2025 DCYRA President's Message
Fortunately, this year some of our intrepid ice boat sailors were able to do some sailing on and off Deep Creek Lake. Thanks to the consistent optimism of the Ice Man, we remain hopeful from December to March that we’ll get thick ice with a smooth surface without snow combined with consistent wind but not too much wind. Not a lot to ask, right? Now, it’s time to focus on getting your soft water sailboat ready for the upcoming racing season. While the schedule of racing is similar to years past, there are a few changes to note.
Racking will kickoff with the traditional Steiding Cup Race on May 24 at noon followed like last year by the three-day Commodores Cup Regatta. There will be a Competitor’s Meeting on Saturday, May 24 at 10 am at DCLSA. This will be an opportunity for our race officials to brief the racing community on the new RRS 2025-2028, Sailing Instructions and other matters, as necessary. This is not a mandatory meeting but is encouraged.
If you’re wondering what the RRS 2025-2028 really means, then you’ll definitely want to attend the Dave Perry Event on June 27-28. On Friday, we’ll learn about the changes to the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing which govern our races on DCL in an interactive and engaging event. Some of you may have read one of Dave’s books ( North U Rules and Tactics Seminar Workbook, Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2020, Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes, and Winning in One-Designs) and understand the fun way that he explains the rules and how they’re applied. On Saturday, Dave will do some on-water coaching and observing with a debrief after the races. This is a special event that will require sign-up, so put it on your calendar and keep an eye out for the e-mail about registration.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the creation of Deep Creek Lake and there will be numerous events throughout the County commemorating this milestone (see the website DCL100.com). The DCYRA Board of Directors has decided to rebrand the Firecracker Regatta as the Deep Creek Lake Centennial Regattaon July 5 and 6 for this year only. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing resource that we enjoy so much.
There are a couple of other changes decided by the DCYRA Board to note. The DCYRA Flying Scot Race Commander has been given the authority to direct the PRO in decisions regarding the starting of races in order to maintain consistency. The Board also decided to hold Flying Scot Series races on the weekend of the ILCA (Laser) Regatta in order to provide another opportunity for Scot sailors to race. The ILCA Regatta will have priority on course location and we ask that everyone be extra careful with the additional boats on the water. A Flying Scot seems enormous from the cockpit of an ILCA class boat, so please give the smaller boats some room, especially on this regatta weekend.
Check out the PRO and Patrol schedule for your assigned dates. Please take your responsibility for these tasks seriously. If you cannot fulfill your obligation on the assigned weekend, find a replacement and let the Race Commander or Patrol Chair know who that is. If we don’t have race officials or patrol, no one can race.
The Sailing Promotion Committee of DCLSA will be sponsoring a Safety Patrol Clinic, a Racing Rigging Clinic and a PRO Clinic on separate weekends prior to the start of the sailing season. Keep an eye out for the notices for these valuable chances to improve our game.
I would like to offer a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who work to make our racing program successful. Thank you to our race committees, patrol crews, regatta committees, board of directors and contributing members.
See you on the water!
Greg Shafer
DCYRA President
Racking will kickoff with the traditional Steiding Cup Race on May 24 at noon followed like last year by the three-day Commodores Cup Regatta. There will be a Competitor’s Meeting on Saturday, May 24 at 10 am at DCLSA. This will be an opportunity for our race officials to brief the racing community on the new RRS 2025-2028, Sailing Instructions and other matters, as necessary. This is not a mandatory meeting but is encouraged.
If you’re wondering what the RRS 2025-2028 really means, then you’ll definitely want to attend the Dave Perry Event on June 27-28. On Friday, we’ll learn about the changes to the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing which govern our races on DCL in an interactive and engaging event. Some of you may have read one of Dave’s books ( North U Rules and Tactics Seminar Workbook, Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2020, Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes, and Winning in One-Designs) and understand the fun way that he explains the rules and how they’re applied. On Saturday, Dave will do some on-water coaching and observing with a debrief after the races. This is a special event that will require sign-up, so put it on your calendar and keep an eye out for the e-mail about registration.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the creation of Deep Creek Lake and there will be numerous events throughout the County commemorating this milestone (see the website DCL100.com). The DCYRA Board of Directors has decided to rebrand the Firecracker Regatta as the Deep Creek Lake Centennial Regattaon July 5 and 6 for this year only. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing resource that we enjoy so much.
There are a couple of other changes decided by the DCYRA Board to note. The DCYRA Flying Scot Race Commander has been given the authority to direct the PRO in decisions regarding the starting of races in order to maintain consistency. The Board also decided to hold Flying Scot Series races on the weekend of the ILCA (Laser) Regatta in order to provide another opportunity for Scot sailors to race. The ILCA Regatta will have priority on course location and we ask that everyone be extra careful with the additional boats on the water. A Flying Scot seems enormous from the cockpit of an ILCA class boat, so please give the smaller boats some room, especially on this regatta weekend.
Check out the PRO and Patrol schedule for your assigned dates. Please take your responsibility for these tasks seriously. If you cannot fulfill your obligation on the assigned weekend, find a replacement and let the Race Commander or Patrol Chair know who that is. If we don’t have race officials or patrol, no one can race.
The Sailing Promotion Committee of DCLSA will be sponsoring a Safety Patrol Clinic, a Racing Rigging Clinic and a PRO Clinic on separate weekends prior to the start of the sailing season. Keep an eye out for the notices for these valuable chances to improve our game.
I would like to offer a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who work to make our racing program successful. Thank you to our race committees, patrol crews, regatta committees, board of directors and contributing members.
See you on the water!
Greg Shafer
DCYRA President