March will be a busy month around HCYC. Check your Club Calendar for races, the clubhouse spring clean-up, the St. Patrick’s Day party and a poker run. One of the club’s most important events of the year, on Saturday, March 3rd, is our annual open house and reception for new members. This is an opportunity for all of us to show off our yacht club, meet new people, make new friends and recruit new members. Make it a point to stop by the clubhouse and enjoy some refreshments – everyone is welcome.

Finally, some spring weather arrived this weekend. Sunday brought abundant sunshine and a steady warm breeze for an easy afternoon sail. Slightly different, Saturday, by all accounts, provided participants in the “Chapped Cheeks Regatta” plenty of excitement, some close calls and even an early season swim or two (or three). Read Pam Rudolph Walne’s article for the complete story. In numbers of boats racing, I believe it was one of the largest races HCYC has hosted in many years. Congratulations, Pam for a job well done and thanks to everyone who helped make it a success.

Saturday’s sailing conditions reminded me of a recent adventure Reneé and I had in Barbados. At Ocean Racing Challenge Barbados, we crewed in a match race onboard the 80 foot maxi yacht Martella against her sister ship, the badly outmanned Athina. (“I’m tellin’ the story!”). Both yachts have actually sailed in the famous Whitbread Round the World Race, now known as the Volvo Ocean Race, and in 2002 Martella broke the mono-hull around Ireland speed record, which to this day still stands. After a quick briefing, our crew of about a dozen (including full time crew and guests) tossed the lines and headed out of The Shallow Draught Harbor toward open water.

The first chores were hoisting the 2200+ square foot mainsail up a 110 foot mast (it took 6 of us), and then the “small” jib. In 20 knot winds we had a clean start, with a great jump on the competition, tacking southeast toward the windward mark. Anyone who wanted to was given a chance to trim the sails as a “coffee grinder” or take the helm, a real adrenaline rush. As we sailed further offshore, the dark clouds of a squall formed and soon caught up with us.

Now we were heeled over 30 degrees in 30 knots of wind and in 6 foot seas (Reneé’s favorite sailing conditions), but the crew hung in there and we made it through, maintaining a small lead. As we rounded the mark, the sun came out and the wind fell off enough for the Captain to order the sails set at wing-and-wing. Considering the size of the boat and the sails, we were happily surprised he would try this, and we stretched our lead as we finished the race. It was an exhilarating experience on the water topped off by a relaxing post-race celebration of snacks and local beverages (and a t-shirt). If you are in Barbados we recommend you try this unique adventure. For more information, go to: www.oceanracingchallenge.com.