Monday, July 25, 2011
Summer Series Wrap-Up
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.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
SSA Summer I
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
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
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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
LIGHTNING FRIGID DIGIT
October 16-17, 2010
Severn Sailing Association
Who's Coming
Please add your name if you're coming.
Regatta Documents:
NOR
Sailing Instructions
Contacts:
Regatta Chair: Joe Friebele, joe.friebele@verizon.net; 301-646-5335
Fleet Captain: Jamie Brickell, jamiebrickell@earthlink.net; (410) 489-2619
Housing: Joan Hurban, jghurban@gmail.com; 410-923-2497
Crew: Laura Johnson, lauraspeedy@hotmail.com; 240-994-7645
Tuesday, May 18, 2010


and
Severn Sailing Association
Documents:
Results
NOR
Sailing Instructions
ILCA Membership Registration
(Must be ILCA and US Sailing member for Pan Am trials qualification)
US Sailing Membership Registration
US Sailing Athlete Selection Procedure - 2011 Pan American Games
Who's Coming:
See Who's Coming/Add your name
Local Information:
Nautical Chart of Racing Area
Annapolis/Chesapeake Bay Weather Links
Directions to SSA
Food/Lunches in Eastport:
SSA Snack Bar (to Pre-order lunches 410-422-0039 or realfoodssa@gmail.com)
Royal Farms Eastport
Boatyard Bar & Grill (Take out market) (410-216-6206)
Cafe Gurus (410-295-0601)
Harbour Deli (410-263-5276)
Hotel/Housing Information:
Summary of ACCs Annapolis Hotel Information (pdf)
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Country Inn & Suites Annapolis. Click on the above pdf to see rates, amenities, and deadline.
List of B&Bs at VisitAnnapolis.org
Questions? Feel free to email Heather Dodd, heather@CapitalLogoInc.com
A limited amount of housing with local fleet members available on a first come-first served basis:
Contact Joan Hurban, jghurban@gmail.com
Gear/Parts:
Annapolis Performance Sailing
West Marine
Fawcett Boat Supplies
Contact Information:
Regatta Co-Chairs:
Jamie Brickell, jamiebrickell@earthlink.net
Jason Werner, jwerner@claimsbridge.com
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 15-16
Severn Sailing Association
Sailing Instructions
Who's Coming List (Add your name if not on the list)
Directions to SSA
Directions to Barbecue at Steve Constants' house
Entry Fee: CHEAP!! (like $25.00)
Includes 2 days of racing and RC, overnight boat storage, trophies for skippers and crew of top 4 boats, and a barbecue immediately after racing Saturday.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
2010 Fleet 329 Schedule
May 15-16: No Gas
June 19: Summer Series 1
July 10: Summer Series 2
July 31: Summer Series 3
Sept 18-19: Fall Series
Oct 16-17: Frigid Digit
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2009 ACC's - A different perspective
The racing Saturday was exciting with the wind and chop building from race to race. We were hampered by a series of bad starts (except for one that had a general recall). Getting off a line with 60 aggressive boats is something I didn't do well. As a result, after 3-4 minutes, we were at least 100 yards behind the first row of boats, and the distance increased throughout the race. We were clearly too light for the 18+ kts that we were sailing in, and although I remembered Larry MacDonald winning the FD with his two kids 2 years ago, I couldn't simultaneously get enough speed and keep the boat flat.
We got the only reasonable start of the regatta in the 3rd race on Saturday, but we hesitated on a jibe, I fell into the boat, and then the boat fell into the water. Had a dickens of a time righting it; came to find out that the tip of the mast was stuck in the mud. The water must not have been much more than 4'. Lost a lot of stuff, but none expensive. Had a great ride back to the dock and joined all the others who had capsized or broken their mast and retired.
Sunday was a tough day. The NOR said that the tow would begin at 8:30 with races at 10, but the SI's said races at 11. So, we got towed out, had to wait around, got towed out into Barnegat Bay, and finally started racing after being on the water for 4 hours. The wind was already howling and we slogged the 1-1/2 upwind legs and then planed literally the whole way back to the leeward mark. Batton did a great job of keeping us on a plane and the boat on its feet. Then disaster struck on the first upwind leg of the second race. We tacked to port, crossed one boat and tried to duck Nabeel and failed. Big holes in both our boats, but Muller has done a great job repairing them.
Barnegat Bay is a great place to sail, and the NA's should be a lot of fun. The sea breeze is strong, and there's tide to contend with, as well as cigarette boats going up and down the Bay at full throttle. Take a heavy crew!
