US Snipe Sailor Here it is June already. Half the year is behind us, and here in the US we are preparing for our national championship for the 80th time, although it wasn’t until 1947 that the Heinzerling Trophy was established as emblematic of the US National Championship. This year’s event promises to be a great regatta held at Okoboji YC in Iowa. Pat Flood and his organization committee have promised us a fine Brainard Cooper, time sailing in an area that is new to US National Secretary many of us. The last time we were in District 2 (Dillon Lake, CO) we had 66 boats in attendance, and we are expecting another good turn-out this year. Come join the fun, if you haven’t already registered.
only pre-registrations. Judging from the last several years’ attendance, there hasn’t been much support for a continuation of the Wells Series, but if there is, your Board needs to hear from you. Remember, this is YOUR organization; we need to know what you want from us. Any member of the Board can be contacted through the internet, telephone, or through Danielle in the SCIRA USA Office. It is gratifying to learn from our office that memberships this year are already within 6 or 7 of the total memberships from 2013.
For the last several years there has been annual discussion about the format of the Nationals. Some think the event lasts too long, others not long enough. Some want more races; some do not. Some think the Wells Series and the Crosby Series have outlived their usefulness; some do not. The actual fact of the matter is that the Wells Series was instituted in 1952 because the 56 boat fleet that year was thought to be too large to manage for fair racing. And another actual fact is that with the proliferation of VHF radio and GPS in race management, fleets of 70 to 80 boats pose no problem for today’s race management. The personal opinion of your National Secretary is that we should be open to new thinking when planning our bellwether event. Our Class was not afraid to change back in 1952 when conditions changed, and we should not be any different. “Because we’ve always done it that way” just isn’t a valid reason for inaction, especially as conditions have changed so greatly over the years. Plus, it’s currently confusing for organizing authorities, race committees, and your National Secretary! The Wells series honors Ted Wells, “the Great White Father” of our Class for its first 50 or so years. It certainly is not without much thought t that we consider removing this remembrance of this early stalwart, but on the other hand, there is not much honor in a competition that is not sailed. This year we’ll sail a Wells Series if there are more than 52 boats that register for the Crosby plus any Wells-
SCIRA USA 2812 Canon Street San Diego, CA 92106 619-222-0252 Danielle Richards, Executive Administrator danielle@odmsail.com Sherri Campbell, SCIRA Finances sherri@odmsail.com Jerelyn Biehl, SCIRA Executive Director jerelyn@odmsail.com or scira@snipe.org
Summer 2014