Written by Tim Wright, Mark Whitehead
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Layout & Photo Captions by Ken Gerber, Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
The Season Is Underway
Don Cundy has agreed to act as race director for this year’s weekly regattas. Duties will include course setup and direction as well as keeping the skippers within competition rules. This is an effort to assist Vice Commodore Tim Wright and to have more skipper involvement with the operation.
On May 3, eleven skippers gathered with ten Solings for the season’s first regatta. Initially, skies were gray and the wind was very light, but things improved as the afternoon progressed. There is no official scoring until the end of the month, although our skippers are good at bragging just the same. Even with a wimpy wind the fleet completed seven races, so we were able to have a throw-out race — which we all needed, by the way.
Because of a ninth-place throw-out, Commodore Mark Whitehead was boosted to the day’s top spot with a massive one-tenth-of-a-point lead over the tie for second place between Joel Nelson and Don Cundy. Jim Opie sailed to third, followed by Paul McBride, and Tim Brand. Tim Brand, incidentally, took the first race of the 2022 season.
Videos and Photos
- Back Bay Skippers Video (WMUR NH Chronicles)
- Back Bay Skippers YouTube Channel
- Latest Videos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Latest Photos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Photo Gallery
Previous Highlights
- Sasquatch Regatta (Nor’easter Footy Series) 2021, 2019
- Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta 2021, 2020
- Awards for 2019 Season
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp 2019
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Spring Skippers Party 2019
Score Sheets
Not Much Luck for the US12s
Only four skippers gathered on May 5 for their regatta, expecting 10-mph wind, but Mother Nature had other plans, her heavy bluster eliminating any chance of sailing.
A Special Day
The weatherman needs to buy a new compass. The prediction was for a normal east wind to push Solings on May 10, but the air-stream blew from the north instead. Having to reverse course when the prevailing wind travels down the bay always adds interest to a race. Nonetheless, it was a glorious sailing day for twelve skippers launching for thirteen races. This, after all, is Back Bay, so from time to time, it was a little difficult to determine how to take advantage of the swirls, but for the most part, the winds were good all afternoon.
Tim Wright returned from a trip to the Midwest this week so quickly resumed his place at the top of our leader board. Don Cundy had a strong showing this week with a second place for the day. Mark Whitehead hung in for a third-place finish, followed closely by Denis Boisvert in fourth and Anthony Quinn in fifth.
Tim Wright Reports on the US12s
Thursday’s weather for US12 sailing was one of the hottest days of this spring. Temperatures were in the mid-80’s, yet our sailors braved the heat and varied winds and enjoyed the season’s early competition.
Our new race director, Don Cundy, was clearly ready to take on the day. He set and altered our courses while sailing his Laser, as his US12 is not “seaworthy” just yet.
The boats were in various stages of readiness, as is usual at the beginning of the season. Adjustments were necessary throughout the afternoon.
Other sailors for the second day of races were Bob Brennan, Paul Wallace, Paul McBride, Bob Strodel, John Simms, Jim Opie, and Tim Wright.
Our loyal fan, Don Opie, was a bit under the weather and watched the races from the comfort of his truck.
While sailing, some of us got to meet Tom Clarkson, who will be building a Soling 1M in July. He is a large-boat sailor and had fun sailing one of Tim’s US12s.
While scoring is not yet official, B. B. Wright kept track of the races – happy to be back on the job once again. Overall, everyone is glad to be returning to Back Bay. On with the season!
Sailing on Back Bay
The radio-controlled model yachts are back on the waters of Back Bay in Wolfeboro. The Solings sail on Tuesdays and the US12s on Thursdays, 1 PM to 3 PM, weather permitting. The rain day is Wednesdays.
Join the fun! We love to share so don’t be shy about asking to try your hand at the controls. Come watch the show or take a picture. It’s a sight to behold.
Upcoming Events:
- Saturday June 18, 2022 Sasquatch Footy Regatta – Race Notice
Links: American Model Yachting Association, MinuteMan Model Yacht Club, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Marblehead Model Yacht Club, Greater Worcester Model Yacht Club, Sarasota Model Yacht Club, Space Coast Model Sailing Club, Sun Coast Model Sailing Club, Stowe Yacht Club, USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Vac-U-Soling, 3D Printed Radio Yachts, US Vintage Model Yacht Group, Raritan Yacht Club RC Laser Fleet, Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024