LHYC.org June
2004
Mission Statement:
The objects of the Lloyd Harbor Yacht Club shall be to encourage and promote interest in, as well as to foster the art and enjoyment of, the sport of sailing by providing the opportunity and means for the development of individual skill and knowledge, encouraging excellence in seamanship and navigation, and by providing participative events wherein these qualities can be exercised under the aegis of the LHYC burgee.
Well, the season is in high
gear, and a lot has happened over the last month. Let me try to recap and give a look into the upcoming events,
including the 4th of July cruise and the Little Brown Jug
race/picnic.
The racing season didn’t
exactly start with a roar. However hard
Lorenzo Vascotto and company tried as race committee for the Spring Series we
couldn’t get a race off. The winds were
uncharacteristically light for the Spring, and after many hours it was decided
that the party might be the best thing going.
There was a good showing, as always, to help out with the pizza and
beverages, thanks go out to the Rubel gang for putting this together for us.
The cruising season was nicely kicked off with the
Memorial Day cruise. We went west this
year, starting in Greenwich Friday night, and then City Island on
Saturday. A number of us enjoyed the
hospitality of the Harlem YC on Saturday, a dinner ashore topped off with a
beautiful sunset. After a hotly
contested race, and a grounder, (story to come), we pulled into America YC were
we had a lovely BBQ on Sunday. A number
of us hunted down the AYC Vice Commodore to congratulate him on beating us in
the YRA Commodores Cup, (story below).
He was very gracious and let us know that he was going to promote a
world-class event for this race next year!
After a slog home through a building nor’easter we meet at the LHYC mooring
for the Commissioning. With all the
flag officers in attendance, and a number of other boats too, we rang in the
colors in style, (I’m really getting to like having the Club cannon in my
possession).
The following weekend had us once again hosting the
Huntington Bay Championship along with Huntington YC. The weekend gala began with the Woman’s Spirit race on Friday
night. We ran it in conjunction with
our Friday Night raft-up/race to allow the boys on the course too, (although in
a separate division). Congratulations
to Vex, who nipped out our Vice Commodore on Pied Piper in a dieing
southerly. A number of the ladies
finished back at HYC for a nice gathering.
Saturday had a great turnout and some serious breeze to go with it, (not
to mention the tide at the weather mark, can 13). Again a party at HYC, although forced inside by the rain, a good
time was had by all.
The Commodores Cup was Friday
night, 6/11/04. The turn out was less
than expected with only 5 boats on the line duking it out for this prestigious
perpetual trophy. Congratulations to
the crew of Challenge, and a better turn out showed for the raft-up
afterwards. The J-24 Mid-sound regatta
had similar problems with turn out, a lucky 13 boats registered. The competition was fierce as always with
these boats, and we may work on the scheduling problems for next year. We are thinking of the Commodores Cup back
on a weekend, and there is some talk of trying to combine the Mid Sound
with the Huntington Bay Championship.
Anyone with suggestions/comments, please help us out.
Up coming events- The 4th of July cruise is this weekend, with the Friday
before coinciding with the monthly race/raft-up. Come on out for the local event Friday, (maybe even stay the
night on the mooring), or the whole holiday weekend in Oyster Bay, (see
attached flyer). The Make-a-Wish
Stratford Shoal is right around the corner, (flyer enclosed). This is a nice way to get all those, I can
reach with the best of them, cruising boats out, so if you’ve never done a
Stratford Shoal race, give it a try.
It’s a nice night out on the water with some great sailboat racing
without the close quarters of the buoy racing.
The Little Brown Jug race/picnic is Sunday 8/8/04. This is what I think is the premier members
only fun race of the year. We knock it
about for a notorious perpetual trophy, and afterwards all meet up at the beach
for a great family BBQ, (again, flyer enclosed). Looking further ahead is the Labor Day cruise, a nice way to wrap
up the cruising schedule.
Member News-
I’m happy to say I’ve had no reports of bad news this month, however the good
news/results abroad is so extensive I’m sure to leave something out, but here
goes the old college try. We can see
now why the Challenge crew showed up so in tune for the Commodore’s Cup after
their results in the American Spring series.
Even through some big breeze and some gear failure, they persevered to
win their division, congrats. Thanks go
out to Ed Dole for letting the Board of Directors take him out on his boat to
compete in the YRA Commodores Cup.
Although Ed said the boat was weighed down by more beer than he’s ever
seen on board, we managed to squeak out a second place in this historic race. Thanks Ed.
When it comes to the Block Island race, the LHYC has always had a boat
or two in the running. No exceptions
this year, with Ed Dole taking his division, Erling Kristiansen taking 3rd
in his, and no doubt one of the youngest skippers entered, new member Bobby
Storck had a respectable finish with the kids from his almamater on board. Congratulations to all. The youngest of the Storck’s continue to
impress, this time at the US Youth Championships. The final race was shifty, but we of LI Sound are used to
that. Eric took the 420 division with
sister Katie nipping at his heels, coming in at 6th. Congrats!
We have a new group of
applicants to introduce this month.
There is a ballot enclosed, please return it to Bob Corso by either
regular mail, fax or e-mail. The
applicants all show great enthusiasm, and here’s some details; Jay
and Sharon Buckley own an Ericson 28 which they would like to start
cruising and maybe even some racing. He
has been sailing most of his life, and owned a Hobbie cat before this. Sean
and Lisa Flaherty own a JY 15 and have been involved in Huntington Bay
sailing for a year or so. He has
extensive sailing experience all over the country, and is now teaching sailing
at the Oyster Bay Sailing School. He
hopes to help us with our grass roots effort, as well as crew on the bigger
boats as much as possible. Arnie and Cathy Lesser don’t really
need an introduction. They have been
sailing Bon Coeur in LHYC events forever.
Arnie has made the decision to join to meet more of the members, and
help out in our racing program. Chris and Lisa Waldorf have bought
themselves a beautiful J-46. Chris has
extensive racing experience, PHRF, one design and he crewed in some of the LHYC
events in years past. They hope to race
and cruise the new boat with us.
Welcome to all, and hope to see you out there soon.
Grounder Award- It is now my pleaser to present to you our first Grounder
nomination! It was a glorious job,
having lots of visibility, you guest it, during the Memorial Day cruise. It appears one of our newer members might have
gotten a little turned around at the entrance to American YC, and thought he
was one harbor over. Needless to say
the well marked government buoy was passed to the wrong side, (a mistake any of
us could have made). Well if any of you
were wondering, we have an update and yes indeed, Ship Rock is still in two
foot of water, and still very hard.
Congratulations on this distinct honor, and remember if you’d like to
keep your name out of the Annual meeting ceremony, it’s easy, just find some
more nominations out there for us to print.
See You Out There,
Charlie Powers
Commodore