The annual Girts Rekevics Foulweather Race/Cruise is set for February 25th. The Canadians will be back to compete for the the Stanley's Cup, let's give them a warm welcome Friday night. We will have a finish line boat in Friday Harbor. (Thanks Chris and Sheila Maher) Cruisers are welcome, please register so we will know how many scrumptious meals to order @ Downriggers. Start is moved to the tanker dock this year. This race is scored as a fleet, no class breaks. PIYA cat.III for all AYC races, Cat II is strongly recommended for distance races. This is your first chance to put the smack down on the four time AYC Yacht of the Year Syndicat.
SPECIAL NOTES: Please apply or renew your PHRF cert now, goto phrf-nw.org for all the details. The Shaw Island Winter Classic is set for Sunday Feb.19 goto oiyc.org for all the details. AYC race packet will be published this week.

Thank you ALL for a marvelous COMMODORE'S BALL...and special thanks to Gunn's and Stockton's for bartending, and to Hemme's for the slide show, and to all those who helped convert from a Farmer's Maarket to a Ball, and to all those who stayed and helped us clear out...THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! And now let's get on with another great year at AYC.

Just a gentle reminder....Commodore's Ball this Saturday...we must have a count to the caterer by Wednesday, so this is your last chance....register on line.

AND, looking beyond...way beyond!...AYC is hosting the Lido 14 National Championships July 22-27 and we're expecting 30 to 50 boats. Lots of help will be needed, INCLUDING some hosts for home stays for Lidos from afar. Put it on your calendars, and there'll be more details to follow.

Better Boating Series
Free Seminar for all recreational boaters!

Saturday, January 14, 2012
Skagit Valley College, Marine Technology Center
1606 R Avenue, Anacortes (just across from Thrive Fitness)

11:30a – 12:30p
H2Out™ Water Absorption Technology with Rich Pindell
Save money in maintenance costs and help prevent corrosion damage

1:30p to 2:30p
Marine Weather with Lee Chesneau
What you don’t know, what you think you know, what you need to know about marine weather

To register or to request additional information, please call 360.766.6282

Sponsored by
The Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology at Skagit Valley College

For those of you that have been anxiously waiting the 2012 AYC Race Packet is now available -- you can get your very own copy HERE!

There are several small but important changes that we should point out:

• All distance races start from the refinery dock
• All distance races are PIYA Category III, although we recommend that all boats be equipped to Category II standards when participating
• We have added a new distance race (Cypress-Sinclair-Guemes) which should prove both interesting and challenging

Also, on-line registration will be opening soon, plus if you notice any changes and discrepancies with the race packet or schedule please contact Andy Schwenk.

Don't forget to make your reservations for the 2012 Commodore's Ball, to be held at the Depot, January 14. The Ball honors outgoing Commodore Phil Case and is annually a social highlight for AYC.

For details of this event and to make your reservation, click here to go the website's Event Registration page.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!! Friday the 23rd is a FIVE BUCK night, bar open the 30th and then, be sure and make your reservations online at the website for the COMMODORE'S BALL January 14th at THE DEPOT....great food, honor Phil Case for his year as Commodore and dance to Dillinger's Clambake!!!!

Friday night....16 December....bring a dish to share, socialize, and help Bill Chowanec plan the Cruisin' schedule for 2012!!!!
All are welcome and ALL are encouraged to come!!! There's a lot of great ideas floating around out there...this is your chance to help bring them together!!!!

After great deliberation we have the 2012 AYC Racing Calendar available for your thoughtful consideration and review.  You can download your copy HERE.

You will notice several important changes:

• We have incorporated a couple more family fun races into the schedule in order to better serve the needs of those with children, or those new to the racing scene.
• We are slightly reduced the number of distance races with the goal of increasing participation, plus we have introduced a new event -- the Guemes, Cypress & Sinclair circumnavigation.  Also the fall distance races will be starting on Sunday in order to accommodate those among us who follow college football!
• We are also planning two pre-season events at the club -- one will be a new-racer orientation designed for the general public and existing club members who would like to get into racing.  The second will be for current racers and will review the rules of the road, the duties of the race committee, and the logistics associated with serving food after the races on Wednesday night.  Stay tuned for more information as we will be announcing the dates before the year end!
• As an added benefit, we are also going to add some more variety into the after racing meals so that we can attract more members.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact our race committee chairman Andy Schwenk!
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Hopefully you had a terrific season of sailing and had to build an addition to your trophy case. If you have any suggestions for the Race Chair now is the time to drop him a line. The roster goes to press in a few weeks and the race packet soon after. Call Andy @ 360 770 7035 or email @ andy@northwestrigginginc.com, I'm not certain I can accommodate all requests but I've picked up a two great ideas already. For the 2012 season all races are Cat III and distance will be fleet races with no class breaks.