2010 NAC

Tough call here either way but lets give the Executive Committee and Bay Waveland, YC the benefit of the doubt with respect to this decision. The host club has worked probably more than a year in planning and staging this event and to cancel it without reasonable probability that the oil spill will effect the sailing area by the end of June seems drastic and unfair to BWYC especially since they have developed a contigency plan. Probably the most important item that the host club has done to ensure a successful regatta is to develope a contigency plan or a plan "b" in the event that the oil spill becomes a problem in the race area. According to our President, Bay Waveland will move the regatta more than 50 miles to Lake Pontchartain if conditions require it and use the same group of volunteers to conduct the regatta. I for one pray that the NAC goes off without a hitch and that there are great racing conditions for all competitors. But if not, then I am confident that the national host committee in conjuction with the national class officers have weighed the pro's and con's of this decision and have good alternative ready to employ. Best wishes to all. Willson Jenkins. FS 5639 and 2979.

It seems that if the decision has been made to keep it at BWYC, that should be trumpeted on the front page of the FSSA site. Decision made, support the NAC! That said, the backup plan of having a second major regatta for the class on Lake Ponchartrain may be a little skewed geographically for most constituents of the class. To be fair, I planned to skip both (NAC and MW) as they are both too far for working stiffs like me. The bright side is that the 2011 NAC should be huge, just like the 2007 Fishing Bay NAC after the 2006 disaster at Marblehead. See you at the 2011 NAC. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

The racing area in Bay St. Louis is clear of oil and based on present weather and current conditions, will remain protected and clear of the FS NAC venue. The backup racing venue, if needed, on Ponchatrain is even more protected and only about 40 miles away. In my opinion, hurricane season is more of a consideration for the FS NAC, to *any* venue near a coastal area (Gulf coat, East coast). Support the class and BWYC. With the primary and backup plans in place, BWYC has gone above and beyond as host to support the Flying Scot class. Michael Mittman FS# 5804, Fleet 23 Captain Corinthian Sailing Club White Rock Lake Dallas, TX

I agree with MMITTMAN on this and fully support the FSSA decision not to move the venue. However, I'd like to express my disappointment with the national reaction to our situation here on the Coast which, unfortunately, many of the posts in this thread and other 2010 NAC threads echo. Booms have been in place across the mouth of the Bay of St. Louis, where BWYC is located, for at least three weeks that I'm personally aware of. As far as I am know, there is NO VISIBLE OIL SPILL RELATED CONTAMINATION on the mainland Mississippi Coast. Nor am I am aware of even single closed mainland MS beach. The tar balls reported on the mainland beaches appear to be from naturally and constantly occurring seepage in the marshes and other tributaries. Until this disaster occurred, few of us here knew what a common occurance that natural seepage is. It's no wonder that folks looking from the outside would assume that they are BP related. They are not. To be clear, the Mississippi Coast and the Bay of St. Louis are OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Much of the area is naturally protected by the barrier islands and the venue waters are further protected by booms and other measures. It's extremely unlikely that those waters will ever be closed to recreational users. Again, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is OPEN FOR BUSINESS and we need your support. If the $h!t really hits the fan (like it isn't a disaster already) and the race can't happen at BWYC, the FSSA community and individual members should strongly consider setting recreation aside and instead using race week to doing something tangible to help minimize the impact of this environmental catastrophe.

