Racing Team: Amy Harris

DS MidWinters held on Tampa Bay. Tampa Sailing Squadron sponsor club. Practice Day Friday March 8th and then Regatta March 9th and 10th. We had a great time and got 3rd out of 13 boats. Plenty of wind! 
Chris Lewton skipper and I crewed. 

We now have over 100 Lasers (ILCA 6's and 7's) stored at SSA requiring 3 stack with ability to store dolly with Boat. Work Day to move one rack and add bolts and secure with extra washers etc. on multiple other racks. 

We started off of SSA dock and then headed upwind up the Severn River under the bridges towards St Helena's Island . 

14 teams! Very competitive regatta/ lots of fun. We all had to get weighed and were 1101.2 pounds (0.8 pound to spare). Our main trimmer's dog fell ill and died the day before the race so we used one of our subs and still weighed in ok. We juggled around positions and were excited to be part of the race even though we were DFL. Huge accomplishment to have great starts 2 out of 3 races and great spin sets and gybes. One start we tapped the leeward boat as we got pushed just over the line OCS so had to do a 360 and come back to re-start. Great teamwork! 

I crewed aboard J105 Break Away with Richard Hinds skippering and Mike Coleman, Dale Conklin, Remy B., Mary-Sophia Smith and yours truly crewing.  Off the wind start and Mary-Sophia flew the spinnaker until Dale took it over and we then headed towards the Eastern shore and eventually then had an upwind leg struggling a bit with the shifty winds and the current. 

It was a great race and we just did a U-turn and cruised on back home.  

Saturday and Sunday event and yet I only raced Saturday with Mary-Sophia Smith as my crew. 

We had a great day and yet on Sunday is was extremely windy and we opted not to race.  One of the DS capsized on Sunday so I felt I made the right decision.  

Two day event - although the first day was cancelled due to light winds

Second day was on Sunday 5/14.  I crewed for Chris Lewton on his DS "Nina" in prep for our racing together in the DS NACR in June which was to be held in Ohio.  

Easterly breeze and we had a decent start. Several 105's rounded the first mark together. We then realized 1/2 way down the next leg that they must have changed the course right before the start/ the next mark was way downwind next to the bridge. We had a nice leg and rounding. We were tacking back up wind and as we approached the opposite side from the Naval Academy we suddenly went from 20 feet to 16 and tacked for deeper water. Too late! We were hard aground. Just like the song "Ain't no river wide enough". Nothing would work to free ourselves so we had to start the engine and move to deeper water. We withdrew and headed back to the dock. Next Sunday is bound to go better! 

I was to race on 2/12 on Break Away as well and yet due to heavy winds it was cancelled.  Super Bowl Sunday!

3/12/23 I was to race on Valhalla J30 to frostbite and yet it was cancelled due to lack of wind.  We cruised the harbor and then went for a ride up and down Ego Alley - Jack R., Amy P., Bo D., and me.  

3/19/23 - finally some FB racing!  Aboard Break Away with RIchard Hinds skippering, John V, me, Jamie C., Dale C. and Haymar.  

Saturday and Sunday event aboard J105 Break Away. Saturday we had light winds and Sunday it was very breezy. We raced with 4 men and two women each day. Saturday- Richard skippered and Dave, Mike, Kathy, Ben and I crewed. I flew the spinnaker.  On Sunday Terri crewed in Kathy'a place. Terri flew the chute, as did Mike and I. We did well and had a great time! 

This race was sponsored by AYC, the concept born during the Pandemic.  Race rules allow only two people on board each boat with two marks that must be rounded to port in either order.  Two drop marks are placed by the R.C. - one by the Bay Bridge and one by the Severn River Bridge - just past the Naval Academy.  Rules allow you to round these marks in either order.  

