Tag Archives: Albacore Class

Fall Series #6 10/25/2009 Scores

Well it looked promising as we left the dock with northerly breezes in the low teens. By the time we got up to the race course however, it had started to fade. We sailed the first race in 6-8 with big shifts from right to left and back again. The race committee set up a nice long course, triangles for some and WL’s for others. The second race started in 1-4 and faded to near zero by the time I crossed the finish line. Very painful and frustrating race. Anyway, it was a beautiful day to be on the water, and the beers were cold so a good time was had on Ariel. In all 3 Cats, 4 Albacores and 6 Lightnings came out to play. Where is everybody?

 Scores are up after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #6 10/25/2009 Scores

PRSA Fall Series # 7, Sunday, November 1 — Last Sunday Series Race for 2009!

(As of October 27) Eric Johnson is PRO, with RC provided by the Albacores and others (Driver and Helper slots are still available).   You will get an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night, as we switch from Daylight Savings time back to Standard time, so you’ll be rested and ready to compete.   Today’s AccuWeather Long-range forecast (always subject to change)  for Sunday calls for a sunny day, a high of 64 degrees, and winds from the WNW at 10 MPH. High tide will be at 6:48 AM; low tide at 1:05 PM (and high again at 6:59 PM)  Sunset will be at 5:08 PM.  The river flow is currently well above normal for this time of year, at 5,930 CFS (gage height 3.5 ft), and should remain up through the weekend if we get the rains forecasted for today and tomorrow.  The water temperature is a seasonal 56 degrees. Round up crew and come on down!

PRSA Fall Series # 6, Sunday, October 25!

Eric Johnson was PRO, with RC provided by the Albacores and others.  The AccuWeather forecast  for Sunday called for mostly sunny skies, a high of 65 degrees, and northerly winds at 10 MPH.  The river flow was above normal,  at 5,360 CFS (gage height 3.4 ft).  The water temperature was a seasonal 58 degrees. Low tide was at 8:42 AM and high tide at 2:25 PM.  Winds were lighter than predicted, and it only made it to 61 degrees, but it was still an improvement over the previous weekend’s weather. The Marine Corps Marathon was Sunday morning, so there were street closures in downtown DC, and a view of the runners on the road in East Potomac Park during the first race.  Here is Eric’s report:  “It looked like it was going to be a great day was we were motoring up to the course, with a cool, steady 10-12kt northerly breeze, but the wind started to drop out right around 11:30.  We were seeing pretty dramatic changes in direction, oscillating from NE to NW on about a 10-minute cycle, as well as steadily decreasing wind speeds, so we called it a day after two races. We wound up towing several of the boats in, as the wind dropped to zero after (and during) the last race.  There were six Lightnings, three Cats, and four Albacores in attendance.”  Results to be posted soon.

(Updated) PRSA Fall Series # 6, Today, Sunday October 25!

(As of  Sunday,10/25) Eric Johnson is PRO, with RC provided by the Albacores and others (Helper slots are still available).  The weather will be much better than it was last weekend.  Today’s AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) .calls for mostly sunny skies, a high of 65 degrees, and . winds from the NNW at 12 – 8  MPH.  The river flow is  above normal, after yesterday’s rains, at 5,360 CFS (gage height 3.4  ft).  The water temperature is a seasonal 57 degrees.  Low tide will be at 8:42 AM and high tide at 2:25 PM.  Round up crew and come on down!  NOTE: The Marine Corps Marathon is on Sunday morning — look for street closures in downtown DC and plan your trip to the marina accordingly!

PRSA Fall Series # 5 – Sunday, October 18.

The RC (PRO Bill Kleysteuber; drivers Scott Snyder and Robert Bennett; and Helpers Jason Desjardins and Dan Miller)  nearly outnumbered the skippers at the Skippers Meeting (4 Lightning skippers and one Albacore skipper).   The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for cloudy and breezy conditions with rain possible, a high of 43 degrees, and northerly winds at 21 – 22 MPH, with higher gusts.  High tide was  at 8:51 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM.  The river flow was  above normal for this time of year, at 4,290 CFS (gage height 3.3 ft), and was headed higher.  The river temperature was on a downward trend, at 48 degrees.  The skippers voted to stay ashore, so there was no racing.  It turned out that actual winds were somewhat lighter than predicted, and the rain stopped by noon, making for some sailable conditions.

