StFYC Fall Dinghy Regatta

[Mike Martin]

This past weekend, many of the West Coast 505 sailors were away at the European Championship. However 22 of the smartest 505 sailors competed in the StFYC Fall Dinghy Regatta.  We had 6 races over 2 days that presented the fleet with a wide variety of conditions ranging from sit-running in 5 knots to wire-running in 15-18 knots.  There were a bunch new faces like Jack Jorgensen sailing with Matt Merchant who on Sunday rounded all of the first windward marks in the lead. Also Beckett Shinn sailing with Ian O'Leary who has some great first beats. Andrea Ciccardi was sailing with Luke Draper in his new boat.  Speaking of new boats, Tim Murphy christened his beautiful new Ovington sailing the event with Aaron Ziegler. There was also some reappearances of some veteran faces like Nick Adamson sailing with Steve Bourdow. As usual after sailing there was a great social session with taco bar at the club on Saturday and a big Lasagna dinner on Sunday.  Overall it was a great event.  

Let's do a quick comparison between the 2 Events.

European Champs Fall Dinghy

Scheduled days of sailing 4 2

Number days with races 2 2

Number of races run 5 6

Number of World Champs in Fleet 4 3

Number of Olympians in Fleet  0 2

Number of Olympic medalists in Fleet 0 1

Best West Coast team attending (Jon & AJ)   No Yes

Minimum number of vacation days needed 5 0

Estimated cost of event  $8000 $200

Cost per race $1600 $33

Results

https://theclubspot.com/regatta/zsbdqgMgxi/results

[Mike Punnett]

It’s not all about the racing, you’ll figure it out…

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On Oct 27, 2025, at 4:14 AM, Mike Martin <mail4mi...@gmail.com> wrote:

This past weekend, many of the West Coast 505 sailors were away at the European Championship. However 22 of the smartest 505 sailors competed in the StFYC Fall Dinghy Regatta.  We had 6 races over 2 days that presented the fleet with a wide variety of conditions ranging from sit-running in 5 knots to wire-running in 15-18 knots.  There were a bunch new faces like Jack Jorgensen sailing with Matt Merchant who on Sunday rounded all of the first windward marks in the lead. Also Beckett Shinn sailing with Ian O'Leary who has some great first beats. Andrea Ciccardi was sailing with Luke Draper in his new boat.  Speaking of new boats, Tim Murphy christened his beautiful new Ovington sailing the event with Aaron Ziegler. There was also some reappearances of some veteran faces like Nick Adamson sailing with Steve Bourdow. As usual after sailing there was a great social session with taco bar at the club on Saturday and a big Lasagna dinner on Sunday.  Overall it was a great event.  

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[Richard Mundell]

Ha ha! A pretty strong case with empirical evidence indeed. You’re not wrong….but sitting here in Cadaques (north of L’estartit) with a coffee over looking the view is pretty special. 

How about we just say both parties had it pretty good? Great friends, excellent events, and fun competition wherever you go in a 505!

It’s been a great season. See you all in the spring!

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On Oct 27, 2025, at 4:14 AM, Mike Martin <mail4mi...@gmail.com> wrote:

This past weekend, many of the West Coast 505 sailors were away at the European Championship. However 22 of the smartest 505 sailors competed in the StFYC Fall Dinghy Regatta.  We had 6 races over 2 days that presented the fleet with a wide variety of conditions ranging from sit-running in 5 knots to wire-running in 15-18 knots.  There were a bunch new faces like Jack Jorgensen sailing with Matt Merchant who on Sunday rounded all of the first windward marks in the lead. Also Beckett Shinn sailing with Ian O'Leary who has some great first beats. Andrea Ciccardi was sailing with Luke Draper in his new boat.  Speaking of new boats, Tim Murphy christened his beautiful new Ovington sailing the event with Aaron Ziegler. There was also some reappearances of some veteran faces like Nick Adamson sailing with Steve Bourdow. As usual after sailing there was a great social session with taco bar at the club on Saturday and a big Lasagna dinner on Sunday.  Overall it was a great event.  

[Mike Holt]

As they say 87.3% of statistics are made up on the spot…

I am quite sure all sailors at both events had a great time, which is what 505 sailing is all about.

Some edits to the numbers:

European Champs Fall Dinghy

Scheduled days of sailing 4 2

Number days with races 2 2

Number of races run 5 6

Number of 505 World Champs 7 2

Number of Olympians in Fleet  3 2

Number of Olympic medalists in Fleet 1 (2 Golds) 1

Best West Coast team attending (Jon & AJ)   Mmmm Yes

Minimum number of vacation days needed 5 0

Estimated cost of event  $8000 $200- HAHAHAHAHA

Cost per race $1600 $33 HAHAHAHAHA

On Oct 27, 2025, at 1:43 AM, Richard Mundell <rsmu...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ha ha! A pretty strong case with empirical evidence indeed. You’re not wrong….but sitting here in Cadaques (north of L’estartit) with a coffee over looking the view is pretty special. 

How about we just say both parties had it pretty good? Great friends, excellent events, and fun competition wherever you go in a 505!

It’s been a great season. See you all in the spring!

