Anna Tunnicliffe in action. Photo: John Payne

Our March speaker has a sailing resume that starts off this way: #1 Ranked Women’s Match Racer.

Scroll down to read about her latest honors: ISAF World Sailor of the Year (her second) and US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year (a record-tying fourth). Then there’s the Olympic Gold Medal from 2008 for Laser Radial.

Oh, and she’s terrific person. The sort of person who gives away all those flashy Rolex watches she won to parents and teammates.

Anna Tunnicliffe will be our speaker for the Arizona Yacht Club membership meeting at 7 pm, Tuesday, March 13, at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills Golf Course, 1415 North Mill Avenue, Tempe. Guests are welcome to attend.

This summer, Anna will compete in the Olympics in Weymouth, England, with teammates Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi in match racing on Elliott 6m boats.

Born in England, Anna’s parents moved to the U.S. when she was 12 and she began sailing on Lake Erie, proving to be a natural. She competed for Old Dominion in college and then focused on sailing in the Olympics, bringing home the first women’s gold in sailing in 20 years.

The traditional trophy-smacking shot. Photo: Daniel Foster

Washing and polishing the ASF fleet. Photos: Bob Nesbit

The Arizona Sailing Foundation boats have a shiny look today after being washed, buffed, and tweaked during a Saturday (2/4) work party. It was all part of an effort to have the boats ready for the spring series of classes by the nonprofit AYC subsidiary, including Start Sailing Right and Sailing Skills Development for adults, high school classes, and two Opti classes for kids.

The 3+ hour work session included cleaning the storage area, washing all the boats and making sure all the rigging and sails are ready for the rough treatment they tend to get from beginning sailors. The work detail was organized by ASF president John Mayall and board members George Tingom and Greg Dean. Some of the others who jumped in to help included: Pat Blumm, the Davis family, Paul Eyssautier, Mike Ferring, Phil Freedman, Chalz Kirubi, Dick Krebill, Bob Nesbit, and Decker Williams. There were at least 3-4 others whose names we missed.

We thank everybody who lent a hand. Next: Let the classes begin!

CLICK HERE for the PDF Version

What a GREAT Birthday Regatta, eh?  Congratulations to us all, and major THANK YOUs to Joe and Katherine Motil and all the volunteers that helped make the 2012 AYC Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup such a great success! THANK YOU!

Next up? A desert “winter” full of sailing here in AZ and across the Southwest, AND BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS!!!

Check it out!

1. Commodore’s Corner – Desert “Winter” is Busy!
2. Very Happy Birthday Regatta!
3. US Sailing Instructor Class in March
4. Notice: 2011-12 Officers Nominating Meeting
5. Fleet of the Month – Portsmouth
6. For Sale! Want Ads!

Thanks to Chris Tingom for these great photos!  Submit your own to the website with our Submission Form:  http://arizonayachtclub.org/member-photo-submission/

Where does one start about this year’s AYC Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup?

Oh, wait, that’s easy…

THANK YOU JOE AND KATHERINE MOTIL! WOW! What a fabulous Regatta!!!!
…and…of course…
Thank you MOTHER NATURE for fabulous weather!
Thank you ANDREA & DOC CAROE our Race Management Team (PRO)!
Thank you VOLUNTEERS on Race Committee!
Thank you VOLUNTEERS on Shore for keeping everything running so smoothly!
Thank you DAVE CHRISTENSEN and WENDY LARSEN for scoring and shore support!
Thank you SILVIO BERLUSCONI (aka RICK JOHNSON) and TEAM GRAVITY GANG for Friday Dinner!
Thank you FUND RAISERS for raising over $25,000 (and still counting!) to CURE BLOOD CANCERS!
Thank you LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA SOCIETY for such a great mission for us to join in!
Thank you ULLMAN SAILS for sponsoring the FRIDAY CHALLEGE!
…and last but not least…
Thank you SAILORS for coming from near and far to create and enjoy our wonderful “Desert Vibe”!
Thank you ARIZONA YACHT CLUB for hosting such a great Regatta…AGAIN!

Few things are perfect, but by most accounts the 2012 Arizona Yacht Club Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup was pretty darn close.

