THE SAILING BEAT

This Monday, May 21 marked the sixth race of the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) racing season. Monday's race was the PHRF Spring Low Point Series race #6. What started out as an ugly day with periodic heavy rain and wind turned into overcast conditions with some drizzle and an E-SE wind at 3-6 knots. Inclement weather contributed to a low turnout with only 5 boats at the start. Melee, Night Moose, Blue Heaven, All-Ridy-Then, and Frigate jockeyed for position and the 1650 start went off without a hitch with Destiny performing Race Committee duty. There was an individual recall with All-Ridy-Then over early. After coming back over the line and re-starting, All-Ridy-Then continued close-hauled towards the first mark. Monday's racecourse was TA, a 3.77 nautical mile Triangular course. The race started with all boats close-hauled heading towards the first mark, "2". Halfway to the mark the fleet was split with 3 boats close in towards shore and the two others farther out into the river. First around the mark was Night Moose, followed by All-Ridy-Then , and Melee. Once on the second leg, it became apparent that the two other boats, Blue Heaven and Frigate appeared to be sailing a course other than TA, which was posted by the committee boat. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to hail the boats in an effort to notify them. The remainder of leg 2 was a fast reach out to "29". After rounding the 2nd mark onto the third leg, spinnaker's went up for the final and downwind portion of the race. The spinnaker run to the finish was uneventful in the steady and overcast conditions. First over the finish line was Frigate, followed by Night Moose, Melee, All-Ridy-Then, and Blue Heaven. Once over the finish line, Night Moose Officially Protested both Frigate and Blue Heaven for not rounding the first mark, a violation of rule 28.1. Both Frigate and Blue Heaven acknowledged the error and were scored DSQ (disqualified) and the official protest was withdrawn. Once handicap corrections were applied, the top finishing places were 1st Night Moose, 2nd Melee and 3rd All-Ridy-Then. After securing the boats and gear, skippers and crew hung around to reminisce and celebrate their victories and losses!

There is no race on Memorial day so Monday, June 4 will be race #7 of the PHRF Spring Low Point Series. Skippers or crew wishing to participate in the PHRF Monday Night series, or the daysail / centerboard series should contact the DYC for details. In addition to the PHRF and Centerboard series, DYC will be running an Regatta during the Colonial Beach Festival on June 9 and is hosting other invitational events including a Daysail regatta on June 23, the St. Clements Island Pursuit race on September 15-16, and the "Under the Guns Regatta" on October 7. DYC is planning to run a novice sailing / racing series for those wanting to learn but not quite ready for prime time. Again, DYC is always looking for people willing to crew on several local and newly arrived boats so anyone interested in participating in any of these events should contact the DYC at dyc@nswc.navy.mil or contact the Race Governor at (540) 653-6974. Further details can be found on the race committee.

This coming year will continue to be exciting so bring your boat out to race or just show up and crew. See you out on the water! Jibe Ho.

Josh Colwell, DYC Race Governor, skippers Night Moose berthed at Dahlgren Marine Works and is an Image Scientist with Boeing-Autometric. He can be reached at jcolwell@autometric.com

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