J/24 Western District Meeting - West Vancouver Yacht Club October 16, 2004 MINUTES

Chair: Robb Bassett, District Governor

Boats Present: Aqua Vitae, Delirious, Duct Tape, J&B, Now, Plus Ten, Sail Naked. Also attending and representing the Victoria fleet were Mike Bassett and Jaime Tiampo.

Discussion:

1. Nationals 2005 Date/Location: Our fleet is hosting the Canadian Nationals next season. The US Nationals are in May, and the American fleets would prefer our regatta not to be scheduled close to that time. We are therefore looking at August/September. WVYC and Squamish are the two venues under consideration. While Squamish is an interesting venue with likelihood of very good wind for a last summer regatta, there are many logistical issues to be determined such as launching vs. sailing-in options, long course options, and accommodation. It was also noted that the winds are often too extreme, and may therefore be detrimental to good racing. It was moved and agreed by consent that a Steering Committee be struck to report back within two weeks on the feasibility of Squamish as a venue. Robb Bassett, Lorne Chapman and Jim Burns offered to sit on the Steering Committee.

2. 2005 Season Schedule It was agreed that the fleet would repeat the 6-weekend regatta schedule we had in 2005, with 1 throw-out. The practice of alternating regatta venues between RVYC and WVYC will be repeated. We will continue to avoid VARC regattas, but participate in WAVES. Gwen Haugan suggested that we consider 1-day regattas since finding time and finding crew for a weekend is often challenging. It was agreed that we will do three 1-day regattas in addition to the 6-weekend regattas, and possibly designate a couple of the weekend regattas as 1-day options to allow for a 1-day regatta series. Suggested options for 1-day regattas included: Round Bowen, Easter Seals, English Bay Scramble, and SOAR, in addition to the idea of a J24 only regatta such as the present weekend at WVYC. The Executive will draw up a tentative schedule within the coming 4-6 weeks following the confirmation of the VARC, RVYC and WVYC schedules. Fleet members are asked to forward to Robb or Rebecca any weekend dates they would prefer to avoid, and the executive will consider them in scheduling.

3. World Qualifiers Worlds 2006 are in January in Australia, and therefore the fleet's World Qualifier regattas must occur early in the season. It was agreed that the qualifying regattas would be WAVES and two regattas preceding WAVES.

4. Fleet Executive Since Robb's change in role from Fleet Captain to District Governor at the beginning of the season, there has not been a replacement for the Fleet Captain position. it was recommended that Rebecca Tunnacliffe (Now), Treasurer, become Fleet Captain, and that John Polglase (Celerity) become Treasurer. It was moved and approved by consent that Rebecca assume Fleet Captain and John assume Treasurer roles.

5. Social Events The fleet is interested in having more social events. Robb recommended a committee be struck to schedule social activities. The Fleet Captain would chair the committee, and the following members offered to sit on the Events Committee: Gwen Haugen (Duct Tape), Danielle ? (Sail Naked), Jane Mauchan (Delirious), and Karen Barron (through Plus Ten). The first event will be the annual Christmas Curling Night on Saturday, November 27th. Planned for early 2005 is the Rum and Rules night. Other ideas included dock parties with boat-hosted bizarre beverages, and games night.

New Business:

1. Victoria Fleet Building Mike Bassett and Jaime Tiampo reported that the Victoria fleet is growing from four to a potential ten boats. Four have committed to attending the Canadian Nationals. They requested that the Vancouver fleet help build the momentum they are working to establish by attending a regatta in Victoria. The fleet is interested in supporting the Victoria fleet, and wishes to be kept informed of their 2005 season activities, and will consider a regatta there in 2006.

2. Team Racing Jane Mauchan questioned the potential for holding a Team Regatta this season. The regattas held in past seasons were very popular, but due to the complex organization required in a year when we hosted the NAs, it was not held this year. The Seattle fleet showed interest in hosting it but did not follow through. With the American and Canadian Nationals being held in 2005, the schedule is too full for Team Racing to happen in 2005. It was suggested that perhaps the Victoria fleet may like to take this task on for 2006.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8pm.

Posted Oct. 19, 2004