Laser District 12

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.

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Hey everyone!

Below is a list of questions that were discussed at our annual meeting. We wanted everyone to be able to have a say so we decided to let the members vote on the following items.

1)- Add LNYC to the schedule in the Fall? Yes/No
2)- If LNYC is included do we increase races to qualify for District standings from 3 to 4? Yes/No
3)- If we stay w/3 races do we break any ties by using the Grand Prix event results? Yes/No
4)- If “No” to question #3. How else do we break the tie?

If you wish to have a say please email your responses to Rob Bowden at rbowden707@gmail.com by October 24th.

Thanks Again!
Butch

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Hey Everyone!

This coming weekend is our final D-12 of the year. I expect that we will have a good turnout for this one so come on and join the fun.

Also if you have one of the perpetual trophies please make sure that it makes it back to Columbia as well.

Thanks Butch

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Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to throw out a reminder that we are only about two weeks away from our final D-12 event of the year. Robert Key, being considerate of some other scheduled events, moved this event back a few weeks to avoid conflicts. He hopes that in doing so we will have a better turn out and better winds.

Between Robert’s effort and the tight points for Overall Champion and Top Junior we should have a good turnout. Nick is in the lead with two points, but has Martin, John and Peter right behind him with only five points. Honorable mention goes to Charlie and Rob who have seven and eight points each. The Top junior spot is also fairly tight with T. Tucker at four points, K. Milleken six points, P.Blair P. Mazzeo seven and S. Key with eight.

I have also been asked to remind you that this is our Grand Prix point’s event and you need to be a member of the Laser Class to participate.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Butch

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We had 38 lasers converge on WB for the annual SAYRA regatta. 15 in the Ocean Standard Rig fleet, 14 in the Ocean Radial fleet, and 9 in the Sound side fleet.

The forecast was for a Southerly breeze in the 8-12knot range, typical of August in our area.

For the 1st race we had 6-8mph breeze that was filled with holes, the course looked like swiss-cheese. After watching the Lightnings start I determined that I wanted a pin end start and that I would play the right-side of the course going up the 1st beat. My rig was set up very loose, no traveler tension, a hand’s width on the foot, and no vang or Cunningham, healing the boat to leeward in the holes. Rob B. pulled off the start everyone wanted when he port-tacked the fleet on the pin end. I followed Rob but ended up ducking several boats trying to get out to the right into a clear lane. The right side proved to be correct as port tack was faster than going head-on into the chop on starboard. Rob rounded the top mark 1st followed by myself and Rolf G. Down wind we split but rounded the leeward gates virtually tied. I believe I took the lead on the next upwind leg and rounded 1st at the weather mark, Rolf was second and maybe 10-lengths behind. he caught me down-wind but I held him to the outside (barely) all the way the leeward mark, jibed and reached to the finish boat. 2nd race, breeze was a little better 8 to 12mph with some holes, had one general recall. Traveler back on, some Cunningham on in the puffs along with the vang and some hiking. This time I worked out to the left when the breeze was on and then back to port tack when it slacked off. I believe I was 1st at the top mark followed by Rolf. I carried the lead into gates only to give Rolf the lead as we split and he choose the favored gate and gained a solid lead. I clawed my way back to challenge on the final dn wd but he kept me on the outside this time and led to the finish line. 3rd race, breeze again 8-14mph mayyybeee. General recall, I-flag, and I jump the gun (again), well OK Martin squeezed into huge hole to leeward and I tried to keep it, oops. Fortunately I am near the RC boat, but after two crash tacks trying to get over to it and trying to cross the second row starters (epic fail), I finally get around the end along with Melnik. Uh-oh individual recall flag stays up. I round the top mark near last, pickup some boats playing waves dn-wd. Next up wind leg I play the middle left and really start picking off boats, I end up spying Rolf to leeward and behind, mean while Martin has lead start to finish! At the top mark I am in about 7th with several boats nearby in front and behind. I end up pointing straight at the gate and playing the waves. I pick up two more boats and finish 5th, with Rolf close behind.

