Capital District at Susquehanna River Yacht Club Sept. 12 & 13

12 boats raced in light winds and flat water. Light intermittent rain on Saturday, and beautiful weather Sunday. The river current was light and consistent across the entire course. Five races were sailed directly in front of the club house on windward leeward courses 50 to 60 minutes long that easily fit onto the river and never came close to shore. An experienced race committee kept the lines and legs square, and minimized time between races. Two hoists on shore worked easily. No motor boat traffic. The club provided steaks for the sailors to grill as they liked Saturday night. Overall top finishes were :

1 - Mike & Amy Miller
2 - David Neff & Jason
3 - Hans Noordanus & John Wake
4 - Len & Barb Guenther

Capital District's championship in the Keystone state
The Susquehanna river really did rate
Saturday was quite soggy
Pennsylvania a bit boggy
But the dinner overflowed on our plate

Mr. Sun showed his face Sunday
The current made the mark tough to lay
The wind blew a bit more
Then more food back on shore
Fleet 81 made everyone's day !
(by Amy Miller)

Blackbeard Sailing Club “One Design” Regatta, New Bern, NC

20 boats trailed to Blackbeard Sailing Club on the Neuse River in New Bern, NC the weekend of August 29 & 30. Conditions for the weekend were warm & humid air, flat water and light breeze. Four races were sailed on multiple lap windward leeward and triangle courses. In spite of the challenging weather conditions the race committee set square lines, kept the course legs aligned to the wind, and races to approximately 40 minutes long. Due to the light and shifting breezes competitors frequently changed position in each leg of every race. Keeping the boat moving, tacking on true headers, jybing on true lifts, and sitting still in the boat were keys to finishing well.

Sailing on a river named Neuse

We could have drunk vodka and juice

For the breeze was so light

We wished with all of our might

But the wind gods just would not let loose

The conditions were just fine for Miller

Who needed no help adjusting the tiller

Hans and John Wake were next in the race

Followed by the Brakes in third place

Too bad the winds could have hardly been stiller

If after racing you fancy a drink

This you should know, I really do think

The beer's not supplied

To the store you must ride

In order to hear those brown bottles clink

(By Amy Miller)