I have won the highly coveted 3rd place write-up for the day. Below is my summary and the scores are attached.
First off I would like to congratulate Jim Klein for tying Len for first place for the day. I believe that this is his first time winning a day.
Today was a gorgeous day for frostbiting. Temps were in the 50s and the wind was around in the 5 range with maybe some puffs near 8. The RC was able to get off 4 races. We did a little of everything starting with a triangle, 2 olympics, and a final windward leeward. The breeze slowly died off as we stayed out on the water.
As for sailing, the races that we run for frostbiting are relatively short races so the start is important. You can screw it up a little and make out OK but in general you need to come off the line with speed and clean air. On a light air day like today, finding the breeze and staying in clean air are paramount. At the starts of the first 3 races, I decided that the pin end of the line was favored and went for it. It worked fairly well in all three races for me and with each race, more people joined me at the pin end. The last race had a small shift (from my view at least) and I think the line was very even. But the shift came in the last 30 seconds of the start so everyone was stuck where they were. Other than starts and clear air, the important thing on light air days is to be patent with your boat and not get frustrated.
I look forward to seeing all the new people out on the water the rest of the season. And remember that we are still sailing next Sunday!
Today provided some nice weather and we were able to get in a few races. 2 Albacores, 3 multihulls and 2 Lightnings showed up. The breeze began to build by 10:30 and stayed until about 12:30. The last race was cut short due to lack of wind. Many thanks go to Yates Dowell and his RC for stepping up and volunteering this week. Scores are below.
Yet again we were given another windy day. This time with cold temperatures. Two brave Albacores came down to the marina but the decision was made to attempt a practice day instead of running races. Also as it turns out, the water level of the river was too shallow to launch the crash boats from the ramp. After launching the 16 and 1 Albacore, the decision was shortly made to cancel the “practice” and call it a day.
The last series of the fall is next weekend. In order to sail, we need to have someone sign up for RC! Also there are several boats that need 1 more day to qualify for the fall. Check your Series scores and make the decision to come out next week.
It was already blowing in the 10-15 range when we arrived at the marina on Sunday, and the forecast was for the wind to build towards 20 mph steady with gusts predicted up to 30. That forecast may have kept some teams away, but 4 Lightnings, a Buc, and a Laser did splash their boats and the Hobie Cat RC crew led by Yates agreed to set up shorter courses (they had little choice with a WNW wind) and keep a close eye on everybody. The wind did continue to build as we sailed up to the race course, and we definitely saw some gusts in the 20s in the first race according to the handheld wind readings taken aboard the signal boat. One Lightning retired before the racing started, another (sailing doublehanded) retired after the first race, and the remaining two called it a day after the second race, choosing to sail home rather than keep match racing and possibly breaking something. We saw some even bigger gusts and some fantastic rides on a plane on the sail back to the marina and everybody enjoyed some hot dogs and drinks after we dried out our boats (and selves).
Fall Series #5 provided us with a very windy day. Mostly out of the northeast with some big shifts out of the east. Mostly sustained around 18 but gusts up to 30. However it did not seem as windy as that. Lloyd Leonard and crew put on 4 races for the 3 of us that made it out. Barney Harris, Jeff Neurauter, and Farley Will went out. Jeff headed in during the second race after capsizing. But there were only 2 capsizes for the day which was pretty good considering the conditions. Barney took the day.
The wind was once again a bit fluky, but 5 Lightnings made their way up to the course along with Jim Antonovich on a cat and Jeff Neurauter in the Buc class. PRO Kyra Tallon and her crew did a good job in getting us some racing in the light and variable ENE breeze. This meant some Olympic courses again, so boathandling was at a premium (especially for those Lightnings who were doublehanding). A good time was had by all and afterwards we all enjoyed a cookout on a beautiful afternoon.
The wacky west wind made its first appearance this fall for Fall Series #3. It certainly proved challenging to the RC and all the sailors, but PRO Frank Gallagher and his crew did a great job in setting, re-setting, and re-setting the course again throughout the day (aided by some sailors moving marks as well!) to keep up with the changing wind directions. The breeze never settled down, and it seemed like we saw wind from just about every point on the compass! Nonetheless, we got in some great racing on O2 and courses. The reach legs kept folks sharp (especially boats trying to fly the spinnaker) and at the end of the day we all enjoyed a great day on the river.
Sunday proved to be a surprisingly good day of sailing. As we arrived at the marina, we had a nice steady breeze out of the north at about 6. The forecast was calling for 0 building to 6 out of the south. At the skippers meeting, the breeze had died but Aaron was optimistic in the forecast and had the RC tow everyone up to the course area. We ended up with 8 Albacores, 4 Lightnings and 1 Buccaneer making it to the race course. Aaron and crew were able to get off 3 races total. The first race was quite trying. The wind started coming out of the east. By the time the Albacores rounded the windward mark, the wind died and the race was shortened to a finish at the windward mark on the second upwind leg. After the first race, we could all see the sea breeze filling in from downriver. Aaron and crew setup the course in prep for the wind and we were able to get off 2 more races in a nice southerly breeze of about 8. All in all it was a good first day compared to what was forecast. Scores are below.
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.
