We sailed Summer Series 2 and 3 on Saturday and Sunday, July 23-24 in the midst of some of the highest heat indices that any of us could remember. When we arrived at the club on Saturday morning, the temperature was already well into the 90's, and there wasn't a breath of wind on the Bay. Ian Burman, the PRO, sent us off on a 2 hour postponement that allowed for some shopping, gathering at the Dockside, and generally trying to find places with AC. When we returned to SSA, there was a nice southerly building, and we sailed out for a 1300 start. We had 2 races with Joe Friebele continuing his winning ways from last Saturday in the first race and Craig Cobbum winning the second. It was good to see Jon Guth out for the day.
After the racing, we all went over to Steve and Dorothy Constants' for a barbeque and party. A lot of folks were swilling more water than other alcoholic refreshments, trying to re-hydrate their bodies. It was great to see the Constants and relax in their cool house after our being barbequed on the Bay.
Sunday greeted us with high temperatures again, but the wind was up, so we started on time at 1100. Dina Kowlayshyn, the PRO, rolled off 3 quick races so that we could get out of the heat as fast as possible. Friebele won the first 2 with Cobbum picking all the right wind lanes and winning the second. Chris Gildea came out for the day and finished 4-4-4.
After we got back to the dock and had the boats put away, a squall came through that registered 52 kts at the Annapolis Buoy near where we were sailing! We all enjoyed watching some of the big boats struggle in the mouth of the Severn from the shelter of the clubhouse much more than we would have enjoyed sailing when that blast came through.
The final results were: 1) Friebele, 2) Cobbum, and 3) Mark Whitson. Thanks to the Race Committees for their great work, to those who brought stuff to the party, and to all the sailors who turned out over the 3 days to make the regatta a success.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
SSA Summer I
The winds were cooperative and the temperature wasn't too hot for this one-day start to the Summer Series on Saturday, July 16. Things didn't look too promising on the way out to the race course, but after a 30 min postponement, racing got underway. We had a good turnout of 6 boats. Eric Hakanson and his crack crew came over from the Potomac, and Craig Cobbum with Leigh Cramer, an AU student, and her BF, put his new boat in the water for the first time. There was a slight delay while Craig ran to APS to get the two bolts that hold the mast in the mast step, which apparently didn't convey when he bought the boat. Russ Roberts with only Donya Shakiba aboard kept up with the pack, and the Kellys found some new spinnaker excitement.
The racing was good as the southerly picked up throughout the day. Joe Friebele walked away with 3 wins; Mark Whitson was second with 8 points and Craig had 9. Now it's on to Summer II and III this weekend, July 24, with a party after the racing on Saturday.
The racing was good as the southerly picked up throughout the day. Joe Friebele walked away with 3 wins; Mark Whitson was second with 8 points and Craig had 9. Now it's on to Summer II and III this weekend, July 24, with a party after the racing on Saturday.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2011 Dixie District Championship
This years Dixie District Championship was held by Fleet 192 and Havre de Grace YC in scenic Havre de Grace, MD on the confluence of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Despite the economic conditions and gas prices, 19 boats raced in mostly sunny and warm conditions over both days. A newly revitalized fleet 192 with fresh boats and blood was anxious to host a fun, competitive regatta.
The first days racing found good wind…until the boats approached the first mark and the wind diminished. Thereafter the boats struggled around the course that was shortened to three legs. For the remainder of the series save for one five leg-er we sailed 4 leg windward-leewards. Boats struggled on all sides of the course to grasp the brief winds and positions changed greatly. The Constants team was able to develop a big lead before the wind died and won handily.
With the wind having died, the RC brought the fleet to shore to await a hoped for later breeze. As often happens, further racing was canceled after a postponement only to later have a tantalizingly beautiful wind arise to cool off the party and dinner which was replete with radio controlled sailboats, the usual libations and an excellent creole dinner. For many the party continued with a haphazard red rover and flip cup game that demonstrated how silly we sailors can become off the water.
