Rhodes 19 Edgewood racing Wednesday

Reminder that the new Rhodes19 one-design racing continues Wednesday at 5:30.

GETTING ON THE ROSTER FOR AUGUST. . .

WHAT'S ONE-DESIGN EDGEWOOD RHODES RACING?

Nine Rhodes-19s are moored within 500 feet of the Edgewood Yacht Club. This summer, organized in mid-June, these boats are getting together on Wednesday night for recreation and individual acomplishment ("racing"). Three or four races, so far with four or five of the Rhodes fleet; and each week expanding the action, and importing new and different sailors. On the first Wednesday in August, a new 5 week series opens. Because it's a Sailing School activity, all sailors are welcome. Scores are individually assigned, for all in the boat. One of the three non-Sailing School boats is regularly turning up to challenge. Crews have new-racers and long-time racers. The mix is terrific. The trophy is being polished up (real; rescued and kept from the 2011 Fire). The game is on!

LOOKING AT WHAT'S GOING ON . . . .

This summer's nearly-informal racing has settled to a routine:
5:30 - at the Sailing School - sorting out boats for the evening.
6:00 - at the moorings, rig for spinnaker (late-comers can be added)
6:20 - first race getting started - continues until wind/sun is down
8:15 - back to moorings & ashore

WHO SAILS WITH WHOM IN WHICH BOAT?

The Sailors sort themselves out on the dock into crews for the evening each week. Some people sail together, everyone's encouraged to move about. In the boat (whether private or School), the person at the helm changes usually for each race. Some sailors have raced lots. Most are one way or another, "just picking it up." All sailing skill levels welcome. The boat works on team-effort.

SCORES - HOW TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE TROPHY . . .

Because everyone in the boat earns the same "score" (1 point for the race, 1 point for each boat you beat across the finish line), the evening's racing has "team-work" all the time. Twenty folks have scores going. And the lead flutters according to the day.

WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR ?

A couple of changes have given this a new look: course is longer, about 1.5nm; often windward-leeward or triangle with usually advantage for the well-flown spinnakers. Three/four races in the evening still allow tight tactical sailing. Neighbor (non-ESS) boats are in the mix, testing the ESS fleet for condition and boat speed.