Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association

Spring, 2007

Dear Fellow Sailors and Friends of Sailing,

Spring is just around the corner, with summer soon to follow. Here’s the scoop on the 2007 Racing Season at Deep Creek Lake:

DUES NOTICE:   No increase if you pay early

Again, there are no increases for dues received prior to May 1, 2007. Dues will increase by $25.00 (per boat) for those who pay after May 1, 2007. You must be paid up in order to be scored and eligible for a trophy. Please remit your dues promptly to our Treasurer, Barbara Griffin. Also, all members (sailors, donors, and volunteers) be sure to fill in the blank for email address on the registration form so you will receive any DCYRA news updates via email.

RACE SCHEDULE:   Dates, duty roster, & seminar

Check the schedule for your duties this summer. If you cannot serve on your assigned day, you must find a qualified substitute, then notify the other members of your “team” (Race Committee or Patrol Boat) for that day. Very Important: You must notify Race Commander Mo Willey or Patrol Coordinator Barbara Meredith ASAP of any changes that you make.

The PRO Seminar will be held May 12, 11:00 am, at Turkey Neck Club.  If you will be serving as PRO or Committee Boat Captain, please come!  An informed Race Committee makes for better racing for all.

RACE FORMAT:   A few reminders

During Series races, Lasers and Scots will continue to use the same start and finish lines, with the start line to port of the Committee Boat, and the finish line to starboard of it. It is important to stay clear of the start line until your class/fleet is in its starting sequence. Likewise, stay clear of the finish line unless you are headed for it, attempting to finish.

Also keep in mind that boats can protest across fleets and classes … a foul is a foul whether or not the boats are in direct competition in the same fleet or class.

FLYING SCOT JUNIOR FLEET:   Something new for kids!

This Junior Fleet will have one race per weekend, the second race on Saturdays, and start after the Challenger fleet. There will be no designated streamer for this fleet, but boats racing must hail their fleet upon check-in with the Committee Boat. All boat registration fees will be waived for Junior Sailors, but be sure to enter any Junior Sailor who will be racing your boat as an “Additional Racer” on the registration form, and circle the “Junior” category. 

A sailor is defined as Junior (by USSA) until the calendar year that she/he will turn 19, ie. all Junior Sailors must be 18 or under for the entire year 2007.

All Junior Sailors will receive a ribbon at the awards ceremony at the end of each Series.

RACER IDENTIFICATION:   Thanks for flying your streamers

Every boat must display a colored ribbon or streamer on the leech of its mainsail to identify its fleet. Also, all racers must hail the Committee Boat clearly announcing their boat number, fleet, and crew members each time they come out to compete. Hailing the Committee Boat and flying the streamers aids the Race Committee during the pre-race check-in and in recording finishes.  Failure to meet these requirements may result in a boat not being scored.

Streamer colors are:

            Championship Gold – Orange/Red

            Championship Silver – Black

            Masters – Green

            Challenger – Blue

            Laser Full Rig – none

            Laser Radial – Black

TROPHIES:   Did you get your plaque?

Stephanie Mahan needs to know if you have not received your plaque, or if you are running out of space on your current plaque (you lucky folks know who you are). Every DCYRA member who has paid dues is entitled to a plaque, regardless of “trophies” earned. Contact Steph to get yours.

CREW CHANGES DURING REGATTAS:   Kids get a break

Children age 10 and under may be added or removed as crew during a regatta without approval of the PRO. However, if a child crew member is replacing or being replaced by an adult crew member, this change does need to be approved by the PRO 30 minutes prior to the race in which the substitution will occur (as per the Sailing Instructions).

FLYING SCOT 50^TH ANNIVERSARY:   A big event

The celebration will take place after the FS Nationals in the last week of June. Friday, June 29, at 2:00 pm, there will be a Magellan-like race for the 50 – 70 boats expected to attend. Anyone can race and there is no entry fee. A dinner will follow Friday evening, for which there will be a charge. Come join us in celebrating the 50^th year of our fantastic Flying Scot class!

THANKS IS DUE:   To many for a lot

I want to say a big THANK-YOU to the many folks who make our racing program possible - the DCYRA Board, those who serve on Race Committee and as Patrols, and our many non-sailing members for their support.

Heidi Kammer

President, DCYRA