2023 Ladies Day Race

Ladies Day Regatta 2023 was a success thanks to the ladies who brought their boats out to race and welcomed club members out for a day of racing and comradery.

We had 4 boats this year, 3 monohulls in the 40+ range and 1 30 ft catamaran. The wind was 6-11 knots from the south/southeast. The gulf stream was flowing north at 3-4 knots and was within 1 mile from shore. Just to add an extra level of complexity to the race, it was opening day of lobster season. The course resembled a ski slalom course in diver and dive boat avoidance. Based on experience from the previous weeks attempted crew race where the east mark was basically impossible to get to, the course was set to head south to HI, marks to port and round the east mark and finish.

The Ladies Day regatta is scheduled in August with the hope that we have enough wind but not too much to overpower the crews. Most years we beg for a few extra knots of wind. This year was no different, but we had enough to have a fun competitive race. The start was tricky with the need to stay near the start line and not cross early. Luffing up proved key for the crew on Commotion and the nemesis for Imagine. We had a clean start and headed to the beach for the best tack angles. Tacking angles had to take into consideration more than just the mark location. Divers, dive boats and a few fishermen added to the calculations and quantity of tacks.

The Ladies Day regatta is a tricky race due to the light winds and current and typically inexperienced crews. Light wind racing isn’t easy and sail trim and boat handling are extremely important. The ladies who participated should be proud of participating and finishing in light air conditions.

On Commotion we had 3 goals: Have fun, don’t get hurt, don’t hurt the boat. “Let’s Win” was an understated goal #4. We succeeded!

Thank you to the crews of Lady Grey, Cookie Monster, Imagine and Commotion.

It takes a crowd to run a regatta.

Thank you, Barrie Soloway, for bringing out your runabout and taking photos of the regatta.

Thank you Imagine for east mark duty. The virtual mark would not have been good.

Thank you Tom Garvey and Mr. & Mrs. Burdett for Beach Committee duty. You ran a great race.

Thank you race committee chair Eduardo Rabadan for organizing the NOR and all things water related.

Thank you, Tom Jockers, for hosting the after-race party.

Thank you to the ladies of the club who participated. Continue to get out on boats, learn, have fun and be ready for next years Ladies Day regatta.

Click here to view the Race Results

Click here to view the photos from the Race