2013 is Near!!!
Posted by RobB on 12 Dec 2012 | Tagged as: News
Hi Everyone,
Here’s the article I sent in for the Winter edition of The Laser Sailor. It’ll be February or so before that goes out so I figured I’d go ahead and share with our group a little early.
Also, there’s some frostbiting going on in Beaufort and Atlanta, (Lake Lanier) and possibly Wilmington over the winter. We’re trying to muster some sailing in Charleston as well…
The 2013 SAYRA Convention will be happening here in Charleston during the first weekend of February 1-3. That’s about it!
D12 Laser Sailor Winter 2013 Article
Submitted by: Rob Bowden D12 Secretary with a contribution from Butch Mumma.
District 12 finished up 2012 with its final event being a Grand Prix event. Columbia Sailing Club, (CSC) did a fantastic job hosting the final event of the year on October 6-7th. There were a total of 25 boats sailing. Jon Deutsch visited us from D11 and took 1st place home with him in the Full Rig Division while Jr. Sailor Travis Tucker won the Radial Division.
Throughout 2012 Master Sailors continue to dominate the podium in D12 events followed by the Jr. Sailors. Hey folks, once you graduate college you don’t have wait to be 35 yrs old to get back into racing Lasers! Hopefully will see some more college grads come back into the class in 2013.
In order to encourage more of the inland crowd to join the regatta circuit we’ve added another inland regatta to our schedule. Lake Norman Yacht Club, (where I grew up) is once again on the schedule. This club has amazing grounds for camping and a sandy beach for easy boat launching. The facility is great for the whole family to visit. It’s also very close to the race area so the sail to/from the course is usually minimal. Hope to see a nice turn out for this one.
When we added another regatta to the schedule we had to consider some other schedule related regulations. Essentially everything is the same as in 2012. However, there is one change. In the event of a tie breaker we will go to the Grand Prix event to break the tie. Whoever beats who in the GP event will win the tie.
Looking ahead to 2013 here’s how the calendar is shaping up, (These dates will be confirmed in early 2013):
March 29-30 Easter Regatta, (no not Fred’s) CYC-SC – This one’s in Charleston and has a great party!
May 4-5 SC State Championship Regatta BYSC – Again, another great party and on site camping!
June 1-2 Savannah Yacht Club D12 SYC – Don’t Miss the party at Charlie’s house!
Aug 3-4 SAYRA Open Wrightsville Beach CYC-NC- One of the best venues in the US!
Sept. 21-22 NEW- another inland event! LNYC – Board Bash. Great on site camping!
Oct 5-6 Grand Prix Event, (TBD) CSC CSC – They will host the year end event just like 2012!
Not sure if anyone picked up on the party theme, but D12 sailors like to have a good time off the water too so come sail with us in 2013!
D-12 Salutes our top Juniors, (From Butch Mumma) :
The last couple of years we have had the privilege of seeing some extraordinary juniors rise through the ranks of district 12. There are four in particular that have been sailing together for the last 6 years. They have attended clinics and spent countless weekends at each other’s houses just so they could sail together. Through it all they have become great friends and very competitive sailors.
Here they are along with some of their accomplishments:
Avery Fanning: In 2011 Avery won the Laser Radial NA’s and finished 3rd in the High School Cressy Nationals. He also placed 3rd in the ISAF Qualifier for Worlds, was 2nd at the Orange Bowl and sailed for his High School Team in 420’s. Avery currently attends and sails for the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Rolfe Glover: In 2011 Rolfe finished in 25th place at the laser Radial NA’s and finished 25th in the Orange Bowl. As a sophomore in high school he formed the school’s first sailing team. Rolfe currently attends and sails for Tufts University.
Dana Rohde: This year Dana was 3rd in the US Sailing Jr. Women’s Singlehanded Championship, 3rd in US Sailings Women’s Championship, 22nd in Laser Radial NA’s, 1st in the Smythe Qualifier for our area and most recently 1st in the Cressy High School Nationals Singlehanded Qualifier and was 9th at the Nationals in Nov. Dana is a junior in High School and has just started her college search and is only looking at schools with sailing teams!
Nick Valente: In 2011 Nick was 5th in the Laser Radial NA’s. He finished in 2nd place at the High School District Championship in 420’s, in A division in April 2012. Nick current attends and sails for SUNY Maritime (Fort Schyler) in NY.
All four of these sailors will be the first to admit that their accomplishments were possible because of the support of their parents and adult mentors. Sailing has given these juniors much not only in the trophy case but also in life lessons. They are and will continue to be great ambassadors for sailing for many years to come.
On a final note I want to mention a quick blurb regarding being the Secretary for 2012. I’ve been a member of the class and D12, (off and on) since 1984. I figured it was about time to give something back beyond the few regattas I’ve chaired over the years. I’m looking forward to 2013. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail rbowden707@gmail.com or phone 843-441-6267.