FALL 2011 6 continents, 122 countries - the biggest adult and youth racing class in the world
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AILOR S GS
Official publication of the International Laser Class Association, North American Region
US Postal Service: Please return undeliverables to: ILCA-NA 2812 Canon Street San Diego, CA 92106 USA
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Please return undeliverables to: Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2
Editors
Sherri Campbell & Jerelyn Biehl ILCA-NA
Officers
Tracy Usher Chairman PO Box 370701 Montara, CA 94037 Phone: (650) 340-1129 usher@slac.stanford.edu Eric Faust Vice Chairman 821 East 53rd Street Austin, TX 78751 Phone: (512) 791-8218 ehfaust@gmail.com
Clay Johnson Treasurer 26 River Bend Dr. Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: 732-330-7281 clayton.e.johnson@gmail.com
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District Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Vintage Laser: 301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Getting a Kick - Caffeine & Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Laser Sailing in Uganda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 4.7 & World Masters NA Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-16
2012 Event Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Tips and Technique - Tricks for Your Tiller . . . . . . . . .20
Reaching: The Lost Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Laser World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .center Regatta Reports
North Americans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 No Coast Championships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
US O’Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Around Shelter Island Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
District Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Membership Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Lauralee Symes Secretary 6901 SE Oaks Park Way, Slip 27 Portland, OR 97202 Phone: (503) 274-2818 llsymes@comcast.net
Evan Lewis At Large 4 Nursewood Road Toronto, ON M4E 3R8 Canada Phone: 416-804-6048 Lewis_racing@hotmail.com
Sherri Campbell Executive Secretary 2812 Canon Street San Diego, CA 92106 Phone: (619) 222-0252 Fax: (619) 222-0528 sherri@odmsail.com
www.Laser.org
FALL 2011 6 continents, 122 countries - the biggest adult and youth racing class in the world
Cover: Mike Kalin took this spectacular shot of sailors training beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. 5
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Hawaii
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District 1
Danielle Dube, 8 Sunnydale Dr, Glen Haven, NS B3Z 2T8 902-823-2802, danielle_dube947@hotmail.com
4 21
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20 16
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District 2 District 3
Jon Deutsch 3422 Blithewood Dr., Richmond, VA 23225 804-305-1244, jon@laserdistrict11.org http://www.laserdistrict11.org
District 4
Christian Koppernaes weebee@hargray.com Wrightsville Beach, NC www.d12.laserforum.org
District 5
Antolin Rivera, PO Box 26674 Tampa, FL 33623 813-837-3013, shipajoy@yahoo.com www.laser.org/m/_general/d13.asp
Philippe Dormoy, 385 Place Desmarest, Ile Bizard, Quebec, H9C 2G8 514-620-8124 Philippe_dormoy@steris.com Robert Koci, 804 Sammon Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 2E8 416-442-5600 x 3203 rkoci@canadiancontractor.ca D3 website: www.d3laser.com Brigitte Smutny, Sail Manitoba; 409-145 Pacific Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6 204-925-5647 sailing@sportmanitoba.ca www.sailmanitoba.com Mark Lammens 510 Cynthia St. Saskatoon, SK S7K 7K7 306-975-0833. sasksail@shaw.ca www.sasksail.com
District 6
Andy Hunt, 111-2260 W 8th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6K 2A7 604-733-9663. Hotline: 206-525-5788. athunt@vcn.bc.ca www.cycseattle.org/slf
District 7
Kim Ferguson, 12 Florida Ave. Jamestown, RI 02835 Laserd7@gmail.com
District 8
Ted Cremer, 7 Maple Street Blue Point, NY 11715. 631-363-8830, tcremer@optonline.net www.laserd8.tripod.com
District 9
Chas Williamson, 9 Lagrand Court Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-0630. cw26@cornell.edu
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District 12 District 13 District 14
Cal Herman, 7038 Catina St New Orleans, LA 70124, 504-282-1770 callender.herman@wachoviasec.com James Freedman, 8324 Horse Whisperer Ln. Ft. Worth, TX 76131 james.freedman@aa.com; 214-864-6024 www.cerebus.winsite.com/Laser/districts/d15/
District 16
Tim Fitzgerald, 2322 Bromfield Circle Wichita, KS, 67226, 316-650-3636 timfitz@cox.net
District 17
John E. Coolidge, Jr., 1113 Hanover St, Chattanooga, TN 37405, 423-309-1926 JC@Chattprint.com
District 18
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District 11
District 15
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District 10
Eric Reitinger 7908 Normandy Dr. Mt Laurel, NJ 08054 er4599@gmail.com http://d10.laserforum.org
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13 District 19
Ken Swetka 27022 Koerber St., St. Claire Shores, MI 48081 248-635-5363 www.d29laser.org
District 20
Steve Dolan 21140 Chancery Ct. Brookfield, WI 53045 262-506-8879. dolan@mcw.edu http://d20.laserforum.org/
District 21
Kurt Holtze, 710 Summer St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 621-281-1447 kurt@kurtphoto.com d21@laserforum.org
District 22
Mike Gilbert, 1620 Gerald Ave. Missoula, MT 59801 406-327-7855, mike@gilbertarch.com
District 23
Nick Ondrejka PO Box 981897, Park City, UT 84098 nick@ondrejka.com, 415-748-6893 www.usdiscovery.com/laser
District 24
David Lapier 408-525-6396, dlapier@cisco.com www.technicalwizardry.com/d24laser/d24
District 25
Jorge Suarez, 7 Covina Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803 562-260-8116. jorgesuarez0@yahoo.com groups.yahoo.com/group/nalaserdistrict25
District 26
Guy Fleming, 44-392 Olina St. #6 Kaneohe, HI 96744-2617 808-955-4405. guynsyd@hawaii.rr.com
John Shockey 614-256-2254 johnrshockey@gmail.com
FALL 2011
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Vintage Laser 101 I was recently leafing through the Winter 2010 edition of “The Laser Sailor” when I came across your item calling out to all owners of vintage Lasers. Well I’ve got one. Its number is #301. I’m not the original owner of it, I’m the 3rd owner. I do have some background on its history. When I purchased the boat in the 90s, it came with its original Elvström sails. The number #301 was on the sails, and also imprinted into the hull of the boat at the front of the boat (under the bow-line) rather than the back of the boat. I’m still actively sailing the boat, though these days I use a radial sail, and I’ve made some updates to the rigging system. See attached picture from last weekend. I still use the original wooden centre board, tiller and rudder. I’d say the original boats were very well made, and the original boat builder made use of some standard house-hold items in its construction. The floation in my boat …appears to just be pieces of foam, wrapped up in garbage bags. Also, I found a 2” piece of everyday green garden hose installed under the plastic brake/guard at the bottom of the slot where you insert the centre board. Best Wishes. Janet Foster Laser # 301 Lac Deschenes Sailing Club www.ldsc.ca
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FALL 2011
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Getting a Kick – The Effect of Caffeine and Exercise EVAN LEWIS MSC. CSCS, CK
Caffeine is consumed by millions of people around the world on a daily basis as part of different cultural practices. Caffeine is naturally found in plant seeds and leafs, most notably coffee bean and tea leaves. Over the past decade, caffeine has become incorporated into sports nutrition products such as carbohydrate gels and carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks because of its effect as a stimulant. As a result, this article was written to help increase awareness and education on the effects of caffeine consumption and exercise (not the use of heavily caffeinated drinks energy drinks).
Timing of Ingestion
Once consumed, caffeine is rapidly absorbed and acts to stimulate the central nervous system by causing the release of adrenaline, which can lead to feelings of increased energy, reduced fatigue and heightened mental alertness.These psychological effects typically occur within 15-30 minutes and last for approximately three hours, although differences in body size and tolerance are known to causes individual differences.
Metabolic Effects
Early research into the effects of caffeine on muscle metabolism during exercise suggested it can cause muscle to use less carbohydrate during exercise and increase fat metabolism, which could enhance endurance (1). To further test this concept, muscle metabolism during cycling was examined in subjects who were given 9mg/kg of caffeine or a placebo on two separate days and asked to cycle to exhaustion (2). Results showed caffeine caused reduced muscle glycogen (stored carbohydrates) use during the first 15 minutes of exercise.This glycogen sparing effect increased participant’s time to exhaustion; however, an increase in fat metabolism was not observed. As a byproduct of this research, it has been determined when caffeine is consumed before exercise, fat metabolism is increased (3). To determine the level of caffeine consumption that would provide the greatest effect on performance, trained runners were given 3, 6 and 9mg/kg of caffeine before running to exhaustion at 85% maximal oxygen consumption.The low dose of caffeine did not increase circulating levels of adrenaline while both the moderate and high doses did, and only the high does increased fat metabolism (4). Further
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research in running, cycling and rowing has determined the minimum caffeine intake to improve endurance and time to exhaustion performance is 2mg/kg while consuming 39mg/kg provides a more consistent increase in endurance performance.
Caffeine and Hydration
A frequently suggested adverse effect of using caffeine is diuresis, where your body increases urine output to reduce hydration. When a matched amount of caffeine in capsules and coffee were compared to water for their effect on hydration, no changes in urine output, sweat rate, plasma volume or blood electrolytes were observed (5), which suggests caffeine does not cause dehydration after consumption.
Differences Between Caffeine Sources
There is a small body of research suggesting the source of caffeine may cause different responses within the body.When the effect of isolated caffeine was compared to coffee and decaffeinated coffee with added caffeine, individuals who consumed isolated caffeine increased endurance measured from exercise time to exhaustion (5). Furthermore, coffee did not cause the same increase in adrenaline as caffeine.This reduced effect of coffee compared to caffeine may result from the numerous other compounds contained within coffee that could interact with the caffeine. When the method of caffeine delivery was examined in capsules, carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks and gels, no difference in exercise performance or metabolism was observed. However, to maximize performance over a day of racing any caffeine consumed should be accompanied with carbohydrates to maintain energy levels.
found to increases the ability to work at a higher intensity before reaching exhaustion (5). Additionally, the metabolic effect of caffeine, which can spare small amounts of muscle glycogen at the beginning of exercise, could reduce the amount of muscle glycogen stores that must be replenished during recovery. Over a multi-day regatta, this could influence performance, but results would vary between athletes. Please send questions and comment to sailstronger@evanlewis.ca. Evan completed his MSc in Exercise Science at the University of Toronto and is a founder of the L2M Performance Group Inc. For more information and training tips visit www.evanlewis.ca. 1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
Essig, D., Costill, D., and Van Handel, P. J. (1980) International Journal of Sports Medicine 1, 8690. Spriet, L. L., McLean, D. A., Dyck, D. J., Hultman, E., Cederblad, G., and Graham,T. E. (1992) American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology Metabolism 262, E891-E98. Graham,T. E., Helge, J.W., MacLean, D., Kiens, B., and Richter, E. A. (2000) Journal of Physiology 529, 837-47. Graham,T. E., and Spriet, L. (1995) Journal of Applied Physiology 78, 867-74. Graham,T. E. (2001) Sports Medicine 31, 785-801.
Caffeine and Sailing
Most of the research that has examined the effects of caffeine on exercise performance has used exercise bouts between 3090 minutes, which it’s the length of most Laser races.While much of the research examining the effects of caffeine demonstrate an increase in total exercise time, sailboat races are won by whoever finishes first.That being said, caffeine has also been
FALL 2011
Fall 2011:Spring 05
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Pre-Midwinters East Regatta High High Performance Performance Clinic Clinic
Photo: courtesy of www.timwilkes.com Photo: courtesy of www.timwilkes.com
Clearwater use) Clearwater Yacht Yacht Club Club 18-20 18-20 February February 2012 2012 (exclusive (exclusive use)
COACHES COACHES
Brendan Casey Brendan Casey
AUS Sailing Team Member, Two-time Radial World Champion, Mid Winter East Champion, AUS Sailing Team Member, Two-time Radial World Champion, Mid Winter East Champion, Australian & North American Laser Champion Australian & North American Laser Champion Ryan Eric Minth Two-time Radial World Champion Coach, US Developmental Coach of the Year, Two-time ILCA-NA Ryan Eric Minth Two-time Radial World Champion Coach, US Developmental Coach of the Year, Two-time ILCA-NA Grand Prix Radial Champion, Mid Winters East Champion. Grand Prix Radial Champion, Mid Winters East Champion.
Pre-Midwinters East Regatta High High Performance Performance Radial Radial Clinic Clinic
Cost Cost $600 $600
10% of proceeds will be donated to local sailing-based charity OLIVIA LIVES whose purpose is to provide more “fun, care free days” for young children and 10% of proceeds will be donated to local sailing-based charity OLIVIA LIVES whose purpose is to provide more “fun, care free days” for young children and teens affected with cancer. Learn all about Olivia’s life, her passion for sailing, and the organization continuing on in her memory at OliviaLives.com. teens affected with cancer. Learn all about Olivia’s life, her passion for sailing, and the organization continuing on in her memory at OliviaLives.com.
Sailor/Coach Ratio: Clinic size is strictly limited to twelve or less Radial sailors to achieve 3:1 to 6:1 ratio. Sailor/Coach Ratio: Clinic size is strictly limited to twelve or less Radial sailors to achieve 3:1 to 6:1 ratio.
