A beautiful day with light winds from the SSW. Brian Joseph ran the races.
(With the 15 boats that raced today and the 19 that raced last week, we have had 25 boats come out. )
Category Archives: Announcements
2021-2022 Frostbite 1
It was a great start to the season with temperatures in the high 40s and a SW breeze that started off frisky but got lighter and lighter. The tide was going out and a current shear was visible near the channel. Tyler and Eva ran RC.
Laura Windecker won the day with Farley Will and Tom Hutton tying for 2nd and 3rd.
(races 1-5)
Third place observations from Tom Hutton:
It was good to be back out with so many other lasers! The weather was cool but not cold, and the wind was up and down but overall a good day to be on the water. It was one of the rare days when the wind was from the south but also a bit shifty. It was either shifty or my steering needs work, the latter being more likely. I’d say this day had 3 major lessons for me.
- Lesson #1 Know the Course. In the first race I forgot (or didn’t find out) how many laps were required. I’d got out to the left for more wind when I heard a horn, turning to see Laura crossing the finish line. I’m not sure I lost any boats with this mistake but this kind of mistake is easy to fix.
- Lesson #2 Pointing and Locking In Up Wind. I had good speed going upwind which for me is about getting the sail into “pointing mode” as soon as possible. I sheet the sail to what I want for the wind speed, two-blocked for medium to heavy, 3 inch gap for medium to light, and 6-12 inch gap for light. Any looser than that and I won’t be pointing anymore, but reaching. After trimming the main I set the vang, then adjust my cunningham as necessary to get the big wrinkles out of the sail. After that is spending 75% of my focus on keeping the tell tales flowing and the boat flat. If I get my head too far out of the boat I start to pinch, or miss the lift and give up precious ground. So get the sail set, get the tell tales flowing, then focus on going fast.
- Lesson #3 Clear Air Down Wind. I’m almost always trying for clear wind, and I’ll get pretty far sideways to get it. Mostly I don’t want to be near anyone else, especially in a group of people. I’m not sure about this lesson as downwind I’m not as fast as quite a few others. I think Farley passed me 2 or 3 times downwind so maybe I don’t have any lessons here. Some days I do better than others downwind, Series #1 was not so great. Turning around to look for wind I think is going to be my new technique that I’ll try out.
2021 Annual Meeting – November 20th at 12:30 in the WSM Grove
Friends,
It’s that time of year, one last chance to get together and share a meal with friends while we celebrate victories on the water and show our appreciation for our fellow club members’ service over the past year. Please join us Saturday, November 20th in the grove at Washington Sailing Marina. We’ll be firing up the grill around 12:30. As is custom with our Sunday cookouts, please bring something for the grill and whatever you wish to drink. A few folks have suggested they would like to do a bit more and bring something to share, so if that’s you, or that inspires you, please let us know what you will be bringing and sign up here
The business part of the meeting will begin at 2:00 or 2:30.
In addition to awards, this year we will also be holding elections for the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each of these positions is open for a two year term, responsibilities are outlined in the bylaws. If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, volunteering for one of these offices is a great way to do that.
At this point, the long range forecast is calling for sun and crispy fall temperatures. If that changes, please monitor the google group for any updates.
Thanks, hope to see you next weekend!
Tom Hutton
2021-2021 Laser Frostbite Series
The new member year and frostbite series is approaching! The first racing day will be November 21st, the day after the Annual General Meeting. With the new season we have added a position to the RC duty list, the Equipment Check helper. This will be someone who will help the RC put the boat away and make sure everything is ready for the next Sunday. The snow of the winter, and the freezing temperatures mean we need to make sure we’ve got the boats put away right. The person doing this would be free to sail that day, they just help the RC after sailing is over. The link for the RC signup is below, please take a look and sign up. Given last year I’m expecting each sailor to need to do 2 RC slots and 1 Equipment Check helper slot.
For any sailors new to the frostbite season, there is no need to sign up for sailing. We meet at the cranes at noon, the first warning signal is at 12:30.
Lastly, for the upcoming season I’m looking to pass the torch of Laser Fleet Captain, if anyone is interested please let me know.
– Tom Hutton
Click here for RC signup.
PRSA President’s Cup: September 18-19
Join the Potomac River Sailing Association to race in the largest one-design regatta on the Potomac with the National Capitol and monuments as a backdrop, and to carry on the tradition of competitive one-design racing that started with the 1934 President’s Cup! The 2021 PRSA President’s Cup Regatta will be held on September 18 & 19 at Washington Sailing Marina. Please visit the Regatta Website – https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/23128 – to view the NOR and register. All one-design classes 20 feet or under are invited.
