Tag Archives: watersports

News

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

Heather, Leigh, Katherine, and Barney

 

 

Fall Series

Fall Series #4 & #5 Results

Sorry for the hold up folks. I have been swamped at work these past two weeks.

Today I have scores for the last two weeks racing. Two weeks ago most of PRSA stayed home fearing the rain that was falling when they got up in the morning. The three Lightnings that braved the weather to come out and race had the last laugh though. The rain stopped and we got them three races down by the power plant before the breeze faded and we called it a day. Here are those scores:

Lightning Fall Series #4

This past Sunday we had a great day of racing. The winds were from the south west and built from 12-13 when we left the dock to 18-30 when the RC wisely called it a day and sent us home. Scores and more after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #4 & #5 Results →

Fall Series

Fall Series #8 Results

Wow, what a way to end the season. 8 Lightnings, 5 Albacores, and 2 Bucc’s came out to play on our last day of the Fall Series, and what a day it turned out to be. Winds were SW 14-21 with a few gusts over 30.  Most of the afternoon the wind stayed up in the 20 range so it was exciting out there.  We got 4 races in before crying uncle and the Race Committee, headed up by yours truly, was kept busy with multiple capsizes and a couple of broken boats. Pat McGee broke his rudder in the third race, and one of the Albacores (Can’t remember who) broke his Jib Halyard(?). We anchored the 2 of them while we got 1 more race in for the die hards. We then towed the wounded sailors back to the docks and put the boats away for the last time this season. Here are the scores:

Albacore Fall #8

Buccaneer Fall #8

Lightning Fall #8

And here are some pictures taken by James Vavricek while on RC at the windward mark:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111908965227869597659/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCM6GxIb3tN7migE#5674913539383060162

Fall Series

Fall Series #3 Results – 10/02/2011

It was cool, cloudy, and breezy this past Sunday. Winds were NW in the teens as we sailed up to the race course, but slowly faded as the day progressed. Jim Graham and the Albacores did a great job setting up a nice long Windward-Leeward course for us. They got three races off in good fashion before the rain came in and spoiled things for us. In all, Six Albacores, 2 Buccaneers, and 8 Lightnings came out to play. Correction, one Hobie also made the trip up, but capsized before starting a race and went home. We also had one intrepid Laser who came out and raced solo. The racing was exciting on the Lightning course with lots of lead changes and close finishes. All in all a fun day. Here are the scores:

Albacore Fall Series #3

Buccaneer Fall Series #3

Lightning Fall Series #3

Lasers, Pictures, Results

Laser Frostbite 1/30/2011

Fourteen people showed up to take part in a 40 degree day on the last Sunday of January. The wind was from the east-northeast starting out light to variable in the last race. Erich Hesse and Ridley Nelson set up a windward-leeward course in the cove with the starting line within a stone’s throw of the Mount Vernon bike path. The winner of the day was Nabeel Alsalam and his winner’s write-up below. We had one new boat owner join us for the first time, Justin Pollack, who bought a boat that has been sitting at the marina. Justin had a good day after a long hiatus from Laser sailing and finished 2nd overall. We also had a friend of Alex Jacob, Shawn Golden, join us and they both showed the older/heavier people how to do it in the light air.

Here is a cool shot by Erich of Nabeel ghosting toward the finish. (Click to enlarge)

Continue reading Laser Frostbite 1/30/2011 →

Fall Series, 2010, Results

Falls Series #4 10/10/2010 Results

The water was looking pretty glassy when we got to the marina on Sunday. “Oh say it isn’t so” I thought to myself, the weather was beautiful, but there was not a breath of air to be found. Ever the optimists we all got our boats ready and splashed in anticipation of a little breeze. Yates, our intrepid PRO, decided to postpone on land and see what developed. 8 Lightnings and 1 Albacore sat bobbing around tied up to the dock while we waited. Around 11:15 or so we noticed a little southerly coming up. The RC (Ably manned by the Hobie fleet) went out to the river to investigate. Yes, a southerly was indeed making its way up the river, so in high hopes we set off for the race course. Most of the boats took the tow that the RC was offering. Team Ariel and a couple other boats, however, decided to sail up. Interestingly we all got to the race course at about the same time. RC wasted no time setting up a nice WL course and got us going. The breeze steadily built, and by the time we were finished for the day got up to 13kts or so. Wow, what a great day. We ended up getting 4 races in, with some of the best conditions of the year. Just proves the old adage: Good things come to those that wait. Special kudos go to Yates and the Hobie fleet for a job well done. Scores after the break:

Continue reading Falls Series #4 10/10/2010 Results →

Fall Series, 2010, Results

Fall Series #3 – 10/03/2010 Results

We had a great day on the water October 3. Winds were from the ENE and ranged from 8-13 or so. Albacores, Bucc’s, Hobies, and Lightnings all came out to play on this beautiful, if cloudy, Fall day. PRO Robert Bennet set up a great course in the mouth of the Anacostia and got 4 nice races in before calling it quits. Scores after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #3 – 10/03/2010 Results →

Fall Series, 2010, News, Results

Fall Series #1, 09/19/2010 Results

It just goes to show you, never believe the weather man! Sunday morning the forecast was dismal: Sunny, Hot, winds from nowhere @ 0-2. Sheesh! Its no wonder a lot of people voted with their feet and stayed home. What a mistake that turned out to be. The reality? Sunny, Warm, winds South @ 8-11!! It just doesn’t get much better than that. 5 Lightnings, 3 Albacores, and 3 Cats came out to play and got the best racing of the fall so far. Jeff Storck (PRO), aided by Bruce Heida, Becky Mach, Maryann Gallagher, Will Philippe, Chris McGraw and Judy Schramm set up a nice Windward Leeward course off the airport that they slowly lengthened as the breeze strengthened. While the Albs, and Cats went home after 3 races, the Lightnings stayed out for a fourth. That fourth race proved to be a challenge in the strong current and fading breeze. Jeff shortened it to 3 legs, and sent them home from the windward mark. A great day! Scores after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #1, 09/19/2010 Results →

Videos

Video of The Week: Russ Roberts racing his Lightning single handed

Any sailor will tell you, that sailing single handed is a particular skill, sailing single handed while flying the Spinnaker is really something, but RACING single handed is the thing that separates the men from the boys. On May 2, 2010 a Russ Roberts did just that. In a fleet of 25 Lightnings, he took them all on by himself. You go dude!