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:
Tag Archives: Sailing
PRSA Fall Series # 4 Sunday, Oct 11!
(This post is superseded by one posted October 7) Nabeel Alsalam is PRO, with RC provided by the Lightnings and others. Today’s long-range AccuWeather forecast for Sunday calls for times of clouds and sun, a high temperature of 67 degrees, and northeasterly winds at 8 MPH. Low tide will be at 9:14 AM and high tide at 2:32 PM. The river flow is below normal for this time of year, at 1770 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft) and the water is a seasonal 64 degrees. Round up crew, and come on down!
How to recover a Lightning from a Capsize!
Jeff Storck had the unfortunate experience on October 4 of catching a strong gust as he was tacking, with his centerboard temporarily on the river bottom, and quickly found his boat capsized and his crew in the water. He was asked how he recovered; his story is listed below, along with the subsequent comments that were exchanged in the email dialog.
One point not made in the dialog is that if there is ever any possibility of a capsize, you must put on your PFDs before you leave the dock, and keep them on until after your return. Also, pay attention to the water temperature and be aware of the effects of hypothermia and how quickly it can slow down your mental processes — which is why it is very important, when the water is 64 degrees, as it was yesterday, to have crash boats on the race course when capsizes are possible — to rescue CREW — not boats.
PRSA Fall Series # 3, Sunday, October 4!
(As of Monday, 10/5/09) Yates Dowell was PRO, with RC provided by the Cats. The brisk, refreshing days of October have arrived, promising dry sunny days and good winds. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for mostly sunny skies, winds from the NW at 8 – 14 MPH, and a high temperature of 74 degrees. The river flow was slightly below normal for this time of year, at 2,070 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft), and the water had cooled to 64 degrees. High tide was at 8:59 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. Gusts to 25 from 10 AM to 1 PM made for challenging conditions, causing multiple boats to capsize, and sending some competitors back to the dock early.
PRSA Fall Series # 3, Sunday October 4!
(This post is superseded by one added on October 1) Yates Dowell is PRO, with RC provided by the Cats. The brisk, refreshing days of October are around the corner, promising dry sunny days and good winds. Today’s AccuWeather long-range forecast (always subject to change) for Sunday calls for partly sunny skies, winds from the northwest at 10 MPH, and a high temperature of 73 degrees. The river flow is near normal for this time of year, at 1,850 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft). High tide will be at 8:59 AM and low tide at 3:23 PM. Round up crew, and come on down!
PRSA Fall Series # 2, Sunday September 27!
(Posted 9/28/09) David Thompson was PRO, with RC provided by Lightnings. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) called for cloudy skies in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, with a possible morning shower, and a high temperature of 76 degrees. Winds were forecasted to be from the west at 8 – 12 MPH, with higher gusts. Low tide was at 10:21 AM and high tide at 4:06 PM. The river flow was currently near normal for this time of year, at 2,120 CFS (gage height 2.9 ft) and the water temperature had cooled to 69 degrees. 10 Lightnings came out, along with 5 Albacores, on a mostly sunny day with westerly winds 6 – 10 MPH. RC set a triangular course with the windward mark near the airport’s radar tower (the one on stilts) and the leeward mark to the east, at the edge of the navigable channel, and started the first race promptly at 11:30. Winds did change direction and intensity over the course of the afternoon, fading to almost nothing at the end of the third race, before David decided to call it a day and head home. We had most boats put away by 4 PM when an intense, but short rain squall hit, soaking all those who were still securing their craft. Scores to be posted soon.
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!
PRSA Fall Series # 2, Sunday September 27!
THIS POST HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY ONE ON 9/27 ! David Thompson is PRO, with RC provided by Lightnings and others. Today’s AccuWeather long-range forecast (always subject to change) for Sunday calls for partly cloudy and breezy conditions with a possible morning shower, and a high temperature of 78 degrees. Winds are forecasted to be from the WSW at 15 MPH, with higher gusts. Low tide will be at 10:21 AM and high tide at 4:06 PM. The river flow is currently well below normal for this time of year, at 1,230 CFS (gage height 2.6 ft) and the water temperature has warmed back up to 77 degrees. Round up crew, and come on down!
Leukemia Cup Fundraising results!
by Loree Lipstein
September 16, 2009
September 16, 2009
Hello fabulous Leukemia Cup supporters!
First and foremost, a Big, HUGE, heartfelt THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for your contributions to this year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta. Whether you sailed, volunteered, fundraised, registered, race committee your participation and time played a part in a very successful and enjoyable weekend for all!
How about that wind?!! I am very happy to be able to continue providing that service for you all 🙂 Just keep up that great participation from year to year and it would be my pleasure to continue providing you conditions for great racing 😉 And what about our wonderful band the Cahoots?! Many asked me to pass on compliments to the band. Anyone who would like more details or to be in touch with them, their website is: www.cahootsrockandroll.com
3rd Annual Santa Sail
This in from Keith Strasser:
For the past three years a PRSA member, found a way to promote our sport and help others. attached here are the two flyers from this year and below is a cut out from the write up in the Baltimore Sun. Every event each year all sailors are invited. It started as a Hobie Cat ride but that is not set in stone. If you search our PRSA Yahoo Group message you can find the PDF on the 1st year and 2nd year just for reference.