MidWinter Report

Sometimes it all just comes together. Well before Midwinters commenced, a cadre of experienced volunteers put themselves forward, not only from CYC but from around the bay.

John and Sharon Warren, together with Warren Peace, kicked off the sign-ups. Tari Nix, Aaron and Christina de Zafra, Anne Scully, Cindy Marques and Fred ("as long as I get to shoot the gun") Mayo, and Karen Gilbert all cheerfully filled in with the goal of making the race "as smooth as silk." Volunteers, too, from Berkeley Yacht Club, SFYC, YRA, and RYC rounded out our heavily-staffed committee.

With 137 entries in our first weekend, we are on our way to beating last year's record of 144 entries. The 120 boats that actually showed up on the line looked like a lot more as we contemplated their courses and the flakey COLD winds we'd been having near the end of the week.

Saturday's Courses were short. We did not trust the wind, and we did not think folks would appreciate the cold. As it was, the winds held and our fleets romped around the course, some finishing their allotted rounds in less than an hour! Stanley Glaros' Great Fun led the IOR Warhorses, Yucca took her customary place at the head of the PHRF 2 division. Jan Borjesen nosed in with Basic Instinct just a few seconds behind arch-nemesis Q. Chica, under the control of Ted Goldbeck, led the almost all-CYC non-Spinnaker 4 division. Full results are on-line.

Saturday Afternoon saw our racers huddling in the bar and wishing for more sun and a longer race. This stopped nobody, however, from having a great time at the buffet and party, with the sounds of Girl's Night Out.

Wish Granted. Sunday morning broke clear and breezy. After a short-order breakfast and a strategy talk by GPSA's Rod Hagebols, our fleets were more than ready to take on a really challenging course. We gambled that the wind would hold and went for some stretch courses:

First two fleets on a course I had already nicknamed "Are we there yet?" But we sent them twice around! Next four fleets on a wide loop around Angel Island. The final fleets got a long, but fairly conventional Central Bay course.

The wind held, the sun held, and the spirits held! Finishers spaced out over several hours made for exciting times on the water and on the race deck. Our round-islanders came in first, as the largest fleets and smallest fleets straggled in afterwards. We think a good time was had by all.

When the math was done, Basic Instinct had squeezed out Q, Smogen III had gotten a bullet, JR had regained her pride with a deuce, and John Nooteboom had regained his place as leader of the pack on Tension II. All of our Corinthians, whether on the water, on the race deck, or holding up the bar, contributed to the sense of good spirit, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that make our races something special on the bay.

Speaking of special, thanks again to TCW for handling T-shirt sales! If you have not got yours with the striking "Shark-inthe-line" design on the back, it's not too late!

Invitation to StFYC Yachtsmen's Luncheons

Several Tuesdays each month, Saint Francis Yacht Club holds a luncheon and lecture on subjects of interest to us Yachtsmen. Recent speakers have included authors, Coasties, Maritime Academy instructors, world cruisers, and world-class (Olympic, Americas Cup) racers. These are now open to members of PICYA clubs, such as ours! We've been specifically invited to come enjoy these events in the StFYC grill room. Reservations are a good idea (but not necessary) via (415) 563-6363. Payment can be made at the StFYC front desk via MasterCard or Visa.

As we get upcoming schedules we'll make them available to club members. Also, StFYC now welcomes fellow PICYA sailors sailing in. Call ahead at 563-6363. So how about it, you weekday sailors? Sail in, eat, listen, sail home brimming with interesting new information.

Film Festival Comes to CYC

As of press-time the details are not entirely nailed down, but it appears that our Ballroom will become the fourth, and largest, venue for the Tiburon International Film Festival March 11-17. The festival is now in its fourth year and expects to show over 240 films from around the world.

Once we black out the windows and put in the fancy digital projection system on the stage, and set up the chairs, our ballroom will be a cinema theatre that would make Darryl Zanuck proud! Snack service is being formulated, but we will be sure to find a way to offer you a giant box of Junior Mints to go with your martini! (Yes, the bar will be open.)

The Festival is not a money-making function. We'll be soliciting tax-deductible contributions to offset the costs of running the festival at CYC! For members who enjoy something a little different in their films this can make for a nice week at the club. Heck, sail in and pretend you're at Sundance. More to come on this.