June 23, 2009

Payton Regatta Wrap Up

Congratulations to 2009 Payton Regatta Champions; Lance Puccio and E Scow crew win the Mallory Cup, Melges 24 USA 500, skippered by Dierk Polzin, wins the Cruiser Division, and Bill Stebbins takes the MC Scow win. Winds were light and variable for most of the weekend, with several attempts at a racing on Sunday abandoned. Regardless, racing was tight, and social events were enjoyable.

Thank you to MYC Social Chair Scotty Louther for two remarkably well coordinated and executed events; raspberry BBQ sauce-supplemented food and Carolyn Curry-concocted iced tea beverage put a refreshing twist on a relaxing summer evening. Thanks as well to those who brought supplemental pig roast delicacies; all went quickly, especially those of the cookie and ice cream variety. Roy and Sue Carter graciously hosted the pig roast event again; thank you for the hospitality, and providing us the opportunity to enjoy the great weather and Lake Mendota view.

Finally, thanks to Regatta PRO Bill Hanson, and Race Committee, for setting courses in the variable winds, and making popularly-favorable executive decisions late Sunday morning. Racing continues this Wednesday evening, and we hope to see everyone on the line on Saturday, July 4th.

Andrew Lewis MYC Commodore

June 22, 2009

Mendota Sailors Fare Well at the I20 Invite

The wind direction on day one would only allow for half mile courses and as a result, many laps were necessary this weekend.

The first two races were sailed back to back in shifty and gusty winds, each requiring five laps before you could be finished. After ten spinnaker sets and takedowns, the I-20 fleet was ready for lunch.

Aaron Lynn and Steven Catlin traded first and second in the first two races with John Spargo not far behind. The afternoon brought more breeze and more great racing.

The first race was an endurance race as the I-20s counted six laps before the winning gun went off. The big breeze and short courses made for quick rides downwind.

The fourth and final race of the day was four laps with Aaron Lynn winning both afternoon races

Oshkosh sailor Aaron Lynn and his crew, Mendota sailor Keith Rousenbaum, stayed atop the leader board with past ILYA champ Stefan Schmidt from Mendota was second.

1 J-11 Aaron Lynn 9
2 H-5 Stefan Schmidt 19
3 H-111 John Spargo 22
4 FD-4 Jack Boatman 25
5 FD-314 George Winter 25
6 U-1 Steven Catlin 28
7 FD-499 Eric Hall 29
8 FD-1 Tim Baccus 39
9 WA-5 Justin Bolles 41
10 NC-66 Peter Stambaugh 53
11 FD-42 Greg Leifer 56

June 20, 2009

Payton Regatta

Lots more Payton Regatta photos here.

June 12, 2009

First Night of Opti Sailing

"Friday evening, June 12, kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 came down to Warner Bay for the first night of Opti sailing. The very light winds were perfect for the novice sailors and it wasn't long before a water balloon and squirt gun battle ensued. In total there were about 35 kids and parents enjoying the lake which included: Bill Sr., Jamie, Billy, and Micah Hanson Kyle, Liz, Tyler, and Kalie Metzloff Greg, Tami, Jenny, Kelsa, and Kylie McCormick Tim, Aimee, Katie, and Molly McCormick David, Tera, and Bryn Ostby Ron and Thor Rosten Lon and Donna Schoor Bev, Kristin, Brian and Jacob Semmann Greg, Hope, Meta and Fritz Simon Rhona Arries and Jeff Russell Robert Krebs." Forty years after 4LIYC legends Bill and Mike McCormick, David Rosten, Bill Hanson, and Jerry Simon set up their boats on Warner Bay for a cold winter's day of iceboating, their grandchildren gathered at the lake for opti sailing. Friday evening, June 12, kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 came down to Warner Bay for the first night of opti sailing. The very light winds were perfect for the novice sailors and it wasn't long before a water balloon and squirt gun battle ensued. In total there were about 35 kids and parents enjoying the lake which included: Bill Sr., Jamie, Billy, and Micah Hanson; Kyle, Liz, Tyler, and Kalie Metzloff; Greg, Tami, Jenny, Kelsa, and Kylie McCormick; Tim, Aimee, Katie, and Molly McCormick; David, Tera, and Bryn Ostby; Ron and Thor Rosten; Lon and Donna Schoo;r Bev, Kristin, Brian and Jacob Semmann; Greg, Hope, Meta and Fritz Simon, Rhona Arries and Jeff Russell; and Robert Krebs.
More photos here.

