A very important issue faces NYRA and I have yet to see any of the members step forward to help. We need to replace the commodore and vice commodore next year. I will continue on the board and chair NCYRA but it is time to get someone new as commodore. Larry Gupton is leaving the area and thus we need to replace him. If you want the racing and the fun on the Neuse to continue, step up and help YOUR club. Recent boards have done a lot of good work to streamline the operation of NYRA and put us in solid financial shape. It would be a shame to lose that momentum, and not have BOTY and NYRA races because 2 people from the 70 or 80 people that regularly enjoy NYRA events don't step up. Let me know if you are willing to help.

The Hospice Cup will be held in Bath the weekend of Oct 14 and 15. NYRA needs at least one or two more boats to have a full team so please plan to go if possible. The Winter Series is just around the corner, starting with the Halloween Regatta on Oct 28, with the costume party social at the Pfefferkorn's afterwards. Last year we had 10 spinnaker boats registered for the Winter Series and only one non-spinnaker boat. I know of at least 2 non-spins already so we need to add a few more to assure good competition. You should register as soon as possible so we can better plan for this event. The NOR is on the NYRA web site at the Calendar link.

The Women's race was held in in September but I was not there and don't have any updates. Any participants are welcome to submit a write-up for this event.

ODC hosted the Neuse Solo on October 7. NYRA was well represented with the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishers overall and class finishes of second (Mark Weinheimer) and third (Margaret Alexander) in Class A , first (Lee King), who was the only Class B boat to finish in time, and second (Eddy Parker) in Class C. It was a very light air race with only 8 boats able to finish the 9 mile course in the 5 hour time limit. However, it was a great time to be on the river, sipping a few beers on the mostly sunny day, while sailing with a crew that didn't talk back and listening to UNC losing yet another football game.