Sunday, saw similar conditions with the swell at a slightly different angle which made starboard tack more favorable in the holes and port on the puffs. It was again a Glenn/Rolf show with only 1pt separating the two after 3 races. Rolf took the early lead being sure to keep a loose cover on me, I weaved him through every fleet that was coming dn-wd at us and he held his composure and lead to the finish, while I was 2nd. Tied going into the final race we kept tabs on each other in the pre start. We both were near the RC boat with Rolf to weather of me by several lengths. He covered me again but it was more close, 5 boat lengths vs 10 like in the previous race. We ended up splitting the course after about 5 tacks, he went middle right and I dug in and went left. The left paid off huge. I round the top mark with a sizeable lead on the fleet, 15-20lengths. I extend on the dn-wd, Rolf maintained 2nd and gained considerably on the next beat as I was in the middle of the course and didn’t get out to left side quite enough. I held the lead though and we finished 1-2.

Thanks to the CYC Race Committee for hosting the District 12 laser fleet, I think we all had a blast.

Thanks to SAYRE Sailing for supporting us in our gear needs at this event

Regards,

Glenn Walke

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Wrightsville is the 4th scheduled regatta for our championship series and it is less than two weeks away Aug 4-5. CYC-NC has a lot planned for the weekend. There is an advanced Laser racing clinic on Friday Aug 3 from 9:00-4:00. There will also be a pre regatta clinic for Opti’s. And Arland has arranged for four Snipes to be available for a test sail that day.

For more info go to CYC-NC website at http://www.carolinayachtclub.org/ All of this and the regatta hasn’t even started yet. So get packing!

On another note Martine has sent me the following exciting news about some up and coming D-12 sailors.
4 x D12 Sailors go for the US Singlehanded Championship this week….
Get ready to cheer on these SAYRA sailors as they participate in the 2012 US Singlehanded Championships –
Dana Rohde and Amy Woodard for the women’s division Helen Handley Trophy and John Mellnik and Nick Valente for the George O’Day Trophy.
Follow all the race action starting Friday at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USSinglehandedChampionship.htm
Way to go Team SAYRA!
Hope to see you on the water!
Butch

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Hey Everyone,

I received an e-mail from an old friend and ex D-12 sailor Buck Mercer this past week. He has asked me to post NOR’s for a regatta they are having up in Racine WI. So for any of you who might be up that way or want to get out of our summer humidity here it is.

2012 International Laser Class Association
North American Region
2012 Great Lakes Championship
Lasers, Radials and Laser 4.7 Classes
August 11 – 12, 2012
Racine Yacht Club
Racine, WI
NOTICE OF RACE

1 ORGANIZING AUTHORITY
The Organizing Authority (OA) is Racine Yacht Club (RYC).

2 VENUE
2.1 The event will be held at Racine Yacht Club (RYC), 1 Barker Street, Racine, WI 53126
2.2 The racing venue will be on Lake Michigan.

3 RULES
2.1 The regatta will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
2.2 RRS Appendix P, Special Procedures for rule 42, will apply.

4 ELIGIBILITY
This event is restricted to Laser, Radial and 4.7’s. All must be members of the ILCA –
North America or their national class association.

5 ENTRY and FEES
5.1 Competitors shall register in advance by completing the online entry form on the RYC website at www.racineyachtclub.org
5.2 Entry fees received before July, 27 will be $85. Entries received on or after July 27 will be $100.
5.3 Entry fees include 2 days of racing, 2 continental breakfasts, water and snacks while racing, a Saturday cook‐out, and prizes.
5.4 A minimum of five entries is required to constitute a class.
5.5 A signed waiver of liability must be received no later than 0900 the first day of racing. Waivers can be executed online as part of the entry form or will be accepted at the competitor check‐in desk located in the Junior Clubhouse.

