PRSA Annual Meeting/Party on November 17. Awards were handed out for the top 4 finishers in the Spring and Fall Series.
Fleet 50 trip to the British Virgin Islands. Nabeel, Scott, Russ, Jeff, Sousan, Cathy F., Cathy B., and Doug sailed for 7 days around the BVIs. Here are some pictures.
PRSA Fall Series #8 Here are the results.
Borderline Regatta on was on Kerr Lake October 27 & 28. They had big winds and difficult launch conditions. Nevertheless, the RC got off two races on Saturday and another two on Sunday. Pat McGee finished 12th out of the 32 boats! Way to go, Pat. Drew Hudson finished third in the hull number handicapped finish order. He finished 15th overall. Drew really makes that old boat go fast. Generally, Fleet 50 did well. John Butler finished 13th and Jeff Storck finished 17th. Stuart White had a run in with a spike bar on Saturday night while trying to be a good citizen and destroyed 3 tires and so didn't sail on Sunday. Uuugh. More info.
PRSA Fall Series #7 was Sunday October 28. Thatcher Tiffany got 3 bullets! Nabeel, Scott, Russ, Cathy Bleakly, Doug Taphouse, and Susan Buckley ran race committee. Full results. Double click on the pictures below to see them big.
Frigit Digit Regatta at our sister fleet in Annapolis was on October 20 and 21. Nabeel, Frank, Ben, and Rick went. The competition was fierce with 3 North American champions there. We pretty much got our heads handed to us on a plate! But it was fun. The breezes were moderate with occasional light patches. The food and beer was plentiful. The people were friendly as usual. We've just got to get over there more often and learn to keep up.
Stuart White wins the Solomons Regatta! The White team of Stuart, Sondra, and Kelsey beat the Brickel team by 1 point to win the Solomons regatta on September 22 & 23. Way to go!
Three boats in our fleet are for sale. While it is sad to lose these skippers (one is moving to Boston and the other two could not find the time to sail), it is an opportunity for those who have been waiting for a reasonably priced boat they can sail competitively. Click here for more information.
Leukemia/President's
Cup
was held September
8
&
9
Twenty one boats participated. Here is the write-up
from the winner, Jon Guth, and here are the results.
The
official
NOR
is
here.
The
sailing
instructions
are
here.
Starting Practice on Sunday August 26 was a big success. Paul Maher led a "chalk talk" for an hour or so to discuss starting strategy topics including determining the favored end of the line, the favored side of the course, and more. He also discussed his desire to be better at sailing slow before the start--a very important skill. Then a group of six boats went out on the river and practiced different types of starts, judging when you hit the line, slowing and accelerating, and two short races. Afterwards, the participants had a great time talking about the day while sipping beer.
Atlantic Coast Championship July 28 and 29. Out on the end of Long Island at the South Hampton Yacht Club. Paul is going because he has family there. Rick may go also.
Part 2 of SSA Summer Series July 21 and 22. Four fleet 50 boats came: Nabeel, Ben Forman, Pat, and Joe Warren. On Saturday no sea breeze developed, but on Sunday a nice one came in around 11:30 or so. The race committee got off 4 quick races (twice around with downwind finishes). The wind was 8 to 10 with very lumpy seas. Nabeel got 6s & 7s but eeked out a 3rd place for the series. Pat traded 6s & 7s with Nabeel. Ben got a 4 in the first race and a 5 in the last but suffered two 9s. Joe also did particularly well in one race.
Part 1 of SSA Summer Series on Sunday July 1. Nabeel, Drew, and Ben Forman went. They had two long races in moderate SW breezes--230 backing to 250. Nabeel stayed to the left (along with Stuart Walker on Duente, his Soling) and got a 2nd and 3rd. Jon Guth had a 1-2 and Steve Constants a 3-1. Unfortunately, the PRO was worried about thunderstorms and called the racing at 2:00. The storms finally came around 5:30.
Lightning/PRSA Open House Wednesday June 27. Five or six folks came and took a ride. A couple of crew possibilities were developed. Thanks to Jeff for organizing this.
Excursion to Fort Foote on June 24. 8 boats and almost 28 people sailed south for 4 or 5 miles with a beautiful northerly breeze behind us. Once there, we anchored off of the sandy beach and enjoyed a picnic and volleyball game at the small national park that we had almost entirely to ourselves. Thanks to Joe for organizing this. Here is his report.