• Prepare for the MWE Regatta with two former MWE Champions • Prepare for the MWE Regatta with two former MWE Champions • Achieve top speed with highly personalized coaching and observation • Achieve top speed with highly personalized coaching and observation • Sharpen race decision making with drills designed for a tight group • Sharpen race decision making with drills designed for a tight group
• Gain the champion’s perspective on the event’s local conditions • Gain the champion’s perspective on the event’s local conditions • Hone your boat handling skills with the latest tips of the top sailors • Hone your boat handling skills with the latest tips of the top sailors • 1 to 1 consultation opportunity available at sailor discretion • 1 to 1 consultation opportunity available at sailor discretion
Should weather conditions allow on day two or three, our intent is to take this select group of sailors Should weather conditions allow on day two or three, our intent is to take this select group of sailors on an eight-plus mile downwind speed development run. on an eight-plus mile downwind speed development run. • Full Application and Registration Information contact: ryan@c-vane.com • Full Application and Registration Information contact: ryan@c-vane.com • On-site Pro Shop and Charter availability by KO Sailing. Contact jamie@kolius-sailing.com. • On-site Pro Shop and Charter availability by KO Sailing. Contact jamie@kolius-sailing.com. • Availability remains for Mid Winters Regatta Coaching • Availability remains for Mid Winters Regatta Coaching • Availability remains for Mid Winters East & West Regatta Coaching • Availability remains for Mid Winters East & West Regatta Coaching
Available A vailable Dates for the 2012 Season ar are e Already Already Limited. Limited. Available A vailable Dates for the 2012 Season ar are e Already Already Limited. Limited. Contact ryan@c-vane e.com or Call +1 (212) 292-SAIL 292-S SAIL today! ryan@c-vane.com Contact ryan@c-vane e.com or Call +1 (212) 292-SAIL 292-S SAIL today! ryan@c-vane.com
Laser Sailing in Uganda JIM SUNSTRUM DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
In June while on a medical assignment in Uganda, I was able to race a Laser on Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa (only Lake Superior is bigger in the world). The story actually began in 2009 when I first worked in Uganda on a project teaching African doctors modern care of HIV patients. The USA provides HIV medications to several countries in Africa, and also sends physicians like myself to provide training. . I told myself that the next time in Uganda, I’d find the local sailing club. This time I asked around, and a co-worker put me in touch with Steve Reynolds, an American scientist stationed in the capital of Kampala for the past several years. Steve is active at the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, which is located about an hour away from the city. On a hot Sunday (temperatures always 8590 F year round), Steve drove me out to the Club. Some of the outskirts of Kampala are pretty dusty with tin-roof shops, and at one intersection all traffic patiently waited for an unattended cow to wander through. The landscape became much more forested, and suddenly we arrived at the beautiful, undeveloped shore of Lake
Victoria. The Club has been there since the 1930’s, and sits up on a bluff. The Club recently repainted their old stucco buildings, and has a nice commanding view. Since we were on the Equator, I was very careful to wear long sleeve SPF shirt, and lots of sunscreen. The club races Lasers every Sunday, and I rented one for 50,000 Uganda shillings (~$25.00). And the boat comes fully rigged, with staff to help launch. That Sunday was breezy, with whitecaps and a 1-2 foot chop. We raced 2 long races, and I did OK with the club boat. There were a few boats capsizing, but I was able to remain upright. We came in for a nice lunch brought in by Steve, and I got to meet many of the locals. They have a strong registered Laser fleet, and several of the members had participated in the World Masters in England last year. Regionally they enter East African regattas in Tanzania and Kenya, and 1 member recently travelled down to Mozambique. The Club has a nice web site www.sailuganda.com. Check out their web site, and especially look for the “Training Manual and Training Presentation”. These have some of the best quality graphic instructional materials for a
Laser I’ve seen. I believe these have been done by Reint Bakema, who is their Webmaster and Bosun. Lake Victoria carries a parasite in snails called schistosomiasis (or locally as bilharzia). It was a bit of a moment of truth to put my feet in the water, even if for only a few minutes. But the club members were pretty reasonable about this, since once a year they take a tablet of medication to treat any possible infection. We returned to the water for 1 more long race, and I was pretty worn out by then with the waves, warm water and intense Equatorial sun. Next to the Club property, one could see a local farmer leading his herd of cattle into the lake for a drink. Fishing boats were being paddled out for a day of fishing, a big source of food and income in Uganda. Overall I managed 3rd place overall out of about 10 Lasers, probably due to adrenaline. The group came back for beers and stories. They were selling polo shirts from their Regatta earlier this year, and I snapped one up. The Uganda Laser Open this March had 23 entries, and was won by a sailor from Dar es Salaam,Tanzania.
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ILCA-NA had loads of sailors at the 4.7 Wor out n I found ited whe c x e o s d irls an ! I was for the g e for me ir e racing xperienc th e d c a one a fa ti h s ry y e ta e v as a fan t that th to give e a w s s re l d rt g fu rl s ta o ti a s ernoon s a beau ete. It w The 4.7 W g and aft ds. It wa to comp in in d e w rn fi o r s li m a te a een rs. It w y or ligh that I qu g off betw tch sailo ling heav say switchin st top-no r at hand in e a tt g e a trying to b the boys g as racin you were they were w t I a r h e t f my a w o th a e th e h n e shot w d no id ark. O ould tell at the m le who ha in and I c p m o il o y e a n s p ro o t d s to m e venue or I ne g again ing cere be racin ood race the open g to r e g e s b n a ft , ti it a s o r r h the intere ies w the dinne ater whe nt countr actually ol with on the w ny differe a tta was a m g to them o to scho o g re s e e m w o th f le fr o p o s le e p rt pa n the p s well eet peo favorite urance a ith us tha ble to m st of end e were a ommon w w te c e e in s wards m u a e a re e c o tr be s had m ht. At th as an ex e ig w m a k ti tr e e s e iend m s w o r 6 day entire ebook fr sailors, s raced fo ived fac g for the e e c in w c re a d I n R , a s . d y days ende etime every da regatta as are 2-3 ough som d after the st regatt e even th o s th u n m a o doing an e c m c e re b a in a l s t ally coo hat they for abou w re l d e il n is e a w s it y I ; n y pefull petitors ceremo m able to le who ho the com uage, I a p g o m n e o p la fr f t o n ts fere t a lot reques ! is in a dif e and me g careers re page great tim a our sailin d a in h their enti I r , te ll la ra e s v a O tt em. l rega talk to th rnationa other inte t a in a g see a
ackey Sarah M
Sophie Naught At the on 4.7 W
orld Ch San Fr ampion ancisc ship in o, I lea about s rned a ailing in lot a comp interna etitive tional f le et. The was ve startin ry aggr g essive boats. with so The sail m a ny ors fro world m m arou ade it a nd the u nique e that I r xperie eally e nce njoyed becaus , espec e thank ia ll y s to the mittee race c we wer ome able many g t o sail so reat ra ces. I lo to cont ok forw inuing ard t o sail at hopefu this lev lly at t e l, h e world onship champ in Arge intina n ext yea r.
Lola Bushnell
Hannah Hughes
In July, I competed in the Laser 4.7 World Championships in my hometown, San Francisco. For two weeks prior to the regatta, the local team and I practiced with Coach Andy Casey. Everyone made huge improvements and felt ready to do well, but no one was expecting how serious the Europeans are about the 4.7 fleet. I was really nervous since this was my first international regatta. I did terribly on the first race but then found my groove and got a fifth. I was in 8th after two days, but each day got harder and I wasn’t prepared for the stress. In addition, I had been practicing for the heavy wind we get in San Francisco in the summer, but it didn’t hold up. By the end of the regatta I had dropped to 18th. Although I was disappointed, I was still happy to be the top North American girl. I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world, and being exposed to such a high level of competition. Next summer, I hope to sail in the Laser Radial Youth Worlds in
What an opportunity for me to participate in the 4.7 Worlds. I’ve never experienced extreme currents like in San Francisco. Of course that also affected the international sailors as well. It was interesting to see the different techniques from rigging to racing. Starting lines were very aggressive. When you throw in a current, the difficulty increases drastically. I plan to practice in my 4.7, go to Orange Bowl, and prepare for the 2012 4.7 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Australia. Iím going to work hard to be really prepared for my next world championship!
Graham Harney CAN 199991 I knew it st Worldís and This was my fir Canadian good! When my was going to be the plane I looked out of teammates and the whole San window and saw d in white below us covere Francisco Bay rd five tell we had a ha caps we could starts e ahead of us. Th days of racing t also my challenging bu were the most n you picof the day. Whe favourite part art line ats all on one st ture 60 or so bo ebb and over by a 3knot getting pushed n tell s of wind, you ca at least 20knot tle too to be edged a lit how easy it was made g . The black fla far into the open nt the ances which mea frequent appear y the a tough job to sa committee had e week tir en od wind the least. We had go as w an cis Yacht Club and the St Fran friends ade lots of new ideal venue. I m again at ards to seeing which I look forw . future regattas
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Brendan Shanahan This sum m
er I had th e opportu sail at 4.7 nity to Worlds in S an Franc was my f isco. It irst time sailing in Francisc San o Bay and hopefully my last. it won’t b The cond e itions we lenging. J r e very chalust when I thought out they w I figured ould chan it ge. What was great abo ut this ev the Inter ent was national c o m petition. US it’s ha In the rd to get large com 4.7 fleets petitive , so racin g with 60 great. Th b oats was e sailors were fro Australia m E urope, and New Zealand; remembe some of r each oth us er from o days. It w ur Opti as great to race a such tale gainst nted sailo rs. St. Fran cis Yacht Club was to all of u so nice s. They w o r ked hard make us to feel welc omed. I le regatta le ft the arning a lo t that wil me as I tr l help ansition to the radia l.
could see the La eight countries boat with the ot quick practice s from the high tw Golden Gate; co ing. The first day aged better tha ebb current. The in the afternoon strong flood and south shore for viewing deck of tern of heavy to On shore the chore, as over a The excited jost the Europeans f the world; some great to talk wit one spoke Engli I eventually e I expected to be ward mark roun This was a once at Worlds, and s
Haley Kardek
When I arrived at the Saint Francis Yacht Club on Tuesday what to expect. I knew that it was an international regatta sailors in the world and by that meant it was going to be co was right, it was hard, but I ended up taking away from it a tially thought. The first day was full of glances out of the corner of you were arriving, guessing games with the few people you did guy or girl over there was from, and a couple of shy smiles your way to grab a spare part. The second or third day tho hear laughter and small bursts of conversation coming fro we all got changed for a day in the San Francisco Bay, and al letters clustered together as we waited for the next sta By the end of the regatta I could safely say that my phone’ include my newly made sailing friends from around the wo Sailing in an international fleet not only had its benefits more diverse and challenging group of sailors to sail again also opened up many opportunities to make friends with p world that you could be sailing with the rest of your life. L glad I am to have sailed Worlds and met all the people I did shores of Tasmania to the not so far away state of Texas, next international regatta comes I hope to be there sailing FALL 2011 opportunity. that I now have met thanks to this wonderful
rlds--here ís what they had to say.... Maeve White
Jonathan Cannard
Laser 4.7 Youth Worlds all started with an extensive application process. And if filling out an application and sending it to the International Laser Class wasnít nerve racking enough, then began the waiting period. There were a few months of waiting and hoping, checking the Worlds website everyday, until the invitation email finally came. A few short months later, after many days of Gorge practice sails, I was walking through the front doors of the St. Francis Yacht Club on the San Francisco city front. Looking out at the grassy field outside, I asers of one-hundred and ten boys and fifty girls from twenty who would be competing along side me. Later I launched my ther members of the Northwest team and we sailed out for a sail on the brutally windy San Francisco Bay. Winds ranged wenty-knot range near Alcatraz to the low teens under the onditions I would have to cope with for the next six days of rac-
of racing was tough as I adjusted to the conditions, but I manan many in the strong winds and large waves created by the e next day the boys sailed in the morning while the girls raced n, and conditions changed drastically. The current was a d the wind was painfully light, forcing the fleet towards the current relief, sometimes racing only a few meters from the f the yacht club. The next four days of racing followed this pato light wind, testing everyoneís abilities. challenges didnít end. Launching our boats was always a a hundred boys swarmed the single launching dock in a rush. tling and purposeful jamming of dolly wheels in order to keep from taking our places in line let me meet sailors from around ething I have never experienced in my regatta history. It was th people who shared my passion for sailing and almost everyish, making it easy to talk with people from anywhere. ended up forty-second out of fifty-six in my fleet, about where e. My best finish was seventeenth after a second place windnding, a much higher single race finish than I ever expected. e in a lifetime experience, being able to represent my country something to be cherished forever.
Jack Toland
After competin g at the recent Championship Laser 4.7 Wor I came away w ld San Francisco Bay was a ith many sign internationals ificant lesson competition. s on great venue for the 2011 4.7 The biggest ch during a world ange that occu championship rs World Championship, not only is the commun starts and mar ication. Durin k roundings it g because of the cosmopolitan is much harder competitors to tell if othe understand th r atmosphere of the Bay City e racing rules do. Often you in the same w ha ve ay you to give a little but because of the Bay’s more then in national compe regional and titions to prev diverse and challenging sailent being pinw into a tight la heeled or jam ne du rin med g roundings. Be ing conditions. St Francis ing my third La was also an ex se tr r em ev el en y Yacht Club hosted a 4.7 t it big learning cu rve on the freq control change uency of s and boat se fleet of 51 sailors in the tu p fo r heavy air. Curr going into mor ently I am e competitive girl's fleet and 112 sailors in 29er racing an upcoming mon d my plans fo ths include tr r the the boy's fleet ---all from aveling to Vict Dinghy Champi oria, BC for th onship and Lo e Fall over different 20 counng Beach, CA regatta. Afte for the Turkey r that we are Da y tries. The international planning on at in Florida. tending Orange Bowl girls generally had several years of experience in the 4.7 and were highly talented and competitive. In fact, as a 5 year Opti sailor and 2 year 420 sailor but fairly new to lasers---I felt a bit intimidated by the fleet at first. However, I welcomed the challenge, and the camaraderie among the US sailors and the girls fleet as a whole set Corinthian environment. I was impressed with the strong Norwegian team, and found it interesting that the Norwegian philosophy is to groom 4.7 talent directly from Optis, and to stay in the 4.7 fleet for an extended time, before moving on to laser radials. Their national team has sailed all over the world before competing in San Francisco. Aside from the impressive sailors from overseas, the strong San Francisco tides greatly affected strategy , and further made this a challenging event.
