Sailing Team Logbook 2004

Monday - (5/31/04) The Stone Horse Yacht Club has donated two newer 420 sailing dinghies to an aging fleet of the Harwich High School Varsity Sailing Program. The Harwich School Committee at its last meeting accepted the Vanguard boats. Commodore Jeff Hurst said that the Yacht Club located on Wychmere Harbor "is thrilled with the High School sailing team's use of the facility in the spring and this donation goes along with the club's commitment to promote sailing in Harwich Port." The Harwich sailing team began its first season in 1998 and sailed from the Chatham Yacht Club on Pleasant Bay until last year when then Stone Horse Yacht Club Commodore Peter Haley invited the High School athletic department to use its facility to harbor the team. SHYC has an excellent float system as support for dry-sailing the boats in the cold water time and the open waters of Wychmere outer harbor has proven a good setting for team racing meets. The Rough Rider sailing team now has ten boats at its disposal and depends heavily on the support of the community to stage a competitive team requiring sails and equipment such as dry suits, life jackets, chase boats, etc. According to history teacher and coach John Dickson, "For many of the sailors on the team this is their first exposure to sailing and they learn very quickly not only about the excitement of the sport, but the discipline and rules that are part of its governance. Many of these young adults will carry on with this sport or the enjoyment of sailing which is part of what we are here on the Cape to enjoy."

Thursday - (5/6/04) Dartmouth 3, Harwich 0
HARWICH PORT - The Dartmouth Varsity led by Zac Kavanaugh with Ryan Stranz easily defeated the Rough Riders at Wychmere Outer Harbor in 5 knots of breeze. Harwich co-captain Jim Adams with crew Jesse Hewitt made several attempts but were unable to leverage their teammates before the first mark. The tough Indians who hail from the New Bedford Yacht Club went 1-2-3 in all three heats. Dartmouth Coach Warren Hathaway rotated through several crews giving underclassmen Alex Kavanaugh with Jessica Hughes time in the rotation. Dartmouth is 12-4 in their bid for a shot at a slot in the New England Racing Championships while Harwich is now 0-8 on the season. Also sailing for Dartmouth were Ben Siegel/ Lydia Kavanaugh, Peter Bernudez/Creigton Armstrong. Other crews sailing for Harwich were Mary Wesp/Paige Mallory, Heather Mallory/Meghanne Currie, Brendan McVickar/Heather Mallory, Jim Adams/Sarah Hosseini.

Wednesday - (5/5/04)Tabor 3, Harwich 0
HARWICH PORT - The Tabor Academy JV led by Jesse King (Harwich Port) dug deep to defeat the Rough Riders at Wychmere Outer Harbor in 15 knots of breeze. Harwich started strong against the Sea Wolves with co-captain Jim Adams and Jesse Hewitt and Mary Wesp with Meghanne Currie punching through the chop to stay even until the end of the first heat. During the second race the gusts started to show white caps outside the breakwater and after the jibe mark the Harwich second boat with Wesp and Paige Mallory were unable to right after a capsize in the 57°F water and retired. The third heat Coaches John Dickson and Rob Hurd(Tabor) called for a fleet race with Tabor going 1-2-4. Harwich is now 0-7 on the season. Sailing for Tabor were Jessie King/Kathleen Metscher, Alan Plattner/Emerald Epte, Mike Signerella/Graham McGrath and James Arsenberg. Other Rough Riders sailing were co-captain Heather Mallory, Paige Mallory, Brendan McVickar, Sarah Hosseini.

Tuesday - (4/27/04) Nauset 3, Harwich 0
TOWN COVE - We Lose!