My son David Harris and I raced our DS.  We had five DS on the line and we were the first Fleet to start.  We decided to start on a broad reach at the pin which turned out to be a great strategy. We stayed high for a bit and then set our chute and headed to the Bay Bridge mark which we could not see.  For quite awhile we were in first place and yet Erica Seamon and her Dad Ken Seamon aboard Seamonster were hugging the western shore and I thought perhaps they were going to get to the mark first - which we still couldn't see!  Matt White and his daughter in their DS Bluebird came along side us and asked us "Is that it?" Unfortunately we couldn't see what they were seeing!  Ah well - we rounded that  mark in third.  The wind  shifted and came up nice throughout the race and after honoring the shoal pole we headed up the Severn River to the second mark, gybing our spinnaker several times along the way.  We then had to tack back upwind to the finish. The R.C. did an awesome job.  

What a great day it was - my son David and I really enjoyed it.  We will definitely plan to race in the Twin Bridges Fiasco again!  

This is our SSA sponsored DS Spring Invitational regatta which is called the DS Chesapeake Open - a two day regatta.  We didn't race on Saturday however since Mary-Sophia and I raced on Break Away in the Women's Regatta.  

Sunday we raced out in SSA Area D - and the start was near the mooring field not far from the Radio Towers at the mouth of the Severn River.  We had Windward Leeward courses in moderate Southerly breezes.  The highlight of our day was one upwind leg when we chose to go to the left side of the course.  Suddenly we saw a dolphin jump off our starboard side!  Then two on the port side and one to our stern!  We just slowed down took off our mind off racing and enjoyed their company.  This is the first time I had seen dolphins in the Severn River!    What a treat it was for me and my crew Mary-Sophia Smith.  

EYC Sponsored One Design Classic - the day was extremely windy  - gusts over 25 knots.  We had put our sails up and were sailing out towards the race course as the R.C. was heading back in.  We heard on the radio they planned to delay on land to see if the winds would moderate a bit.  We headed back in and ultimately went back to the dock and had lunch. 

The R.C. ultimately decided to start the races out in what SSA calls Area C - which is not far from the entrance to Lake Ogleton.  We had windward leeward courses with the windward mark up towards the Naval Academy Wall.  I crewed on J105 Break Away.  We only had five of us sadly and it was still gusting over 25 knots.  Richard Hinds (skipper), Mike Coleman, Alex Sharabaroff, Susan Singer, and me.  I did jib and flew the spinnaker and it was the most amount of wind I've ever managed that J105 chute in.  Thanks to Mike's help grinding we did really well and had no mishaps the entire race!  Alex did a fantastic job on bow and Susan did an awesome job on pit plus helped Mike with main.  It was a day we all multi-tasked!  

When we got in we found out that AYC had cancelled the Star Racing and SSA had cancelled Thistle racing.  The EYC R.C. did a great job managing to hold the races despite the windy conditions!  

J World Racing on Thursday nights is always great fun and this year was no exception. Pete skippered J24 Spaceman Spiff on 6/9 and Erin did an awesome job on bow in very windy conditions. I raced on J80 Vitesse on August 11th and 25th. John Taylor and Eunice Lin share the boat and I always enjoy racing with them and our regular Vitesse crew. Since they keep it way up in the headwaters of Spa Creek at John's house we get extra time to cruise and chat before and after the races and try to time the bridge openings together! 

The SSA Sponsored DS Spring Series was to have been held on May 7th and 8th and yet was canceled due to heavy rain and winds. We had just a one day make-up and fortunately the RC did get several races in. My son David Harris crewed for me and we did well and had a blast! 

Sponsored by the Miles River YC six of us were aboard J105 Break Away for the distance race over there. Richard Hinds (helm), and Dave, Dale, Mike, Sophie, and I crewed. We did really well throughout the day and flew our spinnaker most of the race. We had a great time trying our best to keep the other 105's behind us! After we finished we had a relaxing sail back. 

Wednesday Night Racing (Series One) sponsored by AYC. I raced on 5/4, 5/18, 5/25, and 6/1 aboard J105 Break Away. On May 25th it was great to watch the Blue Angels, tour the Maiden which was docked at my home club (SSA), and then race! It was great to enjoy racing with our regular crew of dedicated Break Away sailors. I really enjoy WNR with the mad dash up Spa Creek to finish at AYC! 

