OPTI sailors finish the year with a campout

October sailing at Kerr Lake in an OPTI was fabulous. There was plenty of wind to scoot around the marks, tacking and jibing. There were plenty of kids (and a few extra) to make for a happy social environment. The coaching was top-notch and the equipment ran flawlessly.

Saturday began with equipment set-up. The OPTI trailer arrived at the lake newly-outfitted with neat white carriers for the rigs installed by Worth Lutz and Michael Reed. Lauren Norton smartly guided unloading of the hulls and rigging boats with help from all the enthusiastic OPTI sailors. Much to my surprise, nationally recognized OPTI coach, manufacturer and former OPTI parent, Tom Coleman arrived at 9 am. (I was expecting the younger Tommy). Tom proceeded to run through the basics of OPTI sailing on dry land and also rigged up a nifty rope bridge that the kids used for practicing balance skills. Tom Coleman was ably assisted by the CSC’s own Tom Hudgens. Tom H. is training to be an OPTI coach, and working with Tom C. was an excellent opportunity. Saturday’s water drill’s consisted mostly of figure eights, but ended in a race to the other side of the cove. Adults had set up camp at Presbyterian Point and were enjoying the orange sunset as the OPTIs came gliding across the cove. Emine won the race between siblings. However, Alican protested, claiming Emine’s wet shirtsleeve was proof positive of prohibited propulsion. Firewood was collected by all and meal preparation begun under Lauren’s leadership. The adults got a few moments relaxation while she started the kids off on activities. However, there was a clear division along gender lines on the choice of play. Julia, Morgan and Allison appeared to enjoy the muddy goo of the lakebed, whereas Peter, Lucas and Graham were irresistibly drawn to partially burning sticks. Evening festivities included a delicious Hobo pocket meal capped by roasted marshmallows. Coach Tom kept the campfire stories rolling, describing OPTI racing as the best introduction to life that a kid could have. The OPTI girls ended their evening by conning Elizabeth out of her big tent so they could giggle together all night. When Elizabeth and Peter stumbled out of their droopy pup tent the next morning it was clear who got the better deal. (Arguably, Erin and Abigail got the best of all possible worlds, retiring to home comfort after enjoying all the outdoor fun.) Sunday began with campfire roasted biscuits and bacon. We were soon greeted by the roar of a motor and the encouragement of Tom and Tom (but not Tommy) to hustle back out there. Sunday’s sailing included real racing. During one race, Allison and Morgan appeared to have things well in hand, when Tom called for a 720! These two are going to be fierce competitors! Lunch on Sunday was a delightful mix of lamb, beef and stinky cheese (a Powell favorite) thanks to Murat and Ayse. Michael and Worth concluded the weekend with a delightful father-son sail in the Lightning. Thanks to all the OPTI sailors, OPTI parents, future OPTI (grand)parents and coaches! Great weekend! Great season!

Additional comments from the season:

“Now THAT was fun!”—Lucas, commenting about racing on Sunday in October.

“Who was that older girl that camped with us?” –OPTI parent commenting on Lauren’s leadership during the final campout.

“We enjoyed the season and will keep checking the web-site and look forward to hooking back up with everyone in the spring.”-Nolan family

“Amy, you sure sent us to the right place!” –unnamed skiff operator after following the OPTIs to a beach where a sorority was picnicking.

“Well, you just can’t do that. It is against park rules.” ---State park officer telling OPTI parent, John Powell that the kids couldn’t swim out to their boats and their boats could not be brought to them.

“Even if it does not come in land, we will likely get 20+ knots….. I think we should cut this class short.” ---Claude Summers talking about OPTI sailing at Lake Crabtree right before Hurricane Isabel

“I cannot tell you and your husband how much I appreciate your children and the Norton Children helping with the trailer.”---Tom Rummage expressing thanks for the trailer painting party that resulted in 4 blondes with blue hair and blue freckles.

“ I really enjoyed meeting all you ‘people into sailing’”---John Henry, commenting on lightwind sailing at Jordan

“Yes! I had fun. I want to do it again, with exactly the same people.” -----Alican, telling his mom how much he had sailing and camping with the OPTIs.