This year we have a flat fee registration for each boat ($40 for regatta participation only). Please note that tickets for Saturday ‘s post-race BBQ are not included in the registration fee. BBQ tickets for Saturday evening for each person (skipper and crew, as well as any friends/family that might join you) must be purchased separately as part of your registration or via the “Online Storefront” area on the Regatta Network website. Please make sure to purchase BBQ tickets for your entire boat — skipper and crew — as well as any family/friends/visitors in advance so we can be sure to have sufficient food on hand!
Early registration ends on September 1, so register now to take advantage of the early registration discount and to let us know that you’ll be coming!
PRSA Spring Series Racing Underway!
Our PRSA Spring Series starts on Sunday, April 11! Please make sure you’ve read through the following information and completed the necessary steps so that you are ready to get out on the water as our PRSA Spring Series starts.
- Sign the 2021 PRSA COVID-19 Acknowledgement of Risk & Waiver: https://forms.gle/xKAAkXm7gh7xZanB6. Although things are looking better, we are still in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic and some areas (including some places in our own area) are seeing upticks in cases and community spread. All participance’s — competitors and RC members — are required to sign this waiver in order to participate in PRSA Activities. You must sign the new 2021 waiver (the prior waiver for fall 2020 and 2020-2021 frostbite racing is no longer applicable).
- Review the PRSA COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZdAoKmJyO2sD10bB9BjWX1V4xnXqDjfeh8WBBcWXG5Y/edit?usp=sharing
- Review the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions for the Spring Series: http://potomacriversailing.org/spring-fall-sunday-series/
- Review the RC Service Requirements and sign up for RC Service: http://potomacriversailing.org/dues-rc-duty/
- Race Committee members should be sure to review all of our Race Committee & Boat Instructions carefully: http://potomacriversailing.org/dues-rc-duty/rc-boat-instructions/. Ensuring safe racing and taking proper care of our PRSA equipment is of paramount importance.
- Take note of a new federal requirement: effective April 1 a new federal law passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (which included a U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization) requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless engine cutoff switches (ECOS) when operating power boats under 26 feet in length. Please make sure to clip the cutoff lanyard to your life jacket when operating our skiffs.
As always, please feel free to reach out to your PRSA Executive Committee if you have any questions.
2021 Capital City Laser Regatta
The Capital City Laser Regatta website is up and running! March 27 & 28 is our annual 2 day laser regatta, the link is below for those that want to sign up and race.
The Buccaneer Fleet at Potomac River Sailing Association (PRSA) will host the annual Easter Buccy Regatta on Saturday, April 3rd at Washington Sailing Marina, Alexandria, VA. This popular event, which features a variety of races and an on-the-water Easter egg hunt, is fun for sailors of all ages and experience levels. See attached 2021 Easter Buccy Regatta Sailing Instructions for more details. Please note the following as well:
- Race Committee volunteers are needed. Go to the Race Committee page to sign up.
- There is no entry fee, but you must send an email to Jeff Neurauter (jmnsailor@yahoo.com) by March 26 if you want to participate. Let’s get this sailing season STARTED!!!
AGM Announcement
The AGM will be Saturday November 14th, 3:00 pm at the Washington Sailing Marina.
We chose to hold the event outside so we can social distance. The 3PM “happy hour” start time allows 2 hours before sunset (approximately 5 PM); we’ll have the AGM first, then a general socially-distant hang out.
There is no ticket cost for the event. We’ll provide single-serving snacks, please bring your own beverage(s). Please wear a mask when you’re within 6 feet of others and be generally respectful of distancing requirements.
Given that the event is weather-dependent, we’ve scheduled a backup date of November 21.
We’re hoping you’ll join us for some safe, socially-distant socializing.
Finally, head over to the results page to see the fall series season winners!
Fall Season Race Committee Signup Ready
The RC signup sheets have been to the new limited fall schedule. Click here to get to the signup sheet. Due to social distancing requirements we are looking to have members sign up for RC with people from their household or social bubble. The boats are too small to adequately social distance for the 3-4 hours typically spent on them. We are also not requiring members to sign up for RC like we normally would. Trying to compel people to come out during these circumstances would be ridiculous. There are quite a few folks that can’t meet the household requirement or are not comfortable traveling to the marina. Lastly members are welcome to sail even if they can’t sign up for RC. Please take a look at your schedule and see if you can sign up for RC this fall.