There will be no on-shore 1000 skipper’s meeting for Spring Series #4 (Apr. 24) because the Race Committee will already be on the water running races for day 2 of the I-20 Cherry Blossom Regatta.
PRSA Spring Series racing will start as scheduled on the upper course with the first warning signal at 1125. Competitors should be sure to check in with the RC Signal Boat on the water prior to the first warning.
We had a great turnout for Spring Series #3. Unfortunately the weather was a bit less cooperative, providing us summer drifting conditions. A determined RC eventually got us off on a W2 race in a very light and patchy southerly after numerous attempts to find breeze and set a course. I know that at least a few boats were glad that we got that race though, as Sunday saw Lisa-Marie Lane earn her first ever bullet in the Lightning fleet. Staying patient, staying focused on the conditions, and being mindful of finding clear air appeared to be key for her & team As You Wish. Lisa-Marie was followed closely by Kristen Burke (skippering Progressive Plastics) in 2nd, and I’m told that this might mark the first time in Fleet 50 history that we had female skippers finish 1-2 in a PRSA series race. Congrats all around!
I was finally out for my first racing of the spring season aboard Lightning #14592 (sailing with regular crew Piercarlo and welcoming new/interested crew Claudio Purificato aboard) and we quickly relearned some of the cardinal lessons of light air sailing: find clear air (especially after the start), find the next patch of breeze, and mind the current. I was caught to windward of a pack of boats on the start, which was a mistake. Groups of boats go very slow together in light wind, and we saw that firsthand. We were too close to bear off and gain speed; tacking away killed the speed we had, so we were fighting back from the rear from the start.
Piercarlo and Claudio did a great job finding breeze and clear air up the first leg, though, so we were in the hunt at the top mark. The incoming tide was a big factor on the afternoon, and I saw numerous boats in different classes take themselves out of the race by cutting it too close to the windward mark. By the time you got clear and did circles you were at the back of the pack. We all did a good enough job with the current and we maximized our gains on the few easterly puffs that came through such that we were able to reel in many, but not all, of the 11 Lightnings on the course.
After the racing we all enjoyed a great BBQ around the grill. Keep reading for the scores and for some more details from the racing. Please feel free to offer up your own comments here or on the PRSA email listserv!
The PRSA Spring Racing Series started on April 3 and will run through June 12. Are you ready to race? Here are a few things to remember:
Racing each Sunday is followed by a BYO BBQ in the grill area. Don’t forget to bring some food and drink for you and your crew!
The day ended up being a great day of sailing. On shore we decided that we would have all boats start together as we had no more than 4 boats in any of the fleets. After a slow sail to the race course while the wind died before shifting to the south, we all got up to the course around 12:15. The Grahams and Griffins were able to set a course and get the first race off. The first race had the wind starting out of the southeast and swinging more south during the race. As the afternoon progressed, the wind continued to swing to the south. We ended up have different levels of breeze with it varying between 5 and 15 knots. Race committee was able to get off 4 races and I thoroughly enjoyed having everyone starting together as it allowed for a larger fleet to race against and added more competition,
After sailing, Melissa and Heather held the BBQ and everyone stuck around and had plenty of food, drink, and fun!
2016 Spring Series #1 – Albacores
2016 Spring Series #1 – Buccaneers
Both PRSA Spring Series #1 and the PRSA Spring Kickoff BBQ were cancelled due to cold temps, high winds, and very low water on April 3. We will hold the PRSA Spring Kickoff BBQ after Spring Series #2 on April 10. PRSA will be providing food and beverages, so come ready to race and come hungry for some great festivities after the racing!
The PRSA Spring Series starts with Spring Series #1 on April 3. Are you ready to go sailing? Here are a few things to remember as you get ready for the racing season:
Spring Series #1 will be followed by BBQ with all food and drink provided by PRSA, so make sure to bring your appetites for food as well as for racing on April 3!
We had a beautiful day on the river with a 10-12 kt. southerly blowing steadily all day long. Will Phillippe and his RC crew set a nice long racecourse and gave the various classes a mixture of “T” and “W” courses. The great breeze meant that we finished 4 races in no time and I think most sailors were happy to head to shore to relax, stretch out, and enjoy a beverage with some BBQ after a great (but exhausting) day of sailing.
2015 Spring Series 6 – Buccaneers
2015 Spring Series 6 – Lightnings
2015 Spring Series 6 – Multihulls
Although there was no wind when the sailors arrived at the marina, PRO Bob Astrove made the call to two boats up to the racecourse. It was a good decision, as a nice southerly filled in allowing the boats to get in three good races before sailing back to the marina and enjoying a nice BBQ under sunny skies. You can read the great writeup of the day’s action from Will Phillippe in the Lightning fleet on the Fleet 50 website.
Sunday turned out to be another predictable day sailing on the Potomac. You were completely assured that whatever breeze you were currently sailing in would quickly increase or decrease in velocity, or completely change direction. Once again, our PRO and RC for the weekend (Dan, Barney, Lee, and Jim) deserve praise for focusing on running races in the dynamic wind conditions.