OPTI sailors- you are invited to sail with us this winter in Miami.

A group (3 so far!) of CSC OPTI sailors are planning to race OPTIs in Miami over the winter break. A youth sports festival is held every year in conjunction with the Orange Bowl and youth sailing is one of the featured sports.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about OPTI sailing and to meet kids from around the country and world who share your love for sailing. It will be even more fun this year, because a group of us are going together. To learn more about this opportunity and view or download the NOR, go to the Coral Reef Yacht Club home page: http://www.coralreefyachtclub.org or call/email me.

Sail on!

Amy

US Sailing Membership

As you prepare to renew your membership to CSC, please give consideration to the US Sailing Membership line item on the membership renewal form. In addition to supporting US Sailing's mission of encouraging participation and promoting excellence in sailing and sailboat racing in the United States, there are direct benefits to you in that you receive:

A copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing, a $15 value (new subscriptions or every four years).

A $20 Certificate to West Marine each year. If you can't use this, the club will happily collect it at the end of the year and spend it for you.

An annual subscription to Sailing World ($28 value)

A discount at invitationals such as the Governor’s Cup, Mayor's Cup, and Oriental Sailing Social, usually $5 each.

The US Sailing Newsletter

Discounted price on US Sailing merchandise.

US Sailing has a Junior Membership, which is only $15 a year. Junior members receive a copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing along with an annual subscription to Junior Sailor.

CSC is a Golden Anchor Member of US Sailing. The Golden Anchor Program is intended to include more sailors in sailing…and the sport of sailing…throughout the country. Your membership dollars make a significant contribution in enabling US SAILING to make sailing more inclusive, safer, and more visible…and to provide sailors with the information, ideas, and skills they need to fully enjoy the sport.

By joining US Sailing through CSC and its Golden Anchor Program, you save between $10 and $15 on the regular membership rate. In addition, for each new member, CSC receive a $10 credit to spend at the US Sailing Store.

Joleen Rasmussen

CRO, US Sailing

Tanzer Fleet Report

Tanzer Update – November 2003

Recall the situation presented in the Tanzer update last month and the question of who had rights with Mobley, Miller, and Altman trying to round a mark at the same time. So, here’s the summary of the situation with input from each party and the decision of Judge Eric.

“Three boats and the jibe mark” with Judge Eric Presiding

The hardest part of most protest situations, is figuring out what actually happened. Applying the rules is typically much easier. People see things from different points of view and can each honestly give contradictory reports. It appears that this situation is not unusual…

Therefore, we’re going to have to make a lot of assumptions. Most of a protest hearing is spent “finding fact” and we don’t have that ability anymore.

In order to have a theoretical protest, though, we must have a theoretical protestor, and since David Mobley brought the subject up, he’ll be the protestor. I’m going to make some assumptions about what he did:

David Mobley hailed “Protest” immediately upon contact between boats.
David filed a protest form within the protest time limit that correctly identified the incident.

If he failed to do either of these things, then the protest is invalid and would be thrown out. Note that the hail must be immediate and must contain the word “protest”. Because Tanzer 16s are under 6 meters, they are not required to display a protest flag (see rule 61.1(a)). Note also that the protest form need only identify the incident. Any errors in fact, or in rules alleged to be broken can be corrected at the hearing. For simplicity’s sake I’ve assumed that:

David protested both Arch Altman and Lawrence Miller.

But if he had protested only Arch, the Protest Committee could (and should) protest Lawrence and bring him into the hearing (see rule 61.1(c)).

The boat(s) protested would be entitled to read the protest form and be given time to prepare a defense – including time to gather witnesses.

Protest Committee (PC) Ruling: Based on the assumptions above the PC would (should?) rule that the protest is valid.

The PC would then take testimony from protestor, protestees, and their witnesses. The committee members will probably ask questions themselves. This process will ideally continue until they are satisfied that all relevant testimony is given and all necessary facts can be identified.

