UPDATED 4/19/10 — The AccuWeather Forecast called for sunny skies, a high of 60 degrees, and winds from the NW at 14 – 18 MPH, and that’s about what we got, except that it was cloudier and chillier than predicted. The river flow, at 9,150 CFS (gage height 3.9 ft) was below normal for this time of year, and the water temperature was down to 62 degrees. High tide was at 11:26 AM. 10 Lightnings and 3 Albacores came out. Yates Dowell and the Hobie fleet set up a triangular course and got off three races in quick succession, and we were all back at the docks by 3 PM. During docking on the return, Erich Hesse in his Albacore came screaming straight in to the slot between two of the crane docks, made an incredibly tight U-turn, and stopped the boat along side the north dock with bow pointed out — stunning! Crew Lars Rathjen, standing on Eric’s forward deck, then stepped neatly off the deck — and right into the water! It was a site worthy of a bloopers video. Fortunately, no injuries, other than to Lars’ psyche. Results after the break:
All posts by Nabeel
PRSA Spring Series # 1, Sunday April 11!
What an outstanding day, weatherwise, for the first race day of the 2010 season — sunny skies, a high of 75 degrees, and gentle breezes made for Bermuda shorts attire and fun conversations. Erich Hesse and his ace Albacore RC crew got off three races in somewhat challenging wind conditions — a 9 MPH southerly at the start of the first race, but dying off to an ESE at 3 MPH at 2 PM, then coming back up later in the afternoon, reaching 12 MPH at 6 PM, well after we were off the water. The river flow was slightly below normal for this time of year, at 12,500 CFS (gage height 4.2 ft) and the water temperature was 62 degrees. Low tide was at 1:42 PM; High tide at 7:31 PM. 8 Lightnings came out, along with 3 Hobies, 2 Albacores, and a Flying Scot. Results after the break:
Committee Boats Powerwashed and are Nice and Clean!
Thanks to the good work of Bill Swanson, Jeff Neurauter, Laurie Duncan, Paul Maher, Frank Gallagher, Nabeel Alsalam, Bobby Astrove, and Rick Welch on Saturday afternoon, April 10, the Bayliner, the 19 Skiff and the 16 Skiff are nice and clean, after their powerwashing and polishing. Thanks, Nabeel, for bringing the equipment! Thanks Bill, for powerwashing all the barnacles off the bottom of the Bayliner, and the cleaning the topsides. Thanks, Jeff and Laurie for cleaning the cabin of the Bayliner — it was really grungy. Thanks, Nabeel, Frank, Paul, Bobby, and Rick for emptying out the skiffs and powerwashing them and putting equipment back. Thanks also to Jeff Storck, who used his 4-Runner to launch the Bayliner, and to Laurie, Paul, and Jeff who drove her part way to her slip, and to Frank and Nabeel for performing a rescue and towing her the rest of the way over. Without the great work of this team, we would not be racing today.
PRSA Spring Series # 1 Sunday, April 11!
UPDATED 4/11/10 — Today’s AccuWeather Forecast calls for sunny skies, a high temperature of 74 degrees, and winds from the SSW at 6 – 9 MPH. The river flow is slightly below normal for this time of year, at 12,500 CFS (gage height 4.2 ft) and the river water temperature is 62 degrees. First high tide is this morning at 7:09 AM; Low tide will be at 1:42 PM; Second high tide at 7:31 PM. Take off your winter covers and get ready to race!
Video of the Week: Screaming Albacores!
Here are a couple of videos shot 03/21/2010 at Sarasota when racing was called off due to high winds. Wow! SCREAMING ALBACORES!!
PRSA Spring Series # 1 – Sunday, April 11!
Time to remove our winter covers, shake out the cobwebs, and get ready to race! Sunday April 11 is the date. Skippers meeting at 10; first gun at 11:30. Be There!
Albacore Mid-Winters!!
The Albacore Mid-winter Championship was held this past week, March 19-21, in Sarasota Florida. 19 boats came to compete, with 5 teams of our own to carry the banner for PRSA: Chris Gorton/Mathew Edwards, Khin Thein/Thant Thein, Mike Heinsdorf/Matt Rhodes, Peter Duncan/Stephen Duncan, Rolf Zeisler/Daphne Byron, and Barney Harris/Lee Mullins all made the trip. Barney was the overall winner of the event with 8 points in 8 races. There was one throwout. Chris Gorton was 4th, Khin Thein was 6th, Peter Duncan 8th, Mike Heinsdorf 11th, and Rolf came in 15th. Great job guys! And special congratulations to PRSA’s very own Champ – Barney Harris!! See all the scores after the break:
Video of the Week: Sailing Action From Greece
Yes, they do race Lightnings in Greece. Check out this Video from the land of Ouzo. Some good footage here. enjoy:
PRSA Committee Boat Clean-up, Saturday, April 10!
Assuming the weather will cooperate, we have scheduled a powerwash party for Saturday, April 10, to clean up the Bayliner before we splash her, and to clean the 16 and 19 skiffs while we are at it, all prior to the first Sunday Series race of 2010, on April 11. Please join us — wear old clothes and come prepared to scrub and polish!
“Rules Around the Race Course” seminar March 27 at Mount Vernon Yacht Club!
John McCarthy’s famous racing seminar is sponsored by DISC and MVYC. Details here. Reserve by March 20.