Tag Archives: Laser Class

Announcements, News

PRSA Annual General Meeting: Nov. 18, 1-4 pm at Port City Brewing

Greetings Sailors!
The 2023 Potomac River Sailing Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, November 18, 1:00-4:00 pm at Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria VA, 22304).  Please use this form to RSVP: https://forms.gle/2nDrCkt7XbuKHvuE7 
Here are a few AGM details:
  • $35 per person (cash, check or PayPal); no charge for children 10 and under.
  • Fantastic food from Lebanese Taverna followed by Melissa’s famous cookie bar dessert
  • 2 drinks per person courtesy of PRSA; non-alcoholic beverages are also available (please note: no outside beverages).
Brief Agenda:
  • Officer Reports
  • Awards: racing awards, perpetual awards, and a few special recognitions
  • Election of Officers
  • New business/discussion
We’ve also added in a couple of fun items this year, stemming from our used sail upcycling effort through Sea Bags, which got us a selection of tool bags and tote bags made from parts of the sails that were upcycled (see photos, below):
  • 1 drawing for a PRSA tote bag. Any member who donated to the PRSA Commodore’s Club is eligible and will automatically be entered.
  • Silent auction for 1 PRSA tool bag and 1 PRSA tote bag.
And there is more fun news to share!  Thanks to Melissa’s hard work, PRSA has established a merchandise option with Lands’ End so that you can order Lands’ End merchandise with the PRSA logo embroidered on it!  Here’s how:
  • Navigate to – Homepage (landsend.com)
  • From there pick out any item you would like to have the PRSA logo embroidered on.  (Please note some items require a minimum purchase amount).
  • Pick the color and size of the item you wish to purchase.
  • Hit the Apply Logo button on the bottom left hand side of the website
  • The Lands’ End website will allow you customize the logo and the location of the logo.  (As of right now we only have one Logo but in the future we will add iterations of logos that will highlight classes and items that will present well on different fabrics and colors).
  • Add the item to your cart.  The price for the embroidery will be reflected there.
  • If you have questions or run into problems, you contact Lands’ End: Contact Us | Lands’ End Business Uniforms (landsend.com) or 1-800-587-1541
A more detailed agenda and set of notes will be provided at the AGM.  I look forward to seeing you all there!
Announcements

Vote for PRSA Awards!

With many thanks to those who submitted nominations for our PRSA awards, the ballot to vote for award recipients is now open!  Please vote here: https://forms.gle/x11B8mENtnQSKSFy8
The awardees will be announced at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (Nov. 18, 1-4 pm, at Port City Brewing in Alexandria, VA).   One vote per member.  Please vote for one candidate only for each award.  If you wish to write-in a name, please use the “Other” option.  To view the nominating statements that were submitted in support of various nominees, please click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BB8TN5rB1F1rZYyc69rZaW-qCqqOdeGxhxOLRJ_QZRM/edit?usp=sharing.  This ballot will close at the end of the day (11:59 pm) on Sunday, November 5.
This ballot is for the following awards (note that the Fleet Captain’s Award for exceptional RC duty is an award selected by the Fleet Captains; the award recipient will also be announced at the 2023 AGM):
  • Founder’s Trophy: Promotion of PRSA in general; the highest recognition for service to PRSA.
  • More Boats on the Water Trophy: Awarded for exceptional efforts leading to more boats racing through such activities as providing encouragement to timid sailors, helping get an old boat race-ready, creating a snow-ball by getting getting a critical mass of sailors to commit to racing, and so forth. Informally to be called the “More Boats on the Water” award.
  • Yates Dowell III Award: Awarded for exceptional administrative service to PRSA
Please make sure that you have Nov. 18, 1-4pm on your calendar for our AGM.  Additional details will be sent out soon!
Announcements

PRSA AGM: November 18, 2023, 1-4 pm at Port City Brewing Company

Save the date!  The 2023 PRSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on November 18, 1-4 pm, at Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria VA).

Information on pricing/tickets, an RSVP form, and more details will be posted soon!

Regattas, Announcements

Sept 23-24 Presidents Cup Registration

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! All one-design classes 20 feet or under are invited.

Visit the Regatta Network Site for the NOR and Registration Links!

President's Cup Logo

Regattas, Announcements

PRSA Spring Regatta May 27-28

Updated 29 May: we had a great weekend of racing, with all classes getting 9 or 10 races in a shifty and variable easterly.  Results are posted here: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/26050#_newsroom and we have some fantastic photos from Lindsay Bach (from the mark boat) posted here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mS7iMjrp9u6yJ3to8

******

Register now for the PRSA Spring Regatta (May 27-28) and enjoy two days of racing on the Potomac River with the monuments and Capitol as a backdrop.  Head to the Regatta Network site – https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/26050 – to register and to view the NOR.  Additional regatta information will be posted on the Regatta Network site.

