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Originally delivered on 4/18/2019 10:01 am

SUBJECT: SAYRA April E-Newsletter

April E-Newsletter

SAYRA Commodore's Letter April 2019

Your Commodore just returned from Charleston Race Week and is now sufficiently recovered from three days of racing and too many rum drinks to author this column.  Quite a fais do-do of which all SAYRA clubs can be proud.

Seriously though, what a remarkable three days of sailing (four if you had a practice day or want to count the Skipper’s meeting and cocktail party on Thursday)!  CRW is now part of the national sailing lexicon and swag is worn with pride at other events around the country.  Sailors travel from all regions and from abroad to compete.  I believe it claims the title of the largest keel boat regatta in the US.  Rock stars belly up to the bar with humble sailors like yours truly.

So what makes CRW tick and why can SAYRA poke its chest out?  The Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA), which is the Organizing Authority and Randy Draftz, who is the Event Director, can list a lot of factors, but certainly at the head of the list and one that fascinates me, is the phenomenal degree of volunteer support for the regatta.  I’m always amazed at the number of people who gladly give up not just the four days, but all the prep time required to just get to the scene.  Sailors from all around SAYRA, representing many different clubs, come together to pull off a huge logistical challenge.  Literally, CRW could not happen without the virtual army of volunteers supporting it. Thank you to Priscilla Parker for the awesome volunteer photos below!

CORA and Charleston Race Week are mindful of this support and have generously supported speakers at the SAYRA Convention in past years, enabling your organization to deliver programs which offer direct benefit to member Clubs and sailing in general.  The Executive Committee and members of SAYRA are deeply appreciative – thank you CORA and CRW!

Fair Winds, Your Humble Commodore, Robert Key

      

      

    

    

    

    Thank you VOLUNTEERS!


 

SAYRA Women's Club Championship.... May 18th

7 teams confirmed! LINK for INFO


 

 Racing Strategy Seminar Presented by CORA and Speed & Smartsâ„¢

“You can’t always win the race, but you can always learn something that will give you a chance of winning the next race.”

If you want to up your racing game this year, then join us for a full-day Speed & Smarts Seminar taught by America’s Cup tactician, coach and world-renowned sailing champion David Dellenbaugh.  David, who authors the Speed & Smarts newsletters and online learning program, will share lots of practical race winning tips to improve your strategic and tactical performance on the race course.  Two topics will be covered:  Upwind Strategy and Downwind Strategy.  The content applies to both ocean and lake racing venues.

The seminar will be conducted at Carolina Yacht Club on Saturday, May 18th, starting at 8:30 AM.  It is a full day session with lunch provided.  In addition to the invaluable insights from Dave, attendees will get a printed workbook and handouts for each of the two topics.  Registration is $40 for CORA members, $60 for guests, and can be done HERE via PayPal.  More information can be found on the Speed & Smarts website.  Space is limited so sign up early.  For more information, contact CORA Rear Commodore Andy Guhl.


 Lake Norman YC Race City 400 - D12 Laser Regatta and #2 Jr. Grand Prix Event

Tune up those engines for a great event, please register ASAP.... EVENT LINK


SAYRA PHRF CHAMPS event #2 - Quicksilver CUP on April 26

Overnight race from Charleston Harbor to Hilton Head More INFO