2009 Bay Cup I

(As reported by GuidryNews.com)

Over 60 race boats participated in this year’s Bay Cup I regatta held on Galveston Bay on March 7. Hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club, this is a long distance race of approximately 20 miles into Trinity Bay.

Racers experienced unusually heavy winds in the mid 20 knot range with gusts up to 27 knots.

“We were very pleased with the near record turn out for this winter regatta,” remarked Race Committee Chairman Dwight Bengtson. “I am so appreciative of the race committee’s effort in executing the starts for the race in such windy conditions and of the racers for their courtesy and sportsmanship on the course. “

When the awards party took place Sat. night in the club’s lounge, ten Lakewood racers won trophies as Bengtson announced the winners from the podium.

Taking first place for their division were Laird Cogburn on “Loopy”, PHRF Non-Spinnaker A and Tom Youen’s “Material Girl”, PHRF Spinnaker B.

Claiming second place for their division were Carl Drechsel on “Patriot”, PHRF Non-Spinnaker B; Bill Zartler on “Solaris”, PHRF Spinnaker A; Tom Macaluso’s “Pro Re Nata”, Cruising Non-Spinnaker B; and Past Lakewood Commodore Glenn Robinson on “Dixie Apple”, Cruising Non-Spinnaker A.

Winning third place for their division were Gerry Laster on “Between the Sheets”, Cruising Non-Spinnaker A; former Kemah Mayor Bill King on his catamaran “Hard Times”, Multi-Hull B division; Sol Zittrer with son Jay on “Legacy”, PHRF Non-Spinnaker B; and Tim Vogelsang on “Tanura”, PHRF Non-Spinnaker A.

“We would also like to thank our sponsors without whom our race would not have been possible: Bay Access, Sea Lake Yacht Sales, and Sobieski Vodka,” concluded Bengston.

Complete Race Results

Spring Opti-Fest 2009

(As reported by sail-world.com)

US SAILING Center’s latest event- the Spring Opti-fest hosted by the Sailing Center Martin County March 14th - 16th was a great success. Strategically scheduled ahead of the FL State Championships, USODA National Team Trials, and the South American Optimist Championships, the event attracted many great sailors from around the country and as far away as Germany and Denmark.

There was some rain and a lot of sun. Winds were sustained from the SE at 19kts gusting to 24kts. Sea conditions were a 1.5’ chop.

The purpose of these events is to promote the development of skillful youth sailors aged between 8 to 21 years and to provide an Olympic pathway for talented sailors. But more than anything, the purpose of these events is to have fun.

Team Zoum again showed a competitive edge earning medals in each of the Championship classes. Axel Sly of Coral Reef Yacht Club ('CRYC') won the overall Championship fleet as well as the Red Fleet. Conner Harding of Naples Community Sailing ('NCSC') overcame a broken sprit halyard preventing his competition in race 5 to take second overall in the Blue Fleet.

Ian MacDiarmid of Palm Beach and Booth Bay Yacht Club won the White Fleet. And a new kid on the block, Prescott Coleman just turning 9- the youngest competitor in the Championship Fleet of Lauderdale Yacht Club ('LYC') took second place also in the White Fleet.

Complete Results

Big Daddy Regatta

(As reported by Latitude38.com)

Richmond YC's Big Daddy Regatta was the third big event this weekend, and in terms of sheer numbers, it was the largest. Just under 100 boats showed up for Saturday's three buoy races, sailed on two courses by six one-design and four PHRF divisions. Sunday's pursuit race drew 81 boats and Peter Stoneberg's Formula 40 Shadow — see the March issue of Latitude 38 for more on the Bay's newest high-performance multihull — notched her first win in her first ever race.

Complete Saturday Results
Complete Sunday Results

2009 HYC XXIII Annual Elissa Regatta

(As reported by Globe Newswire)
The Port of Houston Authority (PHA), the Texas Seaport Museum and the Houston Yacht Club have teamed up again this year to bring the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa up the Houston Ship Channel for educational and public tours. The Elissa will be open for tours at PHA's Bayport Cruise Terminal from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, and will also be the site of the skippers' meeting for the 23rd Annual Elissa Regatta Festival to be hosted by HYC April 3-5.

"This event is an example of how well the Texas Gulf Coast is recovering from Hurricane Ike," said HYC Commodore Mike Bordelon. "Both the Elissa and HYC were significantly affected by the storm, but the Elissa volunteers have done a masterful job of repairing their historic vessel and HYC is anxious to show off the plans for our new harbor, which is under construction at this time."

Wade Battles, acting executive director of the Port of Houston Authority, said PHA is pleased to host the historic vessel again this year. "The Elissa's visit to Bayport last year was beneficial to the community. We hope even more area residents, especially school groups, will take the time to come visit the ship this year. She is an important symbol of Galveston Bay's maritime heritage."

The tall ship will be open for student and public tours for five days before taking part in the three-day Elissa Regatta Festival, which is also open to the public, according to Ruth Keenan, HYC's chair for the event. The yacht club, located in Shoreacres near the Bayport Terminal, has supported the Elissa with a benefit regatta every year since 1986.

A special feature of this year's festival will be a Consuls' Regatta, which will honor the country of Spain.

"We hope this will be the beginning of a new tradition for HYC and the Houston Consular Corps," said Cheryl Thomas, HYC's Rear Commodore and Consuls' Regatta chair.

Another highlight of the weekend will be a concert by singer and songwriter Jay Nash the evening of April 4.

"The three-day event, as well as the educational and public tours the preceding week, will support the exhibits, community activities and educational programs of the Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum," Keenan said.

Results

Big Dinghy Regatta

(As reported by Latitude 38.com)

Ninety-six boats in eight classes showed up for a fine weekend of racing at Richmond YC's Big Dinghy Regatta. There were two to four races on Saturday, and a pursuit race Sunday. Big winners on Saturday included Lawrence Henderson, whose I-14 topped a 24-boat Southampton Open Class, Mike Gillum on an O'Day Daysailer in the Keller Cove Open Class (11 boats), Fred Paxton in El Toros (16 boats) and Chris Boome in Lasers (14 boats). On Sunday, Tim Parsons' Hobie 20 topped a 34-boat field to win the 13.5-mile pursuit race around Red Rock, Southampton and Brooks Island.

Complete Saturday Results
Complete Sunday Results