Announcements, News

PRSA at the Annapolis and DC Boat Shows!

PRSA Sailors: I’m excited to share that PRSA has been invited to participate in the Annapolis Spring boat show, April 28-30, and the First Annual Washington DC Boat show May 5-7.  Both shows are showcasing local sailing / boating clubs, which gives us a great opportunity to promote our club and fleets.   Many thanks to our PRSA Secretary, Kyra, and to Melissa for all of the organizing work here!  Please take a moment to read the details below and then let us know if you might have some time to volunteer to staff the booths at one or both shows.  If you plan on stopping by just to visit the shows, let us know as well (and be sure to wear some PRSA gear!).
  • The Annapolis Boat show — April 28-30 — is providing our members a discount code, “PRS23”. This will get you admission to the show for $12. Spinsheet has coordinated the club showcase, and will be taking photographs through the event, so wear your PRSA gear, especially if you are willing to volunteer at our PRSA booth.
  • The DC Boat show (May 5-7) will be held at National Harbor.  We will be there with other local clubs to promote sailing on the river and collaboration among our area clubs.
Lasers, Lasers, Results

2022-2023 Laser Frostbite #16

First, I would like to thank Brian and his daughter, Thea, on Race Committee, as well all the other behind the scenes organizers to the fleet. It was a tough day to be RC, given the velocity and directional shifts of the day. We saw 0 to 13 knots, oscillating from S by W to South with races 5 and 6 going S by E 3 times from south in the heavier puffs. That’s about a 25-degree oscillation.

The boat end was favored for the first 4 races, races 3 and 4 very heavily boat end favored, in 5 and 6 as the breeze came up it shifted left to S by E, this made the line more square. Current was high around noon, we had a strong ebb or south flow all day, this meant extra space to leeward of the start line and not to set up with no hole at the boat since it would be closed, aka 2 nd row.

Some pre-race thoughts:

  • Ebb current direction with a south breeze, I think about the adjusted apparent wind angle upwind. This will artificially make me think I am always headed since the current push is decreasing the apparent wind angle. This is on both tacks, yesterday more on the port tack.
  • Given the current direction there was no “lee bow “affect downwind, just long slow fight the current runs.
  • Rounding the leeward mark needs extra room not to hit it, the lighter the air the more room needed.
  • Windward mark layline can be short tacked since current will assist making the layline.
  • Cross the current in the puffs and stem into current in the lulls, tough to do on the run.
  • In super light air never be further than 3 boat lengths past either end of the start line.

Starting approach was to get off the line clean and fast, even if that meant not at the most favored end but free of traffic and with clear air, more of a conservative approach.

On one downwind legs approaching the leeward mark I had 2 boats inside and overlapped, and 3 boats overlapped to my right outside of me. All on port jibe. I set up to carry the 2 boats inside me up to just before entering the 3-boat length circle when I jibed to break overlap and as I entered the 3-boat length circle. First, when jibing or tacking outside the circle breaks the overlap, second, I had positioned the jibe so that I was clear ahead on starboard while the 2 inside boats were on port still, this occurred as I entered the circle. I communicated to the 2 inside boats, that they no longer had room. This is a textbook maneuver to be expected, I am hopeful the 2 boats inside take away this experience to anticipate next time.

I learned a rather large lesson that cost me a 1st to 5th place finish in Race 3. In race 3 I rounded the leeward mark in first place and proceeded up the right side to the weather mark, when I heard Farley get the horn, I unwound myself to finish 5th . I had lost track of the race legs and thought it was the second beat. I was focused on the breeze between myself and the windward mark. Perfect example of sailing with my head too much in the boat.

Dave Coughlin, Sail number # 116366

2022 Frostbite Series #16

2022 Frostbite Series all as of 03/12/23 Totals
2022 Frostbite Series all as of 03/12/23

SI's & NOR's, Announcements

2023 Spring/Fall Series Registration, NOR, Sailing Instructions, and RC Duty

PRSA Sailors:

We are just 2 weeks away from the start of the PRSA Spring Series!  We are writing now to provide information on some important changes that are going into effect this spring.  Please make sure to read through these details carefully so that you’re prepared to race as our Spring Series kicks off on 30 March.

First, you will need to register for the series in advance.  Use this link to register: https://forms.gle/9riR85toVRbdvZ976.  When you register, you will be prompted to sign up for at least ½ of your required Race Committee (RC) slots.  We have had a difficult time filling RC slots in recent seasons and this change will help to address the issue. We will be providing opportunities to help train RC and will look to pair individuals with less RC experience with those that can mentor.  

