WNR 2020 - Participant Poll and Important Information

We live in unprecedented times. The WNR Steering Committee has been monitoring CDC, state, and local guidelines as we have made our decisions about WNR. We plan to resume WNR on August 5. 

While we work on updated NOR, SI's, and registration forms, please take a few moments to answer our informal poll. We want responses from as many WNR participants as possible, NOT just skippers/owners, so please share this post as needed. We know everyone has plenty of opinions and they will all be different. We would like to hear them.

It has always been, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each owner/skipper to decide whether to race. It is also the responsibility of the owner/skipper to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, whether they are local, state, or WNR-specific mandates. Our ability to host WNR will depend on everyone involved.

As a heads-up, we will be requiring all participants - skippers AND all crew members - to sign a waiver. We also expect compliance with all local and state mandates, and CDC guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

It will be everyone's collective, personal responsibility to follow all mandates, and we expect owners/skippers to ensure their crew is aware of, and complies with, mandates and best practices.

Stay tuned for updated NOR, SI's, registration forms, and the waiver.

Sailboat Performance 101

Sailboat Performance 101
How to (Legally) Make Your Boat Faster

Frank DeBord

Do you know how to maximize your boat speed in all conditions?   To achieve this you have to understand the wind and water forces acting on it, and how your actions can change these forces. This presentation is a practical discussion of things you can do to make your boat faster. It discusses the forces acting on any racing yacht and then provides specific actions you can take to legally improve your boat speed. Examples are given for a typical racer/cruiser, a sport boat and a Star.

Frank DeBord is a Naval Architect with more than 35 years of experience analyzing racing yacht performance, including performance optimization for eight America’s Cup defenders and challengers, two Volvo Race syndicates and more than 20 Grand Prix ocean racers.   Projects have included course record holders for the Newport to Bermuda, Transpac and Sydney Hobart races. 

Sail Committee Speaker Series
Thursday February 6, 6:00pm at MRYC

Reservations Required 410-745-9511

Is your boat still up in the Yard?

You have only one week left to get your boat ready for racing. First race is May 6th. First warning is at 6:05 pm.

We still have the same "Hotline" for finding out the current race status. Call the Museum at
410-745-6428 extension 255
to hear any pre-race announcements like "are we really going out with all those clouds on the horizon?" Any announcements will be made at least 45 minutes prior to the first warning.

For those of you interested in dinner and/or drinks after the races, the Miles River Yacht Club will have a buffet dinner set up from 7pm until everyone gets a chance to eat. No more freaking out to get food before the town rolls up the sidewalks. The bar will stay open until 10pm as well. All are welcome - you don't need to be a member to get a bite to eat after the races.

Skippers Meeting Highlights

For those of you unable to attend the Skippers Meeting on Wednesday, here's what you missed:

The Official Notice Board for all announcements and changes is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sm-wns/

You can sign up for email notices, or you can check the website for updates. You will have two weeks notice of any change, but it is up to you to sign up or check.

The RC will be broadcasting and monitoring on channel 78 this year. We found that there was lots of traffic on our old channel, so we're hoping the channel 78 will be open.

Stay off the line when it is not your class. Your class flag will go up 5 minutes before your start and that is plenty of time for you to check the line. If you flag is not up, then other people are trying to race, so you should be somewhere else. Not only is it in the rules to stay clear (RSS 23.1), but there is an instruction to stay clear (10.1).

Hitting the RC boat will still get you disqualified. We really don't like to be hit.

Class splits for PHRF are the same as last year with one move - Cabaret (the Elite 35) will move to PHRF B class.

We still have laminated course sheets available, so come by the Race Committee boat and pick one up. It probably won't make it the season, but it will last longer than paper!

Remember that we still have a "Hotline" to call for last-minute updates. You know, if it is looking stormy and you want to know if the race has been abandoned. Call the Museum at:

410-745-6428 Ex. 255

A recorded announcement will let you know what's happening.

Who's Coming Back?

Well, what are the rumors out there about who will be sailing out there this summer. Will you?

There was some talk that maybe the Colgates might not be in town this summer. Apparently that's not true. One has been seen going through town on a trailer, so there is a chance that we will see at least one out there. That's good news - they're accessible boats.

Apparently the crew of Inka is also undaunted by the loss of their skipper and mentor, Hugh Kabler. The seem to have acquired access to an Alberg 30 and intend to bring it out to race! An Alberg will fit right in with the B class and with all that talent on board, things could heat up in the B.

There is also a rumor that Tad has the old Westphal 28 named Cassiopeiae and intends to race. Now I remember when Tad used to load up his Cal 40 with 10-year-old kids and then proceed to kick our butts. No word on Tad filling the new boat with Jr. Sailing Rock Stars, but I wouldn't be surprised if he still some tricks up his sleeve.

I hear lots of people are itching to get on the water. Only 21 days to the first race. Are you ready?

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?

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