RHYC Opening Day Regatta at Rock Hall YC, MarylandMay 5
Story
Good Day,
An exciting time was had by all for the Rock Hall Opening Day Regatta held on 5 May. Four lucky Windmills went out to battle for their places on a bright sunny day.
The first race course was set up near the Yacht Club and the 3 knots gave everyone a chance to gently shake the cobwebs out of the boats.
Ralph and Sandy picked the right side of the course and found a steadier wind that allowed them to maintain their lead and win the race. Roy Sherman with Eric Francois as crew battled Carroll and son Paul Sparwasser for 2nd place. Dyer Harris and Jim Georgeson in the newly refurbished and beautiful 5400 had rudder problems that delayed them but they were able to join in the rest of the days racing.
The wind came around to the East and strengthen to a steady 8-10 knots, the course was moved towards the Chester River bay and the racing shifted into another gear. Roy and Eric battled Ralph and Sandy with a couple of tacking duels during the rest of the races. Carroll and Dyer were always in the mix and never more than 30 seconds off the leaders pace.

Close racing and lessons learned were:
1. Starts count the most! Make sure you position yourself and be aggressive. If your off by 3 boat lengths at the start you will not be able to make it up with the level of Windmill competition.
2. Up wind when the air is steady and someone consistenly gets ahead (like Roy and Carroll) by going the same way to windward then cover them instead of trying to find your own wind.
3. Down wind find the air and pressure and try to keep the boat flat. Also stay as still as possible and use your body weight by leaning in or out vs the rudder to change course.
4. When your next to someone always look at their boats and sails (tight or loose with wrinkles), boom / traveler level (up and open or down and tight), body placement and adjustments they make while sailing like outhaul, cunningham or even jib puller adjustments.
5. Study the pictures on the web site looking for the differences as mentioned above. When you go out for a fun sail try making adjustments and see what happens.

Thank you to the Rock Hall Yacht Club Race Committee Scott and Connie Ranniey and everyone who came out to play. It was a great day and planning in from the race course on a reach in 12 knots was a Hoot... Smiles, laughter and good times followed by Mint Julips and chicken dinner for the Kentucky Derby celebration at the club was greatly appreciated and enjoyed.

The next play date at Rock Hall if you have a Woodie is Wooden boat regatta 18-20 May or Sunday 27 May for Club racing. Come out and join us for a good time.

Safe Journeys to All,
Sandy Sponar
Result
PosBoatNameTotalRace 1Race 2Race 3Race 4Race 5
14489Roy Sherman & Eric Francois51(1)2(3)1(4)(2)(6)1 (7)
25060Ralph Sponar & Sandy Sponar61(1)2(3)1(4)2(6)(2) (8)
33800Carroll Sparwasser & Paul Sparwasser123(3)3(6)3(9)3(12)(3) (15)
45400Dyer Harris & Jim Georgeson16(DNS)(5)4(9)4(13)4(17)4 (21)
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