Graham Hall Team Race

Competitors arrived to the Robert Crown Center this morning to cloudy skies with temps in the mid 40s. Unfortunately the lack of wind after the scheduled 0920 report time prevented any sailing from getting underway on time. After a short postponement on shore, the sailors were sent out onto the Severn River at approximately 1100 as the breeze began to fill from the Southeast. Skies cleared and the wind settled in at around 6-8 knots where it remained for the whole day. A total of 12 flights were completed before sailing was called for the day at 1730. One request for breakdown was granted in race 15, and as a result that race (CofC vs Fordham) will be re-sailed at the end of the round robin.

An enormous thank you to our RC group of Juliette Thompson, Dave Schoene, and Rick Sellars, led by PRO Prof. Kyle Assad for running an efficient 72 races today. Another big thanks to our judges, led by CHump Rob Overton, Dillon Pavia, Joel Labuzetta, Larry Sill, John Wright, Andrew Cole, Doc Sullivan, and Dave Clinnin. Thank you also to the group of Midshipmen who were on call during their spring break to move marks and handle minor breakdowns. The forecast for tomorrow looks a bit windier with the breeze expected out of the North/Northwest.

Sunday brought beautiful Spring sailing conditions to Annapolis. The breeze began out of the Northwest at around 12 knots with brief puffs into the low teens. Throughout the day the breeze moderated up and down but remained around 10 knots. A course was set up off of the Robert Crown Center this morning and racing got underway at around 1000. The full round robin was completed by 1230, and the fleet was then split into two groupings of four (1-4, and 5-8). One round was completed in each grouping before the cut off time of 1500 making for 132 total races for the weekend.

Another enormous thank you to our group of volunteer umpires and race committee members. This event is a huge undertaking and without their help, the event simply wouldn't happen. Race Committee members included Juliet Thompson, Dave Schoene, Gavin O'Hare, Rick Sellars, and PRO Kyle Assad. Umpires were Dave Clinnin, Dillon Pavia, Joel Labuzetta, Larry Sill, Doc Sullivan, John Wright, Andrew Cole, and ChUmp Rob Overton.

Congratulations to the College of Charleston Cougars for winning the 2015 Graham Hall Team Race.