Steering Committee is Ready

The Steering Committee for St. Michaels Wednesday Night Racing met over the weekend. For those of you interested in the organization of the racing on Wednesdays, the Steering Committee serves as the "Organizing Authority" you read about in the rules.

The Steering Committee does things like:

• Plan for the races
• Decide on class splits
• Decide on scoring system
• Decide on prizes
• Write the Notice of Race
• Register participants
• Provide race equipment for Race Committee
• Get insurance

It's a lot of crazy little things just to keep the whole process moving. After meeting for about 2 hours over the weekend, I think they ironed out everything. And it even looks like everyone is still friends!

Notice of Race should be coming soon. 36 days to the first race! Are you ready?

Feed Weirdness

It seems like the feed has gone haywire! Those of you using RSS (real simple syndication), or Atom may have noticed some oddness. The problem seems to be between FeedBurner and Blogger.

I'm trying to find if there is a reasonable solution, but it seems like a technical problem to be solved by the suppliers. I made a couple changes that should temporarily solve some of the weirder problems, but hang in there for an actual fix. If you get a bunch of re-posts, sorry about that.

Marshall

HISF JAM Race

The Herring Island Sailing Fleet runs some Jib and Main (JAM) races over the summer. These races are geared toward non-serious racers, or serious racers who just want to bring friends and family out to have a little fun. In an effort to make one of them a little more fun, they have created a "LeMans Start" JAM race. If you're interested, check out the Notice of Race on the Files Section of the Yahoo! mail group for Wednesday Night sailing.

Marshall

RC Gets Schooled

Three of us on the Race Committee took some time on Saturday to attend a class on Race Management hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club. Chris Jallade, John Jallade (both pictured), and I all drove over at an unreasonable hour to sit in on the lecture.

We could see people playing on the water while we were in class prepping for a test! 420s, Optis, and Lasers were racing while some Farr 40s and Beneteaus were practicing. Harsh torment while trying to concentrate, but at least the test-taking part of working on the RC is done for another 4 years.

Marshall

2009 Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe Schedule

Inquiring minds are asking about the 2009 Log Canoe Schedule, so here you go!

June 27th & 28th Miles River Yacht Club - July 4th Series
July 11th & 12th Chester River Yacht Club
July 18th & 19th Rock Hall Yacht Club
July 25th & 26th Miles River Yacht Club - Governor's Cup
Aug 5th James H. Wilson Round the Island Race
Aug 8th & 9th TAYC Annual Regatta
Aug 22nd & 23rd TAYC Heritage Regatta
Sept 12th & 13th Miles River Yacht Club
Sept 19th Miles River Yacht Club
Sept 20th Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Spectator boats are welcome - just stay behind the chase boats and keep wake to a minimum.

Marshall

Grumbling on the Water

Grumbling about the Race Committee to your crew is a common past-time. Heck, I remember saying to my crew, "We'll never finish in the time limit", and "That mark is not at all upwind". In the heat of the noon-day sun, we often think that we might do better.

Generally, the Race Committee wants to know what you think of the races. Feedback can make the races better for everyone,
especially telling the Race Committee what you liked about the races. Pick a time when your feedback can be understood in a calm and relaxed environment.

What doesn't work is yelling across the water to the Race Committee. Unless there is a gross safety of fairness problem, it's best to leave the feedback to later. You want to be careful that grumblings don't turn into shouting matches. Be absolutely sure that all communication is free of obscenities and offensive characterizations. It could easily be construed as dissent.
There has been a lot discussion over the last year about Rule 2 and Rule 69 violations. One competitor was famously barred from racing for a Rule 69 breech. The Royal Yacht Association recently published a guide to Rule 69 that both competitors and Race Committee people might find useful.

RYA Misconduct Guidance
Flip through it and check out Appendix A. Make sure your crew understands that respect for the sport includes respect for other competitors and Race Officials.

Marshall

It's Coming!

We're working on a Notice of Race for the 2009 season of St Michaels Wednesday Night Racing.


There is a meeting on the 29th of the month where the final touches will be put on the document. Do you have any comments or ideas we should consider for the coming year? Now is your opportunity to have your voice heard.


Marshall

New Racing Rules Seminar

Hey folks,
Remember that there is a Racing Rules Seminar this weekend at theMiles River Yacht Club on Saturday from 1-4 pm.
Space is limited, so be sure to make reservations with the Club (Margo401-745-9511). This session is $20 and includes lunch.
Marshall