Location: New Jersey

 

Each year David Brawner hosts a Pour Party in January. Initially it started with the pouring of EC-12 Ballast with building assistance. Over the years the party has grown to welcome many other classes. It is not uncommon now to see a Star 45 or J Boat being worked on along side all of the EC-12's. This year was especially welcomed since much of the East Coast has experienced an abnormal winter.

 

Photos: Harry Mote 

 

2014 CR-914 Midwinters Click the photo for more pictures Jeffrey G. Witzel

The  2014 CR 914 Midwinters are in the books, we had 22 sailors from 5 different states sailing. CT, IL, MO, OH, FL on 2 perfect sailing days. With winds ranging from 5 to some gust up to 17mph on Sunday.

Photo by: Jeffrey Witzel ,CR 914 # 1772

Our kick of was Friday evening Pizza Party at Joe Russell's house, where all gathered and had a great time.
On time on Saturday we started and where able to complete 11 races ( 22 heats) + 2 seeding heats.
Saturday evening we hade the most delightful  and perfect evening dinner hosted by Graham and Rosey Brewster. Many stories where told and even more memories came up.

On Sunday 8 races where completed, with 16 heats. The course was lengthened for more fun and challenge. On the A heat of race 19 one of the boats sank on the prestart, so after the race finished, it was generally decided to call it the day, get the boat rescue under the way. The point had been pinpointed by 2 experienced sailors, so with the SFLMSC rescue equipment,
( a diving mask) the boat was located and retrieved on the 2nd dive. Thanks to our RD Craig Briggs and his helpers Theresa Kresge, Virginia Russell and some more from the Gulfstream Sailing club and also the valuable and important task of the staff Rosey Brewster, who took care of the wellbeing of all sailors and staff.

 

Another Palm Beach Gardens Valentines Day Regatta is recorded in the books.

We enjoyed much more reasonable weather this year with 60-80 degree temps and less than "Blowing the hinges off of Hell's doors" winds. I'll bet regions 1-6 couldn't say the same. Many of the skippers enjoyed practice at Lake Catherine Friday prior to the informal gathering at Frigate's, a very pleasant waterfront restaurant in North Palm Beach. We were expecting 30 skippers, but snow and ice all the way to south Georgia kept 3 of our entrants from attending, so 27 skippers were at the lake Saturday morning enjoying hot coffee, fruit, and doughnuts & other goodies brought by Ann & Ed Gelina .

 

We started P/R Saturday with the "B" fleet as determined by the National Seeding List. Any skipper with a number below 58.88 was in this fleet with an expectation that the top 4 would move into "A" for the next heat. The wind held, and built, as the day went on. We started in 7-10 knots and as the wind clocked it stiffened to 16-20. This provided good up-wind courses with many passing lanes to improve position around the course. The skippers are to be commended on their ability to adjust as we changed the course to provide the best upwind legs possible.

 

The PBG volunteers laid out a great lunch of hot-dogs and SUPER (no bull) CHILI -thanks Jon & Karen + lots of sweet things to make it a "Valentine" type regatta. Many thanks to Ann Gelina and Kelli Greer. The skippers sailed hard and fairly-only 1 protest came to committee, we were happy to have to have National Judge Ken Morrison aboard. I think "3 minute justice" works well; it is much easier to do a turn than risk a DSQ. Saturday was the day to work out the kinks in the "B" rig, and it was obvious many improved as the day went on. But as the wind was from the West, the short axis of our lake, we did not see the "Chinese Jibes" and loss of control seen in previous PBG regattas.

On Sunday the PBG volunteers laid out another great breakfast with hot coffee, donuts, pastries, fruit and other goodies. We were now enjoying warmer weather with moderate winds from a more northerly direction. As the day progressed the wind lightened, as it clocked further north, and the skippers are to be commended for keeping up with the course changes.

 

On an interesting note I want to comment on our growing women's fleet. Brenda Pardee has been sailing for a while-and it shows. I want to especially welcome Liz Perkins and Judith Clark to our group. You are doing splendidly and a joy to have you with us. Liz sailed 22 heats; I think we'll have to change "Bubble Boy" to a more appropriate moniker. Brenda spent most of her time in A, whipping her Dad and others.

It was commented this regatta has been "Blown Out" with too much wind in the past. It was notable many skippers had "C" rigs,that were not necessary-but an interesting trend.  

 

 

 

 Final scores:

1. Perkins 38

2.Hedderick 56

3. Luscomb 68

4. Kelter 71

5.Kaigan 87

6. Walter 99

7. Brenda Pardee 114 (best woman skipper trophy)

I would like to thank ALL the people who helped make this a great regatta, from the skippers to the staff.  Must really thank my wife, Kelli,Karen and Jon Luscomb, Ann & Ed Gelina, Gail & Carl Ring, Dick Reinke, Chris & Michelle Wright, and all the others who came to help support this regatta. A big "Bravo Zulu" (USN for a GREAT job) to Ricky Gerry for unique trophies. 

 I am pleased to inform you that St James Plantation Model Yacht Club has been accepted as AMYA Sanctioned Club #332.

	Classes Sailed: Nirvana
		3562 Beaver Creek Drive SE	Area served: St. James, Brunswick County
		Southport, NC 28461	sail location: St. James Seaside Pond

I am pleased to inform you that Azura Model Yacht Club has been accepted as AMYA Sanctioned Club #331.

Classes Sailed: MicroMagic
		16764 Farmers Mine Rd	Area served: Colorado/Utah
		Paonia, CO 81428	sail location: Azura Cellars Pond

 

 

 

Having missed  last year due to Super Storm Sandy, I am pleased to invite all to participate in the LMYC Spring Invitational for 2014. There will be a tune-up session on Friday afternoon with racing planned for morning and afternoon April 26. Saturday racing will be preceded by a buffet breakfast. Awards will be presented immediately following the completion of racing.

 

I know of some people that are waiting for classification of their Dnm, but for preregistration this is not needed. If the number of registrations does not exceed 80, all those who have registered can compete at the Worlds. If not, above 84, we need to do Fase 1, 2 etc. But as we look at it now we think we will not get over 80 competitors, so please address your members that if they want to participate to register. In this case the list becomes more a live, and everyone can see who is willing to compete. It makes it more interesting for the other competitors as well. The other important factor is , that we need a minimum of 6-70 competitors to make this event financially interesting.  So far we are really hopeful, so please have them register in advance so it is clear that we reach the minimum of competitors needed.

 

Thanks for your help.