The next day the racing began earlier and took advantage of light but somewhat steady breezes out of the southeast. The RC boat was determined to use the allotted time to get competitors a complete day of racing and 5 races were enjoyed with 4 different competitors (Prior, Phelan, Werner x 2, Constants) winning races. In the last few races the points were tight between Constants and Werner for the perpetual trophy and Dixie Champion bragging rights, but Constants extinguished any hope by nailing his second bullet of the regatta. Kudos to the leaders insofar as their finishes didn’t reflect the struggles on the course as many races saw them struggle back from mid fleet.
Many thanks to the RC Pro Lynda Corrado and her crew for dealing with the challenging conditions (and providing some “flag” entertainment). Also to Havre de Grace YC and Tidewater Marina for supporting the local lightning fleet. We hope to see you all in August for the “Duck Challenge” Regatta.
Pat Phelan
This years Dixie District Championship was held by Fleet 192 and Havre de Grace YC in scenic Havre de Grace, MD on the confluence of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Despite the economic conditions and gas prices, 19 boats raced in mostly sunny and warm conditions over both days. A newly revitalized fleet 192 with fresh boats and blood was anxious to host a fun, competitive regatta.
The first days racing found good wind…until the boats approached the first mark and the wind diminished. Thereafter the boats struggled around the course that was shortened to three legs. For the remainder of the series save for one five leg-er we sailed 4 leg windward-leewards. Boats struggled on all sides of the course to grasp the brief winds and positions changed greatly. The Constants team was able to develop a big lead before the wind died and won handily.
With the wind having died, the RC brought the fleet to shore to await a hoped for later breeze. As often happens, further racing was canceled after a postponement only to later have a tantalizingly beautiful wind arise to cool off the party and dinner which was replete with radio controlled sailboats, the usual libations and an excellent creole dinner. For many the party continued with a haphazard red rover and flip cup game that demonstrated how silly we sailors can become off the water.
The next day the racing began earlier and took advantage of light but somewhat steady breezes out of the southeast. The RC boat was determined to use the allotted time to get competitors a complete day of racing and 5 races were enjoyed with 4 different competitors (Prior, Phelan, Werner x 2, Constants) winning races. In the last few races the points were tight between Constants and Werner for the perpetual trophy and Dixie Champion bragging rights, but Constants extinguished any hope by nailing his second bullet of the regatta. Kudos to the leaders insofar as their finishes didn’t reflect the struggles on the course as many races saw them struggle back from mid fleet.
Many thanks to the RC Pro Lynda Corrado and her crew for dealing with the challenging conditions (and providing some “flag” entertainment). Also to Havre de Grace YC and Tidewater Marina for supporting the local lightning fleet. We hope to see you all in August for the “Duck Challenge” Regatta.
Pat Phelan
Thursday, April 14, 2011
SSA Spring Series -April 9-10, 2011
It sure didn't feel like spring this past weekend, especially on Saturday. A chilly, dreary, no wind start to the season greeted us eager sailors. Allen T. joined us on Saturday thinking sailing would be better than doing his honey do list at home. That was debatable. Saturday's racing turned out to be a one leg drifter with only two boats finishing within the time limit. Talk about fun stuff. It was downright painful. But if nothing else we are a resourceful bunch and happy hour started early and extended late.
Sunday's racing was much better. O.K., it couldn't get any worse. Still chilly, but with a southerly breeze of about 6 knots teams were able to work out the cobwebs over four races. Teams Friebele, Hurban, Kelly, Brickell, Constants battled throughout the day and overall it was a good day out on the water.
Sunday's racing was much better. O.K., it couldn't get any worse. Still chilly, but with a southerly breeze of about 6 knots teams were able to work out the cobwebs over four races. Teams Friebele, Hurban, Kelly, Brickell, Constants battled throughout the day and overall it was a good day out on the water.
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