2008 Reports

The Tennessean HIYC April 12 & 13, 2008 by--Doug Meyhoefer It was a windy day and Cousin Ed (a sunken pole in the middle of the course) was enjoying the action. With his hair (it looked like dried seaweed) blown back, short courses and college style racing (5 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday) we were all worn out and unable to party Saturday night. The final tally had Sean Clare in first with Julie, Cassady second because his crew (Doug Meyhoefer) sailed the wrong course, Carson third due to too too too many people on the boat (we apologize, but there isn't enough room to list all the names) and Denis fourth. We would like to say more about Dennis, but he had a date Saturday Night. WHAT! Yes, a date. See ya'll next year!

The Ironman BSC May 17 & 18, 2008 By Bob Blythe The second stop on the 2008 South East Circuit was the Ironman Regatta at Birmingham Sailing Club with eight J/22s competing. Racing got underway Saturday with clear skies and a 4-8 knot breeze. Bill Harshman jumped into the lead after a great start and never looked back to take the bullet in the first race. Galen Freeman charged back to take the next two bullets, but the racing stayed tight. One of Galen's bullets came after he worked his way to the inside of a 5 boat pinwheel at the last leeward mark rounding. Galen made the rounding clean as a whistle, while the rest of us felt lucky just to escape without trading any paint. Heading in after the racing Galen inquired about the availability of ice at the club. That could mean only one thing-a two-cycle blender creating Frozen Rum Drinks! After dinner 'Juke Box Jim' (joined by BSC member Terry Waldron) played guitar and took request. Intermittently the sound of the two-cycle was heard above the music. It must have been a hybrid, because the gasoline lasted longer than the rum-and the tequila-and the beer and carrots (don't ask)-and several of the sailors. Those who checked the standings Saturday night found Galen alone in first by 5 points. Wayne Cassady and his Kentuckians were in second, with Bob Blythe and Team Shazaam tied for third. However, only 3 points separated second from sixth-so anything could happen. On Sunday morning the breeze arrived bright and early with a steady 10-15 out of the west. The courses were longer, but the racing stayed tight. In the two races on Sunday, Wayne Cassady and Bob Blythe took the bullets, but Galen finished near top in both races to stay in first place overall. Top 5 finishers were: Wayne Cassady second, Bob Blythe third, Vincent Priola fourth, and Team Shazaam in fifth. Next stop on the Circuit is the Billy Bowlegs Regatta at Fort Walton Yacht Club. See you there!

BILLY BOWLEGS June 14 & 15, 2008 By Galen Freeman Ft Walton Yacht Club hosted the first of what we hope will become a regular summerC "Southeastern Series" regatta … the 2008 Billy Bowleggs Regatta. (Actually John found the real skinny on "the pirate" … a scruffy Seminole Indian) While most of the country was complaining about $4 gas, six intrepid J/22 teams, broke the kids piggy banks and traveled to Ft Walton for 5 races over 2 days. AND … A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL ... In the spirit of being fair to the oil companies, the Hot Ruddered Bum team of John Robertson, Bruce Berner (our honorary Southerner from the fleet in Indianapolis) and myself did a cost comparison on the amount of gas required to completely refill the gas powered blender powered (those heathens at Birmingham Sailing Club had used up all the gas at the Iron Man) … AND THE RESULT … WE FOUND THE COST OF THE RUM WAS MUCH HIGHER Other than that … I just remember the racing was never over until it was over … The ribs on Smack Point were great … The sands the whitest in the world If you were unable to make it we are sorry for you. Don't miss it next year!!! Galen Freeman