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.

CLICK HERE for the PDF Version

Get yer boat ready!  Get yer crew figer’d out!  It’s TIME…for AYC 2011-12 Racing Season Opening Day. New to racing? Check out the “Racer’s Meet and Greet” party 9/9/2011, or join the new “Green Fleet” for a good excuse to sail without pressure to WIN!

1) Commodore’s Corner – Let the Games Begin!

2) Dating Game-Sept. 9th! Get Your Crew for 2011-12

3) 2011-12 Opening Day – Get Your Game On!

4) New to Racing?  Check Out the Green Fleet!

5) Welcome New Members! 

6) Kinninikinick Kampout with AYC, TSC and LSC! 

7) Get Your Sailing Kicks on Route 66 – BNAC 2011

Fleet of the Month – Buccaneer 18

9) 2011 Heatstroke Series Final Scores

10) For Sale! Want Ads!

For more about 2011 Kinnikinick check out this story from the Tucson Sailing Club. They and Lake Pleasant Sailing Club joined this year’s AYC annual campout in the woods, the Kinnikinick weekend, and Peter Burgard snapped some pictures and wrote some words and published them in the club’s newsletter. Click HERE for the TSC Aug 2011 Windbreaker newsletter.

Kinnikinick Kampout 2011
Cruising Captain – Mike Parker

The 2011 “Escape to Pine Mountain” was a huge event for my family. It was our first scheduled opportunity to escape the heat, the traffic, and the playstation in the valley of the SUN. Not that the event as a whole was so huge, but getting my kids away from the TV was virtually miraculous. Many obstacles had to be overcome. Things like sudden onset of a ailment requiring proximity to a bathroom, to queasy carsick feelings of the back row passengers in a SUV crammed with six people, camping gear, chairs, outdoor games, and a midsized dog. All of it resolved with patience, no schedule, and the first potty stop at 6500 feet and 80 degree sunshine.

We arrived as scheduled – Saturday sometime. There where already some adventurous and practiced campers setup in the area with sailing burghy and race mark signalling their territory and that we where in the right place. Paper plates guiding the way to the fresh and clean porta-potties spaced out around some shady and pine needle covered tent spots. We picked up a mooring… i mean, a camp spot upwind of the potty, and the kids took off into the woods like oil dripped on water. No video games, music players, or fighting over computer time… it was just about heaven.

After unloading the gear and making lunch – amazing how the kids will wander back just as you are finishing food prep – we were joined by helpful (and hungry) kids from the already established camps. Tents setup, camp gear stowed, we set off to mingle with the others already playing horse shoes and relaxing in the cool shade around the fire pit.

Members of Lake Pleasant Sailing Club, Arizona Yacht Club, and Tucson Sailing club were all strewn about the gentle slope in all sizes of tents, camp trailers, and vans. Ahhh, such a heart warming – cool weather – sight!

A few hearty sailors who took a stack of Lasers to the lake for some afternoon sailing while most others took a nice nap. The winds must have been perfect, since one of the sailors related that he had never gone so fast in a laser before. It’s amazing what a “Fresh” breeze and no hills to funnel the wind can do for you. Later in the afternoon, while relaxing and getting to know some of our TSC and LPSC brethren, our attention was drawn to the table where piles of shish kebabs, pots of corn, and plates of veggies and sides where being dropped from campers all around. Dinner was imminent. And from the looks of things, it was going to be an amazing feast. Off to camp, we brought out offering, including another table to pile the overflowing food (and adult beverages).

And it was an amazing feast. Of course, my kids only ate the hot dogs and way too many sm’ores cooked over the sensible and warming campfire, but that is OK, more kabobs for me.

All – in – all, about 60 people made up the campout this year. Perhaps it was a light turnout for the annual event. But it was fun, and we got to meet some very friendly people who were there to have a good time in the peace and quiet – and coolness – of the not so distant forest. I have always had to move mountains to make it to the mountains, but once I get there, the people, the peace, and the separation of all things buzzing and chirping always make it worth the effort.

When the gun sounds to start the AYC Lake Pleasant Fall Race Series on Saturday, September 24, there will be two new fleets on the starting line—and apparently two fleets consolidated into other fleets. Let me explain.

Tony Chapman and Viper headed for the shipping lanes.

Both the Viper 640s and the Merit 25s have been flirting with the magic five-boat minimum entries the last couple years. Fleets that get five entries become “active” fleets, eligible for scoring, participation in the club championship races and voting seats at the table for the fleet captains’ meetings.

While the Merits were once a 9-10-boat fleet, Captain Roger Butterwick says this next year they won’t be able to come up with five entries and will instead become part of the PHRF Spinnaker Fleet. The Vipers managed five entries last year, but Charles Kaye has sold his boat.

Now, for something new.

