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Writer's pictureDarryl Bell

June 27, 2018

Attention Paupack Sailors,


Summer is now in full swing! What a great week of sailing, and full schedule we have ahead of

us! This past Sunday we had an exciting race with the weather holding out for us. Then on Monday my crew and I met John Schramm for a very windy sail up the lake and back. The weather was great again on Tuesday so we met up with Don Snyder for lunch and an afternoon of water guns barraging each other until the winds picked up. He decided to scare his guests who had never been sailing before by showing them just how far the African Queen can heel over!


Race three was held on Sunday June 24 th . We saw decent wind, albeit often changing direction. ​

The race started on time at 12:00pm with 8.3 knots being recorded, but it had increased to 15.5 knots by the last lap. Course 1 was chosen by our race committee given the westerly winds. The course is a long oval with the start and finish in the center and starboard rounding of the marks set to opposite ends of the start / finish line. The cruisers got started with Ecstasy getting over the line first at the pin which was the favored end. The rest of the pack following closely making way up to the first mark toward Kipp Island. The racing boats of the A fleet would start behind us catching us at the second mark halfway through the first lap. As the entire club got downwind the colorful spinnakers came out for those that had them. The rules require passing through the finish line each lap although as I looked over my shoulder the African Queen had forgotten and gone outside the pin as they were keenly plotting their course for the mark. Race Committee quickly radioed them and they made a 360 degree turn through the line and back on course. I thought we had them for sure at that point but boy was I mistaken. The Melges raced across the finish line first. Vanquish, Flipturn, and Odyssey would follow in line. The winds began to die down as Anthem approached allowing the rest of the club to quickly catch up while she sat hopelessly before they would finally catch a breeze to blow them across the line. Meanwhile the with the shifting winds picking up steadily for the B fleet a few of us got stuck on the wrong side of the course having to tack over parallel with the finish line allowing the other boats to catch a nice lift making their final leg a straight course. I could barely make out Ecstasy in the distance as she crossed the finish line! African Queen took a gamble and went low to the leeward side of the lake, but it paid off as she rode that lift all the way to the finish pinching tightly around the committee boat before the horn then being fended off she had come so close! Fiddlers Green would tack back over in the middle of the lake with Enduring Freedom trailing behind, and 100% following in the distance. Thanks to our statistician Stef for having the results to us by Monday after going home to calculate the handicaps. The final results showed Odyssey taking first, Flip Turn in second, and Vanquish with a third- place finish. The B fleet results saw Ecstasy in first place, African Queen in second, and Fiddlers Green in third! Congratulations to the crews! Overall standings for the club at this point have Anthem in the top spot, Odyssey in second, and Flip Turn and Enduring Freedom tied for third! Our next race is scheduled for Sunday, July 8th.


We’ve got a lot of events planned for July! The fourth of July is just around the corner. This year

is expected to be even bigger and better than years past! We hope to see everyone out there with the boats decorated from bow to stern in patriotic colors. We will meet at Epply Island, then parade around the dam, and raft up for the fireworks and celebrate the birth of our wonderful nation. Sunday July 8 th is our scheduled date for race four. Then on Saturday July 14 we are planning some on-shore fun. We will meet at the pavilion at Ironwood at 4:00. Bring some food, drinks, and your favorite game to play. Hopefully, there won’t be ANY wind for this event so no one will be longing to get on the lake. Let Kristen know if you plan on joining. The date for the Bob Schmidt Regatta has been changed. It is currently scheduled for Sunday July 29. The new date will be July 28. This is the best race of the year! Anyone but the regular skipper, or seasoned crew can take the helm. Get the kids, wife, friend, stranger involved and put them on the helm. Again, let Kristen know if you plan on attending, and who your skipper/crew is.

From the Ship’s Store; Kristen is placing another order for grey jackets $40, dark blue polo $32,

and hats $12. Some of you already placed your second order but if there is anyone else that wants to order please let her know the size. She will also be ordering burgees. Let her know by the end of the week if you would like to order any of these.

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