Crows Nest 
 Editor Brad Osmundson  MC 2000

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Crows Nest

 

August 24, 2011

The end of the CLYC sailing season is near.  School is back in session and football news is dominating the airwaves, including some great stuff about the Cy-Hawk trophy controversy.  I say the trophy should be a football shaped corn cob (or vice versa)…..and be done with it!!

LAST YACHT CLUB BOARD MEETING OF THE SEASON……..is Sunday, August 28, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Yacht Club.

THE 2ND ANNUAL ALL-OF-A-KIND SIX KNOT RACE……was held last Sunday.  The afternoon was beautiful and the breeze came up nicely so that all the dressed up sailors with their dressed up boats could easily navigate their way around the boomerang shaped Six Knot Race Course, which urban legend holds was first sailed in the late 1800s at the inaugural Inland Lakes Championship Regatta…..by Bigfoot……or something like that.

There were new faces; there were familiar faces; and there were a lot of young faces; there were X boat skippers trying MCs and M17s; there were X boat crews at the helm of their skipper’s X boats, some for the first time ever; there were in-laws sailing the other in-law’s boats; there were people with no clue how to round marks; there were lions and tigers and bears………it was all jumbled up….and it was great fun. Thanks to all who organized, judged and participated in it. Maybe we’ll do it again next season.

And the race results and awards are:

        1.       Z-17                       Vice Commodore John Vratsinas family
2.       MC 2178               Chrissy Tesar
3.       USA 126               AJ Hanus
4.       MC 2401               Deb Tesar                            “Eldest Female Skipper”
5.       H 260                     Tomlinson/Krogh             “Best Decorated”
6.       298                         Brock                                     “Pirate Headgear”
7.       Hobie2934           Drake
8.       C22                         Langhart/Osmundson    “Best Display of Hula Skirt on Boat”
9.       Beta Cruiser       Holbrook                             “Best Decorative Hats”
10.   H212                      Les Kinseth                         “Best Statistician/Course Tactics”
11.   Z-14                       Macy/Andrew Mixdorf “Youngest skipper and crew”

X FLEET PARTY…..will be next Saturday, September 3, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Tesar’s house (705 N. Shore Drive). There will be food, games, prizes, piñatas and dancing.  All X boat skippers and crew are welcome…..even if you’re only a part-timer.

HOBIE REGATTA…….is this weekend.  They are headquartering at the Yacht Club.  And I understand there may be 30-40 boats in attendance.  Let’s hope they get more wind than we have been experiencing so far this summer.

OPTI SAILORS TAKE NOTE…….The CLYC is sending a group of Opti sailors to the USODA Midwest Championships at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Holland, Michigan on September 16-18. Any Opti sailors interested in traveling with the team, please contact John Vratsinas at 949-678-0977 or jvratsinas@vratsinas.com.

75th ANNIVERSARY DVDS ARE STILL AVAILABLE…….It’s a 2 DVD set titled “Sailing Through Time: The History of the Clear Lake Yacht Club”. Disc 1 is a documentary tracing the 75 year history of the CLYC through pictures and interview….with footage back to 1939, interviews with the “Old Salts” of the Yacht Club, and a short feature called Rick’s Pix which cannot be described, but must be experienced. Disc 2 is a series of half hour interview with members of the various past and present CLYC sailing fleets as well as the “Women of the CLYC.”  If you want one…or several…..they’re only $25.00 and you can contact Denni Ericson at ericksn1@netins.net to pick yours up.

SPEAKING OF DENNI ERICKSON…….If you want to see her ceremoniously “baptized” in the lake during her 60th birthday by her old buddies “The Taylor Boys”, Denni is starring in a short video that you can find at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14mEgqY4yA.

 

Fair Winds, Oz

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August 18, 2011

The Inland Championships at Lake Minnetonka are nearly over, it’s a bit cooler in the mornings.  We must be on the downside of another sailing season……….But, it’s not over yet………

CLYC PARTY……this Saturday, August 20, 6:30 p.m., at John and Carolyn Hanson’s on Dodge’s Point.  Remember that the MCs, M17s and Hobies are NOT supposed to bring hors d’ oeuvres…..but they are supposed to serve beverages.

THE 2ND ANNUAL  ALL-OF –A-KIND RACE IS THIS SUNDAY……..August 21, starting at 2:00 p.m.  This is the makeup race for the one we missed in July.  Same deal…….if you have a boat with a sail you can be a participant.  The infamous Six-Knot Course will be used again this year.  Read the flyer attached to this newsletter to refamiliarize yourself with how to actually navigate the goofy thing.  And, if you need more incentive to attend the race, there will be awards for all kinds of categories, including Best Classic Boat, Best Decorated Boat, Best Dressed Crew, Youngest Skipper, etc., etc., etc.

MC FLEET PARTY…….is Friday, August 19 and Fleet Captain Don Taylor, Jr.’s lair (917 South Shore Drive).  Fleet members need not bring anything, except themselves, because the Fleet Captain is providing both food and drink………and because of that we just might make him MC Fleet Captain For Life.  Oh, and one more thing…….Don asks that you do bring him some advice regarding how to stay in the boat and out of the water (his words, not mine).

X BLUE CHIP REGATTA REPORT………AJ Hanus from the CLYC X Fleet qualified for the X Blue Chip, held at Cedar Lake in Wisconsin last weekend.  For those of you not familiar with the Blue Chip, it is a regatta held at the end of the season for the top finishers in the fleet during the year.  30 boats were invited and AJ finished 18th overall. Congrats, AJ.

