For Marblehead Race Week! This year we have three 420s and five Opti's racing - that's eleven brave AYC sailors ready to have some fun and show their stuff out there on the water. If you or your family are involved, here are the important details you'll want to know:
Boat Transport: The 420's were delivered straight from the Hingham Invitational today and are already sitting at Pleon, just waiting for their sailors to arrive! As for Opti's, in a happy twist of fate, there was not enough parking available for our UHaul in Marblehead (due to a French Royalty wedding at Eastern Yacht Club, so we're told!) so it is currently parked along the road in front of AYC. It may be loaded with Opti's, rigs, blades, sails, etc. (though this will need to be done with care as it already holds many 420 parts and dollies). The 420 packages are still onboard from Hingham (sails, rudder, spinnakers, trapeze harnesses, etc.). If anyone is interested in using this UHaul to help transport an Opti, please email Kate at aycjrsail@gmail.com to coordinate a loading time.
Arrival / Registration: Registration is available on Sunday night and Monday morning (see complete schedule here: http://www.pleon.org/page/6013/ ). For newer racers, it is encouraged to check in on Sunday so that sailors can get used to the scene and feel a bit less overwhelmed on their first day of racing. This is always a good idea when possible, even for experienced racers. It also makes Monday morning a bit less chaotic as you will avoid some long lines! 420 sailors are especially encouraged to coordinate a time to register together on Sunday so that the team can help each other in moving the boats off the trailer and onto dollies. This can be done Monday morning but it will make for an earlier departure! Carpool sign up sheets are posted in front of the youth program classroom, upstairs at AYC. Please email your coach or Kate to let us know when you'll be registering.
Coaching: We will have two coach boats on the water each day. One will stay with the Opti fleet, and the other with the 420s. Each coach boat will have two coaches in it. Racers should give their coaches any odds and ends that they might need during the day, to be held in the coach boat. For more details, see "What to Bring"
Spectator Boat: The awesome launch drivers at AYC will be running Great Blue off the Pleon docks each day of racing. Great Blue can carry up to five passengers and there will be five different blocks of time for spectating over the course of the regatta. A sign up sheet to reserve a spot on Great Blue is posted outside of the Youth Program classroom, upstairs at AYC.
Where do I go when I get there? Find your boat! Or, if you are bringing your boat, find the rest of the AYC fleet and cozy your boat up next to the rest. Our 420 trailer is currently parked in the large parking lot directly across the road from Pleon. This is part of Eastern Yacht Club and is located next to their tennis courts. We will let you know if we change locations. Once you've found your boat, check in if you have not already! Then, go ahead and start rigging - we know that by now you are a rigging pro! Your coaches will meet you by the boats when they arrive. Coach boats will be departing from AYC by water on Monday at 8 AM. On subsequent days, coaches will commute by land and will arrive at 9 AM.
What to Bring: LOTS OF WATER! It is a long day in the sun, so you will want several bottles of water to keep in the coach boat. You will also want some snacks that are quick and easy to eat, loads of sunscreen, sunglasses (they make it easier to see puffs of wind on the water!), A BAILER, and perhaps a dry change of clothes and towel to keep ashore. DON'T FORGET YOUR LIFEJACKET!!!
Food: Meals are provided as a part of your registration fee. You will pick up your bagged lunch before the harbor start each day. Dinners will be served after racing.
Please feel free to send along anymore questions to Kate at aycjrsail@gmail.com - we hope you are excited for the awesome week ahead!
