CBMRA Region II Championship Regatta
Chesapeake Bay Modal Racing Assoc. - April 22, 2000

Saturday April 22, 2000

C.B.M.R.A. hosted their first Regional Regatta of the New Millennium. As Saturday neared the weather looked marginal for getting the Regatta in, as the area had been blanketed by rain for most of the previous two weeks.

Registration opened up at 10AM on Saturday at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD. When the competitors arrived they discovered a North Easterly breeze at 5-10 knots with calm waters. Perfect sailing conditions for the CR-914, even though it was a little chilly. The temperature stayed in the 50’s for the day and the rain gave us a break as well. Eight sailors managed to get out for the regatta even with the Easter weekend causing many competitors conflicts. (Next year we will not schedule the regatta for Easter Weekend).

Sailing got underway at 11AM on a windward leeward course, skillfully set by our resident crash boat provider and race course extraordinar Tim Mangus, set beside a floating dock. For this regatta we had each competitor take turns sitting out and acting as Race Committee and Judges for one of every eight races. Sailing was tight with the fleet closely bunched. Dave Ramos was most consistent for the opening eight races followed closely by the VanCleef brothers, Will and Dave as well as Tim Mangus, Fred Mertes, Eric Mentzell and myself.

After the first eight races we broke for a catered lunch and enjoyed sandwiches, pasta salad, pretzels, chips, brownies and soda.
(A fantastic job was done on the catering by Amanda Freeland - Ed.)

Sailing resumed at 1PM and we sailed another 16 races finishing at 3 o’clock. The second half of sailing again enjoyed more tight roundings and tight finishes, sometimes by inches. When the scores were all tabulated Dave Ramos was named the Regional Champion for 2000, Will VanCleef managed to edge out his brother Dave by a point or two for second. Dave received a half gallon of Mount Gay for his hard work, Will VanCleef was awarded a fifth of Gosslings for Second and Dave VanCleef a fifth of Mount Gay for third. I hope all of the victors are enjoying their winnings.

C.B.M.R.A. next big event is the Aestivation Series beginning May 16^th done in conjunction with Tim’s Tuesday Night Castle Rug Burn. The club will be providing a bottle of cheer for the winner of each individual night of sailing as well as overall prizes for the series. The club will also be hosting a cookout one night during the series. 2000 Nationals are scheduled for November 4^th and 5^th and I am expecting a strong turnout from other clubs. So come join us for Tuesday Night Sailing to get tuned up for all the great sailing ahead. Tuesdays at Castle Rug Burn get started when you arrive, generally around 6 o’clock and run weekly weather permitting until dark. For directions check out the C.B.M.R.A. link off of www.rcyachts.com or call Tim Mangus. Results from Regionals and other regattas will be posted regularly at the rcyachts.com.

Ernest Freeland