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Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association Recaps of Sailing Season in Four Regions
Region 1 - Glenn Harvey
he Tune-Up Series was hosted by Glenmar SA (GSA) May 21. A moderate, southerly greeted the 12 boats racing in PHRF B, C, and N fleets. Two windward/ leeward races were completed in this spring classic. North East River YC’s Invitational regatta June 11 started with a promising northeasterly breeze that soon became a disappointing calm. Thirty-five racers struggled to finish a shortened course that afternoon. But later, a roast pig and a free keg were enjoyed by the partiers back at the club. GSA’s Northern Bay Regatta was held June 25-26. There is a very nice report about this event in the August edition of SpinSheet written by some commodore! Make plans to be at the 25th anniversary edition of Northern Bay Regatta next year. The Bay Jam race cannot catch a break! Originally scheduled for September 10, it was postponed due to the flooding and debris from Tropical Storm Lee. The new date was set for September 24—but somebody forgot to tell the wind gods that the date was changed. Twenty-five boats drifted on the glassy calm until the race was abandoned after a three-hour wait. At least there was a motoring race back to Turner’s Creek for the party! On October 1, the Havre de Grace YC hosted 40 racers for its Fall Invitational Regatta. One week after the autumn equinox, a chilly breeze made this race a success. The race committee provided some lengthy courses, and the racers ate it up. Then at the party, the racers ate up some great steaks and salmon provided by the sponsors. Winners at this event are awarded hand-carved duck decoys. These unique trophies are coveted by Northern Bay racers.
lowing the Chester River north to Chestertown, MD. We have clubs that are urban in nature such as Universal, and we have very rural clubs such as the Corsica River YC, which is situated on a farm subject to a conservation easement. Sailing is one of those sports that brings together people of diverse environments and backgrounds who enjoy being on the water, especially on the Chesapeake Bay. There is just something about harnessing the wind to get you where you want to go whether fast or slow that is pure enjoyment. Whether getting away for a few days or just a couple of hours, it is possible in our area because we have the Bay right here in our back yard. CBYRA supports its member clubs and their members in the sport of sailboat racing. Racing is for all ages whether one is five or 95 years old, and there is a boat size to fit all. You can sail in boats that range in size from seven to more than 100 feet. Our Region 2 hosts events for junior sailors that may have over 200 boats participating as well as overnight races for the bigger boats. There are also evening races during the week, such as Magothy River SA’s ever popular Wednesday evening races, with 50 plus boats, where everyone gets together for a potluck dinner after the racing ends. Our racing season begins in March and continues into November, so there are ample opportunities to get on the water. Boat ownership is not necessary if you want to sail, as many boats are in need of crew. Please come out and join us in Region 2.
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Region 3 - John Stefancik
he 2011 racing season was kicked off on April 16 with 38 boats competing in the annual Naval Academy Sailing Squadron (NASS) Spring Race. Then the National Off-Shore One-Design Regatta followed at the end of April with more than 200 boats Region 2 - Wick Dudley BYRA’s Region 2 is a very diverse area racing in 16 fleets. The inaugural Coast Guard Foundation of the Chesapeake Bay. It runs from the William Preston Memorial Bay Bridge Cup distance race was run May 14. On that north to Baltimore. From the west, it spans same weekend, the Eastport YC held its Spring One-Design Classic. from the Magothy River to the east, fol-
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Memorial Day Weekend hosted the Down the Bay Race and annual Annapolis to Miles River Race. The breeze was out of the southwest, which led to the 120 boat fleet flying their kites down the Eastern Bay toward Miles River. June began with the Ted Osius Memorial Regatta and then the Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta. Unfortunately, the wind did not cooperate, and few were able to finish the Leukemia Cup. The Shearwater Twilight Race ended the month with 52 boats in nine classes. Always a great feeder race, the 31st Annual Solomons Island Race was conducted July 15. In all, 120 boats competed across 12 fleets in this distance race. The Governor’s Cup race to St. Mary’s College was started on Friday evening August 5 by an astounding 155 boats, including 15 multihulls. Annapolis Race week was held in great conditions over Labor Day weekend and followed by 130 boats sailing in the NASS Fall Race to Oxford on September 17. The Annapolis YC Fall Series was held in October with a total of more than 75 boats registered. On Saturday, October 16, the breeze kicked in with gusts up to and over 35 knots. A number of boats withdrew due to equipment failures, but for those who raced, it was a heck of a day.
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Region 4 - Randy Pugh
he South has risen again, that is, as far as sailboat racing in the Lower Bay is concerned. The region has seen a record number of participants in both big boats and one design racing this year. Southern Bay Race Week had a record 98 entries. Virginia State Junior Championships at Fishing Bay drew 76 juniors and was followed by the Junior Olympics at Hampton YC, which had 63 participants. One-design races at Fishing Bay and Ware River saw large numbers of entries. Broad Bay’s Cape Charles Race had 85 competitors. As the season wanes, we look forward to an even better 2012 on the Lower Bay.
Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) 612 Third Street, Suite 4-A Annapolis, Maryland 21403 • (410) 990-9393 • office@cbyra.org • cbyra.org