RC for SSA sponsored ILCA full rig and Radials racing a Sunday frostbite day. Cold and windy yet great racing conditions. JR Futcher, Pam Corwin and I worked together on a rescue boat and fortunately the day went very smoothly. 

Sponsored by SSA this race is held on January 1st yearly. Jan 1st was rainy and windy with a small craft advisory so the race was postponed to Sunday, 1/2/22. Solings, J24's, and Lasers raced.  Warm and Sunny with light winds- we started off the SSA dock  with our chute up on J24 Solstice. Natalie Burls skippered the first half and Dave Waiting the second half of the race. JR Futcher and I crewed. The course took us up the Severn River under the bridges and around St Helena's Island which we chose to round to Starboard (either way around was acceptable). As we then headed back towards SSA the wind was dying so the RC shortened the course in the River before we got to the bridges. I was flying the chute again and we managed to beat the other J24's! 
Natalie popped the cork on a bottle of champagne that I didn't even know we had on board to celebrate! 

SSA Race Committee Day - Soling Fall Series

Four day Series Thursday - Sunday due to original plan for this to have been the Soling Nationals.... COVID Postponed it and changed it to a Distance Race Thursday 10/28 (no wind and therefore cancelled), Friday 10/29 HUGE storm with extreme flooding cancelled races), Saturday races went on as scheduled, and then on Sunday - I was RC on the PIN boat (the Hugh E).  

We were SO pleased to be able to go out since one of the hoists was working and we were able to get the Soling's launched.  The outer basin outer dock had severe damage due to wind and waves and the hoists to that outer basin were down due to electric concerns.  

Nine Competiitors raced and we got two great races in out in Area A.  The J 105 Nationals were also being held on the Bay that day.  

Barbara Vosbury was the P.R.O. and I was thrilled to be able to assist on the Signal Boat (The Favored End).  Competitors sailed full rig or radial rig lasers (ILCA).  Southerly - Breeze on!  

Many ILCA sailors were truly out of their comfort zone due to the heavy winds and the considerable waves.  It was great practice for them, however, and we were impressed by their fortitude.  I chose a photo which I managed to take despite our own rocking and rolling aboard The Favored End.  

It was an absolutely fabulous day on the water - I especially enjoyed practicing motoring on the way out and back to the mouth of Spa Creek.  

This was our DS Fall Invitational which is a two day regatta.  I did not race my DS on Saturday since I was helping with RC for the J80 Nationals.  I sent my DS out to race with Frank Robb skippering and Mary Sophia Smith crewing. Day One photo of Frank and Mary Sophia racing Morning Glory added here.  

The second day of the Invitational I skippered my DS Morning Glory and Mary Sophia Smith crewed.  We had a great time.  Mary Sophia kept saying she was re-learning the choreography of gybing the spinnaker.  She has crewed for me before and we got into a great rhythm very quickly. It was a steady Southerly Breeze which was building througout the day.  

Unfortunately on our last rounding of the upwind mark prior to heading to the finish of the last race of the day I heard a loud noise.  I looked up and around trying to figure out what broke and then I immediately felt a loss of steerage.  My rudder head had broken in half!  I sailed past the mark to the East and asked Mary Sophia to throw out the anchor.  One of the support boats came over and I recognized Ted Morgan (a SSA member).  He was pleased that we had settled ourselves and could get our sails rolled and just chill for awhile until the race was completed and one of the RC boats could tow us in. 

It wasn't easy steering with the paddle on the way in!  I thought to myself - I do know what my first winter project will be!  

