Potomac River Sailing Assocation’s Fleet 50
Dixie District
Sailing on the Potomac River
Alexandria, Virginia

Fleet Captain......................................... Nabeel Alsalam
Fleet Secretary............................................ Joe Warren
Fleet Champion..................................... Frank Gallagher
  Crew ......................................... Skip Hirsh, Lolita Hart
Runner-Up.............................................. Patrick McGee
  Crew.............. Jill Williamson, Ian MacLeod, Paul Maher

We had a terrific 2002 sailing season and we set several new records.  Thirty-six boats competed in the Doc Gilbert Potomac Cup (second highest ever).   A record 26 boats competed in the Leukemia/President’s Cup (also the largest fleet).  We had a record turnout in our Fall series (an average of 11 boats).   Rapid growth started in 2000 when we jumped from 12 to 18 active skippers.  Growth resumed this year with a net increase of 4 new skippers.  At the end of the sailing season 23 skippers/boat owners (including one who lives in Hampton, VA and another in Annapolis) had sailed at least one day on the river.  We again became the largest Lightning fleet within 200 miles. Two fleet members participated in the Annapolis to Bermuda race, and two skippers and crew taught a Tripp 26 skipper how to win the keelboat races.   We also had the first marriage of a skipper and crew. 

Six new skippers joined the fleet and two left.  New boat owner/skipper Laurie Duncan campaigned Wasabi (13306) almost every Sunday this fall with dedicated crew Cathy Bleakly.  Improvement was steady and on the last day she finished 6^th out of 10 boats.  She will be honored with the best rookie skipper award for 2002.   We were also delighted to see Eric Swanson back on the course after an absence of several years.  Bobby Astrove who sold 14019 several years ago to Frank was back with a restored woody, 7603 Pandora II.  His 6^th  place finish in the 26 boat President’s Cup regatta shows that with a good sailor at the helm of an old woody can be competitive.  Newcomer Rob Tompkins brought 10527 into the fleet and competed her for the first time on the last day of the season.  Jim Greenwell crewed for Nabeel and is anxious to join the racing next spring.   Peter McDonnell brought 14375 into our area, but with Ainsley being born into the family, he and Allison took the year off from racing.  Unfortunately, we lost good friend and former fleet captain Stuart White who sold 14479 because he and his family decided to try cruising on a C&C 35 on the Bay for a while.  We also lost a great advocate for sailing Ben Forman who sold 12018, Swill Dog, to a Susquehanna skipper because he moved back to Boston to go to graduate school.   However, we were delighted to see his regular crew, Thacher Tiffany, campaign Lord Jim, Doc Gilbert’s boat that is still with the Gilbert family.

DOC GILBERT POTOMAC CUP

Our major event of the year is the Potomac Cup, sailed from expansive Leesylvania State park about 20 miles south of our marina.  With pleasant weather 36 boats competed, the second highest number ever and 4 more than last year.  Fleet 50 accounted for 15 —about the same number as last year---so, we drew more out-of-towners.  Twenty-one boats came from fleets in 7 states.  Three boats came from the Solomon’s fleet (out of a total fleet size of 5), 3 came from Nyack and 3 from Riverton near Philadelphia.  Dick Hallagan, who regularly does the 8 plus hour drive from Rochester, NY to participate, again won the regatta – his name on the perpetual trophy dominates all others. Pierce Barden, who finished 2^nd, wrote a nice article for the August Flashes.  Of particular interest this year was the participation and finish of the “girl boat.”  Skipper Wendy Bisset, and crew Cathy Bleakly and Sousan Arafeh did well and won the mid-fleet award with a 16^th  .  Wendy had only crewed in a Lightning before taking on the role of skipper.  Special thanks also to Cathy Bleakly who organized the great meal---did I mention that we had filet mignon?  The word is getting around.  Congratulations to Rick Welch for such a great success in his inaugural year chairing the regatta.

FLEET CHAMPIONSHIP/PRSA SERIES

The championship series was comprised of 58 races on the river with the best 46 being scored.  This scoring system rewarded skippers who sailed often, which, of course, is what we want. The Potomac River Sailing Association (PRSA) Spring and Fall Sunday series consisted of 22 races each.  The remaining 14 races were from the Doc Gilbert Potomac Cup, the PRSA Spring Regatta, and the Leukemia & President’s Cup regatta.  In 2002, 23 Fleet 50 boats sailed at least one day on the river.   Racing was close well down into the standings.

