Long-time CPYC member and stalwart volunteer Ray Wolfe was recognized recently at the annual Norwalk Mentor Program dinner as the Outstanding Mentor out of 244 active volunteers, for his decade-long connection with Norwalk student Pierre Antoine. Many will recognize Wolfie and Pierre from the upper deck on the Wednesday night committee boat crew at Cedar Point over the past five or six years. To read the complete coverage, visit the Norwalk Citizen's web site.

The Board of Governors has elected a new Junior Sailing Governor.

By Paul Craine - this year's Hangover Bowl winner!!

It was very nice to be able to once again begin a new year the best possible way: Sailboat racing and more specifically at my favorite regatta, the Annual CPYC Hangover Bowl.

30th Annual CPYC Laser Frostbite Hangover Bowl 2012 from Laser XD on Vimeo.

Although I missed the first 21 Hangover Bowls, I've been able to make 8 out of the last 9 with each having very different conditions.  While I’ve sailed a fair bit on New Years Day in Miami and Key West, 2012 was definitely the warmest day of sailing I can remember in Connecticut on January 1.

As I've been out of my Laser for a while, the day's plan was just trying to keep to the basics.

First, try to get off the line in the first row.  For me, this means working the sides of the biggest clump of boats at the start.  Second, with the wind filling in from the South and the tide flooding, work towards the left layline on the first beat.  I assume it’s a current thing, but it always seems to pay off in a southerly sailing near Cockenoe Island and a flooding tide.  The only race I wandered off to the right side on the first beat was my throw-out race.  Third, don’t deathroll.  I came close at least twice, but was able to ride the weather heel until the boat stabilized.  If you haven’t learned how to do this, watch over and over, the Steve Cockerill Boat Whisperer DVD, then go practice it.  Fourth, don’t leave your hiking pads at home.  I did and luckily we only had six races.  While it may be slightly faster to go the minimalist gear route, I prefer to always dress for what’s possible.

Now for a few thanks:  While Marv didn’t make it to the Hangover Bowl this year; I’d like to thank him for getting the Intensity sail into our frostbiting.  I bought one when we first approved it, but that was my first day using it and it’s perfect for frostbiting.  Many thanks to Britt Hughes and the rest of the RC for keeping the racing in the Eric Robbins Hangover Bowl tradition, of non traditional races.  I really enjoy the variety of courses (as sailing needs more of this), while the hardest for me continues to be the finish downwind, stern first, in a breeze with waves/chop.  Last, but not least, our sponsors for the great awards:  The Boat Locker and Castle Wine and Spirits!

The 2011 Fall Laser Series concluded Sunday, Dec. 11.  Over 65 boats participated in the 10-week series.  Competitors saw a wide range of conditions, but in the end, Andrew Scrivan again remained in first, Marc Jacobi was second and Daniel DelBello was third.  New Year's Day will feature The Hangover Bowl (believed to be the second oldest continually run Laser regatta in the World!) with the Spring Laser Series resuming in March.  Contact Laser Fleet Captain Joe Nice jnice1@optonline.net for more info.
 
The picture is of daily winner Britt Hughes. You can read his summary of the day's racing here.

Bernie Dorogusker (right) was the 2011 recipient of the Roger Shope Trophy, the YRA of Long Island Sound's highest race committee honor.  Bernie was recognized on his retirement after 29 years of running the Cedar Point Yacht Club Wednesday Night Series.  Bernie was born in New York City and joined CPYC in 1965, still sails his Thistle regularly at the Club and was made an honorary life member of CPYC at the Club's Annual Awards Party.

After edging out the event winner, Will Logue from Riverside YC and LISOT, by 1/2 an Opti boat length to win the last race of the Bermuda Optimist National Championship, Richie Gordon celebrates his last race in the Opti Class by going for a swim!  Now it's on to the Laser Class.  

Both Richie and Robert Gordon represented themselves, their LISOT team and CPYC well in the event.  

Their passion for the sport of sailing is off the Charts!  Click to read Big Rich's report below:

CPYC's Phil Myerson is lighting up the Vietnamese Laser Fleet.  See highlighted link from Sailing Anarchy (don't know how I missed this when it first ran).

Link

There is another regatta in a few weeks and Phil promises a complete report!  How do you say "Starboard" in Vietnamese?