Take a look for yourself… (photo’s Courtesy of Tom Erickson-Sailboat Shop)

2012 AYC Birthday Regatta Registrations – UPDATED 1/12/2012

ULLMAN SAILS FRIDAY CHALLENGE
Ullman Challenge NOR-SI FINAL 2012-01-10

 
BIRTHDAY REGATTA/LEUKEMIA CUP
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions

Fleet Counts and Agenda are Noted below:
6-Buccaneer 18
5-Merit 25
5-Montgomery 17
5-Multihull
11-PHRF Non-Spinnaker
13-PHRF Spinnaker
4-Portsmouth
9-Viper 640
58-TOTAL

Fleet Counts  Event Schedule / Agenda

Friday, January 13:
Ullman Sails “Center Board Challenge”
And Day 1 for 3-day Fleets
7:30 a.m. Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (pay on site)
9:00 a.m. Skippers’ Meeting
11:00 a.m. Registration Closes till 4pm
11:00 a.m. First Horn-Ullman Sails CB Challenge
4:00 p.m. Last Race STARTS
4:00 p.m. Registration Opens – till 6pm
5:00 p.m. Bar Opens 
6:00 p.m. Dinner – Guest Chef Silvio Berlusconi
7:00 p.m. Ullman Sails CB Challenge Awards
11:00 p.m. Bar Closes 

Saturday, January 14
Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup
7:30 a.m. Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet Opens (pay on site)
Served by Lake Pleasant Sailing Club
9:00 a.m. Skippers’ Meeting / LCR Welcome
11:00 a.m. First Horn
4:00 p.m. Last Race STARTS
4:00 p.m. Dinner Registration Opens
5:00 p.m. Bar Opens 
5:00 p.m. Silent Auction Opens
6:00 p.m. Dinner Buffet Opens
6:00 p.m. Dinner Welcome Announcement
7:15 pm Auction Closes
7:15 pm LCR Program – AUCTION / RAFFLE!
11:00 p.m. Bar Closes 

Sunday, January 15:
Birthday Regatta
7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (pay on-site)
9:00 a.m. First Horn
2:00 p.m. Last Race STARTS
4:00 p.m. Birthday Regatta Awards Ceremony

Joe Motil
Regatta Chairman
themotils@cox.net
(480) 216 7099

CLICK HERE for the PDF Version

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Out with the old – Congratulations to all the fall series winners!!
In with the new – It’s time for the AYC Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup!

Speaking of Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup…REGISTER TODAY to allow for accurate planning for regatta committee…and if you won’t be joining us then please take a minute to support your favorite FUND RAISING SAILOR – CLICK HERE – to help the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in their mission to cure blood cancers!

1) Commodore’s Corner – Happy New Year!

2) Birthday Regatta – Get Ready!

3) Governor’s Cup for Christmas

4) Spring Series +PLUS+ SCYA Midwinter Regatta

5) Fleet of the Month – PHRF non-Spinnaker Fleet

6) For Sale! Want Ads!

Click Here to Register for the Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup

This is the biggest event of the AYC  year, with boats from other parts of the country coming to try out Arizona weather in January.

But the event means more than a great weekend at the lake. Click Here for more information on the Leukemia Cup and what your entry/donation means for the fight against blood cancer here in AZ.

As in past years, the Birthday Regatta is Saturday and Sunday of MLK Weekend – 14 & 15 January.  Come race on Friday, January 13, too, for the Centerboard Challenge, open to anyone who can get the time off to race.

The Leukemia Cup will be awarded based on the Saturday Birthday Regatta results. If you sign up for both the Leukemia Cup and Birthday Regatta, entry Friday is free.

The Governor’s Cup lives: 11am Monday, December 26th. Registrations will be honored, new registrations accepted, and an additional event will be included. This is the postponed running of the race that was canceled because of too much wind on Thanksgiving weekend.

Thistles on Lake Pleasant. Photo: Chris Smith

As requested by dinghy sailors, all centerboard classes are invited to participate in a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) starting with the Full Marathon sailors and be eligible for the coveted Governors Cup Trophy! Entry Forms will be on the website. Please note “HALF” on the form if you are entering the half marathon.

The 30 sailors who showed up ready to brave the high winds and cool weather to participate in the 2011 Governors Cup Regatta were greeted with winds steady above 20kts, and gusting well over 30 blasting down the lake. The waves (with 4 miles of fetch) crashing on the dam were reminiscent of the ocean swells crashing on harbor breakers. There were already three victims on the beach—one small sailboat on the rocks at the base of the dam and two on the island near Pleasant Harbor.

Our start line just happened to be yards in front of the dam.  For the safety of the racers and their boats, I abandoned the race for the day.

