It’s that time again!  The Annual Chili Cook-off is Saturday, February 16th, 2019 after the One Day Regatta.  We know we have many great cooks out there! Nothing’s better than a hot bowl of chili after racing on a cold day!

   Dinner for all will begin around 5:00. Like last year, everyone will be judging the chili. Each person will get three tickets for their first, second, and third place choices. You will simply drop your tickets in cups by your 3 favorite chilis. The chili with the most tickets at the end of the night is the winner!

  All you need to do is make a crockpot full of your favorite recipe and have it at the club and ready to go by 4:30 .  We will provide all the fixin’s like chips, cheese, sour cream and drinks. If you are really feeling creative, you can decorate the space around your chili for a great presentation.  We will be awarding a “Showmanship” award as well as a trophy for “Best Chili”. 

   If you plan to race in the One Day Regatta, you can still enter the cook-off!  There will be “Chili Attendants” to watch over the cooking while you are out on the water!

   So, pull out those old cookbooks, magazines, and family recipe cards and start putting together your game plan. 

If you plan on entering your chili, please email Denise Whatley / Tracey Hambrick, entertainment@birminghamsailingclub.org so we can get a headcount.  If you have questions, just send an email as well. We hope to see you there!    

“You can’t always win the race, but you can always learn something that will give you a better chance of winning the next race.”

Dave Dellenbaugh, author of Speed & Smarts will be presenting 2 Seminars:

Seminar 1: Downwind Strategies (Morning)

This new seminar from Speed & Smarts explores the strategy and tactics of racing Downwind.  Topics include making a strategic plan, windshift strategies for better runs, finding better pressure, laylines, strategic rules of thumb, light versus heavy air, tactical positioning, wind shadows, fleet management, reaching strategies and more.

Seminar 2: Mark Rounding Strategies (Afternoon)

This new seminar from Speed & Smarts covers the techniques, tactics and racing rules that apply when rounding marks.  Topics include turning mechanics, boat on boat tactics, strategic vs. tactical roundings, exit strategies, rounding a gate mark, how to finish ahead of nearby boats, everything you need to know about mark-room and more!

David is a world class sailor and previously visited BSC on several occasions.  He is the publisher, editor and author of “Speed & Smarts”. He was the tactician and starting helmsman on America3 during her successful defense of the America’s Cup in 1992 and sailed in three other America’s Cup campaigns. David is also a Lightning world champion, two-time Congressional Cup winner, six-time Thistle national champion, two-time winner of the Canada’s Cup, two-time Prince of Wales U.S. match racing champion, past winner of the U.S. team racing championships for the Hinman Trophy. David was an associate editor of Sailing World and the original author of its popular Around The Buoys column.

He is a co-author of Smallboat Sailing, published by Sports Illustrated, and author of the Quick Reference Rules card. Dellenbaugh also wrote and narrated the Learn The Racing Rules video set. As a previous director of marketing for North Sails, he wrote the North U. Fast, Smart, One-Design and Cruising courses. He is also currently the chairman of the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee.

Eligibility: This regatta is open to all sailing craft with all entries separated into 3 divisions following the first two races. Awards will be presented to the top 3 places in the 3 final divisions.

Organizing Authority: This regatta is organized under the authority of the Birmingham Sailing Club and will be sailed under the management of its race committee.

Rules: This regatta will be governed by the rules as defined by the current edition of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) except as these may be modified by this Notice of Race, the Sailing Instructions, and any amendments thereto. Single-handing will be allowed, but otherwise Class Rules shall apply. See Sailing Instructions provided at registration will have more details.

Races & Scoring: Three races are planned – with two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Two races will constitute a regatta. Race 1 will be by One Design or Open Fleet, with separate Starts, in an around-the-buoys race course. Race 1 scoring for One Design Fleets will be a Low Point System normalized to a 10 boat count fleet. The Race 1 Open Fleet and Races 2 and 3 scoring will be Portsmouth Handicap. Courses to be sailed will be described in the Sailing Instructions or Competitors Meeting. Race 2 will be a Long Distance Race of moderate length with a single Start for all entries Race 3 will be a Portsmouth Handicap, Low Point Scored race around-the-buoys with separate Starts for each of the final 3 divisions.

Registration & Fees: Registration is available in person at check-in at BSC. Each Skipper must report to the Birmingham Sailing Club between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 9 to register. Registration Fee is $25 per boat (Jrs free), meals and beverages are all-inclusive for skipper and their crew for the weekend. Extra meals may be purchased at Registration.