Wickford Regatta (RI) May 18-19

[Peter Beardsley]

From an email sent last week -- Wickford registration is open.  Last year this had a dozen Vipers on the line, and there's a new boat already signed up for 2013 (Wickford native Ted Green, owner of 175).  Wickford is a great event with a good party and will also be the first regatta in the northeast coast circuit in 2013.  Here is Justin's writeup about the event from last year: http://www.viper640.org/fleets/newport/355-just-undiscovered

TO ALL WICKFORD REGATTA VETERANS

Thanks for coming to the Wickford Regatta last year(s).  You have helped make the event one of the best around.  This year will be special as Wickford Yacht Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and we are determined to make the regatta better than ever.  The club has been out of commission since Sandy but will be open just in time for the regatta and will be looking better than ever.

The membership is looking forward to celebrating the reopening, the 50th, and the Wickford Regatta so the party should be festive.  The Ten Rod Ramblers will be back again with their eclectic mix of old and new and everything in between.  As usual, great food and cool, refreshing beverages.

SO DON'T MISS IT!!  REGISTRATION IS OPEN AT http://www.wickfordregatta.com !!  AND PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO YOUR CLASSMATES WHO MISSED OUT LAST YEAR.

Thanks,
Skip Whyte
Wickford Regatta Chairman
50 Pleasant Street
Wickford, RI 02852
tel 401-295-8790  cell 401-481-2997
www.wickfordregatta.com

[Justin Scott]

Ssssssssh. Dont tell everyone about Wickford.

[Dan Tucker]

Ssssssssh. Dont tell everyone about Wickford.

Yeah, don't tell!

Who needs crew? I won't have a boat, but I'd like to sail, not necessarily sell for a change.

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[Ted Green]

Hello Viper class...I am pretty excited to be part of this class and even more excited that my first event will be my local event, the Wickford Regatta. Here in Wickford we get pretty excited about this event and I can only hope the excitement spreads, having said that lets not keep this event a secret, its way to much fun. To add to the fun of it I am just sending out an invite to all Viper sailors competing in the Wickford Regatta to come on over to my house after sailing Saturday. I live down the street from the Yacht Club, (145 Main Street, North Kingstown RI 02852) and will be having some clams and beer for anyone who wants to come by. After a couple drinks, its just a walk to the YC to continue the good times at their dinner and drink event. Like I said I am pretty excited to be a part of this new class and even more excited for the Wickford Regatta, I look forward to seeing many new faces there.

[Dan Tucker]

That's fantastic Ted, thanks for the hospitality!

A perfect example of what makes Wickford special, the small town hospitality and atmosphere of the whole event. I love the big festival atmosphere at Bacardi and Charleston, the Wickford Regatta distinguishes itself at the other end of the spectrum.

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[Cole Constantineau]

Ted, your post sealed the deal with me.  With that kind of hospitality, there's no way I'm missing this one (it'll be my 2nd race weekend in the boat).  Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Cheers,

Cole

[Ben Steinberg]

Sign up. Clocks ticking!

[Peter Beardsley]

Now up to 7 entries...that's more like it.  Would be great to crack double digits. 

[Cole Constantineau]

One week away!  Just wanted to post here that I have a skilled crew who is really wanting to get out in a Viper regatta.  I mentioned Wickford to her about two weeks ago, but it turns out I have a full boat already.  I think I've disappointed her a bit!  If anyone has an open spot, she'd be a great person to fill in:  very easygoing and a very good sailor.  Let me know--she'd be hitching a ride with us from Boston.

Cheers,

Cole

[Justin Scott]

and for those of us who were not able to go to Wickford this year, how was it?

Was there home made Pistachio ice cream ?????

[Olaf Bleck]

Awesome sailing!  Good 12-16 southerly throughout, non-stop racing (no waiting, barely enough time to choke down a sandwich for that matter), solid race management by Skip Whyte and crew.

We only had five boats though.  Shame...

Ted Green won with mostly bullets after dialing his new boat in, and Ben and I tied for second, except he won the second-order tie breaker in race 8.

And of course, good food, good fun.

Ted also hosted a Viper preparty clam/beer gathering at his place just down the street from the club.

Seriously folks, this regatta should be adapted as the New England season opener.  It's super casual and friendly, inexpensive, decent facilities ($50 for the worth-it-crane at the huge marina, or free trailer launch and tow over with a Wickford launch), and the Wickford YC folks even host the sailors in their homes (and trust me, they have nice homes there...), generally excellent sailing conditions, and yes, the famous ice cream cookies.

[Cole Constantineau]

Wickford is awesome!  I was looking to figure out the new boat a bit, and found out I definitely still have some learnin' to do!  Ted and crew were fast all weekend; I'm betting they will be up there at Cedar Point in two weeks...  We had pretty much perfect conditions all weekend (although Skip could have held off on the rain on the drive back to Boston).

It was great meeting everyone!  Thanks again to Ted who graciously hosted the Viper fleet for the pregame before the evening beer, and thanks Olaf for showing me where they keep the ice cream cookie sandwiches...

[Justin Scott]

Trust me, I don't need persuading. I was there last year and LOVED it.

Did Skip hand out hats again? Did Barbara have to tell him to sit down?

Its certainly a beautiful spot to sail and the hospitality is second to none.