "The Oakcliff team rose to the occasion of hosting our first Grade 2. Especially notable were the breakdown crew of Andrew Wills, Ron Saccardo and Alec Snyder."
For Oakcliff, the season continues with Grade 5 races in the Match 40s, the American Yacht Club Fall Series in IRC racers and Farr 40s, and Shield's Nationals. As Oakcliff furthers it's mission of raising the level of US sailing, racing sailors will benefit.
See below for full results:
Official Results of the Oakcliff Grade 2 Invitational:
Place Skipper Country
1 Laurie Jury New Zealand
2 Nicolai Sehested Denmark
3 Will Tiller New Zealand
4 Taylor Canfield U.S. Virgin Islands
5 Dave Perry United States
8 Reuben Corbett New Zealand
7 Jon Singsen United States
8 Mike Buckley United States
9 Olli-pekka Lumijarvi Finland
10 Robbie Allam Great Britain
Hurricane Irene left many of the housing volunteers without electricity and in some cases without water as well. Everyone pitched in, and with a great deal of shuffling all the competitors and umpires had a bed.
Big thanks to all our Volunteers:
- Manhasset Bay Yacht Club - for taking in the umpires when their planned housing was unavailable.
- Mrs. Storrs - who wound up housing two teams
- Jeanne Miller - housing
- Einar and Ruth Haukeland - housing
- Joni Simon - housing
- Thom Hering - housing
- Beverly Roache - housing
- The Lobleys - for hosting team Allam.
- Randy Neureuter - housing
- Jacon Mayer - press
- Bonnie Doran - housing
- Albert Hildebrandt - housing
- Ayer Bellerman - housing
- Liz Roosevelt - housing
- John Mooney - housing
- Hope Glenn - snacks
- Nick Ronan - photography
- Philip Anema - photography
- Chris Dundon - Mark boat.
- Bill Canfield - PRO
- Todd Field - RC
- Amanda Downing - RC
- John Sweeney - RC
- Bruce Cook - umpire
- David Pelling - umpire
- Marianne Middlethon - umpire
- Don Becker - umpire
- Bob Duffy - umpire
- Collette Kraus - umpire
- Sue Reilly - umpire
- Hans Graf - umpire
- Phil Pape - umpire
- Cliff Black - umpire
- Andrew Wills, Ronny Saccardo, and Alec Snyder - Bosun Boat
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| Recap: Vineyard Race - 3 Podium Finishes! | 
Congrats to the Oakcliff Ker 50 and the 11.3 for their podium finishes (3rd and 2nd, respectively) in the 2011 Vineyard race. Additionally, a few members of the Oakcliff AAOT sailed on the TP-52 Decision, taking a podium finish (3rd) in their division. Way to go Oakcliff!
Here is Koko's race report from the Ker 50:
This years Vineyard crew was comprised of some of last years crew, and some new faces that have been involved in the 50's offshore races this season. The weather ended up being much better than the forecast predicted and we ended up seeing up to 20 knots at times. After some radical decisions made early on in the race, we made some big gains before dusk on Friday. Much to our surprise, our early gains really paid off because we did not have to fight tide at the race. The crew pushed the boat hard throughout the day on Saturday and ended in a tight finish with 4 boats finishing within 6 lengths - after over 240 miles of sailing! We ended up 3rd in class and 4th overall in IRC. It is nice to see that as we train crews we are also able to make podium finishes.
- Mike Komar (Koko)
Here is Claudia's race report from the Ker 11.3:
Thanks to Oakcliff Sailing's supporters, Acorns Jeff McFarllen and myself, Claudia Delahoy were able to enter the Oakcliff Ker 11.3 in the Vineyard Race's IRC Double Handed class. After a brilliant start employing a couple of maneuvers learnt and honed in our match racing training in Oakcliff's Match 40's. The 11.3 started to pull away from the other double hander's working our way into the middle-right of Long Island Sound judging that this would be where the wind was most likely to hold best. So it did and right up the Sound we continued to extend our lead heading towards the race, the wind finally backed enough for us to set the A2. Although still keeping an eye on our closest competitor the J120 Mireille.
Once night fell we (and all the other competitors) faced a new challenge, due to the recent Tropical Storm Irene the tide lines at the Race were full of logs and who knows what else. We were forced to slow down a few times, using some creative technics to get the obstacles off the boat's keel and rudder.
Once through the Race we headed down to Buzzard Light, off the Vineyard setting the A1 the wind continued to hold for us and we were sailing well, starting our watch system at about 0230.
Once rounding the Buzzard at 0556 we headed out on a starboard tack. Tacking on to port we had a good angle to round Block Island. Unfortunately we realized our weather reports were not very accurate and the wind was building and backing. We had over-stood and now had a lot of time to make up.
Rounding Block Island the wind speed continued to climb and we soon changed from the number 2 to 3 and put a reef in balancing the 11.3 and allowing us to cut through the steep seas much easier. The boat speed increased and our course steadied. Although the game of dodge the trees and traffic cones started again as we headed back through the tide lines.
Once through Plum Gut and past the gusty unpredictable winds of Pettys Bight we shook out the reef in the main and set a course taking us down the center of Long Island Sound. Making good speed trying to do everything we could to make ourselves just a little faster hoping that come dusk the wind we sailed on would hold.
Unfortunately as we approached the final mark, the Cows our luck ran out and the wind dropped to nothing and shifting all over the place. Our boat speed dropped to a mere 2kts or so. Looking behind us this didn't seem to be a case for the other boats as their running lights became larger and larger.
Finally after what seemed to be an age the wind filled in again and our boat speed climbed again to over 6kts. Approaching the Cows we made ready to hoist the A1, set the sail and sped to the finish hoping to make up the time we'd lost overstanding on the leg to Block. We crossed over the line 1st in our division the tense wait for the handicap results began.