May 2009

Wednesday Night Series Photos

Tim Stanton sends "some pix from a cold drizzzly start for the Wednesday night season."

The Season Begins!

Here are some great photos from Jeff Russell from Sunday, May 24, 2009.
UPDATE: Here are more from Memorial Day.

Mendota Yacht Club Spring Banquet

Spring Banquet Speaker Robert Zerban on his J 109!

Robert came up from Kenosha to talk about his experience in the 2008 Chicago - Mack race aboard his J-109, Zeitgeist. OK, so lots of us have done that. But Robert did it SOLO, finishing second in his section.

Robert grew up sailing on Lake Carlyle in Southern Illinois. He’s sailed Lighting’s, Sunfish, Laser’s, Sonar’s, S2 7.9’s, and J-24s through high school, competing internationally at the age of 16 in the Lightning Youth World Championships in Argentina. He has traveled extensively as crew on smaller passenger vessels all along the Eastern seaboard of North and South America hitting all points between Maine and Antarctica, including the Panama Canal, the Falklands, South Georgia Island, the Straights of Magellan, and the rounding of Cape Horn numerous times.

2009 Membership and Racing Registration Now Available!!!

We have an exciting year of socials and racing events scheduled. Your membership and racing registration forms are now available. Please note the following:

In order to ensure the most up-to-date accuracy of your membership and racing data, please return your registration information prior to April 1, 2009
We now have two easy ways to pay for your membership, racing, merchandise and donations!

Option 1: Pay by check thru the mail
Option 2: Pay online with a credit card or PayPal account

o (Please note that we can no longer process manual credit card transactions -
all credit card payments must be made online)

We look forward to enjoying another great sailing season! Register today (click here)!

April 4, 2009

Sailors Social

Quite a large crew of sailors from the Mendota Yacht Club, Lake Monona Sailing Club, Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, and Lake Kegonsa Sailing Club attended the first annual Madison area Sailors' Social at the Blue Moon on April 1.

April 2, 2009

Burrows Park Update

Work Party: Saturday, April 25 at 8:30 AM!
Pier In: Saturday, May 2 8:30 AM!

Burrow's Park Contracts were emailed to last years users. If you did not receive my email and/or require a contract please let me know and I will send one to you.

During the off season we have made some upgrades to the shoreline in partnership with the city, and the pier sections were galvanized. The pier sections will be delivered to Burrow’s Park on Friday, April 24th.

A work party is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, at 8:30 am, to get the piers ready to be put in the lake. There are always lots of projects so come on down. We'll have to divide the sections between the North and South piers, sort through the legs and install them to the pier sections, and attach the bumpers. With the off season upgrade we have more work then usual this year so help us out.

Don’t forget to ask your crew to join you! The rain date is scheduled for April 26th.
Pier-in this year is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at 8:30 am. If we have really lousy weather (which never happens), the rain date will be May 3.
Pier-out is scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 8:30 am. If you have any questions get in touch with me.
Myles Sommerfeldt-Park Facility Administrator

Crewing Opportunities

If you are interested in crewing or looking for crew on a boat for the 2008 season there will be a few skippers looking to fill some positions. Send us an email with a few specifics, like when you can sail and some of your experience. Join the List.