OPTI BLUE CHIP REGATTA REPORT……….And Megan Vratsinas was invited to the Opti Blue Chip Regatta at Lac LaBelle in Wisconsin.  44 boats received invitations.  Winds were light but they managed to get 4 races in, with Megan ending up 36th overall.  Not exactly what she was hoping for, but remember it’s an honor just to be asked to attend.

FINALLY, LET IT BE KNOWN……….that Mark Ebeling was elected E Fleet Captain at last weekend’s E Fleet Party…………….that he missed. 

Fair Winds, Oz

 

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August 10, 2011

OK, we’re in regatta season and it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on.  Hopefully you all had a relatively peaceful weekend at Clear Lake.

BUT A BUNCH OF US WERE AT THE INTERLAKES REGATTA AT LAKE OKOBOJI…..and the X Boaters grabbed most of the hardware.  Although the number of combatants was down significantly from the “old” days of the Interlakes Regatta, there was still very good competition.  The CLYC X Boat team took team honors in their fleet and placed 5 of the top 6 individual places overall with AJ Hanus 1st followed by Anne Tesar (2nd), Megan Vratsinas (3rd), Maddy Hess (4th) and Chrissy Tesar (6th).  Bill Nicholas, the sole C Fleet representative from Clear Lake, brought home 3rd place overall.  And the Clear Lake MC team’s recent dominance in the Interlakes was interrupted this year when they were edged by the home Okokoboji MC team.  Unlike last year, only 3 of the Clear Lake MC team finished in the top 10, with Stu Oltrogge taking 3rd, Drake Lundeen ending up 5th and Brad Oz limping in at 9th.  BUT……Drake had a great regatta; he was in 1st place after the 1st day, and tied for 1st after the 2nd day….not bad for a guy who went to the race as an “alternate”.  Winds were light and waves were big, but we all had the usual good time at Lake Okoboji.

CORRECTION ON LAST WEEK’S EARLY WARNING FOR THE NEXT CLYC PARTY………It’s still on Saturday, August 20, it’s still at 6:30 p.m., it’s still at Hanson’s on Dodges Point…….BUT the MCs, M17s and Hobie Fleets no longer have to bring hors d’ oeuvres, because it’s going to be catered.  John and Carolyn claim this has nothing to do with their concerns about the abilities of those fleets to bring edible uncontaminated food, but if I were in their shoes I just might be……….worried? On the other hand, they have full confidence in the ability of the MCs, M17s and Hobies to serve up your favorite beverages…….and I definitely agree with them.

E FLEET PARTY……is this Friday, August 19 th at the Vratsinas residence (1905 South Shore Drive). The warning gun goes off at 7:00 p.m.  John says he will be grilling brats and burgers but fleet members should bring a dessert or side dish.

EARLY WARNING FOR THE MC FLEET PARTY……All I know is that it’s at Don Taylor, Jr.’s abode (917 South Shore Drive), Friday, August 19th with a 6:00 p.m. start time.  Maybe more details next week….maybe not.

RUMOR HAS IT THERE ARE SOME GREAT X INLANDS PHOTOS…..at http://globe1.fotki.com/top/inland-lake-yachtin/ .  And I hear some of them are from the chopper that was buzzing the Senior and Junior Fleets…..but, as usual, I could be wrong……

Fair Winds, Oz

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August 3, 2011

I think we set the bar pretty high for future X Inlands Championships.  It’s one of the biggest regattas in the Midwest…..and it is by far the most difficult. Not only did we treat sailors and their families to a range of winds, to well-run races (with a Sunday morning start in the fog), and to great hospitality……we also wowed them with the Surf Ballroom and with a photo helicopter over the race courses for God’s sake!  The compliments have been many and the Yacht Club should be proud of those members who worked in big and small ways to make the regatta a great success.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR REGATTA CO-CHAIRS, MARGARET OXMUNDSON AND CHRIS LONG………..

                For some great photos (including chopper shots) and results go to the CLYC Website and click on the front page banner titled “Class X  ILYA X Results”.

                We would first like to thank our families and husbands! We really want to thank everyone but know some will be missed, so our focus will be on several of the mainstays who led and coordinated the vast volunteer effort.  We have received tons of compliments and kudos from the kids and their parents – the CLYC pulled it off with a job very well done! It’s so gratifying to know that so many of you care enough to pitch in……and it’s so fun to overhear parents from other lakes who just can’t believe all those people helping out in so many ways are VOLUNTEERS…..because they can’t do that at their lakes…….So pat yourselves on the back because we’re a one-of-a-kind Yacht Club with a one-of-a-kind lake.

                The Breakfast Ladies – Julie Oltrogge and Kathy Anderson
                The Lunch Lady – JoAnne Nicholas
                Registration – Val LaFrenz
                Ceremony – Sharon Miller
                Design and T-shirts – Paula Hanus
                Spectator Boats – Jamie and Lori Zachar
                IT Guy – Stu Oltrogge
                Scoring – Todd Tesar
                Money Coordinator – Bob and Louise Krogh
                Artwork – Jim Larson

The CLYC Sailing School Instructors/Coaches – Drake Lundeen, Emily Oltrogge, Brooks Gooding, Brittanie Holtz, Meg Casey and Maggie Long

The Surf Guys – Jeff Nicholas, Shane Cooney and Bill Casey
Tom and Nancy Lundeen
Dave and Ruth Miller
Gerald Peterson
Dave Atkinson, Frank Clark, Steve Swift, Bill Nicholas and all the other dependable spectator boat drivers
Fran and Bill Osmundson

Deb Tesar
John Vratsinas
Charlie MacNider, Mark Tesar and their stellar judging crews – enough can’t be said

                                                THANK YOU TO ALL!!!!!!! 

INTERLAKES REGATTA……is this weekend at Lake Okoboji.  Good luck to the Clear Lake teams who will be attending.

