By Commodore Vince Harris.

On April 29 2023 we hosted a successful 42^nd annual Philadelphia Laser / ILCA Championship Regatta at Marsh Creek Lake.

The weather had been forecast to be nasty: cool, rainy, and very windy, with cold water in the lake too.  Instead, things were benign.  The weather wasn’t very much anything- not very cold, very rainy, nor very windy.  What they call a ‘soft day’ in Ireland.  Well, it was very adequate for some sailboat racing.  So those who stayed away to avoid extreme conditions needn’t have done so.

Six races were sailed in an Easterly that began at about 8 knots but eased up a bit through the day.  What started as something like 6-8 with gusts to 10, ended up at about 4-8.  Good shifts, as usual, but no big blasts, and the base direction never changed significantly. Races were Windward-Leeward, with a couple of triangles thrown-in.

The racing seemed to be quite strategic, with the leaders often choosing the right side where there seemed be more pressure toward the inside of the point on the eastern shore of the lake, but gains were to be seen across the course, what with the shifts.  That said, boat speed was still important.

Connor Demming of Wayne, PA (Conestoga HS) and Barnegat Light YC was dominant, winning every race, but Chris Houston was impressive in finishing 2^nd, challenging Connor in nearly every race.  Connor sails several days a week.  Chris sailed last week for the first time in about 6 months.  Mark Sanford was very consistent with only one score worse than a 3^rd (and that was a fourth), to finish only two points behind Chris in 3^rd place.  Jim Knab from Rehoboth Bay SC was fourth.

Thanks to all the race committee volunteers (Charlie Lindsay, Susan Huffington, Eve Walters, Bob Myers, and Dan Walters) our commodore Vince Harris for organazing and managing the regatta, Dan for lunch and Jerzy Sliwinski for breakfast goodies.

2022 was another successful season at the club. We had about 18 Sunday race days from April through November. Attendance was very good with anywhere from 6 to 12 competitors. We had about 5 different sailors who “won the day”. Pete Madonna was the fleet champion for 2022. Eve Walters gets the most improved sailor award! Our Spring & Fall regattas were both well attended. Allyn Miner won the PA Laser Championship and Pete won the fall regatta. We had 5 MCSC members travel to several away regattas in MD and NJ. Mark and Vince extended their seasons with the frostbite series at CRYC. After 12 years of serving the club as Commodore, it was time to pass the torch. Pete is stepping down and Vince Harris is the new commodore. Vince has been active in the club for a few years now. He has returned to Lasers after racing J24s and a few other boats. Vince has a lot of enthusiasm for the club and really enjoys helping people get out racing. We are fortunate to have him. Thanks Pete for all of your efforts to keep the club humming along, it’s been fun!