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.
2014 Fall Series 8 – Albacores
2014 Fall Series 8 – Catamarans
2014 Fall Series 8 – Lightnings
Final Fall Series 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.
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.
Scores are below
2014 Fall Series 3 – Albacores
2014 Fall Series 3 – Buccaneers
2014 Fall Series 3 – Catamarans
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 Spring Series has come to an end and the scores are posted below.
2014 Spring Series – Albacores
2014 Spring Series – Buccaneers
2014 Spring Series – Catamarans
2014 Spring Series – Lightnings
Today proved a little harder. The race committee was able to get off 2 races today. Temps were in the 80s with very fluky light breeze. Scores are posted to the Results page as well as below.
2014 Spring Regatta – Albacores
2014 Spring Regatta – Buccaneers
Today was quite a nice day on the Potomac River Gorge. Temps were in the upper 70s and the wind was mostly out of the North averaging around 10 with a range of 5 to the upper teens. We were able to get off 4 races. Scores are below.
2014 Spring Regatta – Lasers
2014 Spring Regatta – Day 1 – Albacores
2014 Spring Regatta – Day 1 – Buccaneers
Spring Series #5 brought us a tricky day on the river, but PRO Jeff Neurater and his crew still managed to get us 4 races in a spotty, shifty, WNW breeze. The day looked very promising at the outset. We had a nice northerly breeze of about 10 knots blowing as nine Lightnings, six Albacores, and a Hobie Cat headed out of the cove and up to the race course.
The RC started the first sequence right on time, only to have the wind cut out altogether with about 2 minutes to go in the sequence. The river was high and the tide was flowing out, so most boats drifted away from the starting line even as they tried to sail upwind. Another breeze line was visible up at the windward mark, though, and soon enough it filled in and we were off racing. The boats that were close to the line got the breeze first, go a big jump, and ended up with a huge lead for the entirety of the Olympic course.
That same pattern pretty much repeated over the next three races — another Olympic course, and then two shorter Triangle courses. Finding breeze was of the utmost importance, and this meant looking up towards the bridge to see where the next line was forming even as you were hunting for the patches of breeze that had made it to the racecourse. In general, the breeze would fill from the left side of the course…but that wasn’t a guarantee, and there were times when boats that went out to the right going upwind came out ahead, despite battling the current in the channel.
It was great to get out on the water, even if the conditions were tricky. After the racing we all gathered in the grill area to enjoy some great food, beverages, and the last bit of a fine sunny afternoon.
2014 Spring Series 5 – Albacores
2014 Spring Series 5 – Lightnings