<image0.jpeg><image1.jpeg><image2.jpeg><image3.jpeg><image4.jpeg>

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 27, 2025, at 4:14 AM, Mike Martin <mail4mi...@gmail.com> wrote:

This past weekend, many of the West Coast 505 sailors were away at the European Championship. However 22 of the smartest 505 sailors competed in the StFYC Fall Dinghy Regatta.  We had 6 races over 2 days that presented the fleet with a wide variety of conditions ranging from sit-running in 5 knots to wire-running in 15-18 knots.  There were a bunch new faces like Jack Jorgensen sailing with Matt Merchant who on Sunday rounded all of the first windward marks in the lead. Also Beckett Shinn sailing with Ian O'Leary who has some great first beats. Andrea Ciccardi was sailing with Luke Draper in his new boat.  Speaking of new boats, Tim Murphy christened his beautiful new Ovington sailing the event with Aaron Ziegler. There was also some reappearances of some veteran faces like Nick Adamson sailing with Steve Bourdow. As usual after sailing there was a great social session with taco bar at the club on Saturday and a big Lasagna dinner on Sunday.  Overall it was a great event.  

Let's do a quick comparison between the 2 Events.

European Champs Fall Dinghy

Scheduled days of sailing 4 2

Number days with races 2 2

Number of races run 5 6

Number of World Champs in Fleet 4 3

Number of Olympians in Fleet  0 2

Number of Olympic medalists in Fleet 0 1

Best West Coast team attending (Jon & AJ)   No Yes

Minimum number of vacation days needed 5 0

Estimated cost of event  $8000 $200

Cost per race $1600 $33

Results

https://theclubspot.com/regatta/zsbdqgMgxi/results

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[Nicholas Baird]

If the main thing on the class's mind is developing and growing the class. Showing up to the local regattas where the new members of the fleet are is a great place to start. 

By having half the west coast fleet in Europe, it makes it hard for the folks who can't afford to go (money or time) to look at the class and think it makes sense for them. 

Love the spicy take from Mike. Europe is fun so I get it. 

If the main goal of the class is to do what is convenient for its wealthiest and most available members we should just say that at the AGM. With only 3-4 West coast regattas it just isn't possible to do both. 

My first regatta was a fall dinghy with 18 boats. Having so many of the class regulars at that event is a huge part of what drew me into the class. I'm not sure if I would have stuck with the class if I hadn't met all the folks who were gone this weekend. 

Last year at the fall dinghy we brought in 4 boats full of younger / new folks to the class with the help of many who were not here last weekend. Half of the new people at that event are now class members! We could not have done that this year because it takes more than just one or two people to facilitate that kind of thing. 

Long story short. I support Mike here even though I understand how fun Europe it. Please stay here. This is where the class's future is. 

I wasn't at fall dinghy, so recognize this is a bit hypocritical 🙃

Nic

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[Mike Martin]

Nic . You make a very good point about supporting and building the local fleet.  Thank you for your comment. 

I would also like to apologize if I offended any of the sailors that attended the European Championships.  I sympathise with your situation and understand that you might be a little sensitive right now. I know how frustrating it can be to sit around and not sail for two days after putting all that time, effort and money into an event. 

Also let me congratulate Howie and Andy for their podium finish. 

I look forward to working  together as a fleet again so that we can sweep the podium in future events like we have in the past. 

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[Blaine Pedlow]

I think that one of the most attractive things about the 505 class is that we have both of these things. On the occasion that a unique and fun event like this year’s Europeans intersect with the Fall Dinghy, we had two robust regattas and great competition. There were new(er) faces sailing in San Francisco, a great performance by some teams, and some of the stalwarts of the class who attend basically every event on the West Coast were away. On almost any other weekend, we would’ve enjoyed 15+ quality boats. The only problem was that we were a few Mikes short of a quorum. 

I enjoyed getting a friend and fellow Washington State sailor back on the water in SF, and sure would have enjoyed sipping a coffee with Rich in Spain. Todo esta bien!

Look forward to seeing you all again when we make the big drive once again this spring. I’m almost back to Bellingham…

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM Nicholas Baird <nebair...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Parker Shinn]

Both events look fun and I’ve been missing the 505. It’s just too damn light down here in SD. 

Anyways… my two cents. Maybe a little planning ahead in the future could resolve this. Instead of racing in the Fall Dingy (or some other future local event), just run your own regatta on a date where most people can attend. 

Miss you guys and hope to see you all again soon. In the meantime I’ll keep checking my inbox for more fun takes from Mike ;)

Parker

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[Patrick Weaver]

Should add an autumn regatta in Santa Barbara...

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[Lee Laney]

I have no comment on the locals vs Euros discussion, but I had a blast getting back on the city front for some great racing after a lot of years away. Thanks Blaine for getting me out, and thanks to St. Francis YC for a well run regatta as usual!

Lee

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[Craig Thompson]

Both events looked AWESOME from the kids birthday parties I attended last weekend!

___

Craig Thompson

+1 603 918 1771 (mobile) 
iqc...@gmail.com

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[Alexis Preel]

😅 couldn't agree more. Wherever you sail, consider yourself lucky to be there in the first place, and not in some Halloween/bday/fundraising/you-name-it party... 

Alexis Preel

10 Sunview Drive

San Francisco, CA 94131

+1 415-316-8559

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