July 24, 2005

Race 4

Dear friends in sailing,

Heavy wind and wild conditions were the order of the day before race 4. A potentially outstanding turnout was thwarted as several boats (I personally counted 5) were kept from starting. Doug Craib and I were one of them as we had a great but uncontrollable time on Doug Merrill's old Dart during the pre-race "sail around." Getting into irons between the island and then "going from 0 to 60" in no time flat turn this Dart into a "pussy cat" and we opted for a less than discreet exit to the shore and sailed a more familiar JY 15 under Doug's burgee.

The excellent course set by the Fraser committee boat team along with slightly abating winds made the actual race much more fun than frantic with the Meager, Eggleton and Comins cats dominating both the actual and Portsmouth finishes. The cats took all of the top actual and 3 of the 4 Portsmouth positions with Mike Meager playing the up wind shifts to perfection to edge Mark and Janet, and embarrass the rest of us. Neil and son have been decreasing their "time off first" each week to become competitive with the other "top cats." Oh, great, another cat for us to finish behind.

The Johnston Lightning and Peddie Albacore cruised to top the planing hulls ahead of our JY 15. Our boat was greatly hampered by inferior crew work. I didn't like getting wet and having to work and take orders for a change.

Great to see Mr. and Mrs. Joe Guaraldo and Doug Kell, Sr. in the displacement hulls having a great time and managing the course in very good times. Doug was solo with both sails up and under complete control. Joe managed an outstanding 6th place Portsmouth with just one mono hull ahead of him in the final standings.

Don't forget the Ice cream social at the Kells on August 7. Time is flying by. It's the half way mark next week. Have you paid your dues yet? Update your e-mail address with Doug.

I'm having lots of problems with my mailer. Please reply if you are receiving these newsletters. Check with others as well. Thanks.

See you on the water,

Mike C.