Sailing into the New Year

January 2, 2012

The YRA Schedule for 2012 is out and we could hardly wait to sit down with a yellow highlighter and mark it up with our choices for 2012. Among the races we look forward to the most is the Delta Ditch Run, topic of the photo above. 2011's edition was possibly the worst ever in the event's 21 years, with cold rain and endless tacks (not jibes), yet our eager anticipation of the race endures.

Delta Ditch Run Chairman Bob Doscher of Stockton Sailing Club took a positive, proactive approach, sending out the package in the photo. He wrote in the enclosed letter, "We have had some tough years recently with uncooperative weather. We survived the Ditch Crawl (2009), the Ditch Beat (2010) and now the Ditch Rain (2011)…

"For 2012 the best weekend for favorable current is going to be June 2. We hope to see your name on the entry list again and sincerely hope to keep providing you with the best regatta of the year."

The Ditch Run facilitates one design fleets and cruisers as well as PHRF racers. "I am happy to provide some added incentives for your fleet, just let me know… Please accept the enclosed gifts as a token of our friendship and appreciation." See www.stocktonsc.org for more on the Ditch Run.

What race are you looking forward to the most in 2012? What sailing event(s) will you simply not miss this year? Contact us and let us know. We'll run a sailors' choice follow-up story next week. Include in your email your full name, boat name, boat type/size, and whether you own it or crew on it. (Or have you picked your races but not your boat yet?) You can also send us your comments via our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/norcalsailing.