6 ADVERTISING
Advertising will be governed by ISAF Regulation 20.

7 SCHEDULE
7.1 Friday, August 10 1700 – 1900 Competitor Check-in & Registration

7.1 Saturday, August 11 0800 – 0900 Competitor Check-in, Registration, &
Continental Breakfast in the RYC Dining Room
0900 Competitors’ Meeting at the RYC deck area
1015 First warning, 1st race; more races to follow

Sunday, August 12 0800 ‐ 0900 Continental Breakfast in the RYC Dining
Room
0930 First warning of the day
Prizes will be presented on the RYC Deck as soon as
possible after Racing is completed .

7.2 There will be no warning after 1430 on Sunday.
7.3 There are eight (8) races scheduled.

8 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Sailing Instructions will be available at Competitor Check‐in.

9 COURSES
The courses to be sailed will be windward‐leeward or trapezoids.

10 SCORING
10.1 The scoring system will be the Low Point Scoring in RRS Appendix A
10.2 Three (3) races are required to constitute a championship series.
10.3 When fewer than six (6) races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.
10.4 When six (6) or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

11 PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded to first through third place winners in the Laser, Radial and 4.7
Classes and to the top female in the Radial and 4.7 Classes.

12 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
12.1 Competitors participate in the regatta at their own risk. See Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the regatta.
12.2 All competitors must turn in a signed waiver before racing. Competitors under 18 years of age must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

13 FURTHER INFORMATION
Regatta Chairmen: Buck Mercer – mercer@shaklee.net/904-535-2833
Regatta PRO: Bob Sample – bsample@ameritech.net

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Hey Everyone,

I wanted to send out a quick reminder about some Upcoming regattas. The first one is Beaufort’s Lowcountry Regatta this coming weekend June 23-24. Just go to http://byscnet.com/ to get registered or just show up Saturday morning and register. The next one is Savannah’s Fire Cracker Regatta July 6-7. The link to regatta network is http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/5393. You can get registered here and find more regatta info as well. I do not have contact information but CYC-SC regatta is July 28-29. Finally we have CYC-NC (Wrightsville) August 4-5. This regatta is one of our points regatta’s for the D-12 Championship. And don’t forget about our final points regatta in Columbia Oct 6-7. I hope to see everyone at some or all of these regattas.

Butch

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I am not sure how to sum up Savannah. A few words and quotes I heard were : “ I don’t know I have never sailed in this part of the river before” source local initials CU,” I was looking really good on the right until the left filled in” source unknown, “There is a new standard in D-12 it’s not that you win the regatta but that you beat Nick in a race” source Martin Willard. All said in done tide was king of strategy and Nick Valente was king of boat speed and ultimate champion.
Results were:
Full Rigs
1) Nick Valente
2) Peter Gamble
3) Charlie Usher
4) Martin Willard
5) John Potter
Radials
1) Sally Key
2) Patrick Mazzeo
3) Chris McCaffrey

We have a small break until Wrightsville 1rst weekend in August. Stay sharp by practicing in the SAYRA events.

Hope to see everyone on the water!
Butch

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Hey Again Everyone!

A quick wrap up from Beaufort last weekend. If you were not there you missed out on a chance to win a brand new radial sail donated by the McSweeney Sailing Foundation and all kind of goodies donated by Sayre Sailing.
The top performers were as follows.

Full Rigs
1) Nick Valente
2) John Potter
3) Peter Gamble
4) Rob Bowden
5) Rolfe Glover

Radial Rigs
1) Drummond Koppernaes
2) Travis Tucker
3) Jordan Wiggins

After two regattas I was going to give you the top 3 in the standings, however, that is already proving to be more difficult than I thought. I am going to have to get a refresher on St Pete Scorer. Anyway It looks as if Nick Valente and John Potter are tied for first with 5 points. Martin Willard is second with 8 points and Peter Gamble is third with 9 points. In the Radials it appears Avery Fanning is first with 8 points. Nancy Hagood is second with 9 points and Mac McKenzie and Travis Tucker are tied for third with 10 points. In the 4.7’s It is Patrick Mazzeo with 1 point over Walter Gnann who has 2 points. However, they have only sailed in one regatta so it is still wide open. Remember you have to be a member ILCA to be eligible for the Championship series.

