AN AUSPICIOUS START FOR COLUMBIA ON THE WATER ACTIVITIES
Despite our "winter-like" summer so far, sailboat racing season is well underway. Starting today, we'll be checking in periodically to update our members on the goings on at the Club, on the water, and with our members.
EARLY SUCCESS ON THE WATER
With two big regattas behind us, Columbia sailors are picking up some hardware. Two weeks ago, at our COLORS regatta, Jeff and Jane Hoswell and their crew took first in the ORR distance race on their Nelson Marek 46, Skye. Around the buoys, Chris Duhon and Tequila Mockingbird picked up 3rd in the competitive 36.7 fleet, and Gyt Petkus sailed a consistent 2nd/2nd/2nd in the J105 fleet to place second overall. And, as always, the race party was, we'll not-so-humbly say, the best of season.
In last weekend's NOOD regatta, heretofore to be known as the "Foggy NOOD," the Vytis crew avenged their 2nd place in COLORS by earning bullets on the last two races and bringing home first place and Skye continued their roll with a first in the distance race. Joe Hummel's C&C 115, Archimedes II, edged out Alice Martin's new (and, of course) pink 36.7 Painkiller 5 for second in Section 2, with Alice, Ted Jones and Tom and Sierra McDonough and crew one point behind in 3rd. Also around the buoys, Dave Hardy's Columbia-centric (6 members aboard) 40.7 Turning Point tied for second in their fleet. Last but certainly not least, Frank Giampoli's J120 Jahazi scored a well-earned second in the Distance race.
Vytis also got a nice write-up in Sailing World HERE as well as an entry to the NOOD Caribbean Championships in November.
Our staff and alumni are also making waves. Kurt Thomsen and his team of ColYC members Travis Heitzinger, Hunter Ratliff and Phoebe Lincoln placed 2nd overall in the Sterling Morton Regatta at Chicago Yacht Club, edging out a few Chicago Yacht Club boats and one from St. Francis Yacht Club. Someone buy those folks a beer!
Next up are a series of distance races in Chicago-Waukegan and our own Chicago-Michigan City-Chicago night race. Here's to continuing success for Columbia racers!
CRUISING FLEET GETTING A BOOST
Cruising Fleet is engaged in an active campaign to integrate and cross-communicate with our other programs and committees including Skipjacks and Membership. As evidenced by the record-setting attendance at this year's Memorial Day Cruise and Potluck, we're pleased to report that the number of folks interested in cruising and day-sailing is on the rise, and we're working to connect them with our boat owners seeking crew. Thanks to Myer Blank (CF Chair), Perry Weinberg and Audi Kelly (Membership Chairs) and Janis Sims (Skipjacks Chair) for their excellent collaboration. If you wish to get involved with this wide mix of boaters and water enthusiasts, email [email protected]. Their love for socializing is equal to that of the lake, so come prepared for fun!
NEW RACE COMMITTEE SIGNAL BOAT UP AND RUNNING...BUT NEEDS A NAME!
Our new (to us) Chris Craft 31 Commander has been out supporting COLORS and beer cans, and early word from Race Committee is humbly described as ecstatic. It truly enhances our ability to fulfill our mission by recruiting and retaining better RC volunteers and helping them run races more effectively. There's much to do to upgrade the boat, but she's already a vast improvement. She's also quite the beauty.
One issue we do have with "M/V No Name," as she's been called, is, well, she doesn't have a name. That's where you come in. Have any great ideas for her name? We're open to suggestions, but the best nominations should promote the Club's history, dignity, and commitment to the sport of sailboat racing. The winner, in addition to bragging rights and photo opportunities, will be treated to a social function which will include dinner and adult beverages.
Submit your ideas and state your case through an email to [email protected].
See ya on the water,
Stu Friedman
Vice Commodore |