A BIT OF AN EDITORIAL: As Gulf District Governor I strongly encourage our FSSA membership to participate in the 2010 NAC if at all possible. While I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that the oil will not get into the Bay, I can guarantee excellent competition and hospitality. As we are now some 3 weeks away from the first day of racing, the possibility of oil getting into the Bay seems quite low. Bay-Waveland Yacht Club puts on great regattas, and rises to the challenge no matter the circumstance. One year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005 BWYC hosted the prestigious GYA Lipton Regatta – using a “club-house” consisting of 2 house trailers with a tent between them. The pool was OK and portable restrooms and showers were brought in. That weekend was also my first real trip to “the Coast” since Katrina and I was awed by the destruction. Essentially nothing had been left standing – all of my friends homes were just slabs now. As Dan Baird, the SYC Fleet Captain, and I rested between measuring boats for the Lipton’s, we observed a Scot in the water and pondered what the Katrina storm surge must have been like – a surge that was actually higher than the Scot mast we were looking at. But, BWYC wound up putting on a great Lipton regatta. BWYC built a new clubhouse in the ensuing years, but then along came Hurricane Gustav in August of 2008. (See photo of BWYC during Gustov on the Web.) But 9 months later they successfully hosted the GYA Opening Regatta! We are certainly expecting a great 2010 NAC, despite the negative press the area has been receiving about the oil spill. And yes, I still am eating the seafood from our area! You may have other reasons for not wanting to attend, but please do not let the FEAR of oil be the reason. --------------- PLEASE SEE THE FLYER FROM BAY WAVELAND YACHT CLUB (BWYC) ON THE FSSA WEBSITE.ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR EARLY REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JUNE 12. CHECK THE FSSA WEBSITE FOR FUTURE UPDATED As has been noted elsewhere, due to the Gulf Oil spill the potential to move this event to a nearby location does exist. The Pontchartrain Yacht Club (PYC) on the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain has been selected as an alternate site for re-location should oil get into the Bay. PYC is located about 45 miles from BWYC, much of which in Interstate. It is similar in size and offers similar facilities to BWYC, including ample accommodations nearby. If this should occur, competitors will be advised via e-mail from the FSSA as well as post on the website. It is expected that if this move is necessary the decision will be made approximately 1-week prior to the event. Anyone with housing problems please note that Missy Altesse is the contact for housing. Her email is miss...@cableone.net. Oil Update 6-7-10: THE LOCATION OF THE SOURCE OF THE OIL SPILL IS 125 MILES TO THE SSE OF BWYC. · The latest surface oil forecast has it moving toward the coast west of the mouth of the Mississippi River, and East of the mouth of Mobile Bay. · Keep in mind that Bay St. Louis is "tucked in" behind both Mississippi and Louisiana barrier islands some 8-15 miles distant, as well as Louisiana marsh to the South and Southwest. It has a relatively narrow mouth opening into Mississippi Sound (NOT the Gulf of Mexico). And, there are 2 rivers that flow into it. There is already protective boom in place across the mouth of the Bay just in case. · There is clockwise "Loop Current" in the Gulf (well-known in the coastal areas but not to the rest of the U.S.) that appears to have two benefits to the oil not interfering with our NAC: (1) it flows east near the shoreline, so it would take any near-shore oil to the east (as noted over the weekend with the Florida and Alabama beaches). (That is why the oil is currently headed towards Pensacola, not Bay Waveland.) (2) it flows west further south. (That is why the oil nearer to the spill is headed to Louisiana, not towards Bay Waveland). If you Google "Gulf of Mexico Loop Current" and then click on the Weather Underground, there is a good description of the loop current with graphics. · U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor (a sailor and a BWYC member) and Dr Michael Carron, Director of the Northern Gulf Institute, flew the Mississippi Sound, state line to state line on Saturday. They found no oil. Closest oil was about 30 miles south Petit Bois Island, the island on the AL/MS state line. WLOX TV-13 just aired the interview. Dr Carron said the currents are protecting the Mississippi Coast. · A local Louisiana sailor recently sailing from Mandeville, LA to Gulfport. MS and the barrier islands saw no oil on the water. · My brother and his wife went to the Mississippi Coast last week and saw no oil, just preventative boom. · Participants in a distance PHRF race from New Orleans to Gulfport, MS this weekend reported no oil sightings. The race course passes about 5 miles south of BWYC. · A comparative chart that shows oil flow forecast from early May to that of early June is on the FSSA Website so that everyone can get an idea of the movement that occurred in approximately 30 days as well as today’s forecast. Good Sailing! Larry Taggart FSSA Gulf District Governor Good Sailing, Larry