Overall, this was a particularly memorable regatta for me. I learned a great deal on sailing a 4.7 in large waves and how to manage with a strong flooding and ebbing current. Beyond the benefits and lessons learned on my personal sailing skills, I observed that international sailors are generally much more aggressive with their body movements,
such as working their body to torque the boat over Jack M waves, and strong hiking. Competing in this event arshal l not only improved my skills but also inspired me to The 4.7 Wor ld s turne great d o r ut to b take on other challenges in the laser class. Going egatta ea and a g ence. r e a T t expe he rac forward I would love to sail on the international riing wa tive, w s very ith sail compe level again to help improve my sailing ability and of ors fro tithe w m vario us par learn from other countries sailing styles and tac- the R orld dropping t s down f adial, o rom r comin tics. tries w g fro
ith str m cou ong 4.7 nfinishe fleets s were . The v e r y tight the bo ys flee and on t was s ce and sil plit int ver, th y July 26th, I had no idea o gold e f ir s g t and la old fle Sailing in the 4.7 Worlds at St. Francis Yacht Club was an incredible experience of a lifetime. In et wer st boa a with all the best 4.7 laser e finis t in matte addition to meeting the people on Team USA, I also met many sailors from other countries. One hing w r of min ompetitive; and in the end I ithin a utes, m exiting night, our small team of 8 sailors invited the entire Norwegian team to join us for a home-cooked aking f racing a lot more than I had inior very . The c pasta dinner. At this dinner, all the sailors sat on a rooftop deck. We were able to discuss our cul- chall onditio enging ns wer both p tures and talk about sailing in fjords in Norway. At the time of the dinner, the tragedy in Norway me e hysica ntally, lly and with li ur eyes at the people who was only 3 days old. The Norwegian sailors and their families really appreciated our gesture of ghter w mornin inds in g build d know about where that reaching out to them in the spirit of good will. I discovered that Norwegian teenagers have pretthe ing up winds to stro typica ty much the same interests as American teenagers. Also, I met a sailor from India, named nger s as you passed by them on l o f S the aft an Fra Rufus, and we talked about his sailing experience in Bombay. Meeting sailors from other counernoon ncisco ough, you could start to s, and in strong of cou tries reminds me that sailing is a shared human experience that transcends geography, policurren rse, om the girl’s bathroom as t t h r r oughou egatta tics, age, and language. . StFY t the d see jumbles of our nationC was place The sailing was very competitive and I was able to improve my starts, upwind tactics, and a phen t o sail ou omena arting sequence to begin. t of, an downwind sailing throughout the event. I experienced the ripping ebb and flood of San l tors co d any s uld sta pecta’s contact list had grown to n Francisco Bay and learned how to deal with 5 knots of current pushing boats over the line. I the d out o club an n the p d be rig orch o orld. went into the event thinking that I would easily be able to place in the top 20 of the fleet f course ht next . to the It given that all of my training has been in a Laser Radial and this was a 4.7 event. That notion was re on the water as you got a ally ne into th at to w e yach was quickly dismissed when I discovered that other countries had sent their 160-170lb t club nst and learn from, but it alk racing after a sailors to this event. Being heavier was a tremendous advantage. I modified my goal to and se day a people from all over the e t h e whole strive to make the Gold Fleet division of the championship series after 3 days of qualify- starting on girls f ly abou Looking back, I realize how leet t 200 y ing races. I missed that goal by 3 places. In the end, I finished 2nd in the Silver Fleet divi- Persona a ll rds aw y , I was a d, from the Southern ay. with m sion. I learned about the benefit of setting high goals but also how to re-set new benchbit dis y resu appoin lts, bu and I know that when the t e marks as situations change. I am thankful to have had this experience early in my sailing a wh d t the reg ole wa atta as s a hug g against all my friends career and I hope that everyone has a chance to sail in San Francisco Bay at least once e succ ess. www.Laser.orgin their life.
William Livernois
North North American American Masters Masters Rock Rock in i Standard Standard Apprentice Apprentice Ben Ben Richardson-USA Richardson-USA 1st 1st Kevin Kevin Taugher-USA Taugher-USA 3rd 3rd Standard Standard Master Master Scott Scott Ferguson Ferguson -USA -USA 3rd 3rd Grand Grand Master Master Standard Standard Peter Peter Vessella-USA Vessella-USA 2nd 2nd
Radial Radial Master Master AlAl Clark-CAN Clark-CAN 1st 1st Radial Radial Grand Grand Master Master Bill Bill Symes-USA Symes-USA 1st 1st Bruce Bruce Martinson-USA Martinson-USA 2nd 2nd Radial Radial Great Great Grand Grand Master Master Peter Peter Seidenberg-USA Seidenberg-USA 2nd 2nd
Ben BenRichardson Richardson MyMy fleet fleet sailed sailed inin the the ebb ebb throughout throughout the the event event except except for for the the last last couple couple ofof races races inin the the flood flood and and it it was was amazing amazing how how disorientdisorienting ing that that switch switch was. was. We We tended tended toto start start earlier earlier inin the the day day soso overall overall only only raced raced inin about about 12-20 12-20 knots. knots. I worked I worked pretprettyty hard hard toto prepare prepare after after spreading spreading myself myself too too thin thin across across too too many many other other classes classes inin 2010 2010 (my (my first first year year ofof eligibility) eligibility) and and finishing finishing 5th. 5th.I also I also kind kind ofof blew blew the the Slalom Slalom aa few few days days before before the the Worlds, Worlds, soso that that got got me me even even more more motivated motivated toto win. win.The The first first half half ofof the the regatta regatta went went realreallyly well well asas I was I was aa little little bitbit faster faster upwind upwind and and aa lotlot faster faster downwind downwind than than my my main main competicompetitors. tors.I guess I guess I was I was aa bitbit too too excited excited the the first first race race after after the the lay lay day day and and Orlando Orlando and and I hit I hit atat the the last last markmarkinstead instead ofof settling settling for for aa 2nd, 2nd, oror protesting protesting (which (which I probably I probably would would have have won) won) I I did did aa 720 720 and and aa capsize capsize and and came came inin 6th. 6th.I didI didn'tn't have have quite quite the the same same speed speed edge edge inin the the secsecond ond half, half, even even though though it it was was windier, windier, but but setsettled tled down down and and got got through. through.It It was was aa bitbit anticlianticlimactic mactic toto win win with with aa race race toto gogo (one (one less less point point after after ten ten races races and and I would I would have have won won with with two two toto go), go), but but once once people people started started congratulating congratulating me me it it started started toto sink sink in.in.I love I love the the Master's Master's scene scene asas everyone everyone isis just just really really nice nice and and there there toto have have aa great great timetimeit's it's pretty pretty refreshing! refreshing!
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Peter PeterVessella Vessella Immediately Immediately after after the the conclusion conclusion ofof the the 2010 2010 Master Master Worlds Worlds inin England, England, my my anticipation anticipation grew grew for for the the 2011 2011 worlds worlds inin San San Francisco, Francisco, especially especially since since they they would would bebe held held atat my my club club and and onon my my home home court. court. NoNo traveling, traveling, nono hotels, hotels, and and best best ofof all, all, my my wife’s wife’s home home cooking cooking every every night. night. Finishing Finishing 2nd 2nd last last year year motivated motivated me me toto preprepare pare myself myself physically physically for for the the usual usual windy windy SFSF conditions conditions and and hopefully hopefully win. win. Last Last year’s year’s winner, winner, Wolfgang Wolfgang Gerz, Gerz, from from Germay Germay was was entered entered and and certainly certainly would would bebe aa factor, factor, especially especially since since hehe showed showed upup three three weeks weeks early early toto practice. practice. But, But, asas usual, usual, inin aa world world caliber caliber event, event, there there always always seems seems toto bebe other, other, really really fast fast sailors sailors that that you you have have never never raced raced against against before. before. And And this this year year that that was was Colin Colin Dibb Dibb from from Australia. Australia. Although Although it it was was close close throughout throughout the the regatta, regatta, hishis super super fast fast downwind downwind and and reaching reaching speed speed proved proved toto bebe unbeatable unbeatable atat the the end. end. HeHe isis aa great great sailor sailor and and gentlemen. gentlemen. SFSF lived lived upup toto it’s it’s billing; billing; windy, windy, cold, cold, lots lots ofof current. current. And And StSt Francis Francis put put onon aa great great show. show. AA truly truly memorable memorable worlds. worlds. I’m I’m still still aa bitbit sore, sore, but but looking looking forward forward toto Brisbane. Brisbane.
Bill BillSymes Symes
Nobody Nobody was was more more surprise surpris Worlds than m Worlds than me. me. InIn this, this, my the worlds, I figured the the worlds, I figured the pr main goal was see old main goal was toto see old fr take full advantage StF take full advantage ofof St. did!). Success the race did!). Success onon the race ant, bonus. ant, bonus.
bette retrospect, I was InIn retrospect, I was better diet regime, I did rem oror diet regime, I did remem ters world champion Mar ters world champion Mark much you can and line much asas you can and line u Masters Worlds, I logg toto Masters Worlds, I logge two weeks very fast two weeks byby aa very fast g Ville Roberts Australia, f Australia, Ville Roberts fro Masters). Standard We g Standard Masters). We got
FALL FALL 2011 2011
in n San San Francisco Francisco Master Master Worlds Worlds AlAlClark Clark
Photo:l-r: Photo:l-r: Scott Scott Leith Leith (NZL), (NZL), Al Al Clark Clark (CAN), (CAN), I arrived I arrived toto San San Fran Fran early early onon July July Colin Colin Dibb Dibb (AUS), (AUS), Diane Diane 24th 24th toto coach coach the the 4.7 4.7 worlds worlds , so , so I I Sissingh Sissingh (AUS), (AUS), Ben Ben had had a 10 a 10 day day stretch stretch toto watch watch the the Richardson Richardson (USA), (USA), sailors sailors and and observe observe the the local local condicondiLesley Lesley Reichenfeld Reichenfeld tions. tions. ByBy the the time time the the regatta regatta got got (USA), (USA), Anould Anould Hummel Hummel underway underway I felt I felt quite quite relaxed relaxed and and (NED), (NED), Buff Buff Wendt Wendt comfortable comfortable with with the the strategies strategies (USA), (USA), Keith Keith Wilkins Wilkins for for the the different differentcurrent current possibilipossibili(GBR) (GBR) Bill Bill Symes Symes (USA). (USA). Photo Photo courtesy courtesy ties. ties. We We were were the the 2pm 2pm start start each each day day (often (often later) later)soso it it ofof LauraLee LauraLee Symes. Symes. was was predicted predicted wewe would would have have the the strongest strongest breeze breeze (we (we
ed sed atat my my performance performance atat 2011 2011 Laser Laser Masters Masters thth my year Grand Master and 8th trip y 1010 year asas aa Grand Master and 8th trip toto prospects for podium finish were slim. Our rospects for aa podium finish were slim. Our friends, enjoy the San Francisco ambiance, and riends, enjoy the San Francisco ambiance, and t. Francis YC’s legendary hospitality (which we Francis YC’s legendary hospitality (which we e course was unexpected, though very pleascourse was anan unexpected, though very pleas-
prepared than I thought. Though I failed utterly any kind fitness rer prepared than I thought. Though I failed utterly atat any kind ofof fitness member good piece advice I got few years ago from multiple masmber a a good piece ofof advice I got aa few years ago from multiple masBethwaite: spend the last few weeks before the regatta sailing krk Bethwaite: spend the last few weeks before the regatta sailing asas e against the fastest guys you can find. the two months leading upup against the fastest guys you can find. InIn the two months leading upup ged days the Gorge and was very fortunate joined the last ed 2020 days inin the Gorge and was very fortunate toto bebe joined the last sailors, including Mark and Luke Parker t group master from group ofof master sailors, including Mark and Luke Parker from from Florida and Otto Strandvig from Denmark (who finished 5th om Florida and Otto Strandvig from Denmark (who finished 5th inin got some coaching assistance from Steve Bourdow and Sean Kelly, t some coaching assistance from Steve Bourdow and Sean Kelly, aa couple Laser geniuses. the time I got San couple ofof Laser geniuses. ByBy the time I got toto San Francisco, I was pretty comfortable sailing next fast Francisco, I was pretty comfortable sailing next toto fast guys big wind and big waves, especially downwind.The The guys inin big wind and big waves, especially downwind. switch radial was last minute decision. I weighed the switch toto radial was aa last minute decision. I weighed the pros (not having suffer through six days the Bay pros (not having toto suffer through six days onon the Bay inin aa full rig, parking area closer the showers and bar) against full rig, parking area closer toto the showers and bar) against the cons (I’ve never sailed radial before) and decided the cons (I’ve never sailed aa radial before) and decided toto take chance. The radial GM fleet was small, just boats, take aa chance. The radial GM fleet was small, just 2424 boats, but featured some quality competitors the top, including but featured some quality competitors atat the top, including four-time world champion Peter Heywood, Bay area Laser four-time world champion Peter Heywood, Bay area Laser legend Chris Boome, perennial podium finisher Bruce legend Chris Boome, perennial podium finisher Bruce Martinson, and my old friend and rival from the full rigs, Martinson, and my old friend and rival from the full rigs, Rob Lowndes. I really think any one them could have won Rob Lowndes. I really think any one ofof them could have won this regatta had the shifts broken little differently. this regatta had the shifts broken aa little differently. Thankfully, for once my life they didn’t. Thankfully, for once inin my life they didn’t. Read Read Peter Peter Seidenberg’s Seidenberg’s story story onon page page 18.18.