David’s testimony:

In the second race of the Indian Summer Regatta at Lake Waccamaw, three boats were approaching the reaching mark on a modified Olympic course and all were fighting for 3^rd place as Butch and Pete were already around. Mobley with his nephew, Chip Jackson—in his first regatta, were coming in high and to windward on starboard. They were clear ahead of Arch Altman, who was to leeward and maybe a boat length behind as Mobley’s boat entered the two boat length circle. When Altman entered the two boat length circle, Lawrence Miller was to leeward and just did have an overlap which he used to call for room. All was set up for everyone to round without difficulty when Mobley jibed early to port, and in the process of jibing the spinnaker, the main accidentally jibed back to starboard. Mobley jibed back to port about halfway around but by this time, the room which Altman had assumed would be at the mark had disappeared. In addition, Mobley had slowed down with the two extra jibes such that Altman had caught up. As Miller pressed in, all of a sudden there was no room for anyone and all three boats collided side to side several times—clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, etc. Then, they all locked together and hung on the mark as Miller was pushed into the mark. After what seemed like an eternity, the boats finally parted—is it appropriate to push the boats apart?

Lawrence’s testimony:

Altman did have an overlap when Mobley entered his two boat length circle.... Altman did jibe to port before he entered his two boat length circle, which obligated him to stay clear of Miller. Altman was WINDWARD of Mobley, but had an overlap when Mobley reached his 2 boat lengths. Mobley was slowed not only by his jibes, but also the fact that two boats had his air.

Arch’s Testimony:

Mobley was ahead and to windward on starboard tack when he entered the two boat length circle. Altman trailed to leeward on starboard by a length. Unknown to Altman, Miller was behind him some distance (probably close) and to leeward. Mobley jibed to port about the same time as Altman entered the circle. It appeared to Altman that when Mobley jibed and turned his boat an overlap was established by Altman's boat. Altman perceived there to be enough room to round as Mobley was slowed jibing problems. So Altman jibes to port to round. Then Altman hears a hail for "room" from Miller. He turns to see Miller's position which was clear behind but very close. At this point the mark we all three had arrived at the mark and bumped and got a bit tangled. We rounded in a clump, disentangled and proceeded. Altman did a 720 thinking he had failed to make room for Miller. He did not observe any action by others.

As you can see, there are some contradictions, and given our inability to go back and take more testimony, we’re going to have to consider a couple of scenarios. Here are some possible “findings of fact” that the protest committee might make.

Scenario A:

Wind and sea conditions – unknown
Three boats approached the reach (gybe) mark on a MO course.
All 3 were reaching on starboard tack with David (D) to windward, Lawrence (L) to leeward, and Arch (A) in between.
When D reached the two-boat-length-zone (TBLZ), he was ahead of A by a boat length and to windward by an indeterminate distance.
D and A maintained their relative positions when A entered the TBLZ.
At that point, A was to windward and ahead of L, and was overlapped.
L hailed A for room at the mark.
D gybed to port within the TBLZ.
D gybed to starboard and then back to port tack again.
A gybed to port to windward and aside of D.
L gybed to port to windward and aside of A.
D and A made contact amidships.
A and L made contact amidships.
L made contact with the mark on the port side.
All 3 boats fended off, finished rounding the mark, and sailed on.
A did a 720 degree turn.
No damage was done to any of the boats, crew, nor mark.

Scenario A analysis:

