The Good Moosehead Award

The International Society for the Perpetuation of Cruelty to Racing Yachtsmen (ISPCRY) annually meets for the Moosehead Luncheon, an occasion when race committees from around Long Island Sound gather to celebrate the race management mistakes of others.

However, not all awards recognize the regrettable, and it was at the 2015 luncheon conferred at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club on November 1 when the Moosehead Committee Trophy was bestowed upon Storm Trysail Club for doing something well.

On behalf of their efforts at 2015 Block Island Race Week on June 22-26, the citation reads:

The best way to describe this year’s recipient of this year’s Moosehead Committee Trophy, given for overall excellence by an RC team either for season‐long or a single over‐the‐top event, is by bullet points:

• 167 boats from 16 states and 4 countries;
• 6 One‐design classes, 4 IRC classes, 6 PHRF classes, including Double‐handed, and 2 Cruising classes;
• 3 regional championships;
• 3 courses with 63 on‐water RC personnel on 13 borrowed boats;
• 8 additional personnel on medical, safety, support, press, and jury boats;
• 11 races in 5 days, including a distance race in 20 to 30 knots…

And here are a couple of quotes and facts found in print:

Dawn on Tuesday brought a forecast of 20‐25 from the SW with higher gusts. Some thought there might be an AP to wait for moderation. In a bold move worthy of this club, the On the Water Chairman sent the racers out in the kind of weather that grows new members, and called for the Around the Island Race.

By sailing the longer course, with fewer turns it was a move that was safer than asking some less experienced crews to try to get around the buoys on short legs where they might be overpowered and get to the corners before they could properly prepare. This stroke of genius put a smile on the face of nearly every sailor there. Most hit the dock saying, “WOW! We hit a new high speed record for our boat on that run!”

This week has been the epitome of a well scripted, week‐long regatta. It hasn’t been too hot, it hasn’t been too cold, and there has been everything from good to great breeze. All of the equipment and running craft needed to operate three courses have been well prepared for trouble‐free service. That speaks volumes about the organization and attention to detail that preceded the week and set the stage for the on‐water performance.

Sailing World’s survey of this event reported that 97% satisfied participants is the highest they have on record for any regatta.

And on top of all that, the event earned a Silver Certificate from Sailors for the Sea for a Clean Regatta.

The 2015 Moosehead Committee Trophy is hereby awarded to the Storm Trysail Club.

After the Around the Island Race, North Sails president Ken Read was effusive with praise: “I give the race committee heaps of credit for running that race today. It would’ve been easy for them to say it was too windy, but for many it was an epic day that they’ll remember forever.”

The Moosehead committee didn’t forget!