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June 2003
1. Elite Keel debrief - May 17-18
2.Next Regatta is TYC "Moseley Classic" - June 14
3. Beer Can Racing in Richmond continues...
4. Meet the Fleet: 667 Paige, Danielle and Dan
5. Letters, we get letters
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1. Elite Keel debrief - May 17-18
The Elite Keel was held again by the San Francisco Yacht Club
on May 17 and 18. The club managed to get all 5 races off, though
conditions were a little weird. It was a regatta featuring a lot
of fleets, and a race course which featured a lot of buoys, seven
in all. This complex design left little possibility for shifting
the racecourse to match the wind shifts, and that led to a certain
parade-like style of racing. You simply had to punch the starts,
at the favored end with speed if you wanted to do well. Sailing
the circle in a dying flood is one thing, but the wind was different
from normal, much different. The weather pattern set up Saturday
with a high pressure area just off Seattle, and the low down near
Arizona. The gradient was pretty gradual, but the isobars were
really dense right over the bay. This meant breezy conditions,
but not building particularly, and a breeze which somehow seemed
familiar but which was not really a seabreeze. The breeze and
the tide combined for some pretty flat water, and when you factored
in the slanted courses, the downwind legs weren't just fetches,
they were fast fetches. As the book says, in a dying flood, you
can experiment with the left side and some boats did upwind to
good result, especially at the top of the course. Sunday, the
high had shifted inland (right) and the flood was later, and again
the starting lines and courses were sometimes less than square.
The complicated race course layout did do something to space out
the fleets, and there wasn't much carnage this year, unlike last
year where J/24s (for instance) were trying to t-bone Etchells
boats all over the course. The race committee even called our
fleet to start out of order for the last race on Saturday, a move
that was much appreciated, and got us back to the docks early.
Craig Healy was on fire, putting all these factors to good use
during the weekend, taking the regatta with two bullets and three
seconds, and should have had a bullet in the first race except
for a navigational error, at the top mark. The explanation of
that race later on the race deck was loud, profane-- and hilarious!
Speaking of which, the SFYC scene after a regatta like this is
really great. They put on a great spread, and the turnout is fantastic.
It was just unbelievable how many friends there were on the deck
from all the fleets, both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday evening's
highlight was the double ender Yucca, piloted by our fleet's founder,
Hank Easom, coming to dinner and backing into a space at the dock
not 6 inches longer than the boat, and doing it as if the boat
was on rails and only 12 feet long. If you missed it, you missed
out.
This regatta, plus the Fleet Run event held on May 3, constitute
our Worlds Qualification Series. Contact Kers if you are considering
attending the Worlds this year, in September in Greenwich CT,
and raced on Long Island Sound.
Regatta
scores
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2. Next Regatta is TYC "Moseley Classic" - June 14
From Jeff Moseley:
The Tiburon Yacht Club and I are excited to host the second annual
"T I Moseley One Design Classic." The prize for the
"Classic" is a beautiful half model perpetual trophy
of the 63' Sparkman Stephens cutter "Orient." The trophy
lives in The Tiburon Yacht Club's beautiful new clubhouse and
is to be deeded to Etchells Fleet # 12. The deed requires the
names of the winning boats entire crew to be engraved on the plaque.
The event has been created in honor of my grandfather whose love
for the sport has passed down to a third generation. His Yacht
"Orient" was one of the majestic racers of her time.
She and her arch rival "Baruna" became the source for
name of The "Barient" winch. The regatta will be sailed
in the warm winds and flat water off of Paradise Cay and in front
off The Tiburon Yacht Club. Immediately after racing the trophy
will be presented to this years winner and the party will begin.
Cheeseburgers and beer will be served as well as my famous barbecued
oysters. Please invite any family and guests you like. Because
of the close proximity to the race course we will probably be
off the water and into the festivities by 3:00pm. You are welcome
to leave your boat overnight or enjoy a very merry cruise home
after the party. Last years event was great and this years will
be even better. I look forward to seeing ALL of you.
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3. Beer Can Racing in Richmond - Wednesdays
Etchells Fleet, Wednesday Night Beer Can Fun continues all summer
long on the 1st and 3rd week of the month, so in June, that's
6/4 and 6/18. Check the RYC
website and the last newsletter for more details.
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4. Meet the Fleet: 667 Paige, Danielle and Dan
Today we get to meet the newest crew in the fleet-- meet Page
Danielle and Dan, who just bought 667/"Rage" from Myron
and Vern, who immediately turned around and bought the new boat
they had their eye on in San Diego,
1205/"AARP". Great news for the fleet - we net out one
more boat! And it's a boat with a crew full of good attitude,
as you'll read shortly.
