Lightning Fleet 50 invites you to:

The Doc Gilbert Memorial Potomac Cup Regatta

May 3/4, 2008

Sponsored by

On the famous Potomac River, at Leesylvania State Park, just outside of Washington, DC where the Potomac is 3 miles wide!  Details below are subject to updates from late-breaking news -- stay tuned.

This is a family event, with lots of sights to see in nearby Washington, DC. Leesylvania State Park has tent camping, hiking trails, playground equipment, picnic facilities, showers, indoor restrooms, and sandy beaches for sunning.

Leesylvania State Park was the site for the Lightning North American Masters, Women and Juniors Regatta,  August  2007. 

2008 Results       Photos

SAILS FOR SUSTENANCE
This year, Fleet 50 is pleased to partner with the Sails for Sustenance Program (SFS) in Miami, Florida.  SFS is dedicated to recycling sails donated in the US by providing them to subsistence fishermen of Haiti.  More here.  Sails will be collected on Sunday, May 4 at the regatta.  Contact Laurie Duncan for more information.

NOTICE OF REGATTA

Title, Place, and Dates: The Doc Gilbert Memorial Potomac Cup Regatta, Leesylvania State Park, VA, May 3-4, 2008

Organizing Authority:  Washington DC Lightning Fleet 50, ILCA. 

Rules:  The regatta will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the United States Sailing Association and the Sailing Instructions (SIs) provided at the Regatta and the Class Rules.  All Lightning Class skippers are eligible.   

All RRS changes will be published in the SIs.  However, expected rules changes include: 

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RRS, Appendix A11 will be modified as follows:  Boats not able to finish in the finish time limit window for the last boat to finish or obviously not able to finish, but sill racing will be scored as TIE for that race.   
 

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RRS, Appendix A2 will be modified as follows:  There will be no throwouts, all races will be scored and no scores will be excluded. 
 

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All races will be run with a time limit for the first boat to finish and a time window for the last boat to finish.  Specific time limits will published in the Sailing Instructions.  At the conclusion of the finish time window for the last boat to finish, the “L” flag will be raised.   

Eligibility:  All Lightning Class skippers are eligible.

Registration:  8:30 - 11 AM Saturday, May 3, at the Regatta Registration Desk at Leesylvania State Park.  Completed Registration Forms may be mailed in advance, to arrive prior to the event, as indicated on the registration form (here).

First Warning for First Race: 12:00 Noon, Saturday, May 3


 Sailing Instructions: The sailing instructions will be distributed during registration.  Here is an advance copy (posted 5/1/2008)

Sailing Area: On the Potomac River between Freestone Point on the Virginia shore and Mattawoman Creek on the Maryland shore, directly east of Leesylvania State Park.

Course: The course for all races will be a Windward/Leeward course with an offset at the windward mark and gate at the leeward mark.  Length of course legs and number of legs will be determined on the days of the event consistent with weather conditions.  Five races are planned, however one race will constitute a regatta. 

Series & Scoring: Five races are planned; one race will constitute a series. Trophies will be awarded to the top 5 Lightning skippers and crew.

Fees:  $95 for Lightnings, includes dinner tickets for skippers and crew.  Additional dinners may be purchased for $10 each.

 

An Entry Form will be posted soon.  Fill it in in advance if you can, and bring it to the regatta; or mail it to the registrar, at the address listed on the bottom of the form. Each competitor must deliver a completed registration form to the registration desk prior to the close of registration.

Schedule
Saturday, May 3

Registration from 8:30 to 11:00 am.  Fruit, snacks, and water (but not full lunches) will be provided to take out on boats. The park operates a snack bar which will be open from 7 a.m. until dusk for coffee, drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and snack food.  Lunches can be pre-ordered from the snack bar by completing this form and submitting it to the marina store before 7 p.m. the day before the racing.

The park entry for one car is included in the regatta registration fee; each additional car is $5.00 on weekends, $4.00 weekdays, payable to the State Park. You may arrive Friday, setup your Lightning, and go sailing.  Or simply drop it off up until park closing at dusk. 

Skipper's meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday

Warning gun at 12:00 Noon Saturday, 3 planned races.

Following the races is Happy Hour with beer and chips, and a better than ever gourmet dinner in a covered picnic area.

Sunday, May 4

Warning gun at 10:00 a.m.; 2 planned races with beer, hot dogs, & trophies following.

Registration Form

Accommodations: On-site tent camping with nearby portable toilets and showers/flush toilets in the vicinity.  Off site RV hookups available at Prince William Forest Park (703) 221-2474 and at  Pohick Park-- (703) 339-6100.

Hotels This list of 25 hotel properties within 10 miles of the park will be helpful.

Camping

 Also, selected Fleet 50 members have cordially offered space and breakfast. We will provide assistance in locating lodging.  Contact Frank Gallagher (Fgallagher@geico.com), 703-560-6863-home, 703-599-0144-cell, 301-986-3217-work for information.

Need crew?  Crew need a ride? Contact Frank Gallagher (Fgallagher@geico.com), 703-560-6863-home, 703-599-0144-cell, 301-986-3217-work for assistance.

Directions to Leesylvania State Park  

Off of I-95 SOUTH, about 13 miles south of the beltway, look for signs for DALE CITY, exit number 156.  Go in the direction of VA-784 EAST or RIPPON LANDING/NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Follow the signs to Leesylvania State Park.  They are large and easy to follow.  (They will have you turn RIGHT on VA 638 which you follow for about 1.5 miles to Rt. 1, Jefferson Davis Highway; turn RIGHT and then make the first LEFT onto NEABSCO RD.)

Now go about 1.5 miles and turn right at the sign for the entrance road into Leesylvania State Park. 

Once in the park and after passing under the railroad bridge, look for the sailboat launch area (two cranes) north of (beyond) the park store and on the right.

Who's Coming: Please email me, Bob Wilbur (rwilbur@starpower.net) so that I can let everyone know you are coming or thinking of coming (or, regrettably, cannot come).

Who's Coming to the 2008 Regatta

Results from 2007- Lightnings   Photos 

2006 Flashes Story by Nabeel

2008 Promotional Flyer -- download here.

For Further Information Contact: Bob Wilbur (rwilbur@starpower.net) or David Thompson at DThomp01@aol.com or 703-620-6571 

 

                                                      

Last updated 3/27/08