February 2021
Commodore’s Report | New Members | Leukemia Cup Regatta | Series and Event Racing | Vehicle Stickers | TSA
Commodore’s Report
by Scott Wells, LCYC Commodore
In January the new Board of Governors was seated, orientation was completed, a new slate of officers was approved and the 2021 budget was confirmed as approved by the outgoing Board of Governors. Quick start to the year to be sure.
Docks and Grounds: The Skytrak repair is rapidly coming to completion and we hope to have our repaired machine back on the grounds in early February. New flotation that was ordered at the end of 2020 should be delivered soon and made ready for Dock’s and Grounds to continue re-floating various parts of the marina. Installation of the pump-out should be complete very soon at which time we will update the USACE. The pump-out can’t be placed in service until we meet again with the USACE; so you can look at it, but don’t use it.
Youth Sailing: Will restart its year in February. The LCYC RIB is in Kemah for needed repairs (thank you Travis Mitchell for transporting back and forth). A number of replacement/upgrade sails and parts for the Opti’s was ordered in January and should arrive soon.
E-Dock Task Force: In January, the BOG authorized a task force (headed up by Chuck Begley) to continue planning and cost estimating to make repairs and/or replacement of E-Dock. With a little luck we might even see some progress on E-Dock by year’s end. I am pulling for you Chuck!
Small Boat Work Area: In February, I will request through the BOG that we stand up another task force to identify a location for the small boat work area and finalize plans for construction. This year the goal is get a cover built and we are hoping to have that work complete late spring to early summer.
Racing: Club racing in January was well attended. Keel boats had 12 registered on Saturday and board boats had 20 entrants with 12 Flying Scot’s. Regardless of your interest there is a fleet to sail with on both days! 12 Flying Scot’s is a really nice turnout for a 1-design race in January. Let’s top those numbers in February! Remember that the Skipper’s meetings are being held virtually to limit close contacts during these times. See the Notice of Race for more information on how to keep yourself and your crew safe while enjoying the event.
Ramp Safety: During the 2019 Wurstfest regatta we had trailer loaded with a Catalina 22 break loose from its tow vehicle at the top of the ramp. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Another vehicle launching a J-boat and the Catalina 22 were totaled. Quick response by the ramp crew (thank you Jean Junker) as well as other lookouts prevented a real catastrophe. In response to that, (under Commodore Bentzen’s guidance) a task force was stood up to review our ramp safety guide lines. The complete document will be posted to the LCYC website soon, but in summary it reminds us to inspect our trailers, towing equipment, chains, hitch lock and really everything to help ensure this does not ever happen again. My challenge to everyone who uses the ramp (that includes yours truly) inspect your chains, know the weight of your loaded trailer to ensure all are matched properly. If you have not replaced your safety chains in more than 3 years go ahead and do it now! A new set of chains is less than $50 and could save someone’s life.
Covid19: Yes, it is still with us unfortunately and looks like it will be for the foreseeable future. The BOG has canceled all social activities in the 1st quarter and in March will take the issue up again for the 2nd quarter. Do your part and be smart.
Just Go Sailing!
2021 Leukemia Cup Regatta – May 22-23
by Ray Leubner & Phil Crane, LCR Co-Chairs
With Covid-19 continuing to rage on, planning for the Leukemia Cup Regatta for 2021 is a bit problematic. What has been decided at this time is to proceed with planning for the LCR based on the belief that the new vaccines, continued social distancing, and hoped-for improved masking discipline, will have a real positive impact on controlling the pandemic by May. The traditional kick-off for the LCR is at the April Commodore’s Breakfast. We know that is tight with the event on May 22 & 23, however since all social events have been cancelled through March, that is the only option. If the Commodore’s Breakfast for April is cancelled, there simply will not be a formal kick-off. Given the overall uncertainty, there will not be any promotional items, like T-Shirts, mugs, totes, etc., this year.
Leukemia Cup Regattas are hosted nationally by about 45 independent yacht clubs whose goal is to raise funds for the benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America (LLS). LCYC last raised $68,000 in 2019. Over the past 6 LCR regattas LCYC has raised a total of $284,000 for the South-Central Texas Chapter of LLS!
Phil Crane and I will be Co-Chairs this year, reaching out in February to former and potential new committee members and fundraising teams. Committees include Fundraising, Silent Auction, Food, and Race. Of course, we want all those active fundraising teams and sponsors back again who have made past LCR’s so successful. Please consider joining this effort and having some fun in support of a very worthy cause.
The BOG approved a move to May 22 & 23 so as not to conflict with the Carl Hawkins Fish Fry and Memorial Day weekend. And we are still looking for some cooler weather, and better wind! Volunteers are needed for both on-the-water and on shore activities. Please call me at 512-633-4434 or Phil at 210-289-3620; you can also email us at LeukemiaCup@lcyc.net if you can help in any way. “Cocktails with the Commodore” has been a great success in past years, so we are again putting it on the schedule for the evening of May 21. Over the weekend, one day of racing will be devoted to The Branch Long Distance Race and the other to buoys racing. On Saturday evening, there will be a BBQ dinner, silent auction, and awards for sponsors and fundraising teams. There will not be any live music, but there will be music. Modest trophies will be awarded to competing fleets on Sunday afternoon.