did). did). I had I had elected elected a few a few days days prior prior toto the the first first day day toto sail sail the the Radial Radial rigrig and and was was happy happy with with the the choice choice asas my my 175 175 lbslbs was was quite quite appropriate appropriate for for the the 20+ 20+ kts kts wewe saw saw each each race. race. The The first first few few days days wewe saw saw flood flood tides tides and and lots lots ofof tacking tacking upup the the beach beach , our , our starts starts were were well well down down from from the the club club soso often often wewe made made our our first first tack tack in in the the entrance entrance toto the the harbor. harbor. It It allall added added upup toto multiple multiple tacks tacks toto get get out out ofof the the tide tide and and the the rich rich getting getting richer richer each each race. race. I had I had aggressive aggressive starts starts the the first first 4 races 4 races (I was (I was OCS OCS in in race race 2 )2 and ) and I figured I figured that that was was critical critical toto getting getting toto the the wall wall in in good good shape. shape. The The 3rd 3rd day day wewe saw saw the the ebb ebb tide tide onon the the outside outside and and flood flood onon the the inside inside soso the the placement placement ofof the the windward windward mark mark was was pivotal pivotal in in the the strategy strategy for for the the weather weather legs legs , the , the outside outside paid paid the the first first race race and and the the inside inside the the 2nd 2nd , I ,had I had my my poorest poorest day day with with 2 fourths 2 fourths and and was was keen keen toto get get toto the the front front the the next next race race day. day. We We had had a lay a lay day day onon the the 4th 4th day day and and were were back back atat it it onon the the 5th 5th day day for for race race 6 and 6 and 7 .7I .felt I felt this this was was the the key key day day and and figfigured ured I needed I needed toto push push hard hard throughout throughout the the day. day.We We were were into into a full a full ebb ebb , few , few tacks tacks and and lots lots ofof drag drag racing racing out out toto the the left. left. I had I had a tough a tough race race with with the the Australian Australian (who (who had had won won race race 5 and 5 and 6 )6and ) and hehe prevailed prevailed with with me me in in 2nd, 2nd, I won I won the the second second race race ofof the the day, day, soso I was I was happy happy toto bebe back back onon track. track. The The 5th 5th day day ofof racing racing was was similar similar toto the the 4th 4th and and I had I had some some good good battles battles with with the the Brazilians Brazilians and and a few a few Kiwi’s Kiwi’s , I, I ended ended the the day day with with a 1,2 a 1,2 and and I had I had a3 a point 3 point lead lead going going into into the the final final day day over over the the Brazilian. Brazilian. OnOn the the final final day day I had I had toto keep keep a keen a keen eye eye onon Carlos Carlos the the Brazilian. Brazilian. We We had had plenty plenty ofof breeze breeze and and pin pin end end bias bias starts starts soso it it was was tricky tricky toto get get off off the the line line allall day. day. I had I had a decent a decent start start a few a few boats boats upup from from the the pin pin and and was was able able toto tack tack and and head head out out into into the the good good ebb ebb tide, tide, I won I won that that race race and and had had mathematically mathematically won won the the event event , but , but toto bebe sure sure I sailed I sailed the the final final race race and and had had a blast a blast sailing sailing in in the the windiest windiest breeze breeze ofof the the regatta..I regatta..I finished finished 4th 4th and and was was very very satisfied satisfied with with my my performance. performance. Another Another very very enjoyable enjoyable Masters Masters Worlds Worlds hosthosteded byby a fantastic a fantastic YCYC in in one one ofof the the best best venues venues for for sailing sailing in in the the world. world.
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North NorthAmerican AmericanMasters MastersRock.. Rock.. cont’d cont’ Peter Peter Seidenberg Seidenberg I knewI it knew would it would be a windy be a windy regatta regatta and that andphysical that physical fitnessfitness would would be of prime be of prime importance. importance. I also knew I also knew that, at that, ebbat tide, ebbwe tide, would we would spend spend more time moresailing time sailing on theon runthe than runusual, than usual, and superior and superior downwind downwind speed speed would would mean big mean gains big and gains myand only myhope onlyto hope beattomy beat my heavier, heavier, long-time long-time rival, and rival, 12-time and 12-time Masters Masters World World champion, champion, Keith Wilkins, Keith Wilkins, GBR. So, GBR. I worked So, I worked on my on my conditioning conditioning in the gym, in theon gym, my on bicycle, my bicycle, and onand theon the water.water. Starting Starting in January, in January, I sailedI sailed in seven in seven regattas regattas and went andto went twoto one-week two one-week heavy-air heavy-air training training ses- sessions in sions Ari Barshi’s in Ari Barshi’s sailingsailing centercenter in Cabarete, in Cabarete, DR. DR. One ofOne the of regattas the regattas I sailedI sailed in and in attached and attached great great importance importance to wasto the was annual the annual Elvström Elvström regatta regatta at at the Stthe Francis St Francis Yacht Yacht Club inClub April, in on April, theon same the same coursecourse and the and same, the same, newly-devised, newly-devised, coursecourse configuconfiguration ration as wasas used waslater usedin later the World in the World championship. championship. The regatta The regatta went very wentwell veryfor well mefor – Ime won– the I won Radial the Radial division. division.
I am now I amlooking now looking forward forward to nexttoyear’s next year’s Masters Masters WorldsWorlds in in th and Brisbane, Brisbane, the 30the 30th myand 29th my , determined 29th, determined to taketothe take event the event seriously seriously right from rightthe from start. the start. This and This alland theall conditioning the conditioning I had done I hadmade done me made feel meready feel ready and and confident confident at the at start theof start the of Masters the Masters WorldsWorlds – overconfident, – overconfident, as it as it Photo Photo above:above: ActionAction at the at World the World Masters Masters by Chris by Ray. Chris Ray. turnedturned out. Winning out. Winning the Elvström the Elvström regatta regatta quite handily quite handily made me made me think Ithink couldI deal couldwith dealthe with “crazy” the “crazy” tidal currents tidal currents in a rather in a rather nonchanonchalant way. lantWhat way. IWhat didn’tI didn’t realizerealize in Aprilinand, Aprilagain, and, again, well into well the into the Masters Masters WorldsWorlds was that wasthe that ebb the current ebb current this spring this spring and summer and summer was stronger was stronger and ran and longer ran longer than indicated than indicated on theon tide thetables, tide tables, causedcaused by a larger by a larger than usual than run-off usual run-off from the from mountains the mountains due todue to recordrecord snow falls snowlast falls winter. last winter. SailingSailing further further out in the out bay in the tobay taketo take Dolly accessories Dolly accessories designeddesigned and manufactured and manufactured by PeterbySeidenberg, Peter Seidenberg, advantage advantage of the of extended the extended ebb flow ebbwas flow the was way the toway go 90% to goof90% the of the inventor inventor of the Seitech of the Seitech dolly. dolly. time, even time,long evenafter long the after supposed the supposed onset of onset the of flood. the flood. I headed I headed Cushion Cushion Caps Caps - Set-ofSet 3 parts of 3 parts towards towards the shore the a shore few a times few times in promising in promising positions positions only toonly loose to loose &XVKLRQ FDSV PROGHG WR ÀW H[DFWO\ DQG VHFXUHO\ RQ GROO\ SDUWV &XVKLRQ FDSV PROGHG WR ÀW H[DFWO\ DQG VHFXUHO\ RQ GROO\ SDUWV those who those had who gone hadout gone into out the into bay. theI also bay. had I also some had genuine some genuine bad bad No moreNo gelcoat more gelcoat luck, like luck, being like fouled being fouled at the at start theof start the of first therace, first causing race, causing me to me to abrasionabrasion under the under the capsize; capsize; or running or running into the into back theend back ofend the of Grand the Grand Masters Masters fleet fleet gunwale. Cushioned gunwale. Cushioned boat support boat support during during and locking and locking gunwales gunwales with a with straggler a straggler while trying while trying to round to round the the storage storage and trailering. and trailering. leeward leeward gate ingate firstinplace, first place, causing causing me to me loseto10lose boats! 10 boats! Of Of Soft, injection-molded Soft, injection-molded course, course, a 720 below a 720 below the finish the line finish in line one in race onedue race todue a misjudged to a misjudged Easy slip-on pieces. pieces. Easy slip-on installation. installation. tack didn’t tack didn’t help either! help either!
SEIMAR SEIMAR
At the At halfway the halfway point of point the of regatta, the regatta, looking looking at my at first myseven first seven fin- finBow Tie-Down Bow Tie-Down Secure your Secure bow your to the bowdolly. to the dolly. ishes of ishes 17,8,3,14,5,3,4, of 17,8,3,14,5,3,4, my place my in place the regatta in the regatta appeared appeared ratherrather dismal. dismal. The dream The dream of beating of beating Keith was Keith gone was–gone he had – he won hadsix won six races races by then. byItthen. was It questionable was questionable whether whether I wouldI would even salvage even salvage a a secondsecond place in place the regatta! in the regatta! So, I started So, I started to taketothis take event this serievent seriously. ously. I knewI Iknew had good I hadupwind good upwind and superior and superior downwind downwind speed speed and and was determined was determined to staytoout stay of out trouble. of trouble. I studied I studied the tide thetables tide tables the the night before night before and made and appropriate made appropriate notes on notes my on deck mythe deck following the following No moreNo bow more slip-off bow slip-off on ramps. on ramps. Kit nowKit includes now includes 11/64” drill 11/64” bit.drill bit. day – eliminating day – eliminating any confusion any confusion about about the currents. the currents. The results The results in in the remaining the remaining five races five races of 1,1,2,1,1 of 1,1,2,1,1 were awere late a vindication late vindication and eleand eleAvailable Available at dealers at dealers around around the country. the country. For a dealer For anear dealer you, near go you, to go to vated me vated to me a solid to asecond solid second place in place the regatta. in the regatta. www.laserperformance.com www.laserperformance.com > Dealer> Locator. Dealer Locator. For more For information, more information, email peseidenberg@gmail.com. email peseidenberg@gmail.com.
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FALLFALL 2011 2011
Regatta
Laser
World Championship
Sr: Boltenhagen, GER
NA Championship 40 GP pts. ISAF Grade 1
Colombia Gorge, OR July 26-29 www.CGRA.org
Women’s Radial Champs
na
ISAF Grade 1
North American ISAF Grade 1
Canadian Championships
30 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 2
US Championships 30 GP Pts, ISAF Grade 2
CORK
30 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 1
May 4-10 Jr: Buenos Aires,ARG April 8-15
Etobicoke YC Toronto, ON June 21-24
2012 Schedule
Radial
Women's:Boltenhagen, GER
May 15-20 Mens: Brisbane,AUS July 11-17 Youth: Brisbane, AUS July 1-7
Colombia Gorge, OR July 26-29 www.CGRA.org
Lauderdale YC www.lyc.org February 2-5 Etobicoke YC Toronto, ON June 21-24
Houston YC Shoreacres, TX May 31-June 3
Houston YC Shoreacres, TX May 31-June 3
www.cork.org
www.cork.org
Kingston, ON
August 18-22
Kingston, ON
August 18-22
Laser 4.7
Buenos Aires, ARG March 31-April 7
Brisbane, AUS March 9-17
Colombia Gorge, OR July 26-29 www.CGRA.org
tbd
na
na
Etobicoke YC Toronto, ON June 21-24
tbd
Houston YC Shoreacres, TX May 31-June 3
Brant Beach YC Brant Beach, NJ Sept 14-16
www.cork.org
na
Kingston, ON August 15-18
Midwinters East
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, FL
Midwinters West
Alamitos Bay YC Long Beach, CA March 23-25
Alamitos Bay YC Long Beach, CA March 23-25
Alamitos Bay YC Long Beach, CA March 23-25
30 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 1
30 GP Pts., ISAF Grade 2
Rolex Miami OCR ISAF Grade 1
Atlantic Coast Championships
25 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 2
Pacific Coast Championships
25 GP Pts., ISAF Grade 2
Gulf Coast Championships
25 GP Pts, ISAF Grade 3
No Coast Championships
25 GP Pts, ISAF Grade 3
Great Lakes Championships
25 GP Pts., ISAF Grade 3
www.Laser.org
www.clwyc.org
Feb 23-26
www.clwyc.org
Feb 23-26
Miami, FL (men only) Miami, FL (women only)
Masters
www.clwyc.org
Feb 23-26
Melbourne YC Melbourne, FL Feb 17-19 na
January 22-28
January 22-28
www.ussailing.org
na
na
District 7
District 7
District 7
Cabrillo Beach YC San Pedro, CA June 22-24
Texas Corinthian YC Kemah, TX May 19-20
Cabrillo Beach YC San Pedro, CA June 22-24
Texas Corinthian YC Kemah, TX May 19-20
Cabrillo Beach YC San Pedro, CA June 22-24
Sayville YC Bluepoint, NY July 7-8
District 4
District 4
District 4
District 20
District 20
District 20
www.ussailing.org
Texas Corinthian YC Kemah, TX May 19-20
D16, D21, D22, D23 Crescent Sail YC Grosse Pt Farms, MI June 23-24
19
Tips & Technique
A COOL RIGGING TRICK
and Related Tips for your Rudder & Tiller
RYAN MINTH, C-VANE SAILING
Every now and then you see something so cool in the boat park or during a training camp that it just must be immediately adapted on your own boat. In this case, it is also totally worth sharing. Giving credit where it is due, I first saw this on Canadian Sailing Team Member hotshot David Wright’s boat. We have all known to take the rudder tie down line out the back of the rudder head and over the top or along the side to keep it from dragging under the tiller and rubbing the top of the transom. Problem is that it creates heaps of friction and reduces the tension on the line. Moreover, it totally eats through whatever flavor line you might be using quickly. True, it is more of a pain buying and installing the new line than about crying over the $0.92 of severed cordage.