Dixie District Championship Regatta on June 16 and 17. It was a windy weekend! Twice-a-year sailor Dan Dressell won the regatta. It must be like riding a bicycle for him. Congratulations. Six Fleet 50 boats went: Stuart, John, Jeff, Rick/Paul, Ben Forman. and Joe Anderson. Here are the results. Here are pictures. More pictures at Spinsheet. Here is the report from Dan.
Helms Regatta Results. Congratulations to Drew Hudson who smoked the field to win the regatta. You make the Lighting fleet proud. Pat McGee tied for 2nd and Paul Maher was in the top half also. Here are the results. Thanks to Paul for organizing the Lightning & Laser participation.
Alexandria Waterfront Festival on June 8-10. Jeff organized a display of Stuart's Lightning and fleet members to staff this event. We picked up about 40 names of people interested in racing.
Frank Gallagher wins the PRSA Spring Regatta but newcomer Drew Hudson sails impressively to take second away from Nabeel Alsalam in a tiebreaker. Pat McGee was only two points behind. Through the last leg on the last race any result was possible. Jim & Robin Krest, Dave & Barbara Thompson, Murray Jones, and Susan Kaufman helped run a great race committee. Here are the results.
Dick Hallagan wins the 2001 Doc Gilbert Potomac Cup. 32 boats competed. Here are the results. Here is a perspective from the RC. Pictures and a report from Dick are coming soon. Stay tuned!
Fleet 50 is honored in Sailing World! See the Fleet Development column on page 14 of the May issue (Legend of Finisterre on cover)
**********************************************
FLEET
50 DISCOUNT AT NORTH U
Jeff Storck, Scott Bradford, and I have signed up to take the all day seminar
at North U on Performance Racing Trim.
Both Jeff and I have taken the course on Racing Tactics and feel it was
great. I’ve used the book and
CD in the “winter seminars” at my house.
Anyway, Jeff has negotiated a Fleet 50 discount so that anyone who
wants to go can get the crew price.
When you call, mention that you are from Lightning Fleet 50 and you
should get the crew price.
Performance
Racing Trim
Date: Saturday February 24
Time: 9:00 to 5:00
Place: Naval Academy
Instructors: Bill Gladstone, Peter Isler, and Betsy Allison
Fleet 50 price: $105 for seminar + book + lunch
(mention Lightning Fleet 50 when you call)
Phone: 800.347.2457
Check
out the website for more information: www.northu.com.
NEW
BOAT ON THE LINE
Murray Jones has put a deposit on Jon
Guth’s boat (13740) and he and his boys will be joining us on the river this
spring. It warms my heart like
hearing a bell ring and thinking that some angel has just got its wings.
ANNUAL
PARTY POT LUCK
Remember that the annual Fleet 50 party is
on Saturday February 10th starting at 6:30.
The fleet will be providing a spiral cut ham, wine, beer, and soft
drink. We ask each skipper/boat
to bring a dish to contribute, an appetizer, salad/vegetable, or dessert.
I’m
tempted to make you go to our website to get the directions because Cathy
Bleakly has done such a great job of bringing it into the 21st
century: www.lightningfleet50.org;
however, if you can’t here they are:
Where:
Stuart and Sondra White's
2615 S. Joyce St.
Arlington, Va.
703-836-4998
When:
Saturday, February 10th, 6:30 p.m.
Directions:
From
- Rt. 1 (Jefferson Davis Hwy) going South turn right onto 23rd St or left if
you are going North on Rt 1- Exxon gas station at intersection. Go up
hill - @ intersection near traffic light turn left onto Fort Scott Drive,
second right onto S. Joyce Street (2615).
From - going North 395 - Take Glebe East, past Giant Food next light turn left
onto Arlington Ridge Road, up hill right at light 23rd, next right Fort Scott
Drive, second right S Joyce Street (2615).
From
- going South 395 from GW Parkway, take Arlington Ridge Road exit, end of ramp
right onto Arlington Ridge Road, left at light on 23rd Street, right onto Fort
Scott Drive, second right S Joyce Street (2615).
Look for Lightning under blue cover at
end of street. You might have to park on Oakcrest if you are late.