Summer Series Wrap-Up

We sailed Summer Series 2 and 3 on Saturday and Sunday, July 23-24 in the midst of some of the highest heat indices that any of us could remember. When we arrived at the club on Saturday morning, the temperature was already well into the 90's, and there wasn't a breath of wind on the Bay. Ian Burman, the PRO, sent us off on a 2 hour postponement that allowed for some shopping, gathering at the Dockside, and generally trying to find places with AC. When we returned to SSA, there was a nice southerly building, and we sailed out for a 1300 start. We had 2 races with Joe Friebele continuing his winning ways from last Saturday in the first race and Craig Cobbum winning the second. It was good to see Jon Guth out for the day.

After the racing, we all went over to Steve and Dorothy Constants' for a barbeque and party. A lot of folks were swilling more water than other alcoholic refreshments, trying to re-hydrate their bodies. It was great to see the Constants and relax in their cool house after our being barbequed on the Bay.

Sunday greeted us with high temperatures again, but the wind was up, so we started on time at 1100. Dina Kowlayshyn, the PRO, rolled off 3 quick races so that we could get out of the heat as fast as possible. Friebele won the first 2 with Cobbum picking all the right wind lanes and winning the second. Chris Gildea came out for the day and finished 4-4-4.

After we got back to the dock and had the boats put away, a squall came through that registered 52 kts at the Annapolis Buoy near where we were sailing! We all enjoyed watching some of the big boats struggle in the mouth of the Severn from the shelter of the clubhouse much more than we would have enjoyed sailing when that blast came through.

The final results were: 1) Friebele, 2) Cobbum, and 3) Mark Whitson. Thanks to the Race Committees for their great work, to those who brought stuff to the party, and to all the sailors who turned out over the 3 days to make the regatta a success.

SSA Summer I

The winds were cooperative and the temperature wasn't too hot for this one-day start to the Summer Series on Saturday, July 16. Things didn't look too promising on the way out to the race course, but after a 30 min postponement, racing got underway. We had a good turnout of 6 boats. Eric Hakanson and his crack crew came over from the Potomac, and Craig Cobbum with Leigh Cramer, an AU student, and her BF, put his new boat in the water for the first time. There was a slight delay while Craig ran to APS to get the two bolts that hold the mast in the mast step, which apparently didn't convey when he bought the boat. Russ Roberts with only Donya Shakiba aboard kept up with the pack, and the Kellys found some new spinnaker excitement.

The racing was good as the southerly picked up throughout the day. Joe Friebele walked away with 3 wins; Mark Whitson was second with 8 points and Craig had 9. Now it's on to Summer II and III this weekend, July 24, with a party after the racing on Saturday.