Minutes 2002 District Meeting

Gibson Island Yacht Squadron

January 12, 2002

The meeting was called to order by District Secretary Larry Parrotta at 10:00 am. The reading of the 2000 minutes was waived.

Fleet Reports

Annapolis

Elliott Oldak reported that there were 14 boats in the fleet now and they were looking forward to a strong year. There was a Fleet meeting at Barbara Vosbury’s house, where it was decided the fleet would sail with the E22s on Thursday Evening on the Severn River. Mike Christman, Chris Oliver, Aaron Serinis and John LeCourt are new members in the fleet. Stars can participate in the Spring Soling Bowl on April 20^th, and possibly EYC will sponsor a fall regatta.

Chesapeake Bay

Tom price was not available to give a report , but the fleet remains steady .

Cooper River

John MacCausland Jr reported that they were keeping their numbers up to qualify a boat for the Worlds. John also reported on the winter sailing in Florida and said the second district was well represented.

Mid Eastern Shore Fleet

Fleet Captain Roger Pickal reported the fleet had 18 boats and 41 members and sailed a Spring , Summer, and Fall Series and had 24 starts. The fleet would sponsor the Districts on June 22-23. The fleet would also sponsor races on three consecutive Saturdays in May ( 4,11,18) at MRYC. The races would be open to anyone and Boats could be left at MRYC.

Western Shore

No report

North Chesapeake Bay

Larry reported 10-12 boats in the fleet with new members coming . John Vanderhoff is the top boat in the fleet , which gets 7-8 boats out every Thursday night.

 2002 Schedule

Larry went over the schedule and noted that the AYC Spring regatta was moved because of the Volvo Ocean race.

West River SC would not support the WR Keel Boat, but was trying to save the Michelob Cup. Davis Buckley and Bob Schofield felt the regatta should stay at West River .Bob Schofield and Jack Lynch will talk to the people at WRSC and notify us with what they work out.

John Mac Causland noted the District Championship conflicted with the Arms White Regatta and wondered if the date for the Districts could be changed. With the Volvo Ocean Race, other regattas and the open dates at the Miles River Yacht Club, it was decided the Districts could only be moved to May 4^th , which many people thought was too early. The Districts will remain on June 22-23.

Bobara Vosbury suggested the Green star should be sailed in conjunction with the MRYC Summer regatta instead of the Districts . It was decided to move the Green Star to increase participation.

Mike Keene said the MES Fleet would have an open Spring series on 3 consecutive Saturdays in May ( 4,11,18), but the events wouldn’t be sanctioned because of conflicts with other regattas.

Discussion

Larry Parrata asked if there was any interest in holding the Western Spring Championship or the North Americans in our District. Jack Lynch and Barbara Vosbury pointed out this is a major undertaking which required 4 or 5 dedicated people to make it happen. An NAs would cost about $30,000 and a Spring championship would be less. There were no strong feelings on the subject, but Larry asked people to think about the idea and report back to him.

Tom Price had emailed the district suggesting we go to a 5 shorter race format for local regatta. Larry asked for a discussion on the subject. John MacCausland thought it was a good idea. Bob Schofield felt course length should relate to the number of boats in the race. John LeCourt thought we should pick certain regatta to be 5 race events. Jack Lynch felt whatever we did we should notify the race sponsor in advance.

Bob Schofield suggested we have a mid winter fleet dinner like the dinners held in years past at the Grannery and Byard House. It was suggested that the event be promoted and talked about thru email.

New Business

Larry Parratta announced the Traveling Trophy, which he donated, would be awarded to the District member that attended the most local regattas. The 2001 winner is Bert Collins who attended 10 events.

Bert Collins raised the question about attendance at local regatta and asked how we could get more participation, particularly from the MES fleet. John Jenkins pointed out that the MES Fleet was becoming much more competitive and more participation would be a natural consequence. Mike Keene said that many MES members were involved with Log Canoe Racing and Big Boat racing , which would cut into mid summer participation on weekends.

Bob Schofield suggested a committee of Tom Price, John MacCausland , Davis Buckley and himself would develop a new weight rule proposal which the whole district would support. Bob would notify the district members with what they come up with.

The district members thanked the district officers for their work during the previous year.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 AM

Respectfully submitted

John Jenkins

Asst District Secretary