Mike Parker, Event Organizer

CLICK HERE for the PDF Version

What a great Fall Season!  And as it nears its end our AYC  Holiday Season gets going with December 13, General Membership Meeting and the “Buccaneer Gift Exchange!”

Help us with Compass Points and please submit your stories or photos or both about all your “Winter Cruising” trips into the “Lower Lattitudes.”

And remember to get your Leukemia Cup Fund Raising going for the January 2012 Arizona Yacht Club Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup to help the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in their mission to cure blood cancers!

1) Commodore’s Corner – What a Great Fall Season!

2) Birthday Regatta – Fund Raising Basics

3) Peter Reggio Blitzes AYC November Membership Meeting

4) Governor’s Cup Regatta – Blown Away…to Dec 26, 2011

5) Maggie Blumm and Carina Freedman Win Ruth Beals Cup

6) Fleet of the Month – Sport Boat Fleet

7) For Sale! Want Ads!

Race Officer Peter "Luigi" Reggio speaking to the November AYC meeting. Photo: Mike Ferring

International Race Officer Peter “Luigi” Reggio says he’s worried about whether the next America’s Cup will go off smoothly or whether there will be enough strong contenders, but he also thinks it’s worth a shot—a reasonable gamble in a sport that could use a bolt of excitement to attract casual fans.

Luigi told a packed room at the November AYC membership meeting that he was worried that the America’s Cup organizers were trying to do too much too fast. And he said he had an uneasy feeling that Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison was trying to stack the game too much in his favor. But he also said he thought the technology and showmanship could advance a sport that doesn’t translate well to television.

Luigi is a rarity among race officers: someone who’s earned his living running races for the last 15 years. He’s done America’s Cup, Louis Vuitton Cup,the  Olympics, and a host of other races from Finns to Melges. During 2008 he says he was so busy running races that he spent only 35 days at his Connecticut home.

Peter Reggio wonders whether the America's Cup will come off as planned.

His winning philosophy: he’s there to serve the sailors. He knows that his job is to provide lots of good races so sailors go away having had a good time on the water.

With the big-time races, sometimes that proves challenging, with commercial and political interests putting pressure on the PRO to put them first. One of those times came during the 2008 Olympics when at the very end of the racing day, organizers demanded that he start the 49er finals even though conditions were terrible and the forecast for the next day was much more favorable. All the 49ers crashed or capsized in rough water and heavy wind, setting off a wave of protests and complaints.

Luigi came to AYC as part of the US Sailing Speaker Series, sponsored by Old Pulteney Single Malt Whiskey. His trip to Phoenix was bracketed by work in Korea and the Canary Islands as he circles the planet running sailboat races.

Coming up: ISAF Sailor of the Year Anna Tunnicliffe tells us she thinks she can make the AYC February meeting!

2011 Ruth Beals Cup Winners (left to right) Carina Freedman and Maggie Blumm and reigning champ Amy Grothe

The ASU/AYC member racing team of Captain Maggie Blumm and crew Carina Freedman dominated this year’s annual Arizona Yacht Club Ruth Beals sailing regatta, winning four of five races. The competition took place on Tempe Town Lake Saturday, November 12, and required women at the helm.

Ruth Beals was the woman who founded the Arizona Yacht Club in 1958. She died this year.

Racing was held at the east end of Tempe Town Lake in light breezes reaching up to 10 knots, directed by AYC Race Officer David Rawstrom and his team. All races went off without incident or protest.

Both Maggie Blumm and Carina Freedman attend ASU and are up-and-comers on the ASU Sailing Club’s Women’s Racing Team. Maggie is a native of Arizona and Carina is from Southern California.

Former Ruth Beals Cup winner Amy Grothe finished in second place with crew Kory Deleado. And Cynthia Pillote with crew Mike Ferring finished third.

ASU Racing Coach Philip C. Freedman, a former America Cup skipper watched Maggie and daughter Carina snatch the cup, saying “These young women sailors had strong starts and sailed smart, strategic races, both up and downwind. I’m proud of them!”

Tight turn at the mark.

AYC Rear Commodore Mike Ferring added, “We want to involve more women in the sport and this annual event is a great way to let them show their skill.”

The Ruth Beals Cup will happen at the same time and place in 2012. All women are welcome to compete and anyone may volunteer to help or watch from the viewing area or on the water.

For further info and photos of the event visit Facebook/Ruth Beals Cup 2011.

