There sure wasn’t much wind when we showed up at the marina on Sunday…and there was far less wind (read: none!) as we towed boats up to the racing area. Thankfully for the eight Albacores, four Lightnings, and the lone Buc came out to play the breeze did fill in as forecast such that we were able to get 3 races after a bit of a delay. I was PRO for the day, assisted by Lee, Lisa-Marie, and Jim (great job crew!). You can keep reading for some of the details that I observed on the signal boat. Jim and Lisa-Marie Lane took some great photos of the racing (thanks!!!).
All posts by Aaron
PRSA One Design Open Regatta
We held our first annual PRSA One Design Open Regatta on Sunday, September 14, to kick off the fall season. This was a chance to see how we all performed boat-on-boat against sailors in all of the other classes. Fifteen boats came out, and we had a collection of Flying Scots, Buccanneers, Albacores, Multihulls, Lightnings, and even a Sunfish on the starting line! We were scored using the Portsmouth Yardstick system, and PRO Jeff Neurauter did a great job taking times, scoring, and getting us some great races in fluky winds.
Congratulations to Barney & Lee for taking first place overall, and to Rick, Lisbet, and Aaron for 2nd place overall. Click here to view some great photos from Lindsay Bach (thanks Lindsday!).
2014 PRSA Dinghy Open
On September 14 PRSA will host the first annual PRSA Dinghy Open Regatta. This is your chance to compete against all dinghy classes in a series of “boat-on-boat” races, so don’t miss out!
Sailboats of any class 20’ and under are invited to participate. Sailboats may be organized and compete in three divisions – Spinnaker Division, Non-spinnaker Division and Multi-hull Division. Based on the number of boats present at the Skipper’s Meeting, Divisions may be combined. All races will be scored according to the Portsmouth Yardstick system.
The NOR and Sailing Instructions are posted below. Questions should be directed to the Regatta Chair, Jeff Neurauter (703-350-9666, jmnsailor@yahoo.com).
2014 President’s Cup Regatta: September 6-7
The 2014 President’s Cup Regatta will be held September 6-7 at Washington Sailing Marina. The NOR, Sailing Instructions, and other details have been posted to the regatta webpage. Please take a minute to read through these details and sign up on the “Who’s Coming?” list so that we know who will be attending and so that we can generate some momentum for the regatta.
Please note that there are a couple of important changes for the 2014 regatta:
- All competitors must register online and pay the regatta entry fee (either via PayPal or mailed check) in advance of the regatta. A link to the online entry form (with payment details) has been posted to the regatta webpage. We cannot accept registration fees on site given NPS enforcement of provisions that prohibit the exchange of money on National Park grounds.
- We will be running the President’s Cup as a one-design regatta with the emphasis on racing. The Leukema and Lymphoma Society (LLS) party on Saturday will likely begin well before we finish racing on the one-design upper course. Please plan accordingly, as the RC intends to conduct as many races as conditions allow. We will not be scoring boats separately for LLS racing awards. President’s Cup trophies will be given as described in the President’s Cup NOR.
- Any boats wishing to raise funds for the LLS should register directly with the LLS on this website: http://www.leukemiacup.org/nca/ The LLS strongly encourages online fundraising in advance of the event. However, cash or check donations will be accepted Saturday morning on board the Potomac Belle (stationed somewhere near WSM). Dinner tickets for the Saturday LLS party can also be purchased at that time.
PRSA Rookie Regatta: A Great Success!
The first annual PRSA “Rookie Regatta” was a fantastic success! Eight Albacores, 3 Bucs, 9 Lightnings, and 2 I-Scows came out to play. PRO Mike Heinsdorf and his crew did an excellent job in setting a nice W-L course and getting us four fantastic races. Moreover, Mike & Michelle took a couple of rookies out on the RC boats so that we could rotate people on and off boats on the water.
Great fun was had by all and the breeze made for some exciting and competitive racing. In the spirit of the event (fun as well as competition), somebody remarked that we should start a list of the “Top 10 Reasons You Know You’re At a Rookie Regatta.” The following are some actual examples from the day:
- A majority of the fleet starts the race on the finish line instead of the start line
- Someone thinks the colored umbrella on the committee boat represents some type of signal flag
- You hear screaming (actually, squeals of pure joy!) for the first 20 minutes of a race…from Barney’s boat no less!