With a hole at the fat end of the tiller, the line cleanly passes over the aft rudder head post, through the hole, and heads directly for the cleat. Have a look:
If I still have your attention (those not reading this at work probably went looking for their drills and out to the garage to make the mod straight away) here are a few tips when it comes to the rudder, tiller, and tie down line.
This is one of only TWO applications aboard your Laser where stretchy cordage is highly preferred. The idea is to keep load on this line and help keep the rudder all of the way down. Even one degree up is horrifically slow, particularly to those likely to make the error as they are probably sailing with heel as well. No-stretch line will ease in the ClamcleatÂŽ as it takes hold. Stretchy line will keep some load on the blade and the tiller (the line not only keeps the blade down but also keeps the tiller in the rudder head without the unnecessary tiller pin). It also will have some give should you hit the bottom and reduce the probability of blowing out the stopper hole in the blade.
To keep a high load on the tie down line, us a 3:1 truckers hitch as shown. If your tiller cleat is too far aft, it is possible to place the purchase inside the ridder head. If you have the tiny rudder bolt and washer set up as shown here, replace it with the maximum sized bolt allowed (for stiffness).
20
FALL 2011
Tighten Tighten the rudder the rudder bolt bolt to where to where therethere is quite is quite a bit aofbitfricof friction tion whenwhen liftinglifting and lowering and lowering the rudder the rudder bladeblade in thein rudder the rudder head.head. YearsYears ago, many ago, many sailors sailors would would absolutely absolutely crankcrank downdown hard hard and effectively and effectively lock lock the rudder the rudder in thein down the down position. position. This This lead lead to premature to premature cracks cracks and complete and complete failure failure of the of the bladeblade (especially (especially as they as they werewere the old theCompton old Compton foamfoam blades). blades). at least at least ensure ensure If youIf are youtimid are timid aboutabout drilling drilling out your out your tiller,tiller, that that the aft theend aft of endthe of tiller the tiller doesdoes not protrude not protrude aft oraftcontact or contact the tie thedown tie down line. line. If it does, If it does, the tiller the tiller is able is able to pull to forward pull forward and either and either ease ease the line, the lifting line, lifting the rudder the rudder or make or make the rudthe rudder/tiller der/tiller connection connection less than less than completely completely wobble wobble free. free. Finally, Finally, it is nice it is nice to have to have the side the side entryentry style style of Clamcleat® of Clamcleat® with with the open the open post,post, making making it really it really easy easy to rigtoand rig unrig and unrig the the line. line. ManyMany tillertiller cleats’ cleats’ entryentry holesholes are too are small too small to pass to pass the the line through line through twice. twice. ManyMany sailors sailors merely merely tie a tie fewa half few hitchhalf hitches, but es, why but why have have a cleat a cleat therethere at allatand all not and use not it? useI it? would I would have have a photo a photo of mine, of mine, but that but that tillertiller got shipped got shipped to San to San Diego Diego to replace to replace the XD the IXD snapped I snapped during during a clinic. a clinic. Bummer. Bummer. So back So back to drilling to drilling out your out your tiller.tiller. It certainly It certainly is notis the not Gothe Goa doubt, a doubt, is pretty is pretty Fastest Fastest tip you tip will you ever will ever hear,hear, but without but without cool.cool. See you See on youthe on water the water soon.soon.
New Stainless Sunfish Trailer
New Stainless Coupler
www.Laser.org www.Laser.org
21 21
Regatta Reports TOM RAMSHAW
Fanning and Johnson win North American Championships
When I heard that the North American Championship was going to be held at Brant Beach Yacht Club, I knew that this regatta was one that I had to attend. Just a short eight-hour drive from my home in Toronto, Canada, I set the week of July 815 aside for one of my key trips of the summer.
It was my second time sailing at the Brant Beach Yacht Club. BBYC is on Long Beach Island, a long narrow island with beautiful beaches in New Jersey. In the days before the regatta many of the sailors enjoyed the beaches, surfing and other water activities. I rented a cool little house with my buddies a block from the beach. Surfboard rental shops were all along the main boulevard, and I took advantage of some time prior to the regatta to charge some tubular waves from the ocean swells in between training sessions.
My friends and I arrived three days early for some training. It was great weather – sunny and windy – with lots of boats out practicing. The sailing at Brant Beach is on the west side of the island in protected, flat, shallow and warm waters. The race course was only a short five minute sail from the beach. One important thing I remembered during my first experience there was to pay attention to the weeds collected by the dagger board and rudder. To keep boat speed up, it was important to clear the weeds that slowly accumulated over the course of each leg, and I made sure to practice this technique during my training.
Clay Johnson and Chris Dold beginning the first reach in the top three of race 7.
The hospitality of the Brant Beach Yacht Club makes sailing there fantastic. Every morning before racing, a full breakfast was offered to the sailors. Fruit, granola bars and water were handed out to the sailors right after the finish of each race. They even had snacks and drinks after racing and a barbeque before the awards on the last day. Colie Sails and one other company were busy in the boatyard selling sailing equipment and clothing.
The regatta had a strong fleet of 73 Lasers and 146 Radials registered. After six races of qualifying the Radials were split into Gold and Silver fleets. The regatta had 40 Grand Prix Points available and the top two Laser sailors would each get a spot in the 2012 Laser Worlds in Germany. This was a big event and almost all of the top North American sailors attended making it very exciting and competitive.
On the first day of the regatta there were light, shifty, offshore winds in hot conditions, which made decision-making tricky on each upwind. It was tough to have consistent results, but we still got off three wellrun races.
22
The second day saw similar conditions to day one with three more races, but the temperatures were even hotter! Many of the sailors were concerned with the heat, and hydration was an important factor in the success of each competitor. In addition to the heat, many of the top guys in the fleet were getting into trouble with yellow flags for propulsion Avery Fanning in first on the final reach of race 8
under Rule 42 which was being well enforced by the jury.
I was excited to learn that day three was anticipated to be windier. Sailing out in 18-20 knots, I was stoked to get the racing started. It was some of the tougher sailing conditions I had seen on the circuit this summer with small, steep chop making it difficult to surf downwind. Upwind I had to work really hard to keep the bow out of the waves and the cockpit free of water. At the end of the day, we finished another three races.
The fourth and final day of racing there were two races scheduled, but the wind was very light and inconsistent making it tough to get the races started. During the first race the wind was barely in existence. Doing well involved having good powerful tacks and jibes and being able to find the small puffs scattered over the race course. We managed to finish that race in just under the 90 minute time limit. Shortly after the race was done the Race Committee sent the fleet in, completing the
FALL 2011
No Coast Championships Position 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 20 20 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 29
Sail No.
Sailor
174350
Jim Christopher
156813
Alex Gross
182870
Drake Jensen
180109
Nicholas Odegard
195938 162291
Jay Miles
171007
Tracy Usher
167437
Bruce Braly
Jeff Kluge
156874
Doug DuBois
184618
Tim Zimmerman
95006
Scott Vermerris
194594
Eric Wilson
196165
Geoff Hurwitch
194037
Phillippe Astie
197602
Simeon Thomas
160965
Mike Gilbert
149237
Karsten Gillwald
131479
Trent Stewart
161089
Michael Eichwald
121477
Buster Pike
155566
Chandos Erwin
194481
Chuck Thomas
106295
Bob Skinner
196252
Bill Rusconi
129355
Bill Gillingham
196036
Paul Swan
195898
Romain Astie
181723
Lauren Eberly
112231
Bill Tabor
Scores 11 28 31 35 37 37 49 53 60 68 87 88 90 109 115 116 133 134 134 142 142 142 149 158 189 191 216 225 226 226
1 (6) 5 1 2 8 (15) 4 3 (23) 7 13 9 10 11 12 20 18 16 22 17 (26) 19 (27) (24) (25) 14 (31) 21 28 29
2 1 2 3 8 6 4 7 5 10 9 13 11 17 15 18 (26) (24) 14 12 22 20 (23) 21 16 25 19 (31) 29 27 28
2011 Laser No Coast Championships 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 (5) 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 7 (18) 2 2 8 (12) (17) 3 7 (9) 3 4 4 6 (10) 4 (11) 6 1 4 (11) (13) 4 3 3 2 4 8 9 (10) (14) 7 5 7 (16) 8 9 10 3 6 2 5 6 9 6 11 7 (16) 10 5 (15) 12 10 11 (19) 14 8 10 14 9 11 11 (18) 5 13 13 18 (20) (22) (20) 12 19 15 12 (25) 17 17 7 (22) 13 16 (26) 6 26 13 15 9 (25) 24 23 5 17 12 (27) 15 15 20 19 17 16 19 14 12 8 (31) 15 21 21 (26) 16 21 14 (25) 18 8 24 19 (24) 23 22 23 21 13 18 20 (24) 16 23 14 21 (22) 17 21 22 20 22 (26) 25 25 25 23 19 18 28 (31) (31) 31 31 31 31 24 26 24 (31) (31) 20 31 31 31 23 28 27 (31) (31) 31 28 27 29 27 27 (31)
North American Championships....continued 184588
Lindsay Eberly
regatta as a ten race series with two drop races.
I thought the Race Committee did a great job throughout the regatta. For example, to manage the starting line they used a megaphone to communicate to the fleet, telling us our distance from the line and hailing sail numbers as they were over. This resulted in fewer general recalls and OCS scores, which I thought was awesome. In addition the courses were well set and races were punctual and fair. After racing on the final day a delicious barbeque dinner was served for
www.Laser.org
the competitors, followed by the awards ceremony. In the Radial fleet, Max Lopez finished in third, Ian Barrows came in second, and the radial North American Champion was Avery Fanning. The top female sailor was Ingrid Merry. In the Laser fleet, Rob Crane came in third, Chris Dold finished second and local New Jersey native, Clay Johnson, won the North American Championship. Clay Johnson and Chris Dold were awarded the two World’s spots for 2012.
9 1 (12) 5 7 4 9 2 8 16 14 6 (20) 3 10 15 13 17 (22) (31) (24) 23 11 18 19 21 31 25 31 31 (31)
10 3 6 2 1 4 8 7 (12) (21) 5 (20) 13 11 15 (25) 14 17 18 31 9 16 10 19 22 23 31 24 31 31 31
can’t wait to come back to Brant Beach.
Photos taken by Beth Reitinger from Brant Beach Yacht Club website, www.bbyc.net
Thanks to the committee members and the hospitality of the club volunteers and staff. It was a great regatta, and I
23
Vranizan and Neville Win 2011 U.S. Singlehanded Championships
JAKE FISH US SAILING COMMUNICATIONS Frederick Vranizan (Shoreline, Wash. / Seattle YC) dominated the men’s Laser fleet from start to finish and Christine Neville (Oakland, Calif. / ILCA) came from behind on Sunday to win the women’s Laser Radial fleet at the 2011 U.S. Singlehanded Championship, a US SAILING National Championship event hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association.
Vranizan won five out of the nine races and finished in the top five in all but the final race of the Championship. He won race eight and finished eighth in race nine on Sunday. Vranizan won by a 16-point margin over fellow Seattle Yacht Club member Michael Karas (Kirkland, Wash.), who solidified second place by posting a pair of fifth place finishes. Vranizan raced well in all conditions this weekend, including the strong winds on Friday and the light, shifty breezes on Saturday and Sunday. The men’s Laser fleet consisted of 21 sailors.
Neville also discussed her keys to success this weekend. “I had good speed upwind, especially in the first day. It was important not to fall back, because there were no
The U.S. Singlehanded Championship is a qualification and select invitation event... Racing took place on the the Columbia River Gorge... Last year marked the first-ever women’s division for the U.S. Singlehanded Championship… Competitors took part in Rolex Clinics on Thursday, July 21… US SAILING Medals were awarded to the top three in each division… Frederick Vranizan will have his name engraved on the George O’Day Trophy... Tracy Usher (Montara,
“I tried my best to have conservative starts and either take an early lead or put myself in position to climb into the lead,” said Vranizan. “I love the sailing here at the Gorge. I sailed fast in the downwind here at the Gorge where it is shifty and tricky,” he added.
Vranizan is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he competed on the sailing team from 2005 to 2009. He raced in the Gold Fleet at the 2010 Laser World Championships. Currently, Vranizan is campaigning in the Laser for the Olympics as a member of the US Sailing Development Team. He is also preparing for the ISAF World Championships in Perth, Australia this December.
The women’s fleet managed just one race on Sunday. Neville’s fifth place finish was good enough to surpass Hanne Weaver (Gig Harbor, Wash. / Seattle YC) for the lead who finished 13th in today’s only race. Weaver dropped to third and Sky Adams (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Santa Barbara YC) slipped into second after finishing third. Neville finished fourth out of 12 at last year’s U.S. Singlehanded Championship. There were 18 sailors competing at this year’s women’s division.
“This is pretty surprising and really exciting,” said Neville. “It’s an honor because this Championship was so competitive.”
24
throwouts. I was able to keep the boat flat when it was windy and take the lead before the downwind shift, which was going against the current.”
Calif. / St. Francis YC) of the men’s division won the Peter Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy.
For more details on the U.S. Singlehanded Championships, including a list of competitors, results, final standings, recaps, photos, Notice of Race, Preliminary Sailing Instructions, history and more, please visit the event website at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/U SSinglehandedChampionship.htm. Stay connected with US SAILING and our National Championship events through Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, daily updates, reminders, photos, videos and more.
