SCYA Midwinter Regatta preparations underway

by Rich Roberts on 1 Feb 2013 As much of the country deals with wicked winter weather, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club is preparing to be among 28 clubs in Southern California and Arizona hosting the 84th Southern California Yachting Association Midwinter Regatta Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16-17.

Ten classes---505, Coronado 15, Formula 18, Cal 20, Etchells, Finn, Laser Master, Viper 640 and Lido 14 A and B---will race on ocean courses inside and outside the Long Beach Harbor breakwater and inside Alamitos Bay, starting at noon each day, conditions permitting.

Classes from the Long Beach and Seal Beach YCs also will compete on the same outside waters.

ABYC, at the east end of Ocean Blvd., has two hoists and a dinghy ramp. Parking is limited to the time required to disconnect trailers and transfer gear. Off-street parking is across the street in municipal lots.

Simon Dekker, this year's SCYA chairman of the longest-running regatta in the region, said, 'The event is supported by volunteers making it possible for hundreds of boats in more than 100 classes with crew totaling in the thousands to participate in one-design, PHRF, cruisers, multihull, dinghies and model boats. These numbers and diversity of classes make the Midwinter Regatta a special racing experience and helps skippers and their crews to prepare for the oncoming racing season.'

Proceeds cover host venue expenses and assist SCYA in directly serving the Southern California and Arizona sailing communities. SCYA’s activities include publishing the Annual Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory, sponsoring boat safety seminars, presenting honor awards to member clubs and individuals and providing a service center to assist member clubs.

Last year's ABYC class winners:

505 (12 boats)---Ted Conrads, St. Francis YC/Brian Haines, San Diego YC, (2)-1-1-1-1-1-1, 6 points.

International 14 (8)---F. Joseph Bersch/Kris Henderson, Corinthian YC/Seattle YC, 3-(4)-2-3-1-1-4, 14.

Viper (10)---Tim Carter/Garrett Greenlaugh, ABYC, 1-(3)-1-3-3-2-1, 11.

CAL 20 (7)---Stan Gibbs/Pat McCormick, ABYC, 2-2-1-3-(5)-1-1, 10, 8.

Formula 18 (15)---Matt Struble/Damon LaCasella, Mission Bay YC, (1)-1-1-1-1-1-1, 6.

Laser Masters (9)---Jay Golison, ABYC, 1-1-1-1-1-1-(10), 20.

Finn (4)---Erik Lidecis, ABYC/Bahia Corinthian YC, 1-1-1-1-1, 5.

Coronado 15 (5)---Vincent Paternoster/Jim Ach, South Coast Corinthian YC, 2-1-1-1-1, 5.

Lido 14 A (8)---Stu Robertson/Adam Elsharhawy, ABYC, 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-(3), 10.

Lido 14 B (7)---Jock McGraw/crew unlisted, American Legion YC, 3-2-1-1-2-1-1-(4), 11.

CFJ (2)---Marissa Golison/Nora Elsharhawy, ABYC, 1-1-1-1, 4. Complete 2012 ABYC Event website