European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Mumm Mermaid Crew member Steve Wright awaits the skipper s orders. Sailing with arc the German american Friendship regatta the first of its Type is Over but there will be other Sailboat races on Chi Emsee this summer and the armed forces recreation Center expects to be represented. To be part of the arc Crew sailors must have completed arc s intermediate level course. But learning the Art of sailing is open to anyone Over the age of 12. Arc Chi Emsee offers five sailing courses starting with a two Day introductory class priced at $59 and ranging up to the we Klong intermediate level course for $159. The final three Days of the intermediate course Are spent aboard 36-foot racing sloops like the Seppi. Course prices quoted include instruction equipment and certification but lodging and meals Are extra. Arc Chi Emsee also offers packages that include accommodations and meals. If you re ready to take to the High seas or at least to ply the Waters of West Germany s largest Lake in a Sailboat Contact a military travel office or Call arc Chi Emsee at ets 441 -2355 or civilian 08051 -803172. A . Chi Emsee re continued from Page 3 Lake from Shore to Shore. Each skipper had taken a different tack carefully plotting his boat s course to try to catch the most favourable winds. Kropp watched everything from the boats behind a Many sporting triangular Headsail called spinnakers to take full advantage of what Little wind there was a to the surface of the Lake looking for Tell tale Ripples caused by coming winds. He knew he would have to decide soon whether to Rig the Mermaid s Spinnaker. Quot i knew we d have to i watch the winds closely the Ripples in the water to take advantage of each Little gust a he said later. Kropp was one of the last to decide on the Spinnaker which is effective Only if there is a wind from the Stern. He relied As Long As possible on the smaller general purpose Genoa Jib hoping to maintain some momentum. He did t want to be left sitting dead in the water sails hanging Limp. Ripples on the Lake began to catch up with us. Kropp made his decision and the Crew a Steve and Jackie Wright and Franz Heinrichs plus myself rigged the Spinnaker All 90 Square meters of it As Jackie mane Vered the big sail with ropes to catch the most wind the Mermaid began to leave a Wake a critical moment was soon to arrive. We had to make a 180-degree turn Back to the finish line because of the Angle of the wind the Spinnaker would have to come Down and the Genoa sail would have to be raised. It had to be done at the right time and quickly. A mistake would be costly. Our Effort pleased the skipper. The Seppi s tack was unsuccessful and the Mermaid moved into second place just off the Stem of the leading boat no. 1860. Only a few boat lengths separated us but the Echo Iii also passed the Seppi making it a three Way race. It became a matter of who would gel the Best wind who would adjust the sails and change course at the right moment to Cross the finish line first. The Echo Iii tacked first followed by no. 1860. Quot too Early Quot said Kropp. He waited a bit longer and then ordered Jackie to pull the Halyard that brought the Genoa sail across the Bow. Kropp steered 90 degrees to port and my expectation of neck and neck racing became reality As the three boats sped toward the finish line. Our rivals however would have to make another tack. That would be critical because a change in course normally involves moving the Genoa sail which can take time slowing the boat. The Mermaid would not have to tack. No. 1860 did t choose a Good tack and was passed by the Echo Iii which Drew alongside the Mermaid with the finish line just meters away. Quot i was watching the finish line closely Quot Kropp said later. Quot i knew there was a boat on my left i tried to stay As close to the buoy As i  that move forced the Echo Iii to make another tack toward the finish line and the Mermaid crossed Over just half a boat length ahead of the Echo Iii. To my Surprise i found myself on the winning boat i had discovered that sailing is not Only just knowing the Quot ropes Quot but of concentration strategy and the Art of guessing the winds and Quot flying Quot the sails to catch every gust just right. So much must be taken into account that even where you  on the boat can make a crucial difference. The Seppi s fourth place finish did t dismay its Crew. The members were Happy to have sailed competitively and Hanlon said he was looking Forward to his next race. As soon As he gets his advanced certification bet on him asking to Pilot arc s trias a wooden Craft built in 1919 and one a the oldest boats on the Lake. Stripes Magazine june 14, 1990