2012 hoppe regatta august 4

[Bill]

Saturday, August 4, 2011 is the date for this year's San Francisco Bay's Hoppe Regatta!

BACKGROUND: The Hoppe Memorial Regatta is a fun race for Ariel and Commander skippers. The principle requirement is that the race be short and fun.

START: The start - finish line is located off the Corinthian Yacht Club in Raccoon Strait. The race will start at 1300 hours (1:00 PM). (Prepatory signal 1250 hours, warning signal 1255 hours.) The power cruiser SOLSTICE is the committee boat. The start will be announced on channel 71.

COURSE: Sail around Angel Island in either direction.

FINISH: SOLSTICE - where you began.


TIDES AT THE GOLDEN GATE
August 20, 2011
======================================
Slack 0924 0.00 kts
Flood 1224 3.70 kts
Slack 1537 0.00 kts
======================================


CURRENTS: Be sure to check your tidal charts, they may be important to your strategy. Note too, that currents near Angel Island are 15 to 20 minutes after max at the Golden Gate. An old sailing adage is “hold to the beach.” Also, be aware of the major wind shadow behind Angel Island.

PROTESTS: No protests will be allowed. Rules of the road apply. First qualified boat to finish wins.

ALLOWANCES & HANDICAPS: No allowances for BBQ grills, TVs, excessive tools, supplies, cruising gear or overweight crew.

REGISTRATION: Just let us know if you plan to participate in the Hoppe Regatta. You may E-mail your intention to participate to rphelon (AT) juno (dot) com, or call Bill Phelon (925) 254-8338. No one will be turned away if they don't register, but they might not get a start or a finish if we don't know they are there – after all, the race committee may be busy with cocktails.

AWARDS GATHERING: The regatta should end early enough to give everyone plenty of time to get to the Encinal Yacht Club for the 6:00 PM awards gathering. If you plan on sailing in, please let us know ahead of time so that we can arrange berthing.

[Jeff C-151]

Nemesis will participate in this year’s Hoppe. Rob Benson and Lady J (A-312) are planning to be there also. Looking forward to a fun day!

[Bill]

The August 4, 2012, Hoppe Regatta ended in an exciting duel between NEMISIS (C-151) and ORINOCO FLOW (A-100). NEMISIS nosed out ORINOCO FLOW* in the last 100 yards to take home the Hoppe Perpetual trophy for a second year. Great sailing by both skippers!

This year’s turnout for the Hoppe regatta was great with four boats hitting the line. As usual, the start was a bit staggered – (C-122) and (A-312) arrived late at the starting line.

The staggered start was soon negated according to the participants. All the boats were caught in a huge wind shadow behind Angel Island. It was not long before all the boats were bobbing around looking for the wind. Adding to the interest was a school of Brown Porpoises that appeared. It was reported that things were so quiet at the time, that you could hear the porpoises “talking” and even breathing!

When the wind finally did reappear, the two lead boats managed to pull away from the others and finished 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the trailing boats. Clean bottoms and sharp sails really payed off.

*(A note on A-100's name "Orinoco Flow.” This is a song title, also known as "Orinoco Flow [Sail Away]" in the US. The song was written and recorded in 1988 by the Irish singer Enya. “Orinoco” is a river in Venezuela.)

A few photos of the fleet:

[Bill]

Awards dinner & Photos to follow shortly . . .

[Bill]

Following the race, skippers and guests gathered at the Encinal Yacht Club for the awards dinner. Race Committee members, Kent & Claudia Smith, were unable to attend, so Secretary Bill Phelon made their “Champaign Award” to the skipper of the winning yacht, Jeff Sullivan. Bill then presented Jeff (for the second year running) the Hoppe Memorial Perpetual Trophy.

A special award (Class Burgee) was presented to Larry Rosenfeld the committee boat skipper. This was in recognition of Larry’s outstanding and continuing service to the association. Without Larry and MV SOLSTICE, the Hoppe might not be happening. Thanks again, Larry!

Attending at the awards dinner were Bob & Alette Temple (ORINOCO FLOW), Larry Rosenfeld (MV SOLSTICE) and Bill & Mary Phelon (MAIKA’I). Skipper Don Jones (MARY LOU), however, was unable to make the gathering.

Rob & Satomi Benson (LADY J) get special mention. Rob single handed Lady J this year, because it was important that she make the regatta. Lady J was Gene Robert’s Ariel until Rob agreed to take the boat last year and begin bringing her back to her original glory. Gene and his wife June, would be very proud that Lady J was again out there sailing.

Jeff Sullivan (NEMESIS) also gets special mention. His Dad Jerry and son Connor were both sailing with him as crew in the Hoppe. Jeff’s crew, along with his Mom, Darlene, were all in attendance at the dinner. What a great sailing family! FYI - Jeff’s Dad purchased NEMESIS new in the 1960's and the boat has been in the family ever since. You can read their story on the ACYA Web page at:

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?2050-C-151-Nemesis

And yes, that’s another “Sullivan” (brother) who started the “C-151 Nemesis” thread way back in ‘09!

Another Hoppe is in the book and we’re looking forward to there being another great regatta next year – 2013. Local SF Bay Area AC sailors start thinking about joining the fun next year. Although no date is set as yet, it will likely be in early August, just before the America’s Cup event begins, and just following the Louis Vuitton Cup to select the AC challenger. At least, that’s the plan. Subject to change, of course.

Following are photos from the dinner:

1 - Dinner Group
2 - Jeff Sullivan getting Kent & Claudia Smith award from Bill Phelon
3 - Jeff Sullivan getting perpetual trophy from Bill Phelon
4 - Larry Rosenfeld being given ACYA burgee
5 - The racing Skippers