Here's the "Meet the Fleet" feature for the new crew:
Meet the Fleet: The Questions
1. How long have you been sailing? How/ where did you learn?
Paige: My folks had a sailboat outside Atlanta when I was young
and we also used to rent sunfish in Cape Cod every summer. So
I learned for a long time by doing, then finally learned more
formally when I joined the sailing
team at the University of Texas. I've been sailing here for the
last two years mostly on J120s, but also Melges, J105s and J80s.
Danielle: Apparently I've been sailing since I was in diapers.
My first memory is of a seagull dropping its mark on my head when
I was about 3-years old, and my dad telling me I'd have good luck
on the ocean for the rest of my life. So far it's been pretty
good.
Dan: I have done some cruising in the San Juans and Turkey over
the past five years but last year was when I got serious about
learning to sail. The Etchells is a boat that makes you want to
learn as much as possible as
quickly as possible.
2. When did you first hear about Etchells?
Paige: Just late last year - I'm not sure if it was from Danielle
or from someone else, but it was after we'd met and started looking
for boats. Every time I met a racer I'd ask what one design boat
they'd recommend in this category and Etchells was the first they'd
mention. Though I never heard a negative, what I did hear was
"Very tweaky boats," "Hardest boats in SF to sail,"
"Great Fleet," and "Gorgeous Boat." Sounded
like an attractive challenge.
Danielle: I had previously heard of Etchells, but hadn't actually
talked to an owner until Mike Laport started chatting about (and
promoting!) the boat as we crewed together on a big boat.
Dan: Late last year
2a. First sail an Etchells?
Paige: With Peter Vessella and Peter Stoneberg and Danielle at
the Expo just a few short weeks ago. What a great way to get introduced
to the boat and to the fleet - racing in the estuary.
Danielle: My first Etchells sail was at the Sail Expo. I was sure
I'd love sailing Etchells, just from hearing about them, watching
them and seeing photos, and that was certainly confirmed from
the moment I stepped aboard.
Every person I have ever mentioned Etchells to has only had good
things to say.
Dan: With Jeff Holder at the Alameda Boat show.
3. How long have you sailed this boat?
Paige: I think we've had it now for 12 days (since May 1), and
have sailed it almost half the number of the days that we've had
it.
Danielle: 11 days as of 5/11
Dan: Since May 1
3a. What is your boat's name? What is the meaning (besides the
obvious) of it?
Paige: I think Danielle answered this one...Every time we get
on the boat we toss around a few ideas, but none has taken yet.
Danielle: The current name is RAGE. We are tossing around some
new ideas and waiting to see if the boat "talks to us"
with a new name (hopefully not "get off me you don't know
how to sail me").
Dan: For now, Boat.
4. Do you do any other sailing besides Etchells?
Paige: I am hoping to continue crewing on a J120, but I'm afraid
our passion for this boat may leave little time for other boats.
I also like to pick up on other people's boats for Friday night
Beer Can races.
Danielle: I am a licensed CG captain and teach cruising and offshore
sailing for several schools. I sold my bluewater cruiser last
year after sailing her to Mexico and back to the Northwest. Part
of my workday is spent writing freelance for sailing magazines.
I am new to racing and really enjoying getting involved in a whole
new side of sailing.
Dan: I try to get out on any dinghy a friend will loan me.
5. Tell us about your family situation. What do they do while
you're sailing?
Paige: I have two cats who, I think, go back to sleep as soon
as I leave for the boat, and continue to sleep until I get home.
Danielle: My Etchells partners are my family now!
Dan: Drive, foredeck or main trimmer.
6. Tell us about your crew. How long have you sailed with them.
Paige: I met Danielle late last summer at a J120 clinic, as she
mentioned. We were instant friends (some even say we look alike)
and have been talking about buying a boat together ever since
then. Although I'd met Dan several times before, I think the first
time I sailed with Dan was in February on a J120 just a few hours
after the end of an Amazing Margarita Party that Danielle hosted.
I knew we'd make a good team when I saw him still able to focus
on his job through the pain of the hangover.
Danielle: Paige and I met hiking together on the windward rail
of a J-120 and knew right away we wanted to sail together more.
Dan and I have sailed dinghies in Mexico and various racing boats
on the Bay, as well as a borrowed cruiser for very slow, but fun,
evening cruises on the Bay. The three of us have so far worked
really well together in figuring out the Etchells, and believe
that we will be a strong team. We were still smiling and laughing
when we got to the dock last Wed night after a very wet and cold
ride. We're planning on having a lot of fun together.
Dan: I was shanghaied by these two fetching female pirates. They
let me off the boat only to resupply the cooler and pull the trailer
over to the hoist.
