Fleet Captain Mark here.

To all GSYC sailboat owners, crew, and GSYC friends with sailboats:

This Saturday, July 4th at 9 am, we will have the fourth of the season stress-free invitational sailboat regatta at the GSYC. The winds will be perfect out of the NE at 7 MPH. The race will start promptly at 9 am so we will not interfere with the GSYC Boat Parade that is scheduled to start at 11.

A word about last week’s race. It was stress-free. Very mild and soothing winds and we all finished. Stanly kept time at 34 minutes, Avery at 36 minutes and I came in at 31 minutes. The wind was so light that were no looks of fear on the crewmembers.

This week I expect about 7 or 8 boats. Come down and watch.

We anticipate Karen Fucito of The Lake Hopatcong News on the Committee boat snapping pictures for the second time. She wants to capture us in stronger winds so we look good in the News. Future races may also be posted on the Lake Hopatcong Community Calendar. Anyone wanting to join on the committee boat, contact me by email, text, or otherwise. This should be fun. Email me if you are interested in crewing or skippering and give me the class boat including the length, name, and skipper. I am sending this email to our veteran and newly trained sailors and other club members who may have an interest. Email me if you think you can make it. 973 219 7840 or [email protected]

All class boats are welcome. I will place 3 buoys in the cove in front of the GSYC in a triangular course. Each team or solo (any sailboat will do including sailfish and Laser size boats are welcome) will time themselves from start to finish. There will be two short races back to back. All boats will start promptly at 9 am. The first race will be in a clockwise course starting with the buoy in front of the club. The second race will start at 9:30 am and will be counterclockwise. Start your timer when you tap or come within 5’ of the first buoy and end when you tap or come within 5’ of the last buoy. I will handicap the times so everyone has a shot at winning.  The race is in this format because it is designed to be stress-free and fun. We will have a race committee boat at the start. Email me your scores at the end and I will publish the times.

Capt. M