2006
Season Summary
by Michael Ehnis
The 2006 season kicked off with the annual meeting
of the minds in January to put together the racing calendar for the
season. This once again brought a lively discussion about weekend racing
(doesn’t it every year?). It was decided that the red series would
be on Sunday and the white and blue on Saturdays. There was also quite
a bit of discussion regarding the year end regattas with the committee
deciding that the Sunfish and MC Scows would start their own event at
the end of August now called the Scowfish. The Laser event, would retain
the “No Sweat” name and would be moved to first weekend
in October, now a possibility with global warming.
Also decided at this meeting was to bring back the Commodores
Cup after a six year hiatus, but with a few twists. First, instead
of being held the third weekend in May as it was from 1996-2000, it
was moved to Labor Day weekend. Also the event was double scored incorporating
missed races from the earlier part of the season in the red, white &
blue which counted in those series as well as the separate Commodores
Cup event. Did you follow all that? (Sounds as though some engineers
and possibly and attorney or two were involved in setting this up).
The first race event of the season, that garnered club participation
was the Interlake Midwinters in sunny Tampa Florida. Flying down the Interstate
75 to Davis Island was the trio of Clark Chapin (who met his son Bill
in Florida) , Brook Smith (with crew Colleen Hughes) and Tyler Cathey
(with all star crew and wife Felicia). It was a short experience for the
skipper and crew of #1341 as after the first day of racing they received
a phone call that Lurie Terrace, where Tyler’s mother resides in
Ann Arbor, was evacuated due to a fire. A second message later that day
from his mothers caretaker reported that the police reported her missing!!
No more than 24 hours after arriving, Tyler and Felicia were scurrying
off to Ann Arbor fearing the worst but quite relieved to find out his
mother was Ok and that she had mistakenly provided her maiden name, thus
the confusion. What is a son to do?
The club was fortunate to welcome new as well as some former racers
into the fold for 2006. First on-board was Randy and Colin Freeman from
Perrysburgh, OH who purchased Interlake #1010, Dick Barker’s old
boat. The Flying Scot fleet welcomed BJ and Tina Johnson from Ann Arbor
with #4351. It was also nice seeing Lou Giedeman (Interlake #1252) and
Todd Brink (Interlake #653) return to the race course. For one night(we
will take what we can get) Paul Maassen (Flying Scot #4112) decided
to hoist his sails and join the group.
The 2006 club racing will be remembered for a couple of events. First,
the gold series provided one of the most (maybe THE most) exciting and
contested finish ever as Clark Chapin and Barb Johnson captured the
series championship on the very last race of the blue series from Tom
Ehman and Andy Nixon. It was a long climb for Clark as Tom held the
top spot until the final weekend. When the dust settled a tenth of a
point separated the two.
The other memorable/controversial event of 2006 came during the Commodores
Cup and blue race #9. At the Interlake start, blaring from the PA was
“Interlake 1186 over early”. Say that again? Who is #1186?
A very good question since no one in the fleet has that number. Here
is thinking that the RM, Ib (back for his annual triangle marathon)
was still recovering from his annual pilgrimage across the Atlantic.
Or could have it possibly been a slight
of hand by one of the skippers?
The real identity of #1186 was eventually revealed when #836 wasn’t
given a horn for winning the race (to their surprise). When asked why
this was the case, the feeble and wise old RM told the two participants
to take the matter up with the Race Committee. It was at this point
that a redress was filed (the first such filing in quite a few years)
since #836 would have placed first over-all in the regatta if they were
scored as such for the race.
Due to a number of schedule conflicts the Race Committee was unable
to sort the matter out until two and half weeks later on Wed. 09/20.
When they finally convened, other than the race chair Todd Moore, all
were Interlake sailors (wouldn’t this be considered a Kangaroo
Court?). The meeting itself featured typical elements that come with
any matter that would effect the over-all standings: impassioned pleas
by the skipper of #836 and extensive over-analyzation by the committee
itself. After two and half-hours, to the protesters surprise, no conclusion
was reached, as the committee needed an additional two days to finish
up. When the verdict did come down Bill O’Donnel was singing “We
Wuz Robbed” blues as they were awarded a 6th for the race and
third place in the Commodores Cup thus allowing Tom Ehman #1318 to win
the regatta.
The Flying Scot fleet once again hit the road as various skippers and
crew participated in the Districts,
the
Canadian Nationals, and the Crystal
Ball as well as the season ending Hot
Scot event at the club. It was at this event that Jim Davis was
instituted as the new Michigan-Ontario
District Governor taking over for the author who held the position
for three years. Congratulations to Jim.