The Fall series was particularly noteworthy. We enjoyed balmy weather with winds from 3-14 kts for 7 out of the 8 weeks--we were spared the three consecutive very windy Sundays endured last year.   Eighteen boats sailed at least one day, and we averaged 11 boats on the starting line.  On Sept. 29 we didn’t get enough wind to start a race--particularly unfortunate since 15 boats came out.  In 2001, the maximum number of boats was 12 with an average of 9 boats.   The moderate breezes made for very close racing.  On several days, 3-4 boats were trying to round the windward mark at the same time leading to colorful conversation.  Drew Hudson, who displays an uncanny ability to always sail in the right direction, won the Fall with crew Sousan Arafeh and Eric Ostenfeld.  Pat McGee sailing with Jill Williamson and Ian MacLeod, took second for both the Fall and the overall Championship Series.  Pat owes more than a debt of gratitude to Paul Maher who loaned Pat his mast after Pat’s mast was broken during a capsize at the Frigit Digit.  Jeff Storck sailing with Craig Huzway  were third, and Rick Welch sailing with regular crew/skipper Denise Maleug and “vagabond” crew Phil Rowan, were fourth.  For Rick and Jeff it came down to the last week.  Jeff was able to do well and throw out an earlier bad race, while Rick, on race committee, could only watch and helplessly take a larger average score.

Our annual Leukemia /President’s Cup, (the 9^th Leukemia and 68^th President’s Cup) has raised more money than any other Leukemia/Lymphoma society sponsored racing event around the country!  Overall, 95 one-design boats sailed in this event—the most in many years.  Thacher Tiffany was the PRO for the weekend.  He had to contend with an easterly (cross river) wind, 6 starts for each race (not counting general recalls), and inconsistent winds that wreaked havoc with the starting line.  PRSA awarded him and the Lightning Fleet with the coveted Fleet Captain’s award for outstanding race committee performance.  The largest fleet was the Lightning class with 26 boats, of which 10 boats were visitors.  Two years ago, only 16 boats participated, only 4 were from out of town.  River sailing might be less than ideal, but the other attractions and our hospitality are drawing lots of boats.  Our own Frank Gallagher won with the help of former fleet captain, Christy Dillard, who is back from Hawaii where her husband had been stationed.  Nabeel Alsalam’s third place finish was his best in a relatively large regatta.

Thacher Tiffany again made the Lightning fleet proud by winning the PRSA Helms regatta, an event that pits the best skippers from each of the one-design fleets against each other in three types of boats – Lasers, Albacores, and Lightnings this year.

TRAVELERS

The Dixie District offered a real treat to Lightning sailors with 10 invitational events in 2002.  The showcase event was the Atlantic Coast Championship sailed at Rehoboth Bay on July 27-28.  Of the 60 boats entered, Fleet 50 sent 8.  Many of the East Coast’s big guns were there tuning up for the North Americans.  Our guys got spanked—Frank Gallagher was the highest finisher at 39th place.  The Frigit Digit at Annapolis was another big event drawing top sailors.  Pleasant temperatures and moderate winds greeted the 45 boats; we sent a contingent of 5 boats, but again got spanked--Frank was the top finisher in 25^th place.  On the bright side he got a 6^th place in the last race.  A favorite among Fleet 50 skippers is Susquehanna’s Sweet Corn regatta.  David Thompson chose this regatta to be his first away regatta.  Unfortunately, he had to retire because of a serious leak near the centerboard pivot.  Twenty-eight boats registered but the winds on Saturday proved to be too light and elusive to race.  With somewhat better winds Sunday several boats left the dock.  Inspired by this, the race committee sprung into action.  Jeff Storck started at the unfavored end of the line in clear air to win the only race that counted and the regatta.  Pat McGee was 5^th and Joe Warren was 9^th.  The friendly Susquehanna sailors are exemplified by Charlie Noble who ferried Joe and John Hart to an auto dealer and put them up for the night after Joe’s car’s battery died from heat stroke.  Overall,13 fleet skippers traveled to one or more away regattas. 

For 2002, Fleet 50 instituted a new perpetual award, the Bloody Rudder, to recognize the skipper who sails the best 30 races in the invitational regattas of the Dixie District.  The award was built and donated by Jeff Storck using one of the two rudders he snapped in 2001.  Nabeel Alsalam sailed in 8 of the 10 events with Russ Roberts, Scott Bradford, and Phil Rowan and becomes the first winner of the new trophy. 

