2023 Freeze Your Butt Off Regatta – FYBOR XIII

by Cape May Ray
First want to Thank All the sailors who showed up to race today. FYBOR is know for it’s unpredictable weather. We have sailed in Snow, Rain, Cold, Heat (one year you could wear shorts) and one year the lake was frozen over. Today was no exception, On the way to racing we all knew it was going to be a challenging day with light winds and rain forecast for the day. No one was excited to sail with the weather predicted, but you guys came and handled it like troopers.

As with any regatta it is a team event to make sure it all comes together. Dave Branning who was in charge worked and worried and put forth the effort to make sure it all came together. Plus he got the commemorate glass ware. Great job, we wouldn’t want to do it without you Dave! Plus he toughed it out all morning sitting in the rain when he probably should of been home in bed trying get rid of his cold etc. Judy did a multitude of jobs putting together lunch, picking up the loose ends, helping with the scoring and keeping Dave and all of us in line. She earned her pay today. Dom is having canned peas for dinner tonight!!! You had to be there to understand.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the dock and buoys in and out.

Now, for the racing report:

After raining all night big puddles were everywhere. We set up in light rain and started the first race with light winds and light rain. It really wasn’t all that bad. There was enough wind to provide fair racing. Boats were moving with some dead spots and wind shifts, but we had some good racing. As the racing progressed the rain stopped, and we had less wind making sailing a little more challenging. For the most part we all had fun sailing with friends and we all had some laughs and good times and like always the cream came to the top or to the front of the pack.

By the time we broke for lunch. Jamey Betz and Danny Thomas were battling head to head for Top Gun Honors for the day, with Jarl Wathne and Dave Ramos in contention for the third spot.

After Lunch Dave Branning decided to give in to common sense and went home to get better, and left Cape May Ray and Judy to continue with the show. Just as we were getting ready launch there was zero wind. After waiting a couple of minutes we saw a trickle of air. We decided we would race and do three more races if we could. DING!!! the race started and with in seconds of crossing the starting line the wind again died. It really died! We all struggled to make it around the course. It was painful and when the last boat crossed the finish line we called it a day. That last race was salt on the wound. Everyone was relieved and glad we shortened the day and they could get an early start home. We did the trophy presentation and all headed home.

As you can see by looking at the score sheet, the battle between Jamey and Danny was head to head, to the end. They were both tied for 1st place and the tie breaker went to Jamey who had four 1st’s on the day. That’s close racing! Jarl Wathne just barely edged out Dave Ramos for third place.

Jamey get’s to proudly display the revered Ice Bucket Trophy until the 2024 FYBOR

Congratulations Jamey! Job well done!

Here is the link to Judy’s link that has the photos of the day.
https://judybonanno.smugmug.com/Sailing/EC-12-regattas/FYBOR-Regattas/2023-FYBOR-XIII