In 2023 all skippers of multi-person boats are responsible for the same amount of RC duty: 4 slots over the Spring & Fall series.  Skippers of single person boats are responsible for 2 slots over the Spring & Fall Series. Each skipper may serve your 4 slots all in the Spring, all in the Fall, or spread throughout the spring and the fall.  If you bring your crew or friends to help you, make sure to enter the last name of the skipper receiving credit for these volunteers on the RC spreadsheet. You can find the link to the RC Service Signup Sheet here: http://potomacriversailing.org/dues-rc-duty/.  And remember, serving as PRO for any race day or as Regatta Chair for one of our 2-day regattas counts as 2 slots.

Second, make sure to review the NOR and the Sailing Instructions for the 2023 Spring and Fall series racing (posted here: http://potomacriversailing.org/spring-fall-sunday-series/).  We have made several important changes on scoring that should both bolster participation and enable sailors to travel to away regattas to still compete in, and be competitive for trophies, our Sunday Series races.  In brief:

  • The new scoring rules eliminate the minimum “races sailed requirement.” There have been many cases where skippers are only a race or two below 50% threshold and don’t qualify. Since days get canceled due to weather and/or due to lack of RC, it isn’t always in the skipper’s control that they end up not sailing in 50% of races. Adding DNC to bring those skippers up to 50% participation would have seen those skippers ranking higher than boats that qualified.  We will still only calculate a boat’s series score based on their top 50% finishes in the series(effectively everyone gets to drop their worst half of their scores).  
  • We are also modifying how DNS, DNF, & DNC are scored and how races conducted while on RC are calculated so that all races can be scored. Our goal is to reward people on RC, incentivize people to race in the conditions that they feel comfortable and at least show up to the Marina before making a final decision.  

These changes were discussed at the AGM and then refined through input provided to Tyler, our Rear Commodore, by members and at the 23 January Race Program Committee Meeting.  On behalf of the PRSA Executive Committee, I want to thank Tyler in particular for all of the work that he has put in to update our NOR and SIs and to streamline the organization of our Spring and Fall series.

Summary of relevant links:

Please make sure to review the NOR and the SIs and to register so that you are all set to start racing when the 2023 Spring Series begins on 30 March!  We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Lasers, Lasers

2022-2023 Laser Frostbite #15

Sailing today was….tough.  Everyone had a tough time on the water today.  First off thanks to Jim and Kaitlyn for doing RC on a hard day.  Today’s forecast was for 10 with gusts of 19 out of the west this morning.  Arriving at the marina, this was looking to be true at 11 AM.  But by the skippers meeting it was up probably closer to 15-20.  Most of us were on shore when Chris Bolton headed out and was planing downwind in the channel to get out to the river.  He was really moving!

Anyways 13 of us got to the course in time for the first start.  Not sure there is much to say for racing today.  It was definitely about staying upright and keeping the boat depowered.  Something that I was doing while racing was paying attention to the boats ahead of me for when shifts and puffs hit them so that I could be prepared for them.  This paid off multiple times.  During the racing, there were definitely gusts that were maybe up to 30 knots.  My gps tracker had me with a top speed of 11.5 knots during the second race.

We have two more weekends left of the season.  I hope to keep seeing everyone out!

Kaitlyn took some photos that can be found at https://photos.app.goo.gl/GC5kxc8BR84TroMk8.

Farley

2022 Frostbite Series #15
2022 Frostbite Series all as of 03/05/23
2022 Frostbite Series all as of 03/05/23 totals

Lasers, Lasers

2022-2023 Laser Frostbite #14

Kudos to all our sailors down at the Laser Masters in West Palm and Jensen Beach Florida- Keith, Len, Nabeel, Kat and James. An additional shout out to Jacques who just finished the Laser Worlds In Thailand-24 races in two weeks- super impressive.

This past Sunday was another great day of sailing on the Potomac with a steady breeze 10-12 knots out of the South. Anson and Dan ran 6 races all windward leewards. RC boat was favored so always tried starting at the boat end. Need to work on speed off the line and keeping a clear lane. Thanks to our previous Skippers meeting Steen mentioned steering with your body weight versus rudder movement and this was working downwind doing S turns. Catching waves while working the main to make sure pressure was in the sail. Of course when brain fade hit in the third race, I forgot the RC boat was favored and lost a place to #603. Realized my mistake and sailed further to the right on the 4th race to almost get my first bullet of the season but was denied by a half boat length.

Another fun day of racing! Note to self- bring more Beer (!) as its always fun talking to everyone afterwards.  Where is Howell ?! I have a Handle of Rum for fixing my boat And keeping me on the water!

Thanks again for the RC in running 6 races.

Yes it’s my second third place write up in recent weeks. Exciting stuff all around! Have a great week.

Cheers Kevin #508 ie Pingu / Skipper B Fleet

2022 Frostbite Series #14
2022 Frostbite Series all as of 02/26/23 totals
2022 Frostbite Series all as of 02/26/23