This is a terrific video on how back stay tension changes sail shape and affects power and speed in different conditions. Check it out.
Tag Archives: Sailboat racing
2009 PRSA Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting This Coming Saturday, Nov 14!
This coming Saturday. At the Marina Towers (same place as last year). RSVP Here. See details and who is coming here. 48 have signed up so far. This is a really nice event, and it provides the opportunity to socialize with the sailors you see on the race course on Sundays. Don’t miss out!
11/07/2009 PRSA Fall Finale Scores
Wow, what a beautiful day for sailing!! Temps were in the 60F’s, winds were blowing straight out of the south at 8 to 12MPH, and the sun was shinning. We sailed out on the river down by the power plant. Got five windward/leeward races in on a fairly long course. Winds were unusually steady, with small waves coming up the river. We had ten Lasers, two hobies and one albacore on the course. Thanks to Frank, Mladen, Brenna, Barney and Jill for doing RC. We had awards, chili and apple cider/rum after racing.
Scores after the break:
PRSA Fall Finale Regatta, Today, Saturday November 7!!
Today (Nov 7th) is the PRSA Fall Finale Regatta. This is the last regatta of the year for our fair weather sailing friends, and the first of our winter Laser frostbite season. Right now the weather looks perfect, A high of 59 degrees is predicted, with sunny skies and winds from the S at 8 – 9 MPH all day. We should have a big turn out for this regatta. Last year we had 3 Albacores, 2 Buccs, 3 Hobies, 3 Lasers, and 5 Lightings show on a day with questionable weather. This year we should do better than that! The Skippers Meeting is at noon and the first warning at 12:40. Frank is PRO, with Mladen, Brenna, Barney, and Jill as helpers. We’ll be sailing in the cove or down by the power plant depending on the weather and how many boats show up. Bring hot Chili and cold beer for the party after. Hope to see you on the water!
UPDATED! PRSA Fall Finale Regatta, Saturday, November 7!
(As of Thursday, November 5) Skippers Meeting at Noon; first warning at 12:40 PM; no races start after 3:40 PM. Here are the SIs. Frank Gallagher is PRO, with RC provided by the Lightnings. This is our traditional last blast, with racing in the cove or in front of the power plant. Bring hot chili to share after racing. Today’s AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) for Saturday on the Potomac calls for partly sunny skies, winds from the SW at 6 – 7 MPH, and a high of 58 degrees. The river flow is still well above normal, at 5,080 CFS (gage height 3.4 ft) and the water temperature is 53 degrees. Come on down!
New Video! Albacores & Lightnings
Check out “Blue Skies”, a 7 1/2 minute video of footage shot on September 20, 2009. We had 2 video cameras out that day, I had one on the chase boat and Keith Strasser the other on the start line, and shot some good footage of Albacores and Lightnings racing. Be sure to click the full screen button on the lower right corner of the player. Enjoy:
Oh yes, Why is it on Youtube and not Zest Factor? This is HD video, and Zest Factor can’t handle that yet. Soon though.
Fall Series #7 11/01/2009 Scores
OK, so I got up looked out the window, saw just how miserable it was… and went back to bed. Shame on me and all the rest of us who voted to stay dry. The rain dried up, the breeze came in and 5 Lightnings, with the odd Laser and Hobie Cat for company came out to play. They got three races in before calling it a day. Rick Welch won the day for the lightnings, while Jim Klein (Laser) and Rod Sellers (Hobie Cat) get honorable mentions for coming out to race by themselves. Scores after the break:
PRSA Fall Finale Regatta, Saturday, November 7!
Frank Gallagher is PRO, with RC provided by the Lightnings. This is our traditional last blast, with racing in the cove or in front of the power plant. Bring hot chili to share after racing. Today’s AccuWeather long-range forecast (always subject to change) for Saturday on the Potomac calls for partly sunny skies, winds from the SSW at 8 MPH, and a high of 57 degrees. The river flow is still well above normal, at 7,370 CFS (gage height 3.7 ft) and the water temperature is 55 degrees. Come on down!
PRSA Sunday Series # 7 – November 1 – Last one for 2009!
Eric Johnson was PRO, with RC provided by Jim Graham, Steve Parsons, and Wilda Heiss. We got an extra hour of sleep Saturday night, as we switched from Daylight Savings time back to Standard time, so we were rested and ready to compete. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for a partly sunny afternoon (with rain ending in the morning), a high of 53 degrees, and winds from the NNE at 10 – 9 MPH. High tide was at 6:48 AM; low tide at 1:05 PM (and high again at 6:59 PM) Sunset was at 5:08 PM. The river flow was above normal for this time of year, at 7,710 CFS (gage height 3.7 ft). The water temperature was a seasonal 57 degrees. Five Lightnings came out, along with one Cat and one Laser. The rain ended a little after one PM, and the wind picked up, making for good racing for those who came out and stayed out. Results to be posted soon.
PRSA 2009 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting Saturday, November 14!
At the Marina Towers (same place as last year). RSVP Here. See details and who is coming here.