GPYC’s First Event — The Memorial Day Sailing Clinic

GPYC had a very successful inaugural event on May 29, 2011 at Bill and Joan Witkin’s lake house on the south end of Hoyt’s Island.

In spite of heavy overcast and cool temps in the morning, a hearty group showed up for a sailing clinic and practice race.

Peter McManus (PRO) and Ben Ford (Commodore) offer tips on starting strategy and racing etiquette.

Principal Race Officer, Peter McManus, and Commodore, Ben Ford, led the race clinic to get everyone up to speed on course layout basics, starting rules and strategies, and race etiquette.

A toast to officially kick off GPYC and its inaugural event.

Before racing, we toasted to GPYC’s launch with a bottle of locally produced Tree Spirits maple champagne and fortified ourselves with a quick lunch prepared by Social Director, Sheldon (“Captain Weenie”) Perkins, who introduced us to his signature recipe — hot dogs sizzled in bacon fat.

Just as the sun broke the clouds, and with plenty of ballast in our keels, we hit the water to practice starts and test our skills in two short, fun races.

The day’s fleet consisted of three boats: Pam Cobb and Mark Heuberger’s JY15, “Johnny”; Peter McManus’s Minuet; and Ben and Barb Ford’s Lightning, “Dragonfly”.

Peter’s Minuet took both races after times were corrected under Portsmouth Rules handicapping:

[slideshow]