Continue reading PRSA Fall Series # 5 – Sunday, October 18.

UPDATED! PRSA Fall Series # 5, Sunday October 18!

(As of Sunday, 10/18) Bill Kleysteuber is PRO, with RC provided by Albacores.  Today’s AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change)  calls for mostly cloudy, breezy, and cold conditions with rain possible, a high of 43 degrees, and northerly winds 21 – 22 MPH, with higher gusts.  High tide will be at 8:51 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM.  The river flow is currently above normal for this time of year, at 4,290 CFS (gage height 3.1 ft), and is headed up.  The river temperature is on a downward trend, currently at 48  degrees.

Fall Series #4 10/11/2009 Scores – and Photos!

What a simply beautiful day on the river yesterday. 7 Lightnings and 8 Hobies came out to play (The Albacores were away at their National Championship) on a gorgeous fall day with temps near 70 and light breezes out of the North. Rick Welch dominated the Lightnings with 4 (count ’em) 4 bullets. Wow. On the Hobie side Bob Etheridge won the day. It was really nice to see such a great turnout from the Hobie class this week.  Photos by John Butler here (thanks, John!) Scores are after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #4 10/11/2009 Scores – and Photos!

Fall Series #3 10/04/2009 Scores

8 Lightnings and 8 Albacores came out to play on a beautiful gusty day. The RC set up a nice long 3 lap Olympic course with the windward mark all the way up by Roaches Run. Because the wind was out of the NW with frequent shifts west, the “Triangle” portion of the course was not much of an angle. It was more like a very long offset. At the start, winds were in the 10-15 range with gusts to 25. This faded as the day progressed, and actually got quite light by the time everyone came in. Rick Welch won the day for the Lightnings, while Barney Harris took top honors for the Albacores. Special thanks for Special Olympians Frank Altrichter, Rod Sellers, and Isaac Sellers for help on RC. Scores after the break:

Continue reading Fall Series #3 10/04/2009 Scores

Fall Series #2 09/27/2009 Scores

What a beautiful day it turned out to be last Sunday, although as my crew will tell you “I hate Westy’s!” 🙂  The RC set up a long (or maybe I should say wide) Triangle course that made it a real tactical choice for the Lightnings on whether to try and carry the kite on the very tight reach legs. It also made for some interesting reach-to-reach jibes at the jibe mark. As usual when we get a westy (Did I mention I hate Westy’s!) crew work was at a premium. Frank Gallagher was very consistant in winning the day for the Lightnings, while Steve Parsons took the honors for the Albacores. On a side note, it was great to see Khin & Thant on their beautiful new Albacore fresh in from England. Click the “Read More” to see the scores:

Continue reading Fall Series #2 09/27/2009 Scores

TEAM SPOT (BARNEY HARRIS AND DAVID BYRON) WINS 2009 CANADIAN NATIONALS COMPETING IN A FORTY FIVE ALBACORE FLEET!

Canadians report day 3

 Sailed out in drifting conditions with a light to no wind forecast – but at 1100 or so the breeze filled in from the east – the best wind so far this week end. probably 10-12 kts. after initially botching the line and first leg length the RC fortunately called a general recall, lenghtened the wwd leg (to greater than the start line length) and set a line that one could at least cross on both tacks. we nailed the pin end, with us at 20 sec 3 BL off the pin and right on the cut off. boats below could not lay the pin and those above were held stopped until we pulled the trigger at about 12 seconds. our bow was at the pin right as the horn blew, fully hiked and at full speed. we sailed for 100 feet, tacked and crossed the fleet, laying the first mark. break away bullet. boom shakalaka!