On the social front, the progressive
dinner was held on a Friday this year. This seemed to be a popular
day as over forty people attended including former sailors/racers Bob
and Gloria Miller and Don and Jean Thiel. After appetizers in the park
everyone boarded a boat for salads at the Cathey’s, Lobster and
Steak at the Moody’s and finally deserts at the Moore’s.
The evening concluded with Bob Miller and Karen Chapin singing many
fun songs and entertaining the group.
In mid-October, the annual "Fall Crawl" was held to see the
turning of the leaves. This proved more of a challenge to stay
warm with winds blowing in the 20’s and temps in the low 40’s.
Everyone was looking as though the first blizzard of the season was
on the verge of hitting. Unfortunately the colors were not as pronounced
as is years past, but all can say that the food and spirits shared while
watching numerous football games at Zukey lake more than made up for
the weather on the trip.
The final event for the 2006 season, the annual
dinner, was again was one of the highlights of 2006. The evening was
full of surprises. After a social hour and dinner, Commodore Brain Hawkins,
introduced (and back by popular demand) the PYC cheerleaders for a follow-up,
encore performance to their smashingly popular 2005 stick. With a few
spirits to fuel their enthusiasm, the team started
with an oldie but goodie: give me a “P” give me a “Y”
and give me a “C” cheer to warm up the crowd. The talented
troop consisting of Suzanne Moore, Suzy Hawkins, Marj O’Donnel,
Marie Davis, Tina Johnson and Michael Ehnis sang three numbers (authored
by the ever creative Jim Davis): No
Wind, Race
Committee and the salute to Interlake #1186 with Redress.
Whooooooooo Hoooooooooo.
Prior to the annual recognition awards and after the cheer teams enthusiastically
accepted performance, race chair Todd
Moore provided a comical dialogue about misinterpreted racing terms.
It should be noted that Todd did a terrific job of managing the program
and keeping everyone in line as this years Czar.
This season recognition
awards had many of highlights. Brian Hawkins was recognized as the
Sailor of the Year for his consistent sailing both on and off the Portage
Lake as well as his crewing efforts with Bill O’Donnel. Speaking
of which, Bill was recognized with the Sportsmanship Award and deservedly
so especially with the class he showed in handling the Commodore’s
Cup calamity. Andrew Davis was recognized as the most promising beginner
for his crewing which included two regattas in very windy conditions
with Fritz Wagner and helping Paul Lee capture the Michigan-Ontario
district Flying Scot Championship. Andrews father Jim, was awarded the
Chapin Coaching award for his work helping others during the season.
Jill Rogowski was recognized as the Most Improved sailor and deservedly
so, for as anyone who races a Sunfish can tell you, she has become tough
to stay ahead of. Carol Moody was recognized with Thomas Lott trophy
for the countless hours she has spent organizing many of the social
activities( including the Progressive Dinner)
The highlight of the evenings presentations was the long awaited return
of Broken Rudder, back from its one year hiatus. The club was finally
able to find someone in Tyler Cathey, who could appropriately represent
the spirit of the trophy. It should be noted that Tyler’s ineptness
gives him the dubious distinction of tying Dick Barker as the only two
members who have been recognized four times for their follies.
How was so much fame (or is it shame?) brought upon the fearless sailor
of Interlake #1341? The story, as recalled by Joe Smyk, of Tyler’s
maladroit act (F Leeward Bailer terminology) came during the Interlake
Nationals. Prior to the event Clark Chapin determined he would be unable
to attend his first nationals in 30 years and generously offered his
fixed rudder to aid his fellow sailor and fleet member which Tyler gladly
accepted.
It was during the first race that Tyler had found some very clean air
and was positioned well within the fleet (the obvious “rudder
effect”). Looks like Tyler is on his way to a high finish right?
Not so fast my friend!! It was at this time his mainsheet became fouled
around the rudder blade. Not being able to reach back to correct the
problem easily, the ever quick thinking skipper of #1341 decided to
put into action his ballroom dancing skills by using his feet to undo
the sudden issue that he was confronted with. It was at this point that
Joe and others saw Tyler taking a 720 penalty for no understandable
reason. Apparently the fleet footed skipper dislodged the rudder assembly
instead of the mainsheet leaving himself circling in the wind. Though
he didn’t do well in the race at least the Race Committee appropriately
recognized Tyler’s effort.
The evening concluded with Brook Smith recognizing on behalf of the
Race committee, long time club members (our Alumni) who past efforts
have helped create the type of program and atmosphere that we now, all
enjoy. Those recognized were Dan
Lyons, Gordon
& Betty Chapin, Don
& Jean Thiel, and Ib
& Kirsten Bentzen-Bilkvist. A big thanks to this group and what
they have meant to the PYC race program through the years.
The 2006 season was once again fun-filled and we look forward to more
of the same in 2007.
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