NEWS FROM GRAND LAKE SAILING CLUB
Finally, after record floods and then calm days, GLSC’S racing program got a break. Eleven sailors must have seen the forecast and decided not to waste the good weather. The start had 10-15 knots of wind, with the usual ups and downs, and if the sailors stayed away from the wind shadow on the south shore, it was great sailing all the way to the dam. Terry Casady was staying close to Ted English in the lead, but then, got stuck in the afore mentioned wind shadow and watched his lead of a quarter mile or more on the boats behind, go to nothing, with most of A-fleet catching and a few actually passing, before he could break free of that shadow. The lead boats rounded the mark at the dam a little more than two hours after the start, but just a short time later the wind laid down to five knots or less. After an hour of this, the decision was made to shorten the race. Of course, twenty minutes later, the wind picked back up, but then it was too late to change the decision. The Race Committee couldn’t get to Goat Island in time, so they set up the finish line at Two Tree Island. Most of the Spinnaker fleet finished in less than four hours, A-fleet in about 4 ½ hours and B-fleet finished in five to six hours. It seemed that most everyone had a great day on the water.
The winner in B-non spinnaker was Al Butkus sailing his Hunter 30, second was Jon Bidnick in his Beneteau 37 and third was John Grimm in his Beneteau 40 sailing out of Mast Head. The winner in A- non spinnaker was Jerry Hyatt sailing his San Juan 24 that he keeps at his dock on Court House Hollow, second was Jim Spear sailing his Capri 22 and third was Kurt Hagen sailing his Catalina 27. Winning Spinnaker Fleet was Ted English sailing his Hobie 33, second was Terry Casady sailing his Laser 28 and third was Tom Szela sailing his San Juan 33S.
The Governor’s Cup Trophy is given to the overall winner which is determined by reducing the PHRF handicap number of the spinnaker winner by 18 seconds to counter the advantage of using a spinnaker and comparing that corrected time to the corrected time of the winners of A fleet and B fleet. This year’s Governor’ Cup winner is Ted English.
The club wants to thank Ed and Dee Boyce for service on the Race Committee and also to Gary Daniels, a former member for many years and past Commodore, for doing the registration on Saturday morning, taking a load off the Race Chairman at his busiest moment.
Don’t forget the Chili Cook-off at 6 PM on 19 Oct with a General Membership meeting at 5 PM, an hour later than was posted on the calendar. The last racing weekend will be on 26-27 Oct.
REMEMBER, THE BEST SAILING SEASON IS IN THE FALL, WARM WATERS, COOL AIR AND USUALLY WIND!
By Terry Casady
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