The first annual outdoor boat show and swap meet will be taking place at the Boat House on May 9 from 10 AM to 7PM. Stop by and check out our race committee boat, the William L. Ward. Download this brochure for more information. Download this brochure for more information
.

Spring Banquet: Save the Date!

The Spring Banquet is set for May 3rd at the Edgewater. Cocktails at 6:00 Dinner at 7:00. More information coming soon!

Membership News

MYC'ers: It's time to renew your membership and/or register your boat for the 2009 season. April 1 is the cut-off date for registration to have your information in this year's directory. Has your crew joined? Remind your steadfast crew (who might have joined your program late last season but did not join the club) that they can join for just $20.00 and have their part in MYC's 106th season, if a first-time member. Plus they get invites to our great after-race socials and so much more.

Take advantage of our slick on-line membership form. While you're there, consider making a donation to support MYC's future. Your donation to to MYC's legacy fund helps your club meet our future needs for big ticket items like race committee boats, motors, piers and youth sailing.
Andrew Lewis MYC

Message from the Commodore:

MYC Members:
Spring is just around the corner, as is open water, and we’re all starting to get excited about the sailing season. It was great to see everyone who attended the North U rules seminar in February; many thanks to Alex Kovell of Hoofers for coordinating the great event. MYC members have been working together during the off-season, on many initiatives, and their hard work has set the stage for a great season.

Vice Commodore Trey Sprinkman has done a great job organizing the Race Committee, working on the race schedule and coordinating volunteers to run races. Scotty Louther has put absolutely remarkable efforts into the 2009 MYC social schedule, so even come more unwelcome high water, we are sure to have a great time together throughout the season (Sailing Instructions Chair Steve Scheck predicts great sailing conditions this year). Board members have been meeting regularly, all contributing to a level of club organization which I can confidently say will lead to another smooth season.

Now is the time to renew your membership and help promote our club to potential new members. Membership Chair Carolyn Curry has organized a kickoff event, for all sailors; details are below. Finally, thanks to Treasurer Rhonda Arries for really putting it all together, including making it easier for club members to be part of the season, as also indicted below.

Stay tuned for more details on a great season.
Andrew Lewis
MYC Commodore

January 2009

MYC Members,

We recently became aware that our good friend, sailing competitor, and Board member Stu Seffern, and his long-time partner Debbie Loiselle, died when their single-engine plane crashed at the Joliet Regional Airport, near Chicago. Stu and Debbie were returning from a trip to Orlando, Fl.

Stu has been a member of MYC for decades, and a was regular crew member aboard "Wild Thing", Bill Shelton's E-Scow, H 101. Stu was always willing to share his opinions on sailboat racing, flying, motorcycles, ice boating, and local politics with us; we were happy to listen, because our take on things really mattered to him. Stu's interest in such activities not only showed his passion for life, but his selfless approach to such involvements showed his interest in, and again passion for, the lives of many in our community.

Stu recently accepted a position on our Club's Board of Directors, immediately providing substantial innovative ideas and input, which the Board will be taking into consideration as 2009 and beyond initiatives are addressed; he of course was also a magician when it came to tackling and resolving carpet condition challenges.

In 2006, Stu volunteered to organize our"celebrity gunners," local politicians who fired the harbor gun one hour before each race at the ILYA MC Invitational Regatta at Bishops Bay (pictured above with Sen. Fred Risser).

Stu and Debbie were substantial boosters of our club; they were seemingly at every social event, appreciating conditions, race results, the company of all, also occasionally providing friendly ‘water taxi’ services to those stranded on land or anchored at sea.

Link to full obituaries

Andrew Lewis Commodore MYC

November 8, 2008

Commodore's Banquet Photos Now Posted!

Photo Credits: Paul Dehn

September 2, 2008

Departure is Afloat!

By Don Sanford
Perhaps you have heard that Skeeter, Renegade and E Boat skipper Ken Krieder has been the owner of a 38 ft. Shannon sitting on the hard in Racine. The rumor mill has been ablaze with suggestions that many of us would not live long enough to see this fine vessel afloat. Well, scratch those those rumors off your list and move on to the next urban legend. I'm here to say that Ken's boat, "Departure" is afloat. Continue reading.

