The Maryland Yacht Club (MYC) hosted its Annual Maryland Yacht Club Challenge Race, August 28th at the mouth of the Patapsco River. This is the third year that MYC has teamed with Rock Creek Racing Association, and the first year that North Point Sailing Association has joined in, to put on this cruisers-meet-racers event. It's a combined effort to generate interest and enthusiasm for the sailing fleet of the MYC and to celebrate the great sailing and good camaraderie the three Clubs share on this little piece of the Chesapeake Bay.
The format is geared for fun, with a pursuit style start where the start times are determined by the boat's PHRF handicap, slowest boat starting first, faster boats starting later, and theoretically all boats finishing at the same time. The start was set near The White Rocks landmark at the mouth of the Patapsco River, around a 3-1/2 mile course, rounding government marks, and ending just inside the entrance to Rock Creek between a day mark and a small cannon stationed on the hill below MYC's clubhouse.
There were 18 boats registered, 11 non-spinnaker and seven spinnaker, over a wide range of types, sizes and racing trim, from Jerry McCann's Natty Boh't a 26' Pearson Commander, to Dave Butler's gorgeous 66' Crowninshield's Witchcraft, to Gary and Greg Schoolden's Kirby 30 Red Hot Mess, and a wide variety in between.
MYC hosted a great post race get together at the Maryland Yacht Club, for drinks, great food and trophy presentations by MYC Commodore Paul Dolan and Sail Fleet Captain Larry Korpanty. Mike Dodson (Ringmaster) won in the Spinnaker fleet, and James Tyson (Lucky Ducky) won in Non-Spin. Judging from the smiles and general good times all around, seemed that everyone, racers and cruisers alike, had a blast, and maybe more than a few racing converts were made. For more information on the Clubs please check out our websites: mdyc.org ; rockcreekracing.org ; and npsaweb.com