EARLY PARTY WARNING…..The next CLYC party will be Saturday, August 20, at the Hanson residence on Dodges Point.  As usual, all Yacht Club members are invited to sample the fine hors d’ oeuvres that will be provided by the MC, M17 and Hobie Fleets.  Somebody please remind Randy Kotz that this is an early warning……and that he shouldn’t arrive a week early like he did at the last party (sorry Randy, I couldn’t help myself).

RESULTS OF THE OPTI INLANDS……held August 1-2 at White Bear Lake.  Thunderstorms forced the young Opti sailors to wait a day and a half but they finally squeezed in 3 races on Tuesday afternoon.  The top overall finisher from Clear Lake was Megan Vratsinas who placed 7th in the 26 boat Green Fleet, followed by Sophie Vratsinas (18th), Billy Starbeck (19th) and Anna Starbeck (20th).

THESE 4 OPTI SAILORS AND A HOST OF OTHERS WARMED UP BY SAILING THE CLYC OPTI CLINIC/REGATTA ON JULY 25-26……..and here are the results:

                Red-White-Blue Fleet                                                                    Green Fleet

1.       Allison Marozza (Lake Delavan)                                 1.   Molly Anderson

2.       Angela Marozza (Lake Delavan)                                 2.   Porter Johnson

3.       Megan Vratsinas                                                              3.   Lauren Wells

4.       Will Cooney                                                                        4.   Gage Redman

5.       Nick Holtz                                                                            5.   Sophie Anderson

6.       Sophie Vratsinas                                                              6.   Billy Starbeck

7.       Dylan Wells                                                                         7.   Aiden Craven

8.       Alex Starbeck                                                                    8.   Guy Minert

9.       Anna Starbeck                                                                   9.   Emma De Jong

10.   Lexie Holtz                                                                          10. AJ Tisor

11.Colin Triplett

12. Claire Triplett

13. Caleb Cork

From the looks of it, our X Boat Fleet may soon be growing even more………. 

Fair Winds, Oz

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July 20, 2011

I could have sworn it was 50 degrees just two weeks ago. Since then, however,  we either slid south to the equator or the equator shifted north to us………It has been brutally hot and humid since last Saturday. The weekend was hot………….the week since has been hot, hot, hot.  The weather roller coaster we have been riding left us with a full complement of races on Saturday, but absolutely no races on Sunday, including the All of a Kind fun Race.

IF YOU WEREN’T AT THE YACHT CLUB PARTY………you missed a great event.  Yeah, it was a little warm and the partiers all sported a thin coat of sweat.  But the Commodore knows how to lay on the hospitality.  While the Board Members definitely stepped up on the food, Commodore Gerald went over the top with his patented pork sandwiches and a soft serve ice cream machine with a seemingly unlimited array of toppings.  Maybe we should do it again this week………

ALL OF A KIND FUN REGATTA RESCHEDULED……….As most of you know, the powers-that-be had to “call off” last Sunday’s All of a Kind Fun Race.  Winds were pushing 20 mph and there was a good chance that the quickly forming storms that caused the Saturday morning races to be cancelled might redevelop.

So, the makeup date will be Sunday, August 21 at 2 p.m. We will get you new updated flyers for the event in an upcoming newsletter.

X INLANDS IS NEXT WEEK!!!!............So far 90 boats have pre-registered.  Opening ceremonies are Wednesday evening, July 27,  around 6:15 p.m. with a dinner cooked by none other than Commodore Gerald Peterson (CLYC’s chef du jour) and speaker Bill Colburn, past MC Nationals champ…..all for $15. Friday evening dinner is at the Surf at 6:30 p.m. for $20, with catering by We Three, the raffle drawing for the Sunsail BVI charter, and X Boat sail and boom cover and fabulous smaller items.  All CLYC members are invited to attend……….and if you decide to do so, make sure you purchase your tickets to these events at the Yacht Club on Wednesday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., or call down to the Yacht Club during that time period (641-357-8001).  Raffle tickets will also be on sale during the day on Wednesday.

The first scheduled race is 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. If you are manning a spectator boat please be at City Dock by 9:15 a.m. that day…..or come earlier for coffee and scones at the Yacht Club.

There are a few volunteer slots still open. Wednesday, the 27th from 4-8 p.m. (helping serve dinner)……..Friday, the 28th from 7:15-10:30 a.m. or 2-6 p.m. (watching the club)…………and Saturday, the 29th, from 7:15-10:30 a.m. (watching the club).  If you can help out with any of these, please email Margaret Oz at inremoz@aol.com or call her at 612-418-8856.

THE OPTI CLINIC/REGATTA ON JULY 25 AND 26………….is in desparate need of Optimist Dinghies that can be loaned to the CLYC Sailing School for the event.  John Vratsinas’s group has had an overwhelming response and needs some boats to meet the demand.  If you have an Opti sitting in your yard or on your lift unused for those couple of days, you could really make some youngster smile by emailing John at jhvratsinas@vratsinas.com or calling him at 949-678-0977.

GLSS RESULTS…………..Clear Lake sent a group of our young sailors to Lake Geneva for the GLSS regatta to compete against some of the best.  AJ Hanus and Megan Vratsinas finished 40th and 48th, respectively in the 48 boat fleet.  Megan made up for it in the 32 boat Opti fleet, garnering an 8th while fellow CLYC Opti sailors Anna Starbeck and Sophie Vratsinas finished 26th and 27th, respectively. 