Tuesday - (4/13/04) Bishop Stang 3, Harwich 0
HARWICH PORT - A brother sister duo from New Bedford Yacht Club led Bishop Stang to an easy victory over Harwich High at Wychmere Harbor. The first race went 1-2-3 for Stang led by skipper Ike Babbitt and crew Julia Southworth followed by Emily Babbitt driving with Caitlin Hill. In race two Emily led teammate Ethan Duclos with Armanda Sparks over the finish line followed by Ike Babbitt again. In the final race, Harwich came alive before the weather mark with Jim Adams with crew Sarah Hosseini setting a second position mark trap to spring his teammates sophomore Brian Boyle and crew Heather Mallory who held on for a third place finish by the end. Quincy Dewing, Brenden McVickar, Mary Wesp and Jessica Hewitt also sailed for Harwich.

Monday - (4/12/04) - Coach Dickson reports a good practice today with a building northeast breeze almost putting us on the edge. We prepare for Bishop Stang who we race tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Thursday (4/8/04) - Nantucket 3, Harwich 1
HARWICH PORT - Nantucket topped Harwich in the best of four race series at Wychmere Harbor yesterday. The Whalers led by Oliver Lefarge with Gabbi Burnham followed by skipper Casey Bartlett with crew Christian Flemming won the first heat. Harwich's co-Captain Jim Adams and crew Jessica Hewitt set a mark trap in the second race to leverage Mary Wesp with Meghanne Currie with both boats going first and second for the win followed by Bartlett. After recalls in the third race Nantucket powered up to take a 1-2-3 finish. The last race showed Harwich's skipper Brian Boyle with co-captain Heather Mallory at the top of the pack after the first mark finally being overtaken by Nantucket's squad which was rounded out by Mary Lentowski and Conner Wallace.

Wednesday (4/7/04) Good team practice today with SW wind. Five boats on the line and we make good preparation for race against Nantucket tomorrow. Sunny air temp 43°F, water temp 40°F.

Tuesday (4/6/04) Sandwich (2-2)gives us a run for the money, winning 3-0 in straight sets. Jim Adams and Sarah have a good third race beating all three sandwich boats at the three turns and holding off after two mark trap attempts. Brian Boyle skippering with Jessica Hewitt and Ben McVickar driving with Paige Mallory crewing. A nice sunny afternoon wind shifting from NW to S before the last heat.

Thursday (4/1/04) Coaches Dickson and Leach cancel practice. Too cold, too wet, too windy.

Wednesday (3/31/04) Coach Dickson pushes for practice its raw 43°F wind northeast at 13 knots. Time to toughen up! Jim and Sarah have their requesite capsize. Brrrrrrrr.

Tuesday (3/30/04) The team takes the always popular Woods Hole Ferry trip to Marthas Vineyard to sail against the favored Vineyarders. We got trimmed but surprised ourselves and MV by taking the second heat. Final score 1-3.

Monday (3/29/04) Practice for the Vineyard tomorrow. Where is Dewey?

Thursday (3/25/04) Finally a warm 45°F day with 38°F water temperatures... almost balmy! Right. Well John gets four boats underway Jim Adams with Sarah; Quincy Dewing with Heather Mallory; Brian Boyle with Jim Adams; Mary Wesp with Paige Mallory; Harbormaster Tom Leach manages to get a reaching shot of Brian Boyle driving with Jim Adams crewing for a change.... we've got to train everyone to skipper and Brian is catching on quick!

Wednesday (3/24/04) Cold whippy wind does not deter four boats from getting underway to the Outer Harbor. This is our home race course area. Only one capsize Co-Captain Heather and Meghanne Currie this time go over the side of course Coach Dickson is standing by and a good practice.

Tuesday (3/23/04) Due to a snowy cold last week we get our first practice in a breezy northerly touche! We wisely keep boats inside Wychmere with only one capsize, co-captain Adams with Sarah who quickly self rescue. We have a total of eleven sudents out for the team at this time.

Wednesday (3/16/04) Prepped boats again restepped masts and removed paraphenalia not used for team racing from each dinghy. Repaired dry suits arrive.

Monday (3/15/04) Pulled out boats with team and delivered to the docks at Stone Horse Yacht Club. Coach Dickson announces that he and Coach Leach have decided that team would be co-captained by Jim Adams and Heather Mallory.