CYC Members,
I am writing to introduce myself, share some news and draw your attention to a few important CYC news.
In December I was elected as the Fleet Captain Race for CYC, and I have started to get my head around the various programs we offer and the management required to keep them going. I hope to find ways to inform CYC Racers about our programs and engage you all in the process of making these programs successful. Please feel free to contact me at jerry4cyc@comcast.net with any suggestions you may have. It is our club, and the club is here to serve you.
As I write this, the 2009 Racebook is almost complete. After considerable discussion and work, we are offering a few significant changes to the Racebook that we hope will make racing more competitive, fair and enticing to more people.
In the effort to encourage new sailors to try the racing game, we are introducing a Casual Class for the Center Sound Series and Sound Wednesday Evening Series. The Casual Class is for sailors who would like a taste of competition in a relaxed field, and the courses for this class will be shorter. A "Racing for Beginners" seminar covering the basics of sailing instructions, racing rules, course descriptions and starting procedures will be held at the CYC Shilshole clubhouse Feb. 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In the hopes of clarifying our instructions, we have made the instructions more unified from Sound to Lake and we have consolidated the Sound Large Boat and One Design General Sailing Instructions. In addition there are several new provisions that will be important to everyone. For example, we are extending the Ship Canal Restriction to the Sound One Design fleets. (GSI Rule 10. Rarely an issue for those fleets, but important to know.) So, when the 2009 Racebook is published, please read it through carefully.
As you have probably heard by now, we have been forced to vacate our Leschi Clubhouse. The Lake Fleet Council is working hard to find long-range alternatives and short-term ways to accommodate the loss of the Clubhouse. There will be bumps in the road, but with hard work, patience and good intention we will find our way.
There are a lot of opportunities to help support the sport of sailing in our region. CYC needs Event Coordinators, Race Committee Volunteers and Equipment Maintenance help throughout the year.
Event Coordinators are assigned to a specific regatta or series to help ensure that we publicize and produce a fun and rewarding event. Without this support we loose participation, the T-shirts and trophies aren't there and the party has no beer... Well, the bartender takes care of the beer, but you get my meaning. Please, we need your help.
It is that time of year again when we do general maintenance on CYC race equipment. If you are a good cleaner, organizer or at all mechanically inclined, please contact me with one or two 3-4 hour windows of time that you could help at the CYC Equipment Maintenance Work Parties 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. January 24th, 25th, February 28th and March 1st. There is a lot to do, please help.
Racing is around the corner: CYC Windjammer Series, February 8 & 21 marks the first Sound Race for CYC and then the Center Sound Series March 7, 14 and 28.
I'm sure I am forgetting something(s), but these are the things that are in the front of my mind. Please be in touch and go sailing.
All my best,
Jerry Diercks
CYC Seattle Fleet Captain Race
J105 Fleet 20 Captain
J105 #272 Delirium