2007 SEASON SUMMARY HOME PRE-SEASON NOTES

WHIRLEY BALL HIGHLIGHTS

Pre- Season Notes

The season got off to a very early start with the race committee meeting January 6th. This years master of ceremonies, Steve Schewe, was pleasantly surprised with how relative easy the first few agenda items were approved. Then came the annual discussion (battle) regarding the dates for the Gold series and with that “the blood letting” (Tom’s remark) began. After many thoughtful suggestions and impassioned arguments, it was decided to bring back the previous seasons schedule and hold the red series on Sunday and the remainder of the races on Saturday. It was also discussed and passed (but far from a majority vote) to have three minute starts for all racing and move the Interlake’s to the first start on the week nights. The author also made a motion to remove the intermission from the Gold series as but there were few takers. After two and half hours it was decided to hold another meeting since we were only half way through the agenda and there was little interest in handling the other big issue: The annual budget.

February saw the group get their competitive juices flowing with the annual Whirley Ball night. As usual the evening was a wonderful time to see everyone again, eat and have a nice physical activity too.

Thanks greatly to rules guru Tom Ehman, the club benefited from his expertise on Thursday nights from mid-March through April as he presented a rules seminar. The format encouraged participation as each attendee was assigned to a small group to come to a consensus (about as easy as sailing in a drifter) on a situation presented by the master of ceremonies. Each group was asked to present how they would rule if they were on a jury. A lot was learned and we can only hope that there is a repeat of this event in 2008.

Before the first race was even in sight, leave it to Tyler to have everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off. What was it this time? Well, while getting ready to launch the service boat, it was discovered that the bow cover for the buoys was missing. The set up team of Tyler, Fritz, Brook & Steve Schewe, looked high, low and everywhere in between (and I mean everywhere). Was it time to hire a detective? No not if you use a little thought. Fritz contact Joel Craig maker of the cover. Seems Tyler dropped it off at the end of February and…….. out of sight out of mind.

With just over a week prior to the first race and with everything set, it was discovered by Tom Ehman that their was a small “fly in the soup” running three minute starts: The Pro Start System only ran on a five minute sequence. What to do? Another meeting was held and it was decided to return to the 5 minute sequence on Thursday nights and weekends.