Wickford (RI) Regatta May 21-22

[Olaf Bleck]

From Skip Whyte:

Hello to all Viper sailors,

We?re only a few days away from the Wickford Regatta and I have a direct communiqu? from the ?big guy in the sky? assuring me that the rain WILL stop.  Viper entries have been stuck at 10 for a while which is only 2 entries away from rebate level.  The 505?s have blown past the Vipers in the turnout department, but there is still time to turn the tide.

The kegs are in the cooler, the meal fixin?s are in the fridge and we?re looking forward to great Viper racing.  More of you would be better! 

http://www.wickfordregatta.com
               
Skip  Whyte

[Olaf Bleck]

Wickford results:

http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/3538/BravoResults.pdf

Congrats Joe Heally and crew for schooling us!

Thanks to Skip and all the great folks from Wickford YC for putting on some great racing and organizing, and also Chuck Allen for hooking us up with some prime marina real estate.  There's nothing like a small town yacht club hosting a fine home-brew event.  You guys are great!

10 Vipers were present.  Light air delayed racing on Saturday after the first race was abandoned, but then someone flipped the switch and the sea breeze roared in for three races in 14-20.  Sunday was a mixed bag, starting around 10-11knts and falling off, but four races went off.  No messing around here--we came to sail, and sail we did.  I didn't see much of the front of the fleet (except on the initial weather legs Saturday...), but I heard there was quite a battle going on.

Saturday night offered up some kegs of Sam Adams and an all-you-can-eat pasta/bbq chicken/cookies feast on the YC's patio.

Target next year: 20 boats for the New England season opener!

See you in Larchmont next week.

[Dave Nickerson]

Great event - warm, welcoming club and first rate race management.  Best part of Narragansett Bay to sail IMHO (sorry Newport).  We'll be back!

Great job Joe (and Chuck Allen - the Wizard of Wickford)!

[Dan Tucker]

LOVED the hometown shore-side feel of this regatta. No-nonsense, no waste of time on the water, just got it done well with no BS. No hints about the quirky finish line for next year's newbies! Small rustic YC, in a beautiful secluded cove, old New England seaside town, unbelievably friendly and hospitable membership at WYC (including the folks that provided housing with breakfast, walking distance to the club). What a phenomenal weekend to kick off the NE season.

Many thanks to Skip Whyte and all the WYC volunteers, Chuck Allen for arranging the dock space next to the club, the tows from the ramp, and the beer (and for schooling us, as mentioned). Congratulations Joe, Dave and Ben.

My prediction, by 2013 or '14 this regatta will have an entry cap on Vipers.

[Justin Scott]

LOVED the hometown shore-side feel of this regatta.  No hints about the quirky finish line for next year's newbies!

Can I assume that reading the SIs was important?  Skip is old school and is the kind who would drop a mark to keep you off the cttee boat.  (Memories of 1982 Laser Worlds)

[Olaf Bleck]

LOVED the hometown shore-side feel of this regatta.  No hints about the quirky finish line for next year's newbies!

Can I assume that reading the SIs was important?  Skip is old school and is the kind who would drop a mark to keep you off the cttee boat.  (Memories of 1982 Laser Worlds)

Indeed.  The committee boat was a high end old-school trawler sort of thing. I met the owner at the club after everything on Sunday.  The pin end was also favored every time by no coincidence.

[Joe Healey]

Yea, it got pretty messy down there at the pin. Great regatta and I agreee with Dave It's better than Newport! Great bunch of people, couldn't ask for more. I'll be back next year. Thanks to my crew Chuck and Vince! learned alot from Chuck.