July 30, 2001

Hello Race Fans!

The Frers New Englands saw typical mid-summer racing conditions off of Marblehead Mass; light to variable winds, little sea, and tactical questions regarding the "right shift" constantly being asked by the drivers. The New Englands also saw 7 boats on the line for both days of racing, great competition and as always, fun, rum and note comparing on the porch of the Corinthian. As an avid one design sailor, I continue to be impressed at close we all seem to be racing one another.

Day one saw Knotless (Ken Bowden) at the top of the heap, with a bullet and a deuce; Bird Dog (Matthew Whitlock) was point behind with a 3 and a bullet and Vapor Trail (Neal Melanson) was a point shy of the Dog with a deuce and a four. All boats had great speed and "the pack" was truly fun and at times nerve bending.

Day two brought 5-7 knots true but variable with some sort of basis from the south. Knotless didn't rest and ended up with 2 bullets; Vapor Trail chased Knotless with a pair of deuces and Bird Dog finished with a pair of threes.

Final Results

1. Knotless 5 points
2. Bird Dog 10 points
3. Vapor Trail 10 points

As important as the results, it was great to see so many Frers racing each other in Marblehead. As we all shared drinks and stories, many conversations turned to "the next line". While it may not be possible to secure a one design line at Buzzard's Bay, the regatta is a fun event and the Association encourages all to try to make it.

Other One Design Events

PHRF New Englands
Larchmont NOOD
AYC Fall Series
Manchester Mass Fall Series (Tentative)

Kurt has said it before and I truly agree FRERS ON DESIGN RACING IS BACK!!

Finally, Big Dave has added the Frers33 list link to our website. This is a great way to send global messages or to get the chatter going on tactics or trim. I encourage all of us to dial into that asset. We hope that the global system will be used for useful information and dialogue so that we don't overload one another's "in box"

Respectfully Submitted,

Matthew