At the time of fact-3, rules 11 (windward/leeward) and 12 (clear ahead/astern) apply, and all boats are keeping clear of each other.
At fact-4, D is clear ahead of A and L. Rule 18.2(c) now requires A and L to give room and keep clear of D for the duration of the mark rounding. D is not obligated to give either A or L room but may not sail farther from the mark than necessary to maintain his proper course before gybing (rule 18.4).
At facts-5/6, L is overlapped with A and to leeward. Rule 18.2(b) now requires A to give room and keep clear of L for the duration of the rounding. L is not obligated to give A room but may not sail farther from the mark than necessary to maintain his proper course before gybing.
Fact-7 – the hail is not required by the rules, but does help establish L’s intention to assert his rights.
Fact-8 D gybes within the TBLZ, which satisfies his obligation under rule 18.4.
Fact-9 I believe is not relevant. Slowing down does not change the application of the rules.
As of fact-10, A is obligated to keep clear of D. D is not obligated to give A nor L room. A is obligated to keep clear of L and give L room at the mark. L is not obligated to keep clear of A.
At fact-12, A breaks rule 18.2(c) for not keeping clear of D and rule 14 for not avoiding contact. It was reasonably possible for A to avoid contact simply by sailing to leeward of D earlier. The PC may rule that D broke rule 14 if they feel that he could have reasonably avoided contact (by bearing away).
At fact-13, A breaks rule 18.2(b) for not keeping clear of L and rule 14 for not avoiding contact. The PC may rule that L broke rule 14 if they feel that he could have reasonably avoided contact (by heading up).
At fact-14, L breaks rule 31.1 by touching the mark.
Fact-15. No rules are broken by fending off a boat after contact. This does not constitute receiving outside help under rule 41.

Rulings:

A broke rules 18.2(b)(c) and 14 for failing to keep clear of and making contact with both D and L but is exonerated under rule 44.1 (720 degree turn penalty).
D may or may not have broken rule 14, but even if so, cannot be penalized because D had right-of-way and there was no damage.
L may or may not have broken rule 14, but even if so, cannot be penalized because L had right-of-way and there was no damage. L broke rule 31.1 but is exonerated under rule 64.1(b). L was compelled to hit the mark as a consequence of A breaking rule 18.2(b).

Scenario B:

The same as Scenario A except:

At that point, A was to windward and ahead of L, and it is not clear whether or not overlap between these two boats was established.

Scenario B analysis:

At the time of fact-3, rules 11 (windward/leeward) and 12 (clear ahead/astern) apply, and all boats are keeping clear of each other.
At fact-4, D is clear ahead of A and L. Rule 18.2(c) now requires A and L to give room and keep clear of D for the duration of the mark rounding. D is not obligated to give either A or L room but may not sail farther from the mark than necessary to maintain his proper course before gybing (rule 18.4).
At facts-5/6, L is not overlapped with A. Per rule 18.2(e), “If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not”. Rule 18.2(c) now requires L to give room and keep clear of A for the duration of the rounding. A is not obligated to give L room but may not sail farther from the mark than necessary to maintain his proper course before gybing.
Fact-7 – the hail is erroneous and not binding on A.
Fact-8 D gybes within the TBLZ, which satisfies his obligation under rule 18.4.
Fact-9 I believe is not relevant. Slowing down does not change the application of the rules.
As of fact-10, A is obligated to keep clear of D. D is not obligated to give A nor L room. L is obligated to keep clear of A. A is not obligated to keep clear of L.
At fact-12, A breaks rule 18.2(c) for not keeping clear of D. It is unlikely that the PC will rule that A broke rule 14 as it does not seem reasonably possible for A to avoid contact. The PC may rule that D broke rule 14 if they feel that he could have reasonably avoided contact (by bearing away).
At fact-13, L breaks rule 18.2(c) for not keeping clear of A and rule 14 for not avoiding contact. L could have reasonably avoided contact (by heading up).
At fact-14, L breaks rule 31.1 by touching the mark.
Fact-15. No rules are broken by fending off a boat after contact. This does not constitute receiving outside help under rule 41.

Rulings:

A broke rule 18.2(c) for failing to keep clear of D but is exonerated under rule 64.1(b). A was compelled to hit D as a consequence of L breaking rule 18.2(c)
D may or may not have broken rule 14, but even if so, cannot be penalized because D had right-of-way and there was no damage.
L broke rules 18.2(c) and rule 14, for failing to keep clear of and making contact with A. L broke rule 31.1 for touching the mark. L is disqualified.

If all that is too in depth for you, then take Commodore Norton’s (the only member who responded with the correct answer) analysis of Scenario A. Since Mobley was clear ahead, he had rights; since Miller had an overlap, he had rights; since Altman had to give way to both and hit both, he has to do a 720 or be disqualified. This situation was interesting, and we thank David Mobley and Eric Rasmussen for using it as a learning opportunity about the rules.

Bloody Mary Regatta