There was no frostbiting on Sunday, Dec. 22, due to the holiday. Sailors will have a lot of opportunity to sail over the New Years weekend at the 90th Annual New Year's Frostbite Regatta. The regatta is only two days this year, beginning on Sunday, Dec. 29, with the final day of sailing on New Year's Day. The Past Commodore's Race will be held on the morning of Jan. 1, getting these stalwarts out early after a night of celebration. Fleet racing for Lasers, IC Dinghies and Penguins will commence after lunch. At the conclusion of racing, the traditional Wassail Bowl and Annual Meeting, plus awards will take place at Manhasset Bay YC. Results next week.

Results have become available for the Mill Pond Model YC Frostbite Series. Bob Lombard from the Housatonic Model YC in Stratford, CT came in first overall for the season. David Coode, from London, England by way of Jersey City was second overall. Third for the season was Allan Hoffman, from Whitestone, NY.

Notice to all parents who sail with children under the age of 13: The United States Coast Guard's Life Jacket Rule went into effect Dec. 23, 2002. It stipulates that all children under 13 years of age wear Coast Guard approved life jackets, while aboard recreational vessels underway, except when the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. This rule affects only those states that have not established requirements, by statute or rule, for children to wear life jackets. For the remaining states, the rule recognizes and adopts the existing state regulation, even if it is less stringent. Penalties for a boat operator who fails to have all children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket are similar to those for failing to have life jackets on board. Penalties may be assessed up to a maximum of $1,100 for each violation. For more information, go to http://www.uscg.mil/news

The bickering and accusations at the Louis Vuitton Cup seems to never end. First it was OneWorld who was penalized one point for having illegally obtained boat designs from Team New Zealand. Then it was (still ongoing) Team New Zealand's "second skin" or false underbody attached to the body of their boat with an appendage, which increases the sailing length of the boat and thus its speed. Next is the question of the "goose" located at the stern of Oracle's boat, which OneWorld alleges has radar that "allows them to see too much" and thus gives Oracle an advantage. Many believe there could be some truth to this after viewing the fourth and final race between Oracle-OneWorld, when on the downwind leg, Oracle bore off to the right of the racecourse for no apparent reason, only to capture a good breeze that could not be seen at water level, and overtake OneWorld to win the race and move to the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. No decision has been made as to whether the "goose" gave Oracle an advantage in finding the wind. And the latest brouhaha is about money, not surprising when there are so many billionaires involved. Some syndicates are unhappy with how surplus funds from selling the rights to the America's Cup logo are being dispersed. This, too, has not been resolved. If one is prone towards cynicism, one could say the America's Cup has changed, that it is no longer a challenge "among friendly nations". Reviewing some of the history of the Cup, the truth is that the America's Cup competition has always been contentious. Even when the billionaires were not involved, syndicates accused each other of one thing or another. It may be that there are too many different governing bodies and/or documents and rules that make up both the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup: The ISAF, CORM (Challenger of Record), the Deed of Gift, the International Jury, and on-the-water judges. With this many voices making decisions, it should be no surprise that lawyers become involved. While most sailors would prefer to dispense with these distractions, they have, and will continue to be a part of the challenge for "the CUP." Until the Deed of Gift and the Rules change, which is unlikely, followers of the America's Cup need to get past the arguments and enjoy the competition, which will begin with the Finals of the Louis Vuitton Series on Jan. 11.

The sailing world lost a great friend a few weeks ago. Harman Hawkins, a native of Manhasset, who lived most of his life here on our peninsula, but spent the last years of his life residing on Shelter Island with his wife Janet, died at his home after having open-heart surgery. Harman, who had sailed since his childhood days, contributed to our sport as an active sailor competing in local regattas here in Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound, and in blue-water competitions. Harman tirelessly gave back to the sport he loved so much. He was commodore of Manhasset Bay YC, commodore of the Storm Trysail Club, president of the U.S. Sailing Association, and board member of the International Yacht Racing Union. He was also very active, but behind the scenes, in several America's Cup campaigns. Because of his extensive contributions to sailing, Harman received the prestigious Herreshoff trophy for his service to the sport of yachting. The list of his accomplishments seems almost endless, and while they are remarkable, they don't capture the full picture of this remarkable man. For those of us who knew him, Harman was quite special, not only for his contributions to the sailing world, but also for his sincere interest in the people around him. One could be in a room packed with people, and there would be Harman, asking advice about a thought he had that might improve sailing for juniors, or promote weekend racing. If you were the recipient of his inquiry, you had his complete attention. With his head cocked to one side and his eyes deep in thought, the crowded room seemed to fade into the background. He had such a wonderful way of making those to whom he spoke feel very special.

For the friends who came to honor and say good-bye to Harman at his Memorial Service last Saturday, Dec. 21 on Shelter Island, and in Auckland, NZ, where friends gathered to toast and remember Harman, and for all who have crossed his path throughout his long and accomplished life, we will never really say good-bye. For the great stories about Harman, his terrific sense of humor, the mischievous twinkle in his eye, and the songs he sang late in the evening to entertain friends, will live on. Let's not forget "Harman's Song":

Let go the Jib Halyard,

Let go the Jib Halyard,

my finger is caught in the Block.

LET GO!

The sailing world is a better place because of this man who gave so much to our sport.