AHMEN Update

The AHMEN schedule for 2013 has been finalized and the dates are as follows:

1. Sat. Aug. 10
2. Sun. Aug. 16 – Argosy
3. Sun. Sept. 8
4. Sat. Sept. 14
5. Sat. Sept. 21
6. Sun. Sept. 29

AHMEN is an acronym for Alexandra YC, Harbour City YC, Mimico CC, Etobicoke YC and National YC. These clubs organize a series of 6 races in August and September. Each race has two white sail and two FS divisions. The races are held in Humber Bay and take between 2 and three hours to complete. There is only one race; the starting signal is at 11:30. Each division awards a flag for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. In addition the R boats are scored and awarded a trophy specific to their class. Two  years ago, the Argosy, was incorporated into the NYC race. The Argosy Cup is awarded after the race at NYC. An Awards Dinner is held in early February.
There is no entry fee but competitors must register before the race. Eligible boats may register by completing an AHMEN Racing 2013 entry  form, available from www.ahmen.ca and sending it to Etobicoke Yacht Club, Attn.: Paul Bryan [AHMEN], 300 Humber Bay Park Road West, Toronto, Ontario M8V 3X7, by fax to 416.259.9808 or as a scanned document to: registrar@ahmen.ca. Entries must be received by 5PM Thursday, prior to the first race in which you wish to compete.

Good luck to the all the competitors!

Spring series final

Nick returned, but in view of his recovering hand, decided to do foredeck; Kevin was put on sheets. Wes was not available. No one was provided by the crew bank. It was another light wind night so three would be OK.

We motored out to the start just in time for the wind to die. The RC went into AP. Wind filled in from the south so after a brief delay we were able to start the sequence. The pin was very favoured. We were not at the pin (needless to say!).

On the first downwind leg Windlight rounded the leeward mark ahead of us. We had a good upwind staying in the centre. There were a few (very) close crossings with the Melgies; first with us ahead and secondly having to duck. We managed to gain on Windlight and were ahead of them going into the windward mark.

On the second downwind we were somewhat concerned about keeping clear of the big boats heading upwind. We followed a non registered J 22 (who was way ahead). Of the registered boats we finished first in our division but not enough to beat Windlight in corrected time. Jazz was third.

The Spring Series overall were also announced: Windlight, Jazz, Aristosera. Congratulations to Windlight for their well deserved win!

No win

Recent Tuesday races (when I  am on Race Committee) provide an interesting conundrum. You have to tack in order to make the mark but there is not sufficient wind to counter the current. You are doing 'the right thing' but you are dead in the water (or going backwards). A no win situation.