- You overhear the following between two boats: “Uey, do you have the right of way or do I?” Response, “I have no idea.”
A huge thanks to Peter Duncan and Barney Harris for continually rotating their crew so that all of the folks who showed up got to sail. Scores are posted here, and more photos from Mike are on the way!
PRSA Rookie Regatta Final Results
PRSA Spring Series #7 Recap
We had fantastic sailing for Spring Series #7. PRO Chris Kozel and his crew set a nice windward-leeward course in a somewhat shifty S/SW breeze and did a good job getting us four races for the day. Most of the Albacores were down in West River for a regatta, but we did have 11 Lightnings on the line as well as a couple of Bucs, Albacores, and Cats. Scores will be posted soon. You can click here to read what I observed from Sinistra in the Lightning class. As always, feel free to add in your own comments and observations as well!
2014 Spring Series 7 – Albacores
2014 Spring Series 7 – Buccaneers
Spring Regatta: View from the WETA Class
Waldo in the WETA Class enjoyed the Spring Regatta so much that he wrote a nice reflection piece and published it on the WETA Class website. Take a look here: http://www.wetamarine.com/ We’re glad you enjoyed the regatta so much, Waldo, and we look forward to seeing you next year!
PRSA “Rookie Regatta” — June 8
The final Sunday of our spring season will be a special event: the first annual PRSA “Rookie Regatta.” The one-day regatta has two purposes:
- To encourage skippers and crews to bring new people on board, hopefully sparking an interest in racing and in sailing with PRSA; and
- To encourage PRSA crews to take a turn at the helm to learn about driving, build team rapport on their boats, and perhaps even spark an interest in becoming a full time owner and driver!
The racing on June 8 will be scored separately from the PRSA Spring Series. The scores will not count towards a boat’s Spring Series scoring. Instead, we will recognize all of the new crew and skippers at the regatta and provide a few racing awards for each class based on the day’s results. For this regatta, a high-point scoring system will be used. There will be point bonuses for bringing new sailors aboard, for having crew instead of the regular skipper drive, and more.
Please review the NOR for the “Rookie Regatta” (below) and work on your boat’s lineup for the day. We encourage you to invite new people out to sail with you, or to turn the helm over to one of your regular crew! The racing will be followed by the standard post-race BYO BBQ, so remember to bring a little something for the grill as well.
PRSA Spring Series #6 Recap
What a crazy day! The river was absolutely ripping after several days of rain. Although there was not much debris in the water, the ferocious river flow made things challenging for the competitors and the RC alike. I was on RC duty this weekend, and I thought I’d have the chance to get some nice observations of the racing. Instead, we were kept on our toes, first towing boats up to the course against the river flow as we waited for the breeze to fill, and then dashing around the course to reset marks as they were repeatedly breaking free in the combination of river flow and WNW breeze that filled in over the afternoon. The breeze was extraordinarily spotty and shifty, moving from due north to nearly due west and back in various phases. That, combined with the fact that the pressure would simply die off at points and then pipe back up, made for some very tricky sailing as the competitors fought against the river flow. We did manage to get 4 races off for the Albacores and 2 for the Lightnings and Cats.
Even with all of the action on the RC we still managed to capture some video on the GoPro that we had on the 16′ skiff: a leeward mark rounding for the Albacores, a start and upwind leg for the Lightnings, and a few finish line shots from the first Lightning race as boats struggled to make it up to and across the line. Scores are posted below, and you can find the video links here: http://lightningfleet50.org/?page_id=2047
2014 Spring Series 6 – Albacores
2014 Spring Series 6 – Catamarans
2014 Spring Series 6 – Lightnings
2014 Spring Series – Albacores – Cumulative Through May 18
2014 Spring Series – Buccaneers – Cumulative Through May 18
PRSA Spring Regatta: May 24-25
We’re just two weeks away from the PRSA Spring Regatta. Mark your calendars, organize your crew, and visit the regatta webpage to sign up on the “Who’s Coming?” list and view the NOR!