Wickford (RI) Regatta May22,23

Olaf Bleck · May 24, 2010, 08:31:46 AM

Thanks Skip and crew for running a delightful, down-to-earth regatta! Folks, Wickford definitely puts on a worthy event.

Five Vipers made it out, all regional boats. Despite being unusually becalmed on Sunday, we got off four good races on Saturday in 8-12knots. The water was just short of flat, with tidal currents and land-influenced wind shifts making for some good tactical racing. (Too bad my boat keeps sinking... LOL still working on that keel trunk...)

In fact we caught a shift just right on the first race and were substantially leading the fleet back to the finish from the weather mark, when we and another boat did what one could only call a "failure to read the SI's" and thought we were finishing when we were expected to do another lap. Sigh... rookie mistake.

The RC kept things moving all day, with one start after the other. I think we had 4 fleets on the course, but there wasn't much interference.

What was particularly cool was a fleet of Moths zipping around the course, at perhaps 20knots+.

Of note also was the amply filling dinner provided at the Wickford Yacht Club: BBQ and/or bacon-baked chicken with all the trimmings, ice cream, and PILES of PERFECT home made cookies, the likes of which would amaze any cookie aficionado (thanks Claire, you're a pro!).

Other regatta features included generous tie up space at a local marina, and of course all the Viperers compared boats and shared stories in the usual sort of fleet camaraderie. The organizers also provided all manners of tow boats to get everyone to and from the course in varying conditions and a non-trivial harbor.

Numerous yacht club members also generously made their homes available to put up sailors. We of course got lucky and were treated to more of Claire's cooking in the morning: bacon and eggs got me out of bed, and as we headed out the door she handed us sandwiches with, yes, more cookies. Mmmm! Peter, thanks kindly as well.

In summary, kudos for all the Wickford home-town hospitality! All around thumbs up. To me that is such a relief to experience, especially coming from an uptight bustling city like Boston where upon my return I was treated to a letter from my condo association fining me $100 for quickly welding something on my trailer hitch before heading out. What an egregious crime.

See you in Wickford next year!

Matt Sole · May 24, 2010, 10:35:32 AM

I wish I could of made it. I was two days late...

Dan Tucker · May 24, 2010, 08:16:26 PM

sounds like a nice event. Maybe I'll be able to make it next year!

Zach Freeborn · October 25, 2010, 04:37:37 PM

I received this from Skip today:

Quote
Hi to all,

We at the Wickford Yacht Club were very psyched to have the Viper Class at the Wickford Regatta this year and are hoping that the Viper class will decide to include our event in its 2011 schedule. As the first keelboat at the regatta, we were apprehensive about the split venue and launching and hauling dynamics, but everything went smoothly and we are now confident that the Viper is a perfect fit. The mix of classes on the race course worked great and the camaraderie amongst the sailors was excellent. We apologize about the lack of wind on Sunday, but Saturday's racing was excellent. The party wasn't bad either!

The 2011 Wickford Regatta will again be held on the weekend before Memorial Day, May 21-22. I am not certain who speaks for the class, but all of you have your own voice and I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, etc.

Thanks to all of you who were able to make it this year and we hope to see all of you and more in 2011.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how we can get more people to come to next year's regatta?

Olaf Bleck · October 25, 2010, 08:33:56 PM

I think just getting the word out earlier and a bit more buzz ought to do it.

By the way, who's in charge of listing regattas on the site's event calendar?

Dan Tucker · October 25, 2010, 10:42:40 PM

Quote from: Olaf Bleck on October 25, 2010, 08:33:56 PM
By the way, who's in charge of listing regattas on the site's event calendar?

That would be me, for now. We need to talk Olaf! ;)

Matt Sole · October 26, 2010, 10:50:40 AM

Is there an option of leaving the boats on a mooring? I was thinking of sailing over Friday from Newport and sailing back on Sunday or Monday.

Olaf Bleck · October 26, 2010, 12:10:45 PM

Quote from: Matt Sole on October 26, 2010, 10:50:40 AM
Is there an option of leaving the boats on a mooring? I was thinking of sailing over Friday from Newport and sailing back on Sunday or Monday.

We all tied up at the local marina's docks as I recall, which was arranged by the regatta. Can't imagine it would be an issue, as they went to great effort to be totally accommodating.

Zach Freeborn · October 26, 2010, 05:02:47 PM

Quote from: Matt Sole on October 26, 2010, 10:50:40 AM
Is there an option of leaving the boats on a mooring? I was thinking of sailing over Friday from Newport and sailing back on Sunday or Monday.

I don't know if Wickford YC has any transient moorings, but one of my crew for the regatta has a mooring right off the yacht club that we used. As Olaf said, dockspace at Brewer's was included in the entry fee. All the Vipers were left in the water for the weekend.

Matt Sole · October 28, 2010, 11:18:43 AM

I thought if Newport boats sail over it would free up the ramp. Would be good to park at Brewers.
I am sure there will be a lot more boats next year.