Dixie District Fleet Captains’ Meeting
12/09/2006

Agenda and Minutes

In attendance:

Nabeel Alsalam, District Commodore
Todd Johnson, District Secretary/Treasurer
David Thompson, Fleet 50
Steve Constants, Fleet 329
Dr. Michael Wertz, Fleet 253
Patrick Phelan, Fleet 192
Don Behrens, Fleet 509

Location and Dates for 2007 Dixie District Championships:

Moved:  The 2007 Dixie District Championships will be hosted by the Susquehanna Yacht Club, on the Susquehanna River, Saturday/Sunday, June 9/10.  One race will constitute a series.  If weather conditions prevent running any races on that weekend, the regatta will be continued to the following weekend, June 16/17, location TBD. Seconded and passed.

Discussion:  A question was raised: what if there is no wind?  Options mentioned were to schedule the regatta for Saturday-Sunday-Monday, sailing Monday only if there was no wind on Saturday or Sunday.  It was felt that it would be a burden on skippers, crew, and RC if the regatta needed to be extended into Monday, so this idea was passed up. The alternative to extend on the following weekend if needed was preferred. There could be as many as 35 – 40 boats competing in the 2007 District Championships, although the recent high number was 31 in 2005. However, with the NAs in Annapolis, many Dixie District skippers will want to qualify, and this could increase the turnout.  Note the district will probably get around 20 slots for the NAs (see next topic).

District Allocation for NAs and related issues:

Discussion:  With 76 dues-paying skippers, the Dixie District would be allocated approximately 20 slots; we get more slots for every 8 additional skippers.  So, encourage all skippers to join ILCA!

2007 Dixie District Calendar:

Results: see http://www.lightningclass.org/fleet50/calendar/index2007.htm .

Purnell Cup 2006 and 2007:

Results: Nabeel Alsalam is the winner of the 2006 Purnell Cup.  See calendar for details of 2007 Purnell Cup schedule.  Question:  Might it be possible to use Purnell Cup regatta results to develop a district ranking system to qualify skippers for the NAs?  Ans?  TBD.

Potential Site for a Lighting Regatta – St. George Creek/Lower St. Mary’s River:

Discussion:  Lindsay Bach keeps his boat there and recommends it as a venue for a future Dixie District Regatta.  It is about a 20-minute drive from Solomons. 

Potential Site for a Lighting Regatta – Rock Hall Yacht Club, Rock Hall MD:

Discussion:  Chuck Perry, 410-778-4560, gardy3@verizon.net wants to start a Lightning Fleet at the Rock Hall Yacht Club on the Eastern Shore.  They are hosting a one-design regatta June 16/17. They are interested in purchasing some used Lightings in the $4,000 - $6,000 price range.

Lighting Lab 2007:

Discussion:  Alan Terhune could be persuaded to run a Dixie District Lighting Lab this spring.  Havre de Grace is willing to host it, and proposes May 19/20 as the dates.  To be confirmed.

2007 Yearbook Submission Status:

Discussion:  Fleets 50 and 253 have submitted.  Others will submit soon.  No need to run them by Nabeel first.  Jan Davis is highly interested in getting yearbooks out much earlier this year.

NAs Update:

Discussion:  SSA is working with Eastport Yacht Club and is doing good planning for this event (August 18 – 24).  Eastport is helping with RC and will provide some boat storage slots.  SSA will clear its lot to make room for out-of-town Lightnings.  Budgets will be tight, since there is no sponsorship.  Only two organized social events – including the banquet.  Starting to build a list of volunteers.  Can use help from other Dixie District fleets.

WJMs Update:

Discussion:  Fleet 50 has started planning for this event (August 15 – 18).  Note that Measurement will be on Wednesday, August 15 and that boats measured at the WJMs will not need to be re-measured for the NAs.  Racing will be Thursday-Friday-Saturday.  Publicity will be important to help bring womens’ and juniors’ teams to the regatta.  Note that boats measured at the District Championships will not need to be re-measured for the NAs.

District Treasury and Fleet District Dues:

Discussion:  One expense check was written this past year.  Dues were received for 59 skippers (per-boat fleet dues include $5 for the District).  Also, 4 fleets forwarded District fleet dues.  The cash balance is $1,300.  Note next year fleets should send ILCA dues directly to the class office – no need to run them through Todd.

Other business:

Discussion: 

1) South American and some US skippers will be looking for boats to charter for the NAs.  A typical chartering fee is S500 to $700. 

2) Fleets are encouraged to write articles for the Spinsheet and to otherwise generate publicity for Lighting regattas.

Group Photo for the Yearbook:

Don Behrens took a photo:

D. Thompson     S. Constants    N. Alsalam       M. Wertz   D. Behrens    P. Phelan

not shown: T. Johnson

Next meeting:

The next meeting of this group will be Saturday, December 8, 2007.