7. Tell us about your best race. Where was it/ what happened?
Paige: The best play -by - play race for me was at JFest on Chance
against a new J120 owner on Desdemona (formerly Galapagos). Normally
the Saturday race ends with an easy laid back downhill leg into
the estuary, but this
year the wind was coming from the south and the boats in our fleet
were regularly changing position as we headed upwind. We match-raced
though the Bay Bridge construction behind Desdemona (she was in
first), tacking constantly, then ducked into an area on the eastern
side near the cranes to get current protection, and finally beat
them out on the last tack before rounding back into the current.
They tailed us all the way down the estuary, so no beer was opened
until we heard the gun at Encinal.
Danielle: I have to say that my most enjoyable race so far was
last Wed's RYC beer can. It was our first race on our own boat
and we got to see how much wind these boats can handle (a lot!),
how well our gusher bilge pumps
work (really well!), and how well the boat surfs downwind sans
kite (as well as the rush of fear in even contemplating a hoist
in that wind!).
Dan: My first race in our etchells last Wednesday.
8. Tell us about your worst crash. Who did you hit/ get hit by?
Paige: I think I was 14 sailing on a sunfish with my father in
Nantucket sound and my sister was on the other sunfish with my
mother. My father was hailing my mother and she couldn't hear
us, so my father sailed closer and
subsequently T-Boned her. Purely for safety reasons, I decided
to swim backto the beach.
Danielle: I have yet to have a real crash (knock on wood) but
was on an unnamed big boat that got into a harrowing situation
on the Bay. The kitegot stuck up, tack line released, wind up
above 20kts, rock breakwater
100-feet to leeward, and quickly getting closer. The skipper claimed
no steerage as we made leeway and I got ready for the sounds of
fiberglass crunching on rock (but was at least looking forward
to the pumping and
slapping spinnaker and rig to quiet down) and for a windward jump
off the boat. Luckily, with about 20 more feet to go and a gathering
crowd of jaw-dropped spectators on shore, an able hand maneuvered
the boat off the rocks. That was the day I decided I liked racing
but wanted to do it on my own boat.
Dan: So far no crashes. I had close call at 6 am when our anchor
dragged in a crowded Turkish cove. All hands on deck in their
underwear as a big charter boat of Germans nearly mowed us down.
9. What is your favorite curse word?
Paige: I would hate to start out with the fleet with expletives!
Rats - that's a good one.
Danielle: all of them
Dan: All of them as long as they aren't used in anger.
10. Finish this sentence "The other boats in this fleet sail
________ too much."
Paige: Fast.
Danielle: All I know so far is that they sail fast and well and
I like it!
11. Anything else you want to tell the other crews?
Paige: I am so appreciative of the camaraderie and genuine sportsmanship
ofthis group. It's hard to believe it's a competitive fleet when
everyone is so nice! I'm looking forward to the action on the
water. Thanks so much to
Mike, Kers, Ed, Ashley, and Mark for your help and advice about
all things Etchells and to Myron and Vern for selling us 667.
We're so excited to start out with such a great boat. (and congrats
to you two on your new Etchells).
Danielle: I am extremely happy to be getting involved in such
a great fleet and am looking forward to growing into a terrific
boat. Very happy with our choice of boats. Thanks Mike!!! And
also to Kers and everyone who brought their boats down to Sail
Expo and let us get out sailing - that was very much appreciated!
(We may be at the back of the pack now but soon watch out!).
Dan: Just that I am excited to be in the fleet. Everyone has been
very helpful, encouraging and informative.
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7. Letters, we get letters...
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From: "Jim Gregory"
Subject: Newsletter
Thanks Scott. Appreciate the newsletter. Sailmail cuts thinks
off at 11kb, but that got me almost thru your interview with Jeff
Moseley. Looking forward to getting back into an Etchells. I can
only stay on cruise control for so long....See you in late August!
-Jim
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From: Steffen Lunding
Subject: Etchells Sailing
Scott
I am back in the Bay Area for the next couple of months. Now living
in Australia and sailing Etchells out of the Royal Brighton Yacht
Club, I would like to catch up with my mates from Fleet 12. If
you would please put my name out there, maybe I can find a spot
now and again. For those who don,t know me I have been sailing
Etchells since the Eighties, much of that with Sutak(901). Steffen
Lunding 415 717 4919 claudsteff@yahoo.com
More crew are also available at
http://www.etchells.org/usa/sanfrancisco/crew.php
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From: Mike Held
Subject: Orca Bowl June 7th and 8th
Please use the attached form to Order T-shirts for the Orca Bowl
June 7th and 8th. If you would like to see what the graphic for
these shirts are go to:
http://www.sdyc.org/etchells
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Isn't that enough Etchells news for you? you have to keep reading?
Well it's over. Over, I tell you. Go away now, press delete, go
back to work, or just pick up that copy of Latitude 38 again and
wait for more email to
arrive. It will, eventually. Or order some Etchells gear here:
http://www.oceanracing.com/store/store8.cfm?CFID=1597420&CFTOKEN=76602894&Ca
tegoryID=13
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