Fair Winds, Oz

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July 13, 2011

Don’t look now, but we just had two (count ‘em…two) nice weekends in a row.  Everyone, please knock on wood, to see if we can achieve a triple.  Last Saturday and Sunday were dominated by the Bicycle, Blues & BBQ festivities (which seem to get bigger and better each year), but we still got some races in on the lake (even though Saturday afternoon’s 20+ knot winds proved to be a bit too much and Sunday morning’s hazy zephyrs nearly proved to be too little for sailboats). And there are still some special CLYC events scheduled for this weekend.

YACHT CLUB PARTY AT THE COMMODORE’S…….this Saturday, July 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. So come to the Gerald Peterson cottage, 1123 South Shore Drive, and bring hors d’ oeuvres if you are a CLYC Board Member.  As usual, all Yacht Club members are invited……

Raffle tickets for the Sunsail bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands will again be on sale at the party.  It’s $10 per ticket for a $2600 value with all proceeds going to the Sailing School.

2ND ANNUAL 6 KNOT ALL OF A KIND RACE…..is this Sunday, July 17.  Racing starts at 2:oo.  All types of sailboats are welcome as long as the skipper is a social or racing member of the Yacht Club.  Dress up yourselves and your boats, because prizes are not based just on your racing prowess.  If you can’t remember the odd course, make sure you review the “All-Of-A-Kind Race” flyer attached.  The flyer also gives some clues on the trophy categories…..

EARLY WARNING – MC FLEET PARTY…….Fleet Captain Don Taylor, Jr. wants to give the MC Fleet advance notice that the Fleet Party will be Friday, August 19th at 6:00 p.m. at his place, 917 S. Shore Drive.  More details to follow in future newsletters. Incidentally, Don is curious why he was elected Fleet Captain in his first season in the fleet without having campaigned for such a lofty post……..shall we tell him?......OK…….like all other Fleet Captains who are “elected” each season, it happens because they weren’t at meeting at which “elections” were held.

MC INVITATIONAL REPORT……The Tesar brothers, Todd and Mark, journeyed all the way to tiny Lake Beulah, WI to represent Clear Lake at the MC Invitational.  Winds were (a) very light, and (b) very shifty…….shocking.  The Tesars never got into a groove and ended up 27th and 28th of the 43 boats in attendance.  But it’s not always about the racing……..word is the Lake Beulah hospitality was fantastic and the parties were excellent.

GEARING UP FOR X CHAMPIONSHIPS…..just over 2 weeks until 100+ X Boats from all over the Midwest visit the lake. It’s going to be another one of those signature Clear Lake Yacht Club events……..

Please contact Margaret Oz (inremoz@aol.com) if you DO NOT want to be a safe haven dock for X Boaters during the regatta.  Safe haven docks are docks where sailors can temporarily park if they have an emergency or are coming ashore for lunch.  The X Championship Committee will be placing yellow ribbons on safe haven docks prior to the start of the regatta.

THEN A WEEK LATER IT’S INTERLAKES REGATTA AT LAKE OKOBOJI……Team qualifiers for each fleet should be set.  In fact you can find if you made the team by checking the CLYC Website under the “Race Results” tab.  Fleet Captains will be calling to confirm whether or not team qualifiers are planning to attend…..so answer the phone when your Captain calls…..

Fair Winds, Oz

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July 6, 2011

Now that’s more like it!!! We had to pay a price…..wind wasn’t great, motorboat waves were tsunami-like, and we had a heckuva wind storm on Friday night…….but the important thing is that it felt like summer for three straight days.  And the July 4th events, especially the fireworks (with a crescent moon in the background), were, as usual, outstanding.

WE DID MANAGE TO HOLD OUR OWN 4TH OF JULY REGATTA…..in some light to medium winds which were just barely enough to counteract the motorboat chop (except for Saturday afternoon’s second race, which was cancelled).  And the regatta results were:

        X Fleet                                    MC Fleet                                              M17 Fleet

1.       Z-8   AJ Hanus                    1. 2340 Stu Oltrogge                        1. USA 2    Marcus Lundberg

2.       Z-42 Anne Tesar               2. 1764 Randy Kotz                          2. USA 84  Mike Risewick

3.       Z-7   Maddy Hess              3. 2288 Nathan Kotz                        3. USA 209 JC Risewick

4.       Z-11 Henry Long               4. 2178 Mark Tesar                          4. USA 136 Ken Hanus

5.       Z-24 Chrissy Tesar            5. 2000 Brad Oz

           C Fleet                                 E Fleet                                           Hobie Fleet

1.       Z-100 Steve Swift              1. Z-15 Charlie MacNider               1. 6658   Bill Wilson (tie)

2.       Z-3      Bill Nicholas            2. Z-24 Bob Swanson                      1. 110        Lynn Twedt (tie)

3.       Z-2      Tom Birdsall                                                                            3. 5            Todd Wilson (tie)
                                                                                                                  3.5931           Mike Pruchnicki (tie)

                                                                                                                   5.111        Charlie Clemens

EARLY WARNING AMBER ALERT……..The next Yacht Club party will be upon us on Saturday, July 16 at Commodore Gerald Peterson’s cottage, 1123 South Shore Drive, and Board Members have the honor of whipping up hors d’oeuvres and serving satisfying beverages.

2ND ANNUAL 6 KNOT ALL OF A KIND RACE…….The first one was so well-received last year, we thought we’d do it again.

                “Race Date & Time:  Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM

                Race Officials:  Tom Erickson & company on the gun boat with John Hanson at the middle mark directing traffic.

                Course:  6 Knot Race Course, the same as last year.  Since most of us don’t remember it, a race flyer with course details
 and race instructions will come out very soon.

                All of a Kind Race:  This means that all types of sailboats are welcome as long as the skipper is at least a social member of the CLYC. Racing registration is not required for the boat or skipper.

