Hi Greg,

The Portsmouth Annual Regatta was attend by ten (new high) moths. Unfortunately, the predicted winds of 8 mph were replace by ma nature at the last minute with 20-25 and gusty. because of this Susan Bousquet and Greg Duncan elected to stay ashore, hoping for, but not getting a reduction in ferocity as the morning went on.

New on the scene was my brother, Jim Collins racing a moth (FEATHER) for the first time since 1968, and Mike from Philly sailing his 5 year old Dorr Willey replica. My sister, Vicki Crinklaw, who had also raced in the 60's was visiting and observed from ashore. Jim did well in the first race in spite of the air and whitecaps, but Mike suffered a rigging failure before the first start and returned to the beach. Jim was treated to a capsize early in the second race and the fast running tide caught the sail from a bad angle and put FEATHERS mast into the mud (first time this has happened to FEATHER). During the struggle to free the mast the boat was swamped, but it had enough floatation to allow towing-in once the sail was lowered. Neither Jim nor the rescue boat had anything better to bail with than Jim's sponge, so the boat could not be bailed out in time for the next race in spite of floating high enough to clear the well. Jim decided that he had had enough and stayed ashore for the rest of the morning.

The moths had the only fleet present. A lone MOBJACK stayed ashore, but a lone NACRA did make it out to win the open class by default.

Joe went out early and entertained the folks ashore with some great speed runs punctuated with some spectacular crashes. He had so much fun doing this that he repeated the stunts during several races, breaking his prodder in the process and allowing me to slip past while chicken-tacking. His adventurism paid off when he did keep the white side up and get a first place in the second race.

Craig Saunders sailed Mark's SPIDER to first place. Joe finished in second. I was third in-spite of skipping the last race...(I was pooped!!!!). Mark started the day in one of AL and Randy's Mothaneer's (my name), but proved that even an expert skipper had his hand's full with this design. After George Bailey tired of trying to keep Mark's MASER afloat and retired, Mark finished the day in that boat. John Tazewell brought PHOTON out, but broke his rudder and also hit the beach early.

As usual the racing was followed by an excellent cookout courtesy of the Portsmouth Boat Club. Marks family arrived and joined in the camaraderie.

On Memorial the winds were much better. Both Jim and Vicki took FEATHER out for sails behind my house. Jim is planning to race FEATHER again later this year.

Discussions among the participants on Saturday indicated that we can expect a satisfactory turnout at Hertford on the 8th of June.

Respectively,

Walt