Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
The 86th J Rulon Miller Series was sailed this past weekend at Gibson Island, MD. Twelve boats arrived from the 1st, 2nd and12th districts with two new members Paul Owens from Seneca Lake, NY and Matt Rajacich from Tred Avon Yacht Club.
We were all very aware to maintain social distancing but were still able to enjoy each other's company on and off the water.
For those who are not aware of where Gibson Island is, it's about 10 miles north of Annapolis.
This year the race committee opted to do something completely different. On Saturday we were going to sail a distance race starting in Sillery Bay out to the Magothy River, then East to the Baltimore Lighthouse. Round the Baltimore Lighthouse to starboard and sail to the Sandy Point Lighthouse. Then back to Baltimore Lighthouse and then to the start finish line honoring the channel markers in the Magothy River. So with that big explanation we started at 11am in a really nice 8 to 18 southwest breeze. There were a number of lead changes, some for boat speed and some for navigation, and some good old fashion luck. In the end it was Team MacCausland/ Burgess getting the win with Serinis/Doleezal 2nd and Zwingelberg/Baltins 3rd.
Sunday morning arrived with a light westerly breeze and the race committee opted to keep us in the river and attempt to sail three course four races. It's always good to have a plan but Mother Nature had other thoughts. We started the first race with crews to leward but enough wind to race. As we approached the weather Mark the wind started dropping and as we have all experienced the fleet compressed. The race committee then opted to shorten the race and finish at the leward Mark. As is the case when this occurs some good and some bad things happen. On the bad the leaders at the weather mark dropped back in the fleet but on the good one of our newest additions Paul Owens/Tom White moved up to 3rd. Ben Starnberg/Will Christianson 2nd and MacCausland/ Burgess 1st.
It was great to get back on the water and with lots of smiles. The members of the Gibson Island fleet are to be commended for changing it up a little and hosting a very nice event.