The U.S. Singlehanded Championship is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., LaserPerformance, Gill North America and Hobie Polarized. The Championship is a Sailors for the Sea - Clean Regattas certification event. Championship Notes
FALL 2011
Inaugural Round Shelter Island Laser Race 2011
number on the #2 boat. Rounding Ram’s Head I tried to stay west of the rumb line to avoid any remaining outgoing current. Passing Coecles Harbor I was surprised by the strength of the easterly current still coming out so I decided to cut the Nicoll’s point corner. The rocks indicated that the current had changed and was coming in, very surprising and confusing but this tidal change was confirmed as we got close to heading up around the most south-easterly point of the island, Mashomack Pt (where I managed to wet sand the lower part of my rudder). At this point we were more than half way through the race and my lack of local knowledge would hurt, but thankfully we started 30 minutes after the Sunfish and the Lasers were now beginning to pass the tail end of that fleet. The leading Sunfish were proving to be a good predictor of conditions ahead and I figured that the locals would know how to cross that portion of the bay heading to the South Ferry. This was the pivotal part of the race as the top two Lasers were hugging the Shelter Island shore yet the Sunfish fleet were mainly crossing the bay on starboard tack. With the top two boats 20-30 boat lengths ahead I decided to split and cross the bay. I was pleasantly surprised by the good pressure and incredible NWerly current flow taking me up the course (wasn’t the tide supposed to be slack 5 hours after high tide?). By the time we got close to turning the point to cross the ferry path I had closed the gap to ~4 boat lengths from the top boat sailed by Connor, Fantastic accommodation... Amazing facilities... and great sailing! who graciously congratulated the - Paul Goodison move. I passed him on the next tack, tried to cover but he had better speed in the very light and confused winds Orange Bowl Clinic and Regatta Coaching coming off the southerly shore and Clinic: Dec 22-24 | Regatta: Dec 26-30 Format: Chris Dold will be running a three day training clinic out of the US Sailing Center in pulled away. The drag race on starMiami, FL from December 22-24 and then provide on-water coaching at the International board across the Shelter Island Sound Orange Bowl Youth Regatta which runs Dec 26 - 30 . Accommodation, boat, and food are NOT provided. began. Going further into Noyack High Performance New Years Training Clinic Bay the wind built to where my 190 th December 27-January 7 lbs came into play and I was able to Format: All Inclusive Package: Includes Accommodation, Laser Charter, Coaching and Food grind out the deficit and sail below DĞdžŝĐĂŶ DĂƐƚĞƌ͛Ɛ ůŝŶŝĐ ĂŶĚ ZĞŐĂƚƚĂ February 25 ʹ March 4th and in front on the long tack Format: All Inclusive Package: Includes Accommodation, Laser Charter, Coaching and Food approaching Paradise Point. After a DĞdžŝĐĂŶ DĂƐƚĞƌ͛Ɛ ŚĂŵƉŝŽŶƐŚŝƉƐ͗ The regatta will take place on the last three days of your stay ʹ Friday to Sunday. ISA will provide on water coaching to sailors competing in the quick port tack we rounding the red regatta and tactics will be discussed each day after racing. nun into Southold Bay where the rest Spring Break Youth Clinics was a close cover on a tight reach to Week 1: March 11-17 | Week 2: March 18-24 | Week 3: March 25-31 Format: All Inclusive Package: Includes Accommodation, Laser Charter, Coaching and Food. the finish after 3 hours and 50 minutes. If there are dates available where you would like to come down and training by yourself or with a group of people let us know and we will set up a clinic to meet your needs Someone at the party mentioned I need to defend this new world record, so see you all next year!
STEVE FISK Conditions could not have been better for the 2011 race, warm weather, bright sun, good breeze (NW 5-14knts). For an inaugural race a 12 boats fleet was a good turnout (I was there for the inaugural 420 race, 2 boats). Overall, hats off to the SYC and race management for opening up the race to Laser fleet and running a great event. Race tactics off the start should have been pretty easy; with a clockwise race the pin was heavily favored (closer to the rumb line- favorable current -better angle) yet I got lazy and ended up at the boat. Within ten minutes I was in 5th. The top two boats did a great job beam reaching and using the marginally planning conditions to pull away from the rest of the pack. Tactically not much going on, stay in the current and sail the shortest distance before
rounding the furthest NW point of Shelter Island’s Hay Beach Pt, hike hard in the gusts and bear off when possible. I managed to pass Ted and Bob before rounding down into Gardiners Bay. Five years ago in a Sunfish I rounded that point in first and managed to lose it all by going into the bay and not sticking to the coastline like the rest of the fleet, not again. This time with the long, long, downwind run I played it safe sailing a mostly straight line by the lee towards the tip of Rams Head. I learned that any unnecessary easting would put you into a current pulling you out into Gardiners Bay and away from the island. Downwind pressure across the course seemed consistent. Once within a mile of Rams head I heated up my angle to get within the rocks off the beach and seemed to close down the gap with the two front runners where I could read the sail
2011-2012 ISA CLINICS th
Chris Dold x x
North American Laser Champion ISA Coach
Vaughn Harrison x
ISA Head Coach
Inquiries chris@internationalsailingacademy.com
WWW.INTERNATIONALSAILINGACADEMY.COM www.Laser.org
25
Reaching: The Lost Art MIKE KALIN
How often do you round the windward mark in a breezy race and just can’t seem to get the boat on a plane. You frantically sail high to defend, your mind is racing (your boat is plowing), only to watch veteran sailors take the low road, deeper and faster, always seemingly in control, always with just the right amount of power in their rig, never running into the backside of waves and never getting off a plane. You tweak and tweak your settings: tighter outhaul, looser vang, board up more.... no down more.... why does my rudder keep cavitating!?!?! In the modern day of sailboat racing, we are losing the art of the reach. From junior sailing on up to college sailing, windward/leeward courses have dominated the scene. When we go out to train, we inevitably do a bunch of rabbit starts to a point very far upwind, look at our watches and say “long run to the red nun by the harbor entrance” and call it a day. I recently ran a clinic out of Richmond Yacht Club where the group selected reaching as the prime focus. Young Laser start Charlie Buckingham had this to say: “have you ever seen Steve Bourdow on a reach? He’s sick”. True enough, Steve was at the top of the Laser sailing world in the early 1990s (and is definitely no slouch now, either). Those massive race courses had giant equilateral triangles where the reaching legs could sometimes take as much as 40 minutes of a 1.75 hour long race. The best Laser sailors at the time (Glenn Bourke, Peter Tanscheidt and Steve Bourdow) were masters at making the boat go on the reach. They could literally put a quarter mile of distance on the rest of the fleet on the reaching legs. How did they do it? We decided to spend a few weeks trying to figure out what those legends knew.
First of all, like anything in life, you need to put in the hours — just ask The Beatles. This means dedicated time and effort with the right set up; 26
maybe not “10k hours”, but at least 50% of your practice time. You’ll need a windy venue, nice waves, competitive training partners and most importantly, a good set up of drills that will keep the training group tightly packed and sailing to fixed marks (not water towers on a horizon six miles away). This is an important point: you’ll never learn to reach effectively if the training drills only reward those boats who consistently heat it up and take the fast, high road (to a somewhat arbitrary destination). Most of the experience based fine-tuning that the reaching masters have figured out is how much to deviate from the rhumb-line for various strategical considerations (current, persistent shifts, geographic puffs/lulls, phases of the wind (up in lifts, down in headers). It truly is a subtle art to tweak your heading several degrees lower than your competitors in a puff, while retaining 98% of your speed, then during the inevitable lull, smoothly transitioning up while keeping your speed up (and their speed drops 15%). Again, many course alterations are subtle, but the gains to be made are huge when played out over a long reach. Each reach is unique and has its own set of challenges — you need to build up a database of experience to know when to sail which mode and how much to account for each factor on a reach. And again, these subtleties are like science experiments and they need to be
played out to completion ie. the entire training group sailing 100% effort to the fixed mark. In San Francisco Bay, there are a couple of drills I have set up for when I’m coaching there. One drill is what I call the “downwind slalom” — not to be confused with the Heavy Air Slalom which is more of a boat handling exercise on a tiny course. The “downwind slalom” starts near the south tower of the Golden Gate bridge and blasts off on a starboard reach to fixed marks that line the beach of the Presidio. The coachboat motors down to become the outer reach mark and the fleet zigs and zags down the city front in 15-20 knots with a bit of skewed swell, chop, current gradients, geographic wind shifts, frequent puffs and lulls — you name it, the City Front provides it. All in all, the course takes about 30 minutes and every single aspect of reaching in a Laser is put to the test. You can likely set up a similar drill in your home waters. It is a great way to add some spice to your training, or even weeknight racing group. You can turn the drill into “the points drill” — the first place boat at each mark is awarded two points, but has to complete a 720 before continuing on. The second place boat gets 1 point, but completes a 360. The third place boat at each mark gets 1/2 point, but continues on, usually in the lead. This is a great way to get practice leading the pack and trying to extend, or getting stuck in FALL 2011
the pack and trying to overtake on the reach.
Cross-training: reaching in a Laser transforms the boat’s upwind characteristics (a brute force hammering tool), into a majestic work of art (with some occasional brute force). In contrast to clenching your jaw, hammering on the mainsheet and getting into “smash-mouth” sailing mode, think like a ballerina and dance, dance, dance down the waves. In all seriousness, cross-training in a fast reaching boat, like a V15, 505, 29er will get you more in tune to what the boat wants to do and how it wants to release its energy through the water. Mainsheet trim and steering techniques that are crucial in double-handed planing boats are similarly crucial in the Laser. I also know of many of the world’s top Laser sailors are also exceptional windsurfers (Paul Goodison, Gustavo Lima, Mark Mendelblatt, Matias del Solar) — many windsurfing techniques can be applied to a Laser. Far often we fail to relax our animal instincts and we overtrim the mainsheet, and leave it that way. Effective reaching techniques are about subtle, frequent adjustments of mainsheet, bodyweight, angle of sail to release energy into the boat (when over-powered), or build up energy (when under-powered). There is no better way to feel when all of your adjustments are working right then on a windsurfer — a correct sail trim, pump, weight shirt will cause a noticeable and direct translation of that adjustment into pure speed. With the philosophical aspects and training ideas taken care of, here are some heavy air reaching technique notes that we gathered from the training in San Francisco: Mainsheet trim is paramount: 90% of reaching “speed” problems is simply not trimming the mainsail to the optimum angle. Because the wind is everchanging, the mainsheet must be CONSTANTLY adjusted — in and out at a very high frequency. Pumping the sheet is not nearly as effective as just paying constant attention to having the www.Laser.org
telltales flowing (but when you get enough experience, this is achieved passively and without conscious thought). It is especially important to be able to deflect the high wind gusts immediately with immediate mainsheet dumps and have the boat accelerate with a constant angle of heel vs. attempting to hike harder while heeling over.
Flat is not fast: a common misconception in the Laser. Sailing the boat too flat means you won’t have enough power in the boat, you will be dragging in the water and likely suffering excessive bouts of windward heel followed by leeward heel. A modest leeward heel will reduce a bit of wetted surface, but the real key is to maintain a constant angle of heel throughout.
Board height is very important: a board that slides through the stopper and always goes too low on the reach can cost you dearly. Worse than the extra drag, is the potential excess heeling moment and also the tendency for the boat to “spin out” and for the rudder to cavitate. On a very over-powered reach, rather than flogging the mainsail and spinning out of control, raise the board 3/4 of the way to produce a forgiving set-up — puffs will make the boat slide to leeward rather than broach to leeward. The faster you go, the less lateral resistance you need (think of a windsurfer with one tiny fin). Also, lateral resistance at high speed also means greater heeling moment (think of a keelboat broaching).
boat. Be fast, yet gentle when bringing your weight forward and inboard during lulls. Be powerful and aggressive when hiking out and back in the puffs. Anticipate the puffs and have your weight in place a split second earlier than what is required. This goes back to keeping your boat at a constant angle of heel and transferring energy from the wind into instant speed.
Be proactive with your strategy: know where the mark is, what phase the wind is in, what the next shift is likely to do, what the pressure will do, what the current will do BEFORE you round the top mark. The first 20 seconds of the reach will likely dictate your fate — whether you are executing your strategy, or fighting for dear life with the boat directly behind you. Focus on your boat, the waves and your strategy; don’t fall into the trap of looking back and deciding you have to defend the high road at all costs. The best reachers are proactive and forward thinking, not paranoid and looking back behind them. Have fun with it! The Laser is one of the most exhilarating boats to sail on a heavy air reach. Remember back to when you were 14 years old and learned to sail your “Laser 1”. I say let’s bring back the old triangle course — reaching is a lost art that is worth re-discovering! Sail Fast!
Up in the lulls, down in the gusts: a simple saying that is easier said than done. This requires incredible amounts of experience and practice. How high? How low? What about the pack to windward? All of these things you will need to experiment with to get just right. Even the subtle course changes have massive effects over a long reach.
Be like a ballerina: the more variable the wind and the looser the reach, the more you will have to be all over your 27
District Reports District 1 Nova Scotia Danielle Dube
This summer District 1 proved to be a hotbed of laser and radial activity, both for local sailors and for those coming from all over Canada to compete in our waters. The provinces managed to cram several events into a short period of time, to the point where there was some overlap and race teams had to choose which events to attend and which to look forward to next year instead. The level of sailing this year was unprecedented… an opinion which is not just mine, but is shared by coaches and Race Committees alike. There were plenty of opportunities for group training (at Youth Olympic Training Seminars held before some events), and plenty of races held in different locations to test D1 sailors across all conditions. In mid August sailors from District 1 attended Cork International Week and performed spectacularly. Not much more than a week later, the competition was brought home to them as sailors from across Canada flocked to St. Margaret’s Bay for the Trihedral Youth Nationals (a Canadian Yachting Association event) in the last few days of August. For most this was the pinnacle event of the season, and by all accounts it was a great success… despite tropical storm Irene’s best efforts to blow out the opening ceremonies and the first day of racing (Instead sailors were treated to a wild and windy half-day of racing in the storm’s wake). To put into perspective the importance of the event, the Youth Nationals was the first qualifier for the 2012 Canadian Youth World Sailing Team that will represent Canada at the ISAF Youth World Championships held next year in Dublin, Ireland. This season’s D1 report will include results from major local regattas, D1 sailors results from Cork International Week and Cork OCR, and results from the CYA Youth Nationals. It will also include a regatta report sent to me from the Rothesay Yacht Club in New Brunswick on the third event in their New Brunswick Circuit Series.