December’s membership meeting brings the annual AYC gift exchange, a gift exchange with a twist. You might say twisted, even. The meeting is at 7 pm, Tuesday, December 13, at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills, 1415 North Mill Avenue, Tempe.

Here’s how the gift exchange works:

• You bring a wrapped gift valued at less than $20.
• You pick a number from a hat to determine the order we select gifts.
• We’ll have two people called to the front of the room at the same time.
• Each person can choose to pick a wrapped gift from the pile or play pirate and take the gift from someone who’s already opened one.
• Gifts can be “pirated” only twice before they’re safe from further theft.

Consider giving AYC goodies as Christmas gifts. The Ship’s Store will be open at the meeting. Other gift suggestions: Liquor always seems to bring applause!

Thistles on Lake Pleasant. Photo: Chris Smith

This year, as last, we will be sailing a 26.2 statute mile Marathon around and about most of the lake attractions and amenities.  I will conduct a Skippers Meeting at Spinnaker Point at 9am, just east of the Sailboat Shop. The start of the race will be at 11am in the Pleasant Harbor side of the lake, in the North Launch Bay.  We will sail up and down the lake, around islands and floating bathrooms, within “care package” delivery by our local pubs, and finally finishing at the same marks as the start.  There will be no penalty for leaving the course and stopping at any of the comfort stations as long as needed.  There will be a minimal entry fee of $10 for each participant.

All participants will be required to check in (as indicated on the course chart) as soon as safe and possible if retiring or finishing.  When a participating boat finishes, I will need your finish time including seconds, boat ahead, and boat behind (if available).

I will have an “official” course chart available online at www.arizonayachtclub.org on or before Wednesday, November 23 and also at 8am Saturday before the skippers meeting.  I will also be able to distribute on the water for those not able to attend the skippers meeting.

There will be several classes divided by racing abilities, potential, and Regatta Chairman caprice.  Entry Forms will be available Online and Saturday at the lake. Entry Forms will be accepted by mail, in person at monthly membership meetings, or Saturday at the lake.

Last year was sailed by every class of boat from 14′ dinghies to 33′ racing machines.  The top to boats to finish were separated by 3 seconds, and everyone was off the lake by dark.  The USCG Auxiliary was on hand and we anticipate they will be available for monitoring for any emergencies.

Please contact me for further info and check the website often for updates.

Regards
Michael Parker
AYC Cruising Captain
SailArrrr@gmail.com

CLICK HERE for the PDF Version

The Fall Season is in full swing now, and that means the 2012 AYC Birthday RegaHa and Leukemia Cup are just around the corner. Join us November 8th to kick off the our Leukemia Cup Regatta fundraising season and help the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in their mission to cure blood cancers!

Before we get to 2012 though we still have lots to do in 2011. check it out in this month’s Compass Points!
1) Commodore’s Corner – We Need Your Help – Again

2) Birthday Regatta – Fund Raising Basics – Sail with Jobson!

3) November 8 Club Meeting – Peter Reggio

4) Welcome New AYC Members!

5) Sign Up for Governor’s Cup Regatta – Nov 26, 2011

6) The article that wasn’t….

7) Fleet of the Month – Merit 25

Your Photos on Our Website!

9) For Sale! Want Ads!

Peter “Luigi” Reggio is one of the top race officers in the world and certainly the most entertaining. In fact, he confesses, “I’m  probably a little too honest with what I say.”

Perfect! Just what we need for a lively AYC membership meeting and Luigi will be our guest speaker for the Tuesday (11/8) gathering, starting promptly at 7pm at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills (previously known as the 19th Tee).

AYC November speaker Peter "Luigi" Reggio

He comes to us as part of the US Sailing Speaker Series, accompanied by a tasting of Old Pulteney Single Malt Whiskey, for those so inclined.

Why “Luigi”? He told Sailing World magazine: “There were five guys on the floor named Peter when I worked at North Sails-Connecticut in the 1970s. I got Luigi because of my last name. The  [nicknames] for the other four are unprintable.” His has stuck through nearly four decades of sailing experience, including serving as the Principal Race Officer for a host of national and world events, including the America’s Cup. But what about that AC job?

He told the members of the Golden Gate Yacht Club in April, “[In past AC races] they’d leave the starting line and speed test [to the windward mark] for seven minutes. That’s just boring, I’m sorry. I can’t tell you how boring an AC race is to run anyway. Well, 3½ mile beat! Snore.”

