SHIELDS FLEET

THE SHIELDS FLEET IS FORGING AHEAD

BY MIKE SCHWARTZ

The Covid 19 crisis has not sunk the Shields Fleet in their efforts to foster one-design sailing competition. On February 16, the National Shields and Fleet 9 from Newport hosted the first of a three part Racing Rules Webinar led by prominent sailor and author Dave Perry. The February topic covered all the significant changes in the International Sailing Rules. Series 2 and 3, March 3 and April 6, covered rules at the starting line and at the up/downwind legs. The last rule focus was for windward & leeward marks and finishes. Racers from Oyster Bay to the Vineyard and Monterey to Buzzard’s Bay all participated in some heated and informative discussions.

In another giant step forward, the Shields Class Foundation was officially recognized as a non-profit dedicated “To preserve authentic one-design yacht racing competition and culture through the introduction and education of new adult and youth sailors to Shields Class sailing everywhere”. As a result, CYC’s Fleet 3 hopes to have an extra Shields available for local teams to participate in our great racing. Please contact fleet capt. Mike Schwartz if you are interested. Congratulations are due to the formation of our newest fleet at Holland, Michigan here on our own Lake. We hope to see them send boats to join in our CYC regattas this season. As many of you may know, the fine “Great Lakes-Ocean Challenge Cup” sits in our showcase at the Belmont Station. This year the competition for the cup will be held at the Beverly YC, Buzzards Bay. ✶