Michael (CRAB skipper) and I headed out with two differently abled sailors from Sandy Point Marina for a fun couple hours of sailing on the Bay.  What enthusiasm our sailors had to get out in the fresh breeze and enjoy the area North of the Bay Bridge and West of the shipping channel.  We had great views of the Lighthouse off of Sandy Point Beach and lenjoyed watching the few cruising boats in the area.  Very little powerboat traffic since it was a weekday and that is always a plus for sailors!  

It is such great fun volunteering with CRAB (Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating).  Our sailors that venture out with us are always SO appreciative.  Many enjoy taking the helm and others trim the sails with assistance as they learn new skills.  

Bert (pictured here at the helm) seemed to throroughly enjoy his day on the water!  

No idea if we get points for heading out for a Regatta that was to be held on the Bay and then the wind never materialized!  

Hospice Cup 2021

J105 Break Away

Richard Hinds (Skipper) along with Remy, Mike, Dale, Kathy, and I headed out to R2 as planned.  The wind was extremely light and there was a Navy regatta held towards the Western Shore and our RC was trying to set something up to their East and somehow get a race off.  The AP went up and we went into delay mode. 

For an hour and half we bobbed about with periodic updates from the RC on the radio.  About forty five minutes in, Remy very politely asked Richard if it would be okay if he went swimming.  Richard said sure and off Remy stripped down to his bathing suit and dove over the starboard lifeline. After exclaiming how refreshing and wonderful the water was I then asked Richard if it would be okay if I joined Remy for a swim.  It didn't take me long to strip down to my bathing suit and off I went diving over the starboard lifeline into the water.  It was a hot day and that water sure felt great!  

Little did we know we would get to swim, float, and tread water for 30 minutes before getting called back aboard to await the final decision of the RC.  Not long after we had climbed back in over the stern the RC announced it was time for them to fly the November shape and we prepared to head back to the dock.  

AMAZINGLY -while we were out there we did see a couple of Navy Sloops with bare poles othen than their chute successfully get moving - slowly but surely!  We heard later that they actually did get at least one race in.  

DS NACR held out of Severn Sailing Association.  19 boats from all over U.S. to include Florida, California, Ohio, Virginia,, Massachusetts, and Maryland. 

Wednesday, 8/25/21 was the practice race and we concluded racing on Saturday, 8/28/21.  Each day we were able to get races in despite the light breezes.  

I crewed aboard the DS I own - Morning Glory DS # 13160.  Bonnie Urban was the helmsperson - a women I have sailed with off and on for years.  We had raced together in the 2018 DS NACR at SSA - I skippered in that regatta and she crewed for me.

This time we did great!  We were in 5th place heading into the last day and then encountered a northerly breeze which we struggled a bit with.  The shifty winds and the current were a lot to contend with and we truly gybed way too much going downwind in an effort to find wind.  

Overall we did great though and came in 8th our of the 19 boats competing.  We were quite satisfied with that and truly had a fabulous time out on the water.  It was a great regatta which was put together by DS Fleet One which I've been a part of since the mid 1980's.  

Taught Active Duty Military men and women how to sail as a volunteer with the Valhalla Sailing Project (VSP).  We went out on Heidi and Mike's J30 Suzie Q from AYC and sailed out North of the Bay Bridge.  Each of the sailors had an opportunity to learn to trim the jib.  They also practiced skippering.  

We had lunch on board and then headed back under the bridge, past the radio towers, and up the Severn.  The new sailors were truly appreciative of our help in teaching them how to sail and they seemed to really enjoy it.  

Wednesday Night Racing (WNR) on board J105 Break Away was almost like a reunion in that I had raced on this boat with skipper / owner Richard Hinds years ago.  I sent him some photos taken from SSA of his team Frostbiting and was then asked to re-join the team after my hiatus spent racing my DS and doing a lot of RC at SSA.

It was great to race in the WNR series when we actually did have races!  SO many were cancelled due to either no wind or thunderstorms threatening the area.  When we did race we had a fabulous time trying to get up Spa Creek to the finish as fast as possible!   

Great team work, a fun group of people to race with, and a nice 105 rigged for racing - What more can one ask for?