So Luigi is part of the brain trust coming up with a far more exciting plan. Here’s another quote from that same GGYC meeting: “What we did was set a windward mark and give them… two minutes upwind, round to starboard, set [spinnaker], and you have to jibe instantly to get back to the starting line. There’s a lot of stuff going on! They’ve got three or four minutes of the entry, that’s going on, they go upwind, they get there together—I guarantee you in two minutes they’re going to get to the top mark together—then they spin around and have a crash jibe which is usually really spectacular, especially in catamarans—when things go bad it’s kinda cool… The person watching TV is like, ‘Maybe something else bad will happen, maybe I’ll stick around.’”

If you saw the video from the AC45 World Series in Plymouth, you know it was anything but “just boring.” I think you can tell something from this little taste of Luigi. Anything but boring!

Peter Isler points out where Rambler's keel should be. Photos: Mike Ferring

(Note: Video excerpt of Peter’s talk available at the bottom of this post.)

Out of air, swimming madly, spotting two black dots, hoping they were a crewman’s boots, reaching for them. Snatched from the water, gasping for the best breath of air he’d ever had. It was Peter Isler’s watery escape from the huge monohull racing boat Rambler after her keel suddenly snapped off during heavy seas in the Fastnet, plunging to the bottom, unbalancing and turtling the boat in minutes.

Peter recounted the story in dramatic detail for the AYC membership meeting Tuesday night (10/11) before a packed house. The Rambler crew all survived, but it was clear from Peter’s description that there were several close calls and some of the crew might have been saved by a timely photograph. A photograph? Moments before the crash, a photographer took a scheduled shot of the crew on the rail, all properly lined up in PFDs. Even though everyone was supposed to wear PFDs on deck, it didn’t always happen. The picture did it.

Peter autographs his new book.

Many in the room full of AYCers went home after the meeting clutching an autographed copy of Peter’s latest book, Peter Isler’s Little Blue Book of Sailing Secrets, a collection of random thoughts, recollections and suggestions from a life at sail. Here’s a guy who was the best college sailor in the country during his time at Yale, hanging out with people like Stan Honey, last year’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. He was onboard as Dennis Connor brought the America’s Cup back from Australia and has been part of four Cup campaigns since. He’s announced for ESPN and Versus Cup broadcasts. He’s participated in a Volvo around-the-world campaign. He’s helped develop the leading software for competition sailing. He’s written several books. And now he’s in demand as a motivational speaker. That’s some kind of life at sail.

Next month: another star attraction will appear at the AYC membership meeting, Tuesday, November 15, at 7pm at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills. Peter “Luigi” Reggio, one of the world’s top race officers and easily the funniest and most outspoken.

The Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills was filled with AYC people.

Here’s a portion of Peter’s talk, shot and edited by Mike Ferring:

Peter was the navigator aboard Rambler 100 when it lost its canting keel and rolled over, sending its crew into the icy water. All were rescued.

Before the Fastnet turtle, Peter was better known for being a five-time America’s Cup contender, including a two-time winner on Stars & Stripes. Sailing fans will recognize his face and voice from his television commentary of the America’s Cup on ESPN and Versus.

He’s in demand as a sailing, business and motivational speaker. And he’s written several books, including his latest, Peter Isler’s Little Blue Book of Sailing Secrets, which was excerpted in the latest Sailing World magazine. You’ll find more on Peter’s background on his website.

This should be one of the most-attended meetings of the year, so arrive early!

Join us Tuesday 9/13!  Some of AYC’s most experienced, longtime members will be in the spotlight for September’s membership meeting, Tuesday, September 13 at 7pm at the newly-named Caddy Shack @  Rolling Hills (same place as always but with a new name), 1415 N Mill Ave., Tempe.

The club has been big and active nearly all of its 53 years and you’ll enjoy tapping into the stories from those earlier days, including some decidedly Blunder Bucket-worthy events.

Professional photographer Tim George records longtime AYC members reminiscing about earlier days of the club. Photo: Mike Ferring

In March we gathered seven of the club’s veterans around a picnic table and asked them to reminisce. We recorded the conversation on HDTV video and I’ve now edited the digits down to about 11 minutes of the choicest nuggets. We’ll play the recording and then let the crowd try to deny it all.

This is a great opportunity for newer members to tap into the history of the club, to learn about what came before and to appreciate what these people did to keep sailing vibrant in the middle of the desert.