The Board wants to assure Club membership and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that LCYC remains committed to the LCR.
Welcome New Members
- Jake & Daniela Dempsey, San Antonio, TX
- William Allen and Lee Carlisle, San Antonio, TX
LCYC Vehicle Stickers
by Renee Kizziar, Treasurer
As a result of some of our experiences this past year, the Club will try a new way to identify member vehicles. Two “static” stickers will be included in your Member Directory package mailed in January. Besides having the Club’s burgee and name, there is a place for you to write in your member number. This way if there is a need to contact you there will be a clue about the vehicle’s owner. There were emergency situations this year where this information would have been very helpful! Hopefully more members will use these “static” stickers that temporarily go on the inside of the windshield rather than the adhesive burgees which needed to be permanently adhered to vehicles. Also, these stickers can easily be moved if you acquire another vehicle.
If you find you need additional stickers, please contact Carolyn Cole at clubadmin@lcyc.net
Series Racing
by Rick Mella, Race Director
With a New Year beginning, I would like to THANK all the volunteers who have worked on Race Committee in this past year & New Year of COVID-19. Additional praise for all sailors who took the guidance outlined in the Notice of Race for wearing protective face mast while on the docks during these events.
- As a review, LCYC COVID-19 Guidelines are still in place where sailors are required to wear protective gear while on the LCYC docks prior to and after finishing the races.
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people outside your household/sailing team while on club property or at club events
- Limits on the size and location of group activities, gatherings, and events will be determined by the Commodore, in compliance with government guidelines and restrictions.
- Members, guests, and employees should avoid enclosed places where distancing is not possible
- Club members and employees should respect the social distancing needs of others.
As a Race Director, I plan to use a different Fee Type for future Series Events. This Multi-Registration Fee will be available for registering for the event series before the late fee deadline as outlined in each Notice of Race document (NOR). If skippers do not register for Series Registration, they will still have the option of Single Day Registration for the weekend they plan to sail for each series. The intent is to provide more flexibility for sailors while trying to avoid non-payment and causing confusion with our LCYC Admin team.
Mid-Term Overview of 2020-2021 Winter Race Series:
The 2020-2021 Winter Race Series has sailed through some very interesting weather events for both mid-December 2020 and mid-January 2021 regattas. As shown in the pictures below both Keel Boats & Board Boats had days of very little wind and days when strong gusty winds made board boat sailing extremely hazardous. The series will finish up on the 3rd weekend in February (Keel boats – 2/20 & Board boats – 2/21), the current leaders are:
Keel Boats:
- J-22: Bruce Dunn (Boat name: Alyssa Rose)
- PHRF Spinnaker: Gustavo Medellin (Boat name: Canyon Wind)
- PHRF Non-Spinnaker: Bill McVey (Boat name: Mi Amor)
- Big Boat: Bob Willis (Boat name: Treinta y Tres)
- Multi-Hull: Drew Riddle (Boat name: SOAH)
Board Boats:
- Flying Scot: Keith Zars (Boat name: T Bone)
- Sunfish: Dave Sanford
- Laser: Craig Berleme
- Portsmouth: Chuck Begley
Below Keel boats experienced light winds where sailors waited for the Postponement flag to drop on Jan 16th.
On Sunday, Jan 17th, the Board boats experienced light winds but two races were completed before the Abandon flag was raised.
Any information about the LCYC Race Events can be found on website www.lcyc.net or an email sent to racedirector@lcyc.net
TSA
by Chris Fogle, TSA Representative and Travis Grahmann, Youth Regatta Chairperson
It’s new year, and with it a new TSA Racing Circuit. The LCYC stop, renamed “Canyon Chaos” last year, is currently planned for March 27th and 28th. Like the regatta held last October, it is sure to be a memorable one. Like all regattas at LCYC, nothing gets done without the tireless effort of our volunteers, and with that in mind I want to say again, Thank you!
Planning is currently in full effect, and if you find yourself able to help out this year we are in desperate need for volunteers and could certainly use your help! If available, please email me at youthregatta@lcyc.net and I’ll put you in contact with our volunteer coordinator.
Looking forward to a bright new year of sailing! See you on the water!
2021 Texas Sailing Association (TSA) Youth Racing Circuit Dates
Check the TSA website for updates.
| 20-21 Mar | TSA Kickoff Regatta | Lakewood YC |
| TBD | Canyon Chaos Regatta | LCYC |
| 8-9 May | Silly String Regatta | Grapevine Sailing Club |
| 5-6 Jun | Roadrunner Regatta and Alumni Regatta | Austin YC |
| 19-20 Jun | Rockin Rockport Regatta | Rockport Yacht Club |
| TBD | TX Youth Race Week | |
| 24-25 July | Round Up Regatta | Texas Corinthian YC |
| 11-12 Sep | Rock the Rock Regatta | Corinthian Sailing Club, (White Rock Lake) |
| 25-26 Sep | Jr. Ol’ Man of the Sea & USODA Mid-America Champs | Fort Worth Boat Club |
| 9-10 Oct | Pirates of the Corinthian | Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club |
| 30-31 Oct | Chocopalooza | Rush Creek Yacht Club |
| 20-21 Nov | TSA End of Year Regatta: Changes in L’attitude Regatta and KO Sailing Texas State Optimist Championship | Corpus Christi Yacht Club |
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