Regatta Report From the Rothesay Yacht Club, New Brunswick: Regatta number three of the New Brunswick Sailing Circuit Series was sailed under perfect conditions on August 13th & 14th under the direction of Noreen Gilland Race Committee Chairperson and assisted by long time laser master sailors Stephen Fuccillo & David Wells.
The Rothesay Laser regatta was sailed on KENNEBECASIS BAY in consistent strong southerly sea breezes, the conditions were very challenging even to the best Laser sailors. After a short postponement on Saturday the sailors were greeted with classic day on the bay. The land heated up during the day and the sea breeze filled in. The wind started out at 10-knots and quickly built to a steady 16 to 18 knots by the end of the day. Some gusts of 20 knots were reported.
The first day of racing on a windward-leeward course was just brilliant under clear blue skies. During most races positions changed frequently due
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to the high winds, often on the down wind legs one or two boats would have difficulty remaining upright and would turtle in the 20 knot gusts, making the racing exciting to view.
On Saturday in the Full Rigs ST-Onge from RKYC was in great form. He was able to hold off Alex Mouland also from RKYC in Saint John. The two had a nice battle going on. Alex Mouland had not been sailing in a laser in a while and was using a friends boat at the regatta. (((((THE SPIRIT OF LASER SAILING LEND A FRIEND YOUR BOAT IF YOU CAN NOT USE IT)))))). But by the end of day one it was evident that Alex Mouland, when he got his form back, would prove to be unbeatable for the remainder of the regatta in the full rigs.
In the radial rigs on Saturday Jill Landry from RKYC was positively unstoppable!! Jill kicked butt. She often was able to beat the full rigs around the course. She sailed a perfect regatta winning all eleven (11) races. She always had a solid start and held off anybody that got close to her on the course. In race three when the wind was the strongest of the day Jill cleaned house, starting at the pin end and rounding all marks in first place. She beat all the full rig competitors. Someone needs to ask CYA, why this young lady is not on the team going to Weymouth!!!
Brand new radial sailor Claire Sears from Quispamsis also did well. At the young age of 13 and sailing in her first full season of racing radials she did extremely well. She improved in each race and was by far the most improve sailor of the series male or female. She will be a force to contend with in the Maritimes in the future.
The regatta was a huge success this year with superb race management; eleven races sailed over two days in perfect conditions. The lunches on both days were donated by SUBWAY and were great. The host club ROTHESAY YACHT CLUB, provided all the water you could drink while racing plus dinner both Saturday and Sunday for all the sailors and there families. Also don’t forget the awesome T-shirt’s all the sailors received that remind us “THE TRADITION CONTINUES”!!!!
As always camping was allowed on the grounds of the RYC and the staff was willing to help out with everyone’s needs.
Perhaps next year we will see some of the big guns from HALIFAX join us to see how they do on KENNEBECASIS BAY. ROTHESAY YACHT CLUB was home to long time Laser Great STEVE FLECKSTEIN, a Canadian National Laser Champion. Join us next year, mark your calender now. RESULTS: LASER 1) MOULAND 2) St. ONGE 3) ALEXANDER-STAIRS RADIAL 1) LANDRY 2) COUTELLIER 3) SEARS ARK Regatta: July 16-17th Bedford Basin YC Laser: 1) Tom Brosky (RNSYS) 2) Karl Mitchell (LYC) 3) Aaron Stonehouse (SMSC) Top Master: Gerry Giffin (CYC)
Radial: 1) Stuart Bliss (Waeg) 2) Michael O’Connor (LYC) 3) Greg Simms (RNSYS) Bay Wind Regatta: July 23-24th St. Margaret’s SC, Laser: 1) Fraser Wells (RNSYS) 2) Dan MacMillan (SMSC) 3) Anthony Bell (HYC) Top Master: Gerry Giffin (CYC) Radial: 1) Erin Rafuse (RNSYS) 2) Danielle Dube (RNSYS/SMSC) 3) Vaughn Harrison (ISA) Sail East: August 4-7th, Shediac Bay Yacht Club, N.B. Laser: 1) Anthony Bell (Hubbards Sailing Club) 2) Andrew Bell (LaHave River Yacht Club) 3) Nicholas Ford (Shediac Bay Yacht Club) Radial: 1) Danielle Dube (RNSYS/SMSC) 2) Erin Rafuse (RNSYS) 3) Sandy Beatty (LYC) Laser 4.7: 1) Charlotte Kassis 2) Daniel deYturralde (SBYC) CORK International Week: August 15-18th Kingston, Ontario Laser: 2) Fraser Wells (Rothesay/RNSYS) 14) Zachary Dunn (RNSYS) 21) Max Seward (BBYC) 24) Jack Campbell (Waeg) 28) Eli Macneil (Waeg) Radial: 3) Devan Dube (RNSYS) Gold 7) Sandy Beatty (LYC) 11) Luke Ruitenberg (RNSYS) 14) Corinne Peters (RNSYS) 23) Alexander Sapp (RNSYS) 28) Michael Cunningham (BBYC) 34) Nathaniel Dunn (RNSYS) 35) Alexander Burke (HSC) 52) Maggie Kennedy (BBYC) 61) Meghan Henneberry (BBYC) * 151 boats competed in the radial fleet overall Cork OCR: August 20-24th, Kingston, Ontario Laser: 25) Fraser Wells (Rothesay/RNSYS) 32) David Wells (Rothesay) 39) Bryant Wood (LYC/RNSYS) 40) Anthony Bell (HYC) 41) Andrew Bell (LRYC) Radial: 1) Danielle Dube (RNSYS/SMSC) Female 3) Erin Rafuse (RNSYS) 18) Rebecca Power (RVanYC/RNYC) Trihedral CYA Youth Nationals: August 29-Sept 1st, SMSC, N.S. Laser: 2) Fraser Wells (Rothesay/RNSYS) 10) Zachary Dunn (RNSYS) 12) Max Seward (BBYC) 13) Aaron Alexander-Stairs (RYC) 14) Eli MacNeil (Waeg) 15) Jack Campbell (Waeg) Radial: 3) Corinne Peters (RNSYS) Female 9) Dee Osmond (RNSYS) 11) Sophia Josenhans (LYC) 12) Stephanie Robertson Kempton(RNSYS) 13) Maggie Kennedy (BBYC) 15) Meghan Henneberry (BBYC) 17) Rachel Erskine (Waeg) 19) Holly MacMillan (SMSC) Radial 2) Devan Dube (RNSYS) Male 4) Sandy Beatty (LYC) 9) Alex Burke (HSC) 13) Greg Simms (RNSYS) 15) Nathan Dunn (RNSYS) 18) Jack Bignell (RNSYS) 21) Henry Machum (RNSYS) 26) Michael Cunningham (BBYC) 28) Alexander Sapp (RNSYS)
FALL 2011
29) Luke Ruitenberg (RNSYS) 36) Alexander O’Connor (LYC) 38) Matthew Williamson (SMSC) 39) Alex Lane (Waeg) 41) Logan Mielnik (Waeg)
District 4 Manitoba, Canada Brigitte Smutny
CYA Sail West with the U17 Championships took place August 4-7 2011 in Gimli, Manitoba, the largest Icelandic community outside of Island and home of the Vikings. The event kicked off with two days of training, followed by two days of racing. Awards were presented for overall placement and for the U17 Championships. For results go to www.sailwest2011.com. The successful event brought also a full menu of leader training opportunities for people from the Gimli community, the province of Manitoba and the Western region of Canada to gain national accreditation to support the sport of sailing! Beside athletes training in Optis and Olympic development classes a Race Management Clinic, a Judges Clinic and a Community Coaches Clinic was offered. All courses included a theory part and an on water practical component and were well attended.
The District 4 Championships was held at Sail West and winner was Robert Ewanchuk in the Laser class and Paloma Corrin in the Radial class. The winner of the Provincial Championship Circuit 2011 is Austin Ross in the Laser, Emma Williams in the Radial, Ellyn Waschuk in the 4.7 and Bill Dawson in the Master Category. Congratulations to all!
Our Provincial Team is still practicing at the Manitoba Sailing Centre at the Gimli YC but because our province will be covered in ice and snow latest in November, Team Toba will pack once again their big 14 boat trailer at the end of October and move it to Victoria, BC to participate in several winter training camps and the Midwinter’s West.
District 5 Saskatoon, Canada Mark Lammens
The biggest event for 2011 in D-5 was obviously the Nationals, Ricardo Montemayor who finished 4th at the CAN National Youths in 2006 when they were at Wabamun SC came back and won, sailing for MEX and the Royal Vancouver YC. He won in very convincing fashion with almost a perfect score. ISAF CAN youth Rep Kyle Martin finished 2nd. A young and fast Malcolm Lamphere won the Radial with Ontario Youth Champion Isaac Bussin 2nd and Natalia Montemayor 3rd. Graham Harney, Alex Fritz and Rachel Spinelli were the top 3 in the 4.7. The District 5 Championships saw Canada Games
www.Laser.org
rep Simon Schmitt taking 1st, and Master Sailors Lewis Oteruelo and Barry Tee 2nd and 3rd. Ian Hern, Lesley Reichenfeld and Kristi Van Gunst were top 3 in Radial. A few OCS’s at this one. The Western Masters was held in Meota, SK. L.P. Gagnon, Oteruelo, and Ben Pickford finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The Calgary YC group decided not to come because they had a deck staining, official club opening party. CYC did host the AB championships, light air and cold beer. The little people were happier at this one vs. the Nationals. Hern, Isaac and Peter McDougal were in the top bunch. Lesley, Hanny Buitenwerf and Kristi were the top 3 in Radial.
Some of the guys from ‘back in the day’ are coming back to the laser, Michael Hooper, Bill Forsyth and Jim Campbell, very good to see, and they are still fast. Bill was yellow flagged in a race at the Nationals he was doing well in, he did not know what it meant or what to do. Yellow flag??. Jim Campbell is showing incredible recovery from a very serious accident and Coma. You cannot tell how he finished in a race on shore by his face; he is winning and he is always smiling, obviously perspective from all of the time in a hospital bed…..and Hoop finished 4th at the Provincials.
Past master of supporting D-5 events (travelled to all of them) and the name sake of our summer series, the Dick Degner District-5 Series, is completed. New winners for 2011.
District 6 Vancouver, Canada Andy Hunt
Since District 6 is now made up of British Columbia and Alaska, there has been very little in the way of regattas this summer. In fact, there are only three regattas that I can report on. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club hosted the first regatta of the summer of 2011. This regatta was held on July 1 – 3, 2011 and was called WAVES. WAVES has been hosted by the RVYC for the past 25 years, WAVES is a multiboat regatta but the Lasers, Laser Radials and Laser 4.7s had their own course. There were 28 Standard Lasers, 36 Laser Radials and 10 Laser 4.7s. There were 3 races on Friday, 4 races on Saturday and 4 races on Sunday, for a total of 11 races. The winds were from the west all three days with the windiest day being Sunday. Alexander Heinzemann led Ricardo Montemayor, Michael Schalka, Doug Honey and Derek Stanger after racing was over on Friday. These sailors all competed in the Laser Class. In the Laser Radials, Cameron Ho was in first place ahead of Natalia Montemayor, Maura Dewey, Alexander Kroitzsch and Joanna Moore.
Alexander Fritz was in first place in the Laser 4.7s, followed by Jake Cullen and Hayley Linton. After racing was over on Saturday, the leader board changed in the Laser Standards and the Laser Radials. All top three positions in theLaser 4.7s remained the same. In the Laser Standards, Ricardo Montemayor was ahead of Alexander H, Robert Britten, Thomas Roehrl and Michael Schalka. Isabella Bertold was in first place in the Laser Radials followed by Natalia M, Joanna M, Cameron H and Alexander K. The final positions in the Laser Standards were: Alexander Heinzemann ( 21) first; Ricardo Montemayor (23), second; Michael Schalka (44), third; Robert Britten (46), fourth and Kevin Grierson (54) fifth. In the Laser Radials, Isabella Bertold was first with 27 points. In second place was Natalia Montemayor with 28 points. Joanna Moore was third with 31 points. In fourth place was Tanja Smutny with 37 points. In fifth place was Alexander Kroitzsch with 50 points. The top three in the Laser 4.7s (pointwise) were: Alexander Fritz (11), Jake Cullen (17) and Hayley Linton (21). Complete results can be found on the RVYC website (www.royalvan.com). The weekend following the WAVES regatta saw the Kamploops Sailing Association host it’s annual BC Laser Master Championships and Open Regatta. There were 11 master (35+) and one open sailor. The masters were scored seperately and the lone open sailor was given his own special prize. There were 4 races on Saturday in a variety of conditions and one light air race on Sunday. The one race on Sunday meant that there would be a throwout race taken into consideration. Out of the 11 masters, there were 3 Apprentice (35 – 44), 4 Masters (45 – 54), 3 Grand Masters (55 – 64) and one Great Grand Master (65 +). After the racing on Saturday, sailors and others were treated to a wonderful dinner hosted by the commodore of the KSA, Al Knight. Sailors were allowed to switch from a Standard rig to a Radial rig (or vice versa) provided they did it on shore and the other competitors were in agreement. One sailor did in fact take advantage of this opportunity but it did not make much difference as he finished well back of the pack. The top great grand master sailor and winner of the overall event was Trevor Owen (15 points). In second place (and would have won in straight racing) was Doug Honey (16 points). Doug was also first apprentice. In third place and top grand master was Jacek Suski (18 points). The above mentioned sailors received prizes while the top master, Mark Fitxsimmons (4th overall) received a draw prize. Most of the sailors (8) were from out of town. I hope to see more masters and open sailors there next year, In regard to the SOSA Invitational, I have been unable to find any results or a report on the regatta. For what’s it worth, the regatta was hosted by the South Okanagan Sailing Association and was held on August 6 and 7. The pictures that are posted on the SOSA website seem to indicate that there was very little wind on Saturday and enough wind on Sunday to run some races. The evening racing programs at the Jericho Sailing Centre and the Surrey Sailing Club are now over for the year. The results for the Tuesday racing program are incomplete and, hopefully, they will be posted on the Jericho website (www.jsca.bc.ca) in the near future. There were 33 races in total at the
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Wednesday Racing Program at the Surrey Sailing Club and a total of 18 boats. Laser sailors (and one Laser Radial sailor) dominated the top four positions. Congratulations to Darren Redies, Mark Fitzsimmons, Doug Honey and Stephanie Huggett. District 6 sailors also competed in International and World events. These events include but are not limited to the Canadian Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 Nationals, Sail West and the big one, the Laser Master Worlds. In regard to the Laser Master Worlds, congratulations to Al Clark (1st, Radial Masters) and to Jacek Suski (9th. Radial Grand Masters) and Peter Woytkowiak (15th. Standard Grand Masters). I must plead mea culpa in regard to the District 6 website. I have not done anything about it and for that I apologize. I will make it my goal to get it up and running by 2012.