                We’ll be judging on a variety of racing categories such as:

                                Cruiser winner, scow winner, multi-hull winner
                                Best decorated boat
                                Best dressed captain & crew
                                Oldest boat that makes it to the finish line
                                And more categories if we can think of them!

We hope to see you all for a fun day on the lake”……signed “this year’s orgainzers”, Vince Tomlinson, Tom Erickson and Gerald Peterson.

AN OPTI CLINIC & REGATTA……has been organized by John Vratsinas to be held Monday and Tuesday, July 25 and 26 at Clear Lake. All ILYA Opti sailors have been invited. Tom Coleman, the US Olympic Committee’s 2004 Development Coach of the Year will run a clinic on Monday the 25th, followed by racing on Tuesday the 26th.  A brochure describing the event is attached to this newsletter.

If you would like to host a family for a couple of nights….or help out in some other way…..contact John at jvratsinas@vratsinas.com or 949-678-0977. 

Fair Winds, Oz

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June 28, 2011

A busy weekend is behind us and a busier weekend is upon us.  The I-20 regatta has come and gone.  The CLYC sailors had the pleasure of sailing in the west end of the lake…….which, all in all, was not that bad……..but the travel time to and from the races was a bit daunting for us “east-enders”. Now the “carnie regatta” is here for a bunch of days and, believe me, there are more of them than there were I-20s. Enjoy all of the 4th of July festivities……..and cross your fingers that summer weather may actually have arrived this year!

THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THE I-20 REGATTA A SUCCESS…….There were not many boats, as has been the case with many of the ILYA Invitational regattas the past few years.  But they clearly don’t mind traveling……. the skipper and crew from one I-20 drove nine hours to get here from Indiana. The I-20 sailors were certainly a nice bunch and were very appreciative of all the efforts of the CLYC and its members to make them feel welcome.  As usual, there are too many volunteers to thank individually, so on behalf of the co-chairs, Charlie and Kathy MacNider……..you all get big hugs (hopefully from Kathy, not Charlie).

The regatta had a little bit of everything.  During the party Saturday night did anyone notice that one I-20 was replacing its broken boom with an X Boat boom? Not sure I’ve ever seen anything quite like that at a regatta……I don’t know if it actually worked during Sunday’s races, but it certainly should have won the creativity award for those guys.

Hosting this smaller regatta was a good training for the big one….. X Championships……..coming at the end of July.

THE COMBO CLYC/I-20 PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT……was fun, well attended, and gave folks a chance to meet the sailors from other Midwest lakes.  Thanks to those who brought the food and donated beverages.

THIS WEEKEND IS THE JULY 4TH REGATTA……..It’s the last chance to qualify for your fleet’s Interlakes team.  So expect back-to-back races on Saturday.  And, yes, we will be back in the big end of the lake.

AND SOMEHOW WE SQUEEZED IN THE DAD/MOM/LAD/LASS REGATTA…….on Sunday.  It was blowing, which drew out lots of spectator boats apparently eager to see adults (and some former X Boaters) do some crashing and burning.  They were not entirely disappointed………there was a breakdown (sorry Emily and Sophie) or two and there was a really nice crash at the first windward mark involving boats skippered by Ken Hanus (parent) and Drake Lundeen(ringer) that had the crowd cheering for more.  Anyway, this year’s results are:

1.       Z-7          Drake Lundeen/Maddy Hess

2.       Z-11       Chris and Henry Long

3.       Z-17       John and Megan Vratsinas

4.       Z-24       Mark and Chrissy Tesar

5.       Z-8          Ken and AJ Hanus

6.       Z-11       Maggie Long and (Matt Broghammer’s daughter)

7.       Z-42       Matt and Luke Broghammer

8.       Z-33       Emily Oltrogge/ Sophie Anderson

The Tisor/Erickson boat was there in spirit, with Andi, Arteom(AJ) and Denni missing out on the race by just that much…….

AND FINALLY, THE SUNSAIL RAFFLE IS OFF AND RUNNING…….a bareboat charter in Sunsail’s 36i in the BVIs for 6 days and  nights.  The prize includes the charter fee only.  Book your charter by June 30, 2012 and sail between July 19 – October 31, 2012. $10 per ticket through July 29.  Thank you to Andi Tisor – who just may win after being the very first to purchase a ticket.  Proceeds go to the CLYC Sailing School.  The next big event where raffle tickets will be sold is the Yacht Club party on July 16 at Commodore Gerald Peterson’s.  But you don’t have to wait for big events……….tickets can be purchased at any time (day or night) from Margaret Oz (612-418-8856) by cash or check only.

Fair Winds, Oz 

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June 23, 2011

The weather is bordering on the absurd.  Last weekend wasn’t all that great, but compared to this week, it was heaven………except that someone forgot to turn on the wind.  We got shut out from racing, unless you happened to be in a C Boat on Saturday morning.

I-20 INVITATIONAL REGATTA IS HERE……..this weekend.  It’s not going to be a big regatta, but we’ll show the I-20 sailors a little love anyway.  Charlie and Kathy MacNider, the regatta co-chairs have their troops lined up, but I know spectator boats are always needed.

The I-20s will be sailing Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, in the big end of the lake.

THE REST OF US WILL BE RACING IN THE WEST END OF THE LAKE THIS WEEKEND………..We’ll be following our normal weekend racing schedule, but most of us will have to leave our docks a bit earlier to make race time.  So remember……Go West, Young Man (or Woman)!!!!

YACHT CLUB PARTY THIS SATURDAY……..June 25 at the Yacht Club building, starting at 6:30 p.m.  All CLYC members are invited, as usual.  C’s, E’s and X Parents are in charge of bringing the heavy hors d’ oeuvres.  Remember that, because this is at the Yacht Club, and because it’s on city property, we’re supposed to bring our own beverages…….and it can’t be stronger than beer or wine.  We have invited the I-20 sailors to join us that evening, so if you see some unfamiliar faces please make a point of going up to them and talking about……….…….I-20 stuff, I guess. Oh…..and there just might be a raffle at the party that could grab your attention [see below].