Now onto Savannah May 19and 20. Charlie has asked me to post the notice of race and point out a few things many people might not know about. First of all camping is available you just have to get with Charlie to find out where you can set your camp up. (see # 9 on the NOR) Second they are planning on having some practice races Friday the 18th from 2:00 to 4:00. Then an impromptu dinner at Molly McGuire’s Tavern afterwards. A fun casual place where Laser sailors are welcome. (see #6 on the NOR).

Hope to see everyone in Savannah!

Butch

SAVANNAH YACHT CLUB
D12 LASER CHAMPIONSHIP
730 Bradley Point Road
Savannah, Ga.
May 19 – 20, 2012

NOTICE OF RACE

1. Organizing Authority: The organizing authority is the Savannah Yacht Club (SYC).

2. Rules: This regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the “Racing Rules of Sailing.” Sailing Instructions will be available at registration.

3. Fleets: Laser Open, Radial and 4.7.

4. Fees: Registration fee for each boat will be $55 with a $5 discount for US Sailing membership. Fees include Coffee and Donuts each morning, Water and one Saturday Dinner Ticket. Boxed Lunches and extra Dinners will be available for purchase.

5. Registration: Onsite registration on May 19, 2012 between 0900 -1015.

6. Schedule: Friday, May 18, 2012
Fun racing 1400 – 1600
Dinner at Molly McGuire’s Tavern at 1830 [Dutch Treat]
Address: 216 Molly McGuire’s Blvd

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Coffee and Donuts 0900
Registration 0900 – 1015
Competitors Meeting at 1030
Race One Warning Gun 1230
Attitude Adjustment 1700
Dinner Buffet at the Dock House 1800

Sunday, May 20, 2012
Coffee and Donuts 0800
Warning Gun 1000
No warning signal after 1400
Trophy presentation on completion of racing.

7. Courses: Courses will be windward/leeward, triangle, or a combination.

8. Races: Seven races are scheduled; however, one race will constitute a regatta.

9. Camping is available at the Club. Please contact the Regatta Chair for details.

More information: SYC (912) 897-1314 or syc@savannahyachtclub.org
Charlie Usher: Regatta Chairman – chasusher@comcast.net

SAVANNAH INFORMATION

The Savannah Yacht Club is located on Whitemarsh Island at 730 Bradley Point Road. There are no hotels/motels located on the Whitemarsh Island but plenty with in a 20 minute drive.

1) The city of Savannah is about a 10 minute drive. The Downtown offers a vast array of accommodations in the Historic District.
2) Midtown provides accommodations in the more economical range and is about a 25 minute drive.
3) Tybee Island/Savannah Beach is approximately a 15 minute drive.

To explore these areas, use the following websites:

www.savannahvisit.com
www.savannah.com
www.tybeeisland.com
www.tybeevisit.com

DIRECTIONS TO THE SAVANNAH YACHT CLUB
Depending on where you come into Savannah, there are two ways to get to the club.

1. Take President Street from downtown to Islands Expressway following signs to Tybee Island. Merge with Hwy 80 East using the flyover by Wal-Mart. At the 1st stoplight on Hwy 80 East turn right onto Bryan Woods Rd. At the dead end turn right onto Johnny Mercer Blvd. Get into left lane immediately and take a left turn at the flashing caution light onto Bradley Point Road. The SYC is at the end of the road.

2. Take Hwy 80 East thru Savannah after crossing the Thunderbolt Bridge (ICW) get in the right lane. Soon after crossing a small bridge bear right just before the stoplight onto Johnny Mercer Blvd. Continue on Johnny Mercer Blvd until the flashing caution light then take a right onto Bradley Point Road. The SYC is at the end of the road.

3. If you need help call the club at (912) 897-1314.

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