District 7 Rhode Island Kim Ferguson
As I write this, one of District 7’s rising stars is prepping to undergo yet another surgery in hopes of regaining the use in his left arm. On August 23rd, Ted Green of Wickford, RI suffered a horrific accident while working for a local tree company taking down trees. He was 30+ feet up and taking down tree limbs, when he was struck by 7000 volts of electricity. Ted had been training hard all year to get into Laser shape and that is what doctors have told him, saved his life. Ted suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 30% of his body and was read his last rites at two different hospitals, as his survival was dubious.
Ted is an inspiration to us all and especially those of us with kids. Success in life doesn’t come without hard work. He is a reminder that life can change in an instant and that there are no guarantees. Life is short, so do what you love, full on and love those around you, a lot! Ted is a senior at SUNY Maritime where he is studying to be a Naval Architect as well as one of the top sailors on the collegiate team.
On a lighter note, congratulations to our D7 sailors entering as freshman in college! We will be keeping an eye on this gang and their collegiate sailing endeavors! In alphabetical order:
Luke Adams (Portsmouth, RI) Brown University Chris Aitken (Sandwich, MA) Providence College Elizabeth Dubovik (Chatham, MA) Connecticut College Nick Johnstone (Newport, RI) The College of Charleston Dan Nickerson (Noank, CT) Tufts University OJ O’Connell (Niantic, CT) University of Vermont
Please put your emails on the email list for the blog (http://laserdistrict7.blogspot.com) to get the most up-to-date stories and photos. Also, check the “Regatta NOR/Results” page on the D7 website for NOR and results!
You can promote your own events and boost the enthusiasm by sending me photos and stories or better yet, post your info directly to the D7 Facebook page!
District 8 Long Island, NY Ted Cremer
Greetings! Hope everyone had a great summer sailing lasers!
Upon regaining consciousness, 24 hours after the accident, Ted was pretty upset. While still with a breathing tube down his throat, he couldn’t speak so instead, he wrote with his right hand (he is left handed) on a white board and his first question to his parents was, ‘Is sailing over?’ Unfortunately he learned shortly after that there was a high probability that he would lose his left arm completely.
Anyone who knows Ted knows that he is a true fighter and it is no surprise that he is blowing by “the odds” like dominoes! Through extensive grafting and the moving of tendons from other places in his body to his hand, Ted has the hope of not only keeping his arm but of possibly being able to close his fingers as one unit. He is already trying to figure out how to write with his right hand along with ways to deal with the tiller and mainsheet with 1-1.5 arm.
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We have some folks to be very proud of here in District 8. Lindsay Hewitt finishing 4th at the Masters Worlds in San Fran (ahead of some guy named Heineken!) , and Junior Nick Valente (Wet Pants Sailing Assoc) winning the US Sailing Junior Singlehanded, followed closely by Old Cove’s Gary Prieto. Also kudos to Great Grand Master Doug Mercer for being a constant inspiration to all in the district and sailing at worlds!
Additionally. many thanks go to my rather talented videographer and webmaster Robert Terry . . . Please check out his awesome videos at: http://laserd8.tripod.com/news.htm
Subject: EELS Final Results by Mike Duran and Lynn Sexton. The 2011 East End Laser Series is in the record books! In our 6th season, the schedule included 8 regattas and had a break in the middle to allow the East End Laser fleet to race in the 1st Annual Laser Race around Shelter Island. Unfortunately, the series was cut short by tropical storm Irene and we missed Southold Yacht Club which was scheduled for Saturday, August 27. Many thanks to all the venues – Noyac Bay Informal but Competitive Laser Racing Association, Old Cove Yacht Club, Shelter Island Yacht Club, Breakwater Yacht Club, Southampton Yacht Club,
Devon Yacht Club, Westhampton Yacht Squadron, and Southold Yacht Club. In total, 59 racers contested 37 races in 7 regattas on 7 Saturday afternoons at 7 different venues on Long Island, New York’s east end. The fleet included 11 Juniors (18 and under), 2 Great Grand Masters (65 and over) and 7 women. Laser racing is a family sport – 17 racers were on the water with and racing against a loved one (boyfriend / girlfriend, brother / sister, father / son, or husband / wife). Nice! To be included in EELS final standings, racers were required to compete in at least 3 regattas; but since the season was cut short by one week, that requirement was relaxed to at least 2 regattas. 16 racers competed in 2 or more regattas. Gary Prieto, a Junior, was first overall. Matt Doherty was the first Master, George Prieto was first in the Open age group, Doug Mercer was the first Great Grand Master, Mark Webber was the first Grand Master, Peter Vakjo was the first Apprentice Master, Joe Slawek was the first Radial, and Lynn Sexton was the first woman. Congratulations to all the racers! Race details, results, comments, pictures and videos are posted at www.laser.org and www.laserd8.org. We are actively planning the 2012 season and welcome your feedback, questions, observations or complaints. See you on the water, Mike Duran, 162043, Lynn Sexton, 100550 The District wants to send along their sincere appreciation of what Mike and Lynn have accomplished out there in the Hamptons. From an idea to a thriving summer series in a matter of a few short years. The host clubs are awesome and good to the sailors. The racing is fun and fair... I encourage all to try it out! Nyack summer season Report courtesy of Jon Marsh, NBC Laser Fleet Capt We had a very successful season with 5 races, all part of the Hudson River Yacht Racing Association. We averaged about 20 boats a regatta. The results were as follows Memorial Day Regatta at Nyack Boat Club 1 Justin Coplan 2 Dave Foster 3 Sarah Hatsell 1st Radial Carol Marsh July 4 Regatta at Nyack 1 Chris Henkel 2 Sarah Hatsell 3 Rick Wood 1st Radial Jessie Fitzgerald
Aug 6 at Chelsea Yacht Club 1 Sarah Hatsell 2 Andy Hudson 3 Eric Beck 1st Radial Jessie Fitzgerald
Aug 20 at Minisceonga Yacht Club 1 Eric Beck 2 Andy Husdon 3 Jon Marsh 1st Radial Carol Marsh Labor Day Regatta at Nyack 1 Rick Wood 2 Sarah Hatsell 3 Ryan Sprole 1st Radial Ryan Wood
FALL 2011
In addition to this series we had three regattas at Nyack in which Lasers were a one design start. On July 4 a Laser sailor, Shea Thorvaldsen, won the Guy Molton Trophy for the best performance of all the different classes. We also have a weekly race series for overall standings for the year. Jon Marsh NBC Laser Fleet Capt
Upcoming Fall Sailing The Dinghy Shop Laser Fall Series runs from September 17 to October 22 with awards on October 30. Come on out to the Great South Bay sailing center and support laser sailing in Amityville! http://dinghyshop.com/fall_series_laser/LASER_NO R.pdf
District 9 Ithaca, NY Chas Williamson
The main part of this summer has been very pleasant with light to moderate winds, and some easygoing sailing, although some of us would have rather had some strong breezes every so often - not so much a feature of upstate New York! We need to travel to get wind and waves around these parts. I am writing always at a crazy busy time at this point in the year - this time about to fly to Marseille someone has to go. Last year it was from Bavaria neither of these venues are regattas, which is a great pity! We have had a full set of regattas this year, and I include here a couple of mid-season events - the regatta at Turner HQ - namely Chautauqua - and a regatta at Onondaga YC for the first time for several years. In the next report we shall have District 9 Championships regatta (also doubles as the CNYSSA Central New York regatta) held at Willowbank YC, which was run by Ian Ikeda, from Rochester YC, followed by AJ Webster from the local club followed by Chas Williamson. We shall also include Seneca YC next time, and the dreaded Deathroll Regatta at Willowbank.
At Chautauqua Lake YC (25 June 2011), the Turner Dynasty again were central in a regatta that sounded tremendous fun ! David Menzies very kindly sent me an email Report, so I pass the details on here also! : “Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club’s district 9 Regatta...... The skies were grey but the sailing was great. Our 2011 District 9 Regatta turned out to be a great day of sailing. The regatta was held in winds varying between 10 and 18 knots. Attending from afar was Steven Leach and not so afar, Doug Bargar. Locals rounding out the fleet were Marc , Brad and Ricky Turner, Nick Evans, Nate Bargar and myself, with Hanna Evan and Amy Catherine Turner adding style and grit. This day proved to be a day of both quantity and quality as the family most represented was also most often first. First to the weather mark, first to the leeward mark and most importantly first to the finish. And so the details.....Winner - Marc Turner, uncle of Ricky and Brad, father of Amy Catherine; Runner up Brad Turner, Younger brother of Ricky; 3rd – Ricky Turner - ersatz winner but for that unknown OCS; 4th - Steve Leach - not a Turner that we know of? Research indicates that he is from Rochester.; 5th - Doug Bargar – Uncle to Nate; 6th – David Menzies - Se moi, a Chesapeake Bay Boy; 7th – NateBargar- and by now you know
www.Laser.org
the entire sailing genealogy of Chautauqua County.; 8th – Nick Evans – Young fellow who is neither Bargar nor Turner; 9th - Amy Catherine Turner, Top female sailor and one tough young lady; 10th – Hanna Evan - 2nd very tough young lady. Until next year, when I hope you will join us. The Perpetual CLYC Laser Fleet Captain.” From David Menzies. Thanks so much Dave !
I received the following report from Mike Mueller, aided and supported by peter Bushnell (who incidentally will take over from Mike next year as Fleet Captain). Thanks for your great work Mike ! This regatta was run outside of the official regatta schedule announced by ILCA, so nexxt year we need to get this one included properly, and increase turnout too ! Here’s Mike: “On a lark, seven WBYC Laser sailors got themselves invited to an informal regatta in Liverpool, NY, today. It was graciously hosted by Onondaga Yacht Club where we had a great time with some very nice people and enjoyed the amazing venue. Their club dates back 1885 and enjoys a Liverpool lease on property that’s part of Onondaga Park. It’s on the northeast shore of the Lake, just west of downtown Syracuse. It’s one of Onondaga County’s best kept secrets. The lake’s been cleaned up enough for swimming (we saw lots of swimmers, and inadvertently I participated before the first race), though it’s not quite up to drinking standards. One really nice feature about OYC’s location is that it’s pretty much wide open with breezes that are not overly erratic. Today wind was from the north and northwest. We ran six races, “modified Olympics,” three before lunch, three after lunch. A half-dozen members were on hand to help us launch from the club ramp; but we were advised that there’s an easily accessible ramp farther toward downtown, maybe 100 yards. OYC has an old fleet of Lasers and is looking to improve their inventory. They have an amazing venue. It should be no surprise to you to learn that the six race regatta was won by Lee Davis, in a tie-breaker with Peter Bushnell. Federico Meira in an old, borrowed boat (i.e. not upgraded) took third place.” Thanks for the report Mike. Next year we will have a District 9 regatta there ! It is clear that WBYC Laser sailors are anxious to help with such a project.
District 10 New Jersey Eric Reitinger
Summer was a busy season for the district. At the Shrewsbury regatta we had all manner of weather and wind! Lack of wind delayed the start, but as the sea breeze filled in at 11:15am, the day moved quickly from no wind to a good, steady breeze. Thirteen boats competed, including five radial rigs. Apart from the stellar performance of Eric Reitinger winning all five races in the full rig, the racing was close and variable throughout the day. Top three full rigs were Eric Reitinger (Brant Beach YC), Jack Swikart (SSYC) and Chris Williams (Brant Beach YC). Top three radials all hail from SSYC: Caroline Garth, Emily Kosinski and Robert Gruskos. Top Master Finishers: Ed Rowe (Portland, ME), Had Brick (Island Heights YC) and Larry Nociolo (MBC). Top Woman: Caroline Garth and Top Junior: Chris Pomerleau. Special thanks to the Munger family for servicing as PROs, to Brian Holsey for ably managing safety, mark placement and sailor hydration and to Anita
Waters Sr and Amy Milnes for managing breakfast, lunch and libations. It was a very nice day on the water. Now that completes our Spring series. After doing the stats here are a few to mention: Total number of regattas: 6 (would be 7 but BBYC’s Annual was the same weekend as Districts) Total boats that competed (full and radial): 72 Total races sailed (including separate starts): 40 Number of different full rig winners: 4 (Eric and Had had 2 wins) Biggest total turnout: 25 (OCP) Smallest turnout: 8 (Monmouth) Brant Beach hosted North Americans July 12-15. 68 fulls and 141 radials raced the 4 days. Conditions