Greeting from the Prez – June 2010

First things first. Huge thanks to our panelists Jud Smith, Jack Slattery and Bill Lynn, who put on a fantastic show at our recent clinic. It was a great event solidly attended by about 175 folks from every corner of Marblehead sailing. The panelists walked us through a race, from start to finish, and delivered a fantastic 90 minutes of collective wisdom and tangible takeaways. If you missed it, you can catch it on the Fleet 5 web site. Huge thanks also to Rick Berliner for recording the event and making it available to us.

What a spectacular Memorial Day weekend of sailing. Spring Series is often wet, cold and thinly attended, but not this time. We were treated to two days of sunshine, warm temps and great conditions – a shifty northwesterly on Sunday and classic sea breeze on Monday. The turnout was terrific, with about 10 boats each day. We were the largest class on the line. Congratulations to Charlie Pendleton and Jim Raisides, who embarrassed us all with four bullets in six races. They were unstoppable. In addition to staring at their transom, some of the other impressions I’ll hang onto for a while include John Casler single-handing it for all three races on Monday, hearing Charlie’s laugh from across the course, dueling with Steve Uhl and Maura Power all weekend, Mike Lane not being there and the huge smile on Rick Saunders’ face while he reached back and forth across the starting line.

MRA starts next weekend, but the ‘Road To The Cup’ started last Thursday night when Kent Hallowell, took an early lead by beating his arch Thursday night rival John Casler. Then Charlie and Jim rocketed to the top on the strength of their Spring Series performance. The ‘Cup’ leaders as of the end of the weekend are posted on the back page of his newsletter. I’m hoping to convince the powers behind my throne to publish a weekly email blast on Mondays to keep everybody current between newsletters. So stay tuned.

We have a busy June in front of us, starting with our post-race cocktail party on June 5th. Thanks to Lydia and Rick Smyers for opening their home to us. Jim Raisides will make sure no one is thirsty, but the appetizers are pot luck. I look forward to seeing everyone talking with their hands as they recount the day’s racing. Of course, in only three weeks, several of us will head down to Padanaram for East Coasts where we’ll compete against the metal of the other New England fleets in condition that are typically SW 15 – 18. It’s just a tremendous place to sail. And not long after that will be our annual 4th of July cookout and the Casler’s (on July 3rd). Please mark all of this in your calendars.

Finally, the Nationals Committee is looking for people to host out-of-town sailors. In addition to keeping things affordable, it’s downright neighborly and the right thing to do. New queen of the Corinthian Nancy Blouin is leading that effort, so give her call and sign up today. See you on the race course.

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