THE ANNUAL DAD/MOM/LAD/LASS RACE………is this Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m.  This was always my most embarrassing race of the season…….and I certainly hope it will be for all you dads, moms, significant others(?), or ringers who may be manning the helms of X Boats while the young’uns crewing for you try to hold back their giggles and guffaws.

THERE IS NO CLYC BOARD MEETING THIS WEEKEND………because the entire Board has been charged with a mission…….to find some sunny weather for nice sailing………and as a result they have decided to leave town, because they know they can’t find it here.  Actually, there’s so much going on this weekend, they decided to table the entire meeting until some future date……….and go out and watch the Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass race instead.

X BOAT MINNETONKA TRAINING REGATTA REPORT……….Six of our X Boats, 12 sailors, 12 parents, 4 siblings, 8 vehicles and one coach (Drake Lundeen) descended on Lake Minnetonka for the MYC Invitational, where they managed to get in three short races in light winds. Chrissy Tesar was the top Clear Lake boat in race one with a 3rd and AJ Hanus and Maddy Hess were the top Clear Lake boats in race two with a 5th and 8th respectively.  AJ finished 6th overall, Chrissy Tesar was 8th, Maddy Hess was 13th, Anne Tesar was 14th, Henry Long was 15th and Megan Vratsinas was 16th. Our embedded reporter assures us that all had a good time and our X Boaters learned a ton.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A SAILING CHARTER??!!.......The X Championship committee got some big news this past week! The Clear Lake Yacht Club Sailing School will be raffling a one week charter with Sunsail as part of the X Championship Regaatta, with proceeds going to the Sailing School.  More specifics will be forthcoming.  But the Committee is hoping to make raffle tickets available for purchase at Saturday evening’s Yacht Club party.  So bring cash or your checkbook (because the State of Iowa frowns on using credit cards for raffles apparently) and buy a raffle ticket or two for $10 each.

                                               

                                                (how’s that for advertising??!!)

 

Fair Winds, Oz 

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June 15, 2011

 

It still doesn’t feel much like summer, but we did get all of our races in this past weekend.  This must be what it feels like to live in Seattle……or maybe Anchorage.

 

THE I-20 INVITATIONAL REGATTA……will be here next weekend.  Registration and put-in will be Friday, June 24 and there will be racing on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th.  I’m sure Charlie and Kathy MacNider, who are co-chairing the regatta could still use any help you can offer.  You can reach them at Charlie@netins.net or 641-357-2036. If nothing else, helping out as a spectator boat is always much appreciated.

 

It’s going to be a busy weekend, because on that Saturday evening, June 25, there will be the next Yacht Club party at the YC building with the E’s, C’s and X Parents in charge of bringing food and hosting the beverage cart.

 

And then on Sunday, June 26, the annual Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass race will test the skills (or lack thereof) of the moms, dads or significant others of our X Boat sailors.

 

THE FIRST SESSION OF SAILING SCHOOL KICKED OFF THIS WEEK………..so hopefully you entered your young sailor(s) in the programs the CLYC Sailing School is offering this summer.

 

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, INTERLAKES REGATTA IS NOT THAT FAR OFF……..It’s at Lake Okoboji this year, with registration on Thursday, August 4 and races from Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7.  A notice issued by Tom Weigel, the Secy./Treasurer of the Inter-lake Yachting Association can be found below.  It contains a list of hotels where the Okoboji Yacht Club is holding a block of rooms, and it has contact information for staying in someone’s home.  And, as those who have been there know, get your housing lined up as early as you can, because it’s harder than hard to find a place to stay in Okoboji on a summer weekend.

 

“Greetings Sailors 

Here’s a reminder to make your lodging plans for the Inter-Lake Regatta August 4-7, at Okoboji Yacht Club.   

Okoboji Yacht Club is planning a terrific Inter-Lake which will feature entertainment at the Saturday night party by the marimba band Kutandara from Boulder, Colorado!  Friday evening will feature a burger party at OYC.   

The Inter-Lake Regatta will feature great camaraderie, with our traditions of great competitive sailing and team racing.  It’s not too early to start planning for Inter-Lake! 

Okoboji is a busy resort area, and rooms are reserved in advance!  If you plan to sail in the Inter-Lake, or possibly foresee attending, then Reserve your rooms now!   

Kirsty Moen, regatta co-chair, has reserved blocks of rooms at 3 hotels. 

The following 3 hotels are holding rooms under OKOBOJI YACHT CLUB: 

The Ramada Inn      712-336-3984
Shamrock Inn         712-336-2668, 800-324-2008
Super 8                  712-336-4901 

There are also lakeside resorts, including: 

                The Inn                  877-265-4386
                Fillenwarth’s           712-337-5646
                Village West           712-337-3223   

 The OYC will help provide housing for racers in member homes.  Housing questions can be directed to Kirsty Moen at 515-229-7076. 

See you at the Inter-Lake this August! 

Fair Winds, Oz

 

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June 9, 2011

The weekend finally felt like summer…..and I certainly hope that wasn’t the end of it!!  (Ed. Note: maybe it did end. It’s 50 degrees today…..it was 102 degrees two days ago) Saturday was actually too calm to sail, after an entire week of 30 mph winds.  Sunday developed into a nice breeze, and we were able to get in two races.

THE FIRST YACHT CLUB PARTY OF THE SEASON……was well-attended and a gourmet delight, thanks to the Social Members.  It was nice to be at a new venue.  In fact I think we all enjoyed visiting Bob Swanson’s cottage so much we just might be back this Saturday……so start cooking Bob…..and get out the ice and beverages!

CY-HAWK CHALLENGE WRAPUP…..The 2nd (although not annual) CY-Hawk Challenge was held at the Yacht Club party, and it too was a success.

                “On behalf of the Sailing School board, I want to thank everyone who participated in the Cy-Hawk Challenge fund raiser for the Sailing School.  It was a fun event and we raised an amazing $6295 for the Sailing School in addition to the $4100 that was donated with registrations….for a total of $10,395. The board would also like to give a big “Thank You” to everyone for their continuing support of the Sailing School.

                You might be asking why the Sailing school needs donations. The short answer is that the board is committed to keeping the sailing school fees as low as possible for the students, so the tuition is not enough to cover the fixed expenses such as insurance, boat storage and maintenance, hoist installation, etc. This is why the Sailing School board is continuing to look for new ways to raise donations, such as auctions and the Cy-Hawk Challenge.

                The final tally of the Cy-Hawk challenge was $6780 for ISU to $3615 for Iowa, so we will be flying the Iowa State flag at the next party at the Yacht Club on June 25”

                Mark Tesar, CLYCSS President   “Go State”         (editor’s note: and “Go Packers”) 

YEARBOOK CORRECTION……For some reason the date and location of this year’s X Championships is incorrect in the Yearbook that you all just received.  The schedule in the Yearbook shows  X Championships  at Lake Pewaukee…..unfortunately that’s where it was last year.  As we all know, it is at our own Clear Lake this year and it runs from July 27-30.  So get out your permanent marker and deface Page 13 of your Yearbook….and while you’re at it, mark your calendar as well.

ANOTHER SCHEDULE CHANGE….At the last CLYC Board Meeting the decision was made to hold the Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass Race on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00…..instead of June 19 as it says on the early season schedules.  That gives you dads and moms another week to practice……and we’re sure it will show. 

THE I-20 REGATTA IS FAST APPROACHING……June 24-26 is only two weeks away, and we are hosting the event. Spectator and crash boats are still needed…..you can help out by checking at the Yacht Club and City docks on those race days to pick up spectators who would like to watch the races from closer than the beach. Please contact Charlie MacNider, the regatta chair, if you can commit to taking out spectators or if you can commit to being on call with a radio…….that will be important because the rest of the CLYC sailing fleets will be out racing at the same time.

If you just generally are interested in volunteering to help out with other aspects of the I-20 Regatta please give Charlie or Kathy (the real brains of the outfit) a call at 641-357-2036 or an email at Charlie@netins.net.

And finally, if you have space to house some I-20 sailors (they are just as nice as other scow sailors) or if you wouldn’t mind having an I-20 tied to your dock overnight (so you can see these rare boats up close and personal) call Margaret Oz (the real brains of my outfit) at 641-357-5513 or email her at inremoz@aol.com.

REMEMBER LAST YEAR’S SIX KNOT RACE……that was held in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary celebration?  It was so well received, that folks are considering doing it again this year.  The tentative date is Sunday, July 17.  More information to come in future newsletters.

AND CRUISER RACES MAY BE MAKING A COMEBACK…….There seems to be a groundswell of interest in bringing back some Cruiser racing…….not serious racing…….more like fun races on Sunday afternoons. If you’re interested, please let Vince Tomlinson (641-357-5877) or Commodore Gerald Peterson (641-357-4661) know.

Fair Winds, Oz

 

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June 1, 2011

OK….so Mother Nature worked us over a bit during the Memorial Day weekend.  Saturday brought nice heavy winds……..and the water was cold (I believe all of the new M-17 fleet can attest to that!).  Sunday brought thunder and lightning……..and the water was cold.  Monday brought howling winds…..and the water was still cold….and real lumpy.

FIRST YACHT CLUB PARTY…..is this Saturday, June 4, 6:30 p.m. at Bob Swanson’s home (1913 North Shore Drive).  Do not….I repeat do not…..show up at Bob’s place at the Outing Club, because if you do you will miss all the great hors d’ oeuvres that the Social Members have been cooking up all this week (and his guard dogs will chase you off).  All Clear Lake Yacht Club members (social and sailing) are invited. Rumor has it that 75th Anniversary DVDs will be available at the party…and, oh yeah, the CY-Hawk Challenge returns (see below).

MEMORIAL DAY REGATTA….has come and gone.  We got in two races on Saturday in good breezes, but lightning on Sunday morning made sure that was all we would get in.  And the results are: 

X Fleet                                                  MC Fleet                                              E Fleet

1.  Z-8   AJ Hanus                            1. 2178 Mark Tesar                       1. Z-6   Jamie & Lori Zachar
2. Z-24 Chrissy Tesar                       2. 2479 Byron Beasley                    2. Z-15 Charlie MacNider
3. Z-11 Henry Long                          3. 2340 Stu Oltrogge
                                                         4. 2169 Drake Lundeen
                                                         5. 2475 Eric Protzman 

                Hobie Fleet                                         M17 Fleet

1.  1701 Chris Wessels                      1. USA84   Mike Risewick
2.  5        Todd Wilson                       2. USA136 Ken Hanus
3. 5931  Mike Pruchnicki                   3. USA209 JC Risewick
4. 6434  Steve Brewer 

YEARBOOKS ARE OUT……….and they are every bit as good as we have become accustomed to.  Many were delivered last weekend and the rest should be in Yacht Members’ hands by this weekend.  Denni Erickson did her usual fabulous job of coordinating the whole thing.  And Dawn Southwick, one of CLYC’s unsung heroes, did a spectacular job with the advertising.  The artwork on the front cover is none other than Jim Larson’s….and he has again captured the essence of sailing on Clear Lake.

IT’S BACK !!!........By popular demand, the CLYC Sailing School is bringing back the Cy-Hawk Challenge. The Sailing School would like to invite you to show your support for it and for your college of choice between the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. During the Yacht Club party on Saturday, June 4, you will be able to donate to the Sailing School on behalf of your favorite school.  In honor of the school that collects the most donations, we will fly that school’s flag at the Yacht Club during the party on Saturday, June 25.  We are adding a twist this year.  If you have already donated to the Sailing School this year, please let a board member know which school to give your credit to.  With this added twist, we believe the University of Iowa already has a head start.  The Iowa State fans will need to step up to prevent Herky from flying over the party later in June.  So, let’s have some fun, help the Sailing School, and find out which school has the most devoted fans………

SAILORS, A REMINDER FROM THE SCORER……….If you are using a sail number that does not match your registration, please be sure to send an email to the scorer, Mark Tesar at mtesar@netins.net.  Don’t tell the judge……… 

As the Old Crow used to say…..Fair Winds,

Oz 

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May 25, 2011
OK, we’re through with the compulsories and on to the freestyle competition.  Docks should be in.  Lifts are probably in….but may be the wrong ones, or in the wrong place.  Boats are 50/50….I would expect the standard Friday evening/Saturday morning scramble on many of them.  As for repairs, sails, tuning, equipment…..forget it.

MEMORIAL DAY REGATTA…….is, of course, this weekend.  Raingear and long underwear will probably be appropriate attire, given the forecast……and history.  Expect back-to-back races on Saturday.  Spectator boats are always important this time of year, because the water is so cold that no one should be in it….except fish.

CLYC BOARD MEETING……is Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Yacht Club where many weighty issues will most certainly be considered and decisions made…..or not.

EARLY WARNING – FIRST YACHT CLUB PARTY………..is Saturday, June 4, at Bob Swanson’s, 1913 North Shore Drive.  This warning may be more for Bob than for anyone  else…….just in case he’s forgotten that the Yacht Club social members and sailing members will be descending on his abode at about 6:30 that evening.  The Social Members have the honors for hors d’ oeuvres and serving beverages, so I assume they can start hauling out those scrumptious recipes we have all grown accustomed to.

US SAILING HELD ITS (FIRST?) ANNUAL YACHT CLUB SUMMIT MEETING……a couple of months ago and Margaret Oz attended representing Clear Lake Yacht Club and the Inland Lake Yachting Association.  There was a ton of good information about care and nurturing of yacht clubs……….If you’re interested (and you should be) go to ussailing.org, and click on the link captioned “US Sailing’s Yacht Club Summit Session Recaps & Presentations”.  The topic list is below:

That’s enough for now. Go find your sailing gear…..and your sails…..and your boat.

Fair winds, Oz 

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May 2, 2011  

It’s the second day of May.  It’s also the second day in a row of snow flurries in the Twin Cities.  I had promised myself earlier this year that I wouldn’t send out the first newsletter of the season until (a) spring arrived, or (b) Osama bin Laden was captured and killed.  All I can say is thank God that bin Laden met his maker……otherwise no newsletter until who knows when…. 

Seriously, even though everything seems late this year (including this first Crow’s Nest), the start of the Clear Lake Yacht Club’s 76th season is less than a month away.  So there is a lot to do. 

We are welcoming a new fleet this season……the M17s, so watch for them on weekends.  We will be hosting at least 4 regattas that I know of.  The monster regatta will be X Championships at the end of July, which will be preceded by the smaller I-20 Invitational in June, and followed by the MC Team Regatta and the Hobie regatta, both in September I believe.  

AND THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO GET YOUR YACHT CLUB REGISTRATIONS IN……..I know an email splash went out over the weekend.  As usual May 15 is the deadline, because that is when the yearbook has to go to the printer so that it will be done in time for the start of the season. 

There are multiple ways to register.  (1) There is a hardcopy registration form attached to this newsletter that you can complete and mail to CLYC, PO Box 29, Clear Lake, IA 50428 (2) you can print a hardcopy form from the CLYC Website (www.clyciowa.com)under the “Membership” tab and mail it to the same address, or (3) you can use the online registration that is provided on the CLYC Website (and save several trees). 

Just so there is no confusion, social members are described in the registration form as “Non-Racing Members”…..so that is where you check the box. 

THE SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS IS……read the CLYC schedules that are attached to this newsletter so you know what is happening when and where - including sailing events, the party schedule, and Yacht Club Board meetings.  Interestingly enough, you can also find this same information under the “Schedule” tab of the CLYC Website.  

AND THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS…..is Sailing School.  I’ve attached Sailing School information and Sailing School Registration materials to this newsletter.  And, as you’ve probably already guessed, if you visit the CLYC Website and click on the “Sailing School” tab you will be rewarded by finding the exact same information at your electronic fingertips. 

Remember, we haven’t yet developed on-line registration for Sailing School.  So either print the registration form attached to this Crow’s Nest or print the registration form that’s on the Website…..then mail it in to CLYCSS, PO Box 29, Clear Lake, IA 50428.  

AND FINALLY LET’S TAKE A MOMENT……to remember those who left us this past off season and who were ardent supporters of the Yacht Club and great people to know and be around….. 

                Chuck and Joyce Swift
                Craig Caslavka
                Dee Hayward
                Bev Koch

 

We’ll miss them………. 

Fair Winds, Oz

 

Email (home):                    inremoz@aol.com

Email (office):                    brad.osmundson@opusnw.com

CLYC Website:                   www.clyciowa.com

 

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