Labor Day Photos from Jeff Russell

Posted here on Jeff's Picasa web album.

August 31, 2008

Friday Night A-Scows

See more photos from Don Sanford here.

August 30, 2008

Wednesday Night Cruisers

Here is a good photo of Bret Newcomb while crossing the finish line after winning the Wed Night Cruiser 1 series.

Below is the core team of: Bill Biesmann, Bret Newcomb and Erik Hallquist (left to right, not pictured is D. Polzin)

August 28, 2008

Saturday A-Scow Race on Youtube

Mark Tregilgas uploaded video to Youtube showing an on-board view of Saturday's fourth A-Scow race on Lake Mendota featuring a lot of fleet at the start of the race. Click here to see video.

August 15, 2008

Cruiser Photos Now Posted

Here is a page of pictures from Bill Schellpfeffer took while doing ROA duties on August 6, 2008.

August 5, 2008

Victory Day Photos Now Posted

There are a bunch of Victory Day pictures posted here including things like A-scow H-13 doing a douse (four close ups) and lots with the capitol building in the background.

July 29, 2008

MYC MEMBERS PLACE 1st OA IN THE 2008 100 MILER

MYC sailors Dave Gorwitz, Andrew Lewis, Bruce Renwick and Elise Renwick teamed up with skipper Chris Schoendorf (Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club) on the Melges 24, Taz, to place 1st overall in the 72nd annual 100 Miler race sailed out of the M&M Yacht Club in Menominee, Michigan, this past weekend. Read more.

June 2, 2008

Sunday Racing Photos Posted

Take a look that these beautiful photos from Tim Stanton.

May 21, 2008

New Tradition Begins on Memorial Day

The MYC Memorial Day race always been a trophy race recognizing those who have died in service to our country. This year our fantastic membership chair, Carolyn Curry, approached the board with a suggestion to honor those MYC members that are no longer with us but still sail with us in spirit by give them their own start. The board thought it was a great idea and the motion passed unanimously.

Starting on Memorial day 2008 we will run the first start in a rolling sequence to honor our past sailing friends and to those who have died in service to our country. As a salute to their memory, we would ask that boats please keep clear of the line during this sequence in recognition of our friends that are still in our hearts. The MYC Board hopes that you support this recognition and that it becomes a long standing tradition.

May 18, 2008

MYC Season Off With a Bang!! (Really a Honk!)

Drum roll please.......
And the first HONK trophy goes to Brian Louther and Team Veloce! They sail a flawless W3.5 spring series race with the exception of hoisting the tack of the chute. Scotty, the head of the sail is goes on top and up first; maybe save the green bottles till after the work is done!!! Team Veloce did fight off the hard charging Eldolon and three others to kick off the 2008 season.
The William L. Ward (MYC 1) completed its maiden race voyage on May 17, 2008 when Grant Frautschi and Ken Kreider put her though her passes. All of her systems were tip top and functional, thanks the the tireless volunteer efforts of Don, Anma, Scotty, Steve, Andrew, and others, not forgetting the great support from the Boathouse of Madison staff. After a day on the water there are a few placement issues and tweaks to be done, but this RC machine will get the stamp of approval from PRO God Bill Ward himself! This ride is top shelf!
So... remember this year, you barge you die! The RC might even have special shells to repel borders, so remember, clean starts and don't hit the boat. Also remember the head of the sail attaches to the halyard.
Good luck to all for 2008. Sail Fast!

Mendota Yacht Club Merchandise Store

It's time to order your new MYC duds. Just in time for regatta season! We've got a fine assortment of MYC T-shirts, golf shirts, caps (like this one) and other fabulous items. You'll be able to place your order online in our Mendota Yacht Club Merchandise Store.