Five Fleet 329 boats made the trip up I-95 for the annual Duck Challenge this past weekend. Jon, Jason W., Joan & Gary, Mark B. and I with our respective crews made for some serious fleet 329 competition. The Duck is always one of the most enjoyable events on the Dixie District circuit, not necessarily for dependable breeze but for their warm hospitality, easy access to the racecourse, always enjoyable cookout and party, and the barhopping. Everyone up at Harve DeGrace is so nice, we always have a great time and this year was no exception. 17 boats in all attended this years Duck Challenge.
Saturday’s light and variable breeze from the north made for some interesting racing. Shifts would appear and disappear with no discernable reason. You looked good one moment only to sail into the abyss and have the rest of the fleet sail around you the next moment. Fun stuff. Jason was fast from the start and paced everyone with two firsts in the first two races. Jon opened up with a 2nd & 4th while we struggled with a 7th and a 3rd. Races 3 & 4 we found our way to win both races. Jon would sail his drop race in race three with a second in race four. And sailing consistent was Joan & Gary who opened with a third and then had two fourths in race 3 & 4. Throw in Mark B. with a fifth in race two which was awesome in such tough conditions. OK, are you confused by all the numbers, I am. Jason led us by two points, with Jon 7 points back and Joan & Gary a few points behind Jon after Saturdays racing. Factor in a projected drop if we reach seven races and the scores were even tighter.
Saturday’s evening cookout as always was quite enjoyable. Normally you pick either a steak or salmon and you gather around the grill and cook it yourself. This year we had some nice volunteers who braved the wind and rain to cook for the competitors. Then it was off to the favorite local watering hole, McGregor’s, where one becomes part of a whole cast of characters.
Joan had plenty of energy to burn and hit the dance floor with Gary, not hubby Gary, but the ever-effervescent Gary Hofer. A sight to behold indeed, but luckily not on YouTube.
Sunday morning showed promise as the front had gone through and a nice northwesterly was blowing as we reached the club. But the promise would be fleeting, even though the first race of the day was held in a steady 8 knots of breeze. The remaining two races would be more of the patchy light stuff we had on Saturday. Jason struggled some on Sunday while Jon was hot out of the blocks and had two bullets in the first two races. Joan showed no ill effects from her dancing and opened with an 3rd & 2nd and we stayed close with an 2nd & 3rd. With a throw out going into race seven, Jon and I were tied. Race seven was as exciting as racing can be in two-four knots of breeze, we reached the weather mark ahead of Jon, Jon passed us downwind, we passed Jon upwind, and then were able to pass Pat Phelan with a hundred yards to the finish to win race seven and take a two point lead over Jon. With boats struggling to finish, the race committee decided to call it a day and a regatta. Final results were: 1st Steve 11 pts, 2nd Jon 13 pts, 3rd Jason 21 pts, 4th Joan 25 pts. Complete results can be found at:
http://www.lightningclass.org/fleet50/dixiedistrict/2009/DuckChallengeResults.htm
A special thanks to Pat Phelan and Tom Compton and everyone else up at Fleet 192 for putting on a good regatta. See you next year at the Duck.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ACC's - Tom's River, NJ
Sunday started out with a tow out to the mouth of the river to sail on the "inside" course, but after one abandoned start in a dying westerly, the RC smartly rounded everyone up and towed to the Bay. Again the sea breeze delivered it's punch, and we got off another 2 races in 15-20 knots with some higher puffs. De-powering (except in the big waves) was critical, keeping the boat on it's feet, and staying in control downwind while trying to surf on as many waves as possible to keep up with the really fast guys. They seemed to have an extra gear downwind in the waves. We managed to hover around the low teens in both races, (with some not-so-good starts), to finish up 11th overall (losing the 10th place tiebreaker to Bill Bogardus). Dave Starck and Allan battled it out in the last race, Allan having won race 4 and taking the overall lead, but Dave won the last race convincingly to take back the regatta. The ride in the from race course on Sunday was possibly more fun than the actual racing, as we were planing almost the whole time, first under spin, then just tight reaching with jib. For those thinking about NAs next summer, the exhilarating sail in each day may be enough reason to go! Other Fleet 329 boats that attended were Geoff Becker who finished 4th, Steve (who had a jib halyard breakdown in the last race), Jason Werner who had a sweet 4th in the last race, Joe Friebele, and Gary and Joan Hurban. And the District sent a total of 17 boats, probably the best represented District at the regatta! TRYC is a fantastic place to sail and runs a great show, and it's only 3 hours away. Hope to see some of you at the Duck Challenge next.
Here's a Link to Results
http://www.lightningclass.org/racing/results/2009/acc.asp