Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association

Spring  2008

 Dear Fellow Sailors and Friends of Sailing,

 The 2008 Racing Season is just around the corner!  Here’s the scoop:

 DUES NOTICE:   No increase if you pay early

As last year, there is no increase for dues paid prior to May 1, 2008.  Dues will increase by $25.00 (per boat) for those who pay after May 1, 2008.  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 Race Schedule for your duties this summer.  If you cannot serve on your assigned day, you must:  1) find a qualified substitute;  2) notify and get approval of Race Commander Stephanie Mahan or Patrol Coordinator Barbara Meredith ASAP of any changes that you make;  3) notify the other members of your “team” (Race Committee or Patrol Boat) for that day.  Please review all reminders and instructions you receive.  A “Race Management Seminar” for PROs, their Assistants, and Patrols is to be held in conjunction with the Fleet 6 Picnic (check your club’s Social Schedule for date).

 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 regardless of whether or not the boats are in direct competition in the same fleet or class.

 KIDS IN SCOTS:   Continuing this summer

The Flying Scot 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 Junior is any racer under age 19, who will not turn 19 anytime in calendar year 2008 (US SAILING definition).  All Junior Sailors will receive awards from time to time during the Series. 

 RACER IDENTIFICATION:   Thanks for flying your streamers

Every boat (except Full-Rig Lasers) 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:   A year of transition

This year mantle-worthy keeper trophies will be awarded along with the plates for the plaques.  There are still a few plaques available, and every DCYRA member who has paid dues is entitled to one.  If you still need a plaque, you can get it at the awards ceremony on Memorial Day.

 CREW CHANGES DURING REGATTAS:   Remember, 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).

 WOMEN’S REGATTA:   Your input is needed

Several changes to the Women’s Regatta have been suggested to encourage more participation, including changing the fleets to Experienced and Novice, and adding a Junior division for both genders.  However, to determine what the goals of the regatta are, and what the new format should be, we need the input of all of our members.  To accomplish this, a Women’s Regatta Survey will be emailed to all members later this spring.  Be on the lookout for this survey, and please take time to complete it and get it back to us.

 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 (of time and/or money).  Without you all, there would be no racing program on Deep Creek Lake.  Thanks again for all you do.

 Heidi Kammer