PHRF Sport Boat Fleet. What’s a “Sport Boat”? We’ve defined it as an asymmetrical spinnaker, monohull boat. The fleet became possible when three and possibly four J/80s promised to join the action. From PHRF Non-Spin come new J/80 competitors Peter Hartleb, Chris Smith and me, Mike Ferring. Chuck Moretti has owned a J/80 that’s been bobbing up and down in a slip at Pleasant Harbor Marina that will now have sisters to race with. Chuck has joined the club and hopes to make at least two races this fall before racing more regularly in the spring. Then there are the Vipers, Tony Chapman, Greg Jackson, Laurent Dion and maybe Mike Leal. And now that Spin champ Dave Christensen has sold his J/24, he says he’ll finally bring that Mini 650 out of the garage and onto the water.

Green Fleet. Rob Gibbs has decided to spearhead a revival of the former Challenger Fleet, but with a few twists. He’ll encourage new competitors, just as the Challenger Fleet did, but there will be even less emphasis on competition and more emphasis on having fun on the water. Coolers and kids encouraged. No protests. And—get this—no scoring.

Registration is now open for all fleets at both Lake Pleasant and Tempe Town Lake. TTL’s opening day is Sunday, September 11 and LP’s is Saturday, September 24. For questions about the Sport Boat fleet, contact Mike Ferring. For the Green Fleet, check with Rob Gibbs.

The AYC Fleet Captains have met to craft the documents for the fall racing season, so we’re getting close. Registration should open soon and the documents will be on the website even sooner.

The Fleet Captains decided to cancel the scheduled first race of the Tempe Town Lake season, which was planned for August 28, thinking that we should take a breather between the end of the Heat Stroke series and the beginning of the fall season.

If all this race stuff has you intrigued but you’ve never raced before, remember that the Arizona Sailing Foundation presents an Introduction to Sailboat Racing class to get you up to racing speed quickly. Registration for the class is open now.

And this fall we’ll have a new, low-pressure racing fleet, the Green Fleet, which will take starts, but skip one thing: scoring. No scoring.

With the addition of several J/80s to the club, we also have a new Sport Boat Fleet for monohull boats with asymmetrical spinnakers. Vipers and J/80s will be the main participants.

Would you like to know how to launch your boat with the trailer still attached? Like some tips on how to attract the attention of law enforcement while boating?

Maricopa County Deputy Sheriff John Ramsay has seen it all in his 25 years of lake duty and he’ll bring a bag load stories, both comical and serious, when he joins us for the next AYC membership meeting, Tuesday, August 9, starting promptly at 7pm, back at our regular gathering spot, the place formerly known as the 19th Tee in Tempe.

Not only does Deputy Ramsay have vast experience with the craziness on our local lakes, but he also trains others to deal with it. He’s one of just 25 officers nationally to be certified to train lawmen on the water.

“Formerly known as”? Yes, the new owner of the restaurant has changed the name to “Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills.” We stopped by today to see how it was going and found they’re deep into remodeling, which is expected to be finished by Wednesday. Anyway, they say they’ll be ready for us this time.

September’s meeting: Some of the club’s longtime members talk about what it used to be like. We’ve produced a video with several of them telling stories and we expect to have some of them there to swear that it’s all true.

Also coming up: We have confirmation that Peter Isler will speak at our October meeting!

Trying to find it?  Here’s some help!

Caddy Shack Restaurant
Rolling Hills Golf Course
1415 North Mill Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85281-1205 (map)

AYC has lost another of our “Founding Fathers”. Joe Rowe, an AYC member for over 40 years,  passed away July 9, 2011.

Here is his obituary, reprinted from the Arizona Republic Online:

Joseph Dallas Rowe A long-time Valley resident, passed away July 9, 2011. A man of action over words, a motivating role model and positive influence, Joe always gave family and friends first priority. In setting his “issue” up to succeed and excel academically and professionally, Joe postulated, “May you grow in the love that surrounds you and the knowledge that the circle of love extends to all who know you and beyond.” Joe was born the son of John AbramRowe and Floy Armstrong Rowe in Hollywood Hospital on January 29, 1929, his father’s 33rd birthday. Though confronted with the loss of his mother in childbirth and brother at the conclusion of WWII, Joe remained a positive soul. Step-siblings Charles Harris Flannery and Martha Flannery Betz introduced a breadth of family that brought Joe much happiness and sense of family pride. Outside of school, Joe spent his formative years fighting fires and working dude ranches while managing youthful diversions and adventures along the way. While a Marine Corp Reserve, Joe enrolled at Cal (UC Berkeley) in 1948 where he studied Economics and joined the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Graduating in 1952, Joe entered the insurance industry as a property & casualty agent for US Fidelity & Deposit Company. About this time, Joe met Aneta “Punkie” Peabody whom he married on June 12, 1954.