Abbreviated results:
1. Mireille - J120 - Hewitt Gaynor - 1.085
2. Oakcliff - Ker 11.3 - Jeff and Claudia - 1.156
3. Paladin - J35 - Jason Richter - 1.019
- Claudia Delahoy
Here is Charlie's race report from Decision:
A couple members of the OAAOT did the 2011 Vineyard Race on the TP52 Decision with 10 Midshipman from the USMMA. Decision was the first boat on to port after the start in an effort to connect with the ensuing southerly. Once it came we were freeing up on starboard all the way to Race Rock Lighthouse. The breeze lightened and headed in the race. We switched to a Light Jib to the clear the rock and then it was right back into the Code 0 all the way to the un-illuminated Buzzards Bay Tower. Decision rounded the Tower even with Aroura and in a strong overall standing. Beating back to Block Island and through the Gut was a bit of a waterline-fest. By the time we got into the sound there was some breeze on the CT shoreline and not much in the mid-sound. Decision tried to get north but lost out to the mid-sound doldrums. Meanwhile all of the boats behindDecision were sailing through the Gut in a 20 knot southerly headed straight at the barn. It would have been wiser to cling to the CT shore earlier for a smoother transition into the southerly. All in all, everyone had a good time and there was a lot of learning. Desicion is a new boat for the USSMA midshipman, and quite the step up form the Swan 42 and J-29 they had been sailing until just last week. The OAAOT and USMMA look forward to doing more sailing together in the future.
- Charlie Enright
Stay tuned next week for the race report from the Ker 50.
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| 2 Shields Regattas this weekend at Oakcliff! | |
This weekend we will host 2 Shileds one design regattas! One on Saturday and one on Sunday. Sign up now for both, or just one of the days!
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| Recap: Perini Navi Cup 2011 | 
The Perini Navi Cup 2011 has now finished and Helios, the 148 foot super yacht overcame an 'interesting' rating and was able to pull off a 3rd place in Race 1. Race 2 started in 20-25 knots and by the time the fleet reached the last mark, the wind had diminished significantly and then died completely and came up from the opposite direction. The bad news for Helios was that we were in the very front of the pack and the wind filled from behind. We managed a 7th which put the team in 4th overall. On Race Day 3 the owners Dennis and Karen came up to the fly bridge and gave the whole team (36 sailors) a pep talk and we were ready to go.
The rumored Mistral didn't come in, instead there were significant squalls with 30 knots of wind and the race committee started a race after they cleared out and as you may have guessed, the wind sucked away with the storms so the race was abandoned after it took the fleet nearly an hour to get to the first mark, 1.5 miles away. Ironically shortly after they abandoned, the wind started to fill back in and the fleet decided amongst themselves to continue racing informally.
This is one thing that is completely unique for this racing. We are required and encouraged to talk to the other boats over VHF at any time that we are close. The fact of the matter is that we are racing ships as much as sailboats. The boats are required to stay 40 meters away from each other at all times. There isn't a 2 or 3 boat length circle at the mark, but rather 10 boat lengths! Also when overtaking you can call to the boat in front and ask that they sail their proper course once you are 80 meters being and continue to do so until you are 10 meters in front. Makes for interesting tactics. The VHF also allows some fun trash talking that is becoming all part of the game.
This event, while admittedly in 'not too shabby' Porto Cervo, Sardinia Italy was also a great opportunity to spread the word about what we are doing at Oakcliff. The superyachts are doing more and more racing and the ships crews often need a crash course in sailboat racing as opposed to operating a yacht. Oakcliff is the answer to the problem. It was also great to make sure that everyone knows we are non-profit organization and are always in need of donations as well as assets. I am NOT thinking that we need a Perini Navi donated to Oakcliff but I guess you never know! :-)
-Dawn
The Perini Navi site has some great photos and videos, check it out here! |
| Classics: Summer Series Results and Fall Series Schedule | |
This past Thursday we finished of the Summer Classic Series and held an awards dinner at the Oakcliff clubhouse. As always, the awards dinner was a big success. Special thanks to Jack Halyards for catering the event despite being without power until the day before the event.
Results:
Series winner: Caper
July winner: Banzai
August winner: Dolphin
Special congratulations to Mike Smith and Alec Snyder for stepping up Dolphin's game in this series. They spent a considerable amount of time testing and documenting Dolphin's sail inventory. Their hard work obviously paid off -- Caper and Banzai better watch out this fall!
If you are not already active on one of the classic yachts, you should definitely consider it! The Fall Series takes place on each Saturday and Sunday afternoon from August 10th through October 8th. Sign up now!
Additionally, the Classic sailors will be match racing in SM40's on each Sunday this fall at 10am!
Fall is a great time to be on the water in Oyster Bay - don't miss out on the fair winds, beautiful classic yachts, and friendly competition. |
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Investing for Sailors - Fall Schedule
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The Investing for Sailors seminar moves to Saturday at 10AM beginning September 10th.
Hunt's experience provides clarity in today's capricious markets. Whether you are a seasoned investment professional or just getting started, you will definitely appreciate the Investing for Sailors seminar.
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We have another great week ahead of us here at Oakcliff; come be a part of it!
Sincerely,
Nico
Oakcliff Sailing Center |
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| Shields Nationals JUST around the corner! |  | The Shields Nationals will be here before you know it. And the weekend after this one we will have a Tune Up regatta. If anyone is planning on racing you NEED to sail in 10 races before you are qualified. Please let us know ASAP if you would like to charter a boat.
If you are looking to crew we have also been approached by a couple of skippers looking for their last crew. If this is something you are interested please email race@oakcliffsailing.org
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