2012 Sippy Cup Race (Chesapeake Bay)

[THECUSCUS]

This a nice, laid back race to introduce one to night sailing/racing. It is close at hand, get your entries in soon.

2012 Sippy Cup
The 4th Annual "Sippy Cup",
an informal race to Annapolis, will be held the same weekend as the Governor's Cup (8/3- 8/4/2012). The race is run in a similar fashion to the Governor's Cup, with an early evening start, sailing through the night, and a finish during the following day. This year, there will be three fleets: Regatta, Sippy Cup, and Big Gulp. The Regatta Fleet is open to any sailboats - entrants will not be scored and there is no trophy. Sippy Cup boats must have a PHRF rating of 220 or higher. Big Gulp boats must have a PHRF rating of 160-219. If you don't have a PHRF rating, contact us and we'll determine where you belong. Cook-out/picnic/BYO party in Eastport afterward with awards for Sippy Cup and Big Gulp.
Entry fee is $10 and entries are due by July 27, 2012. Entries received after 7/27/12 will require an additional $15 late fee to participate. Please contact us at waldenrigging@earthlink.net for details, Notice of Race, and Entry Form.

 

[Gunni]

Got the "to", where is the "from"?

 

[THECUSCUS]

Starting line is the red #2 on the North East River ( slightly north of Turkey Point).

 

[THECUSCUS]

2012 Sippy Cup
The 4th Annual "Sippy Cup", an informal race from just north of Turkey Point lighthouse (North East, MD) to Annapolis, was held August 3rd & 4th. The race is run in a similar fashion to the Governor's Cup, with an early evening start, sailing through the night, and a finish during the following day. There are two fleets: Sippy Cup and Big Gulp. Sippy Cup boats must have a PHRF rating of 220 or higher. Big Gulp boats must have a PHRF rating of 160-219. More competitors join each year for the cool evening breeze, inspiring scenery, and comraderie both through the night and at the party afterward.

A challenging 36 nautical mile race was sailed in a light southerly breeze that built to a solid 15 knots as the evening set it. In the Big Gulp class, Marty Lampner's Hunter 30 "Islander" was first to the starting line and held her lead over Fred Abel's Ranger 30 "Edward Albert" for the entire evening. In the Sippy Cup class, the lead changed hands several times between Jim King's Macgregor 26M "Konig", Tom McKenna's Pearson 26 "Broom Stick", last year's winner Dobbs Fryberger's Venture 22 "Whimsey", and Jim Van Lenten's Venture 25 "Miss Ad-Venture". Konig was first across the start line, followed closely by Broom Stick, Whimsey, and Miss Ad-Venture. As the pack jockeyed for position under a blazing sunset at Spesutie Island, Broom Stick and Whimsey emerged from the lead. One by one, running lights flicked on and crews settled into sailing at night - checking sail trim with a flashlight, recognizing commercial traffic, and keeping a sharp eye out for those three unlit buoys just north of Poole's Island. Off Worton Creek, the breeze filled in and Miss Ad-Venture began to work her way up through the fleet. Out in front, Whimsey and Islander exchanged positions, each trying to avoid the other's dirty air. Wind against tide made for choppy conditions as the boats passed south of Poole's Island. Broom Stick retired at Fairlee Creek, having obligations the following day. With just 9 miles to the finish, Miss Ad-Venture overtook Whimsey, passing less than 50 feet to windward of her, and the drag race was on. Miss Ad-Venture worked hard to maintain speed through the chop without sacrificing her pointing angle, while Whimsey packed on rail meat and tried to take advantage of every lift. At dawn, the turning tide and fading wind made for a challenging close-hauled finish. After more than nine hours of racing, Miss Ad-Venture took line honors, crossing ahead of Whimsey by 13 minutes and 16 seconds. That still wasn't enough, however, to beat Whimsey's 18-minute handicap and so Whimsey sailed home with the Sippy Cup for one more year. An hour later, Islander crossed the finish line becoming the first winner of the Big Gulp Cup. Konig continued to beat against an increasing opposing tide until the sun was up, and, having successfully sailed through the night for the first time, retired and motored the remaining distance to Annapolis. It seems Edward Albert made a bit of a navigational error and sailed to Baltimore Harbor instead, but captain and crew sounded in good spirits Saturday morning.

A cookout and awards presentation were held at Annapolis City Marina Saturday night for all racers and guests. The Sippy Cup and Big Gulp Cup trophies were supplemented with complimentary magazine subscriptions from Good Old Boat, who also provided free current issues to all attendees.