They transferred to the greater Phoenix area immediately thereafter. In 1956, Joe joined the Valley National Company, where he specialized in meeting the insurance needs of contractors. Joe became an officer of VNCo in 1961 and entertained a lifelong career with the agency eventually holding executive positions of Secretary-Treasurer and CFO. During those years, Joe chaired the Central Arizona CPCU and sat on both the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County Citizen’s Bond Advisory Boards. Ever community-minded, Joe took on several philanthropic initiatives and among other positions became President of the Board of the Phoenix Center or the Blind and President of the Board of Planned Parenthood (formerly Family Services). He and Aneta were pillars of the United Church of Christ, Church of the Beatitude, where he served as congregation President. Joe sat on several boards including the UCC Insurance Advisory Board and headed up annual fund-raising for the Valley Of The Sun United Way. Joe and Aneta started their family in 1956, raising three children: Scott (Diane), Kathleen “Kappy” (Mark), and Michael (Nancy). He proudly enjoyed his three grandchildren Natalie, Will and Michael. Joe developed a keen interest in sailing and raced Thistles with sons Scott and Mike until the mid ’90s.

New Meeting Place Tuesday. We’ll meet at the Fiesta Inn in Tempe, 2100 S Priest Drive, just south of Broadway. Go to the main lobby and Maryellen Ferring  will guide you to the room.

We’ll have four dinner choices available, each for $13 including tax and tip: hamburger or club sandwich with choice of fries or fruit or a Cobb salad or Caesar salad with chicken. Cash bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Why? The 19th Tee has changed operators and won’t be ready for us. We can return in August.

Our special speaker: North Sails designer Garth Reynolds, who will show us how to sail faster and higher.

Garth will explain how he sculpts a sail and how North tests it to know whether it will really be faster than the others out there. He’ll dissect the characteristics that make a sail fast and reveal what you can do to improve your boat’s sail shape. Result: go faster and point higher.

Garth brings us a rich background of engineering and sailing, including a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida, where he sailed on the school’s top-20-ranked sailing team. He’s been with North Sails for three years and right now he’s working to design sails for several Olympic teams for the 2012 London Olympics. He also actively races with several classes, including Snipe, 505, J/24, Melges 24, Viper 640, J/80, Thistle and Interclub.

Because of the location change, we’ll postpone the planned ice cream social and root beer floats.

Maryellen & Mike Ferring

Almost 70 people responded to a survey we put together to figure out how members would like to receive word of meetings, events, and news about our club. Thanks for helping out!

Here are some headline results:

• E-mails are the best way to get the word out. An overwhelming number of respondents said they wanted a club e-mail to tell them what’s happening.
• The Yahoo list is a good supplement to the members-only e-mails, especially for nonmembers, of course. We now have about 390 people who receive the Yahoo e-mails. And the Yahoo respondents said they were happy with what they get from the list, even with the sometimes snarky debates that can pop up there.
• Most people check the AYC website for information, though they’re not always happy with how it works or how it looks. Your comments are in the hands of Webmeister Rob Gibbs to guide him in tweaks. Already: The calendar includes more information, including start times of races.

Also: I’ve just gotten confirmation that Garth Reynolds will be able to make our next membership meeting, Tuesday, July 12 at 7pm.

Garth is a one-design sails expert at North Sails in San Diego. He plans to offer a program like the one he just gave to 85 people at the San Diego Yacht Club, with lots of give-and-take about how they tune sails to make them just that much faster than their (and your) competition.

Maryellen is also planning to make this an ice cream social, with root beer floats and sundaes. Try the float with a dash of Jack. Mmmm.

We’ll be starting precisely at 7pm at the 19th Tee in Tempe (1915 N Mill Ave).

And, get ready for a year of top-rated speaker entertainment, including multi-America’s Cup dude Peter Isler; the high-personality act of Peter Reggio, famed America’s Cup Principal Race Officer (PRO); and Laser Olympic Gold Medalist, twice Rolex yachtswoman-of-the-year and ISAF Sailor of the Year Anna Tunnacliffe. Anna is preparing for a match racing challenge at the 2012 Olympic games and is fresh off victories in England and Germany.

Cheers,

Mike Ferring – Rear Commodore

Maryellen Ferring plays Alex Trebeck in front of the AYC crowd at the June membership meeting. Ten teams vied for prizes by answering sailing questions. Photo: Mike Parker

Sailors ate limes to prevent scurvy, right? Michael Bernard won the AYC Laser fleet this year, right? Right. And if you got those right, you were cheering Tuesday night (6/14) when your team faced off against 9 others to score some prizes at the AYC membership meeting.

Maryellen and Mike Ferring brought the questions and some high-tech gear to simultaneously score 10 teams on 21 sailing questions—and mostly to have a good time on Family Fun Night. 

It was a close finish, with the “Spinnaker” team of David Rawstrom, Mike Parker, Tony Eanes, and Mary Kay Farrington Lorch squeaking out a two-point victory.

In the night’s other contest, Dominic and Marek Sycamore (ages 11 and 9) walked off with the biggest prizes and the biggest smiles after correctly identifying more Opti boat parts than the other kids in the room. Dominic clutched an iPod Shuffle and Marek an LED headlight. 

It was enough fun that the crowd of 65+ chattered into the evening against a video backdrop of Australian Skiffs committing mayhem in Sydney Harbor. 

Join us next month, July 12^th, for a “new twist” on the Ice Cream Social!

          Mike Ferring – Rear Commodore