CRUISING

On June 23, 8 boats and 29 participants embarked on a downriver social cruise to Ft. Foote below the Wilson Bridge on the Maryland shore.  We were again blessed by nearly ideal winds of 7-9 knots.  On the way back the wind shifted to the southwest, which made for a long and fast spinnaker run all the way to marina.  Skipper Jim Krest brought wife Robin and neighborhood friends Oliver and Jeanne; they were so impressed with sailing with Jim and Robin they offered to crew in the Fall.  We didn’t have the elaborate desserts (we missed you Paul), but there was plenty of food with a shish-ke-bob barbecue.  Volleyball was the hit again this year.  Who won depended on whose side the PROS were on.  Gigi MacLaughlin--who has played volleyball in Brazil--and her friends were on the winning side the first three games.  The sides got more evenly balanced and in the sixth game, the score was 11-9.   The pros even offered instruction in serving.  Wait until next year!

Every Labor Day weekend for many years Jim Dillard has led two or three Lightnings in an exploration of some Virginia or Maryland waterway.  What a fantastic way to gain an appreciation for the water and wildlife of our region.  This year Nabeel Alsalam decided to join the tradition.  He and high school buddies, Chuck Epes and Tom Wilkinson, sailed from Reedville, VA to Tangier Island, about 14 miles out into middle of the Chesapeake Bay and the home of generations of crabbers.

Another first for the fleet (at least within the memory of current fleet members) was the marriage of Drew Hudson to his crew Sousan Arafeh.  Along with folks from Sousan’s office we had a special picnic and shower for them at the marina.  Another of our regular and high impact crew,  also got married, but to a diver, not a sailor.  We slipped up there.  We also welcomed home Emily Pavilon.  She is normally regular crew for Jeff, but was involved in a serious traffic accident while riding in an airport van out of state.  In typical Emily form she was completely upbeat despite all that she had been through.

Almost every active skipper was at the cookout after the last race day; we had food and cake and a Mexican piñata contest.   It was an afternoon to savor.  Thanks to “vagabond” crew Phil Rowan who wrote a very complimentary article about us, which was posted on our web page (www.lightningclass.net/fleet50).  And, thanks to David Thompson for his detailed write ups and pictures of Buying/Refurbishing an Old Boat and a do-it-yourself centerboard repair job, both posted on our web page.

And we are extending our tentacles, or rather, influence throughout PRSA our host club.  For 2003 Nabeel will be Commodore; Drew Hudson, Vice Commodore; Jeff Storck, Secretary; and Cathy Bleakly, Editor. 

AWARDS

The annual party is scheduled for February 8.   With victories in the Spring series, Spring regatta, Leukemia Cup and best fleet finisher in the Potomac Cup, Frank Gallagher, sailing with Skip Hirsh, and Lolita Hart won the fleet championship.  Runner up is Patrick McGee with Jill Williamson, Ian MacLeod, and Paul Maher. Third is the fleet traveler Nabeel Alsalam with Russell Roberts and Scott Bradford.  Fourth is Fall Series winner Drew Hudson with Sousan Arafeh and Eric Ostenfeld.  Fifth is Jeff Storck with Craig Huzway .  The most improved skipper award goes to Rick Welch, and best rookie skipper award goes to Laurie Duncan.  Nominations for the rookie crew award include Kris Swanson and Susan Buckley.  Among the nominees for the high impact crew awards go to Russ Roberts, Denise Maleug, Phil Rowan, and Don Shregardus.  Nominees for the Fleet Helper Award include Cathy Bleakly and Joe Warren.  The winners will be announced at the annual party.  The crews’ awards for Skipper of the Year, the Bungle Bucket, Miss Congeniality, and Miss Hospitality are still in deliberation and will also be announced at the party.

Nabeel Alsalam and Joe Warren

Left to right.  Kneeling: Phil Rowan, Lura and Nabeel Alsalam, Maryann Gallagher, Pat McGee, Cathy Bleakly (in front), C.J. Fisher, Ann Wilbur.  Standing: Paul Maher, Carl Muska, Jeff Storck, Rick Welch, Drew Hudson, Kris Swanson, Sousan Arafeh, Susan Buckley, Bob Wilbur, Laurie Duncan, Joe Grubbs, Craig Huzway, Rob Tompkins, Emilie Pavillon, and Frank Gallagher.

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Most improved skipper, Rick Welch (right), Denise Maleug, and Phil Rowan

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Éclair A Grande Vittesse (translation greased lightning) with skipper David Thompson and crew Joe Kimak and Barbara Thompson.

Thacher Tiffany (left) has mom and dad crewing for him on a light wind day.