Morning everyone,

Attached is the 2019 race calendar including races associated with the musters and a dedicated day in August where we hope to hold an open day and mini regatta with the focus on socialising and fun as opposed to hard nosed racing. A copy of this calendar will be up on the notice board today and new course card and revised sailing instructions will follow shortly.

Start times for the Wednesday Wacky races are up for discussion and I would hope to hold an evening meeting nearer to lift in when everyone is starting to think about the season in full again. This calendar cannot happen by itself so I would appreciate if you would indicate even an interest in participating in the racing this year. I am reassured that arrangements have been made for the Lady Isle bout to be reinstated and hope to set up a “WhatsApp “ or similar group to facilitate crews for boats on a week to week basis.

In contrast to previous years a “race” will count even if there is only one starter as otherwise there is no incentive for crews to turn up. There will be three possible outcomes in the event on only one competing boat:
1) The seating boat sails and completes the course and scores 1 point
2) The starting boat communicates with the OOD for the night and states its intention to cross the line but retire, (you can go for a sail if you wish but it allows the OOD to go home. Score: 2 points
3) Your yacht is not competing on this night: Score: 6 points

In this way you are rewarded for turning up and by simply sailing regularly you have a significantly higher chance of winning any given series.

I would also like yachts to “register” their intention to sail either via a board outside the club on the day/evening of racing or via VHF on channel 72 to the OOD and for the OOD to give a report of sea state, any shipping moment and wind strength as observed form the end of the pier 30 minutes prior to any race start time.

As I said previously updated guidelines and sailing instructions including course cards will follow.

I hope your boat preparations are going well and you are looking forward to the cruising and racing season ahead.

Best Wishes

Connor McGaughey