Race committee for HYC Wednesday night racing
I appreciate Race Committees that run sailboat races. They are a key to our sport that requires dedication and skill. Setting a good starting line and finishing line, a course and running the start sequence takes practice. We are lucky on the Chesapeake Bay to have great PROs. However, too often there are complaints about Race Committee performance.
Hampton Yacht Club has a "cure" for the complainers and knows how to grow Race Committee appreciation.
Hampton Yacht Club host Wednesday night racing from April through September. There is a set start time for a warning signal, four predestined courses and a set of flags. Skippers who regularly do Wednesday Night races are assigned a night to be the Race Committee. Not help, to be the PRO.
So, we all must find a RC team, pick a course, set a fair starting line, launch three fleets of Racers, the record the immediate finishes and post the results. It makes skippers and crews humble and appreciate every Race Committee. After a time or two, it is one Wednesday night that we look forward to. Every year, I want to be as good as my friends John McCarthy and Brian Diabler. One day, I might get that good.
Those "beer can races" are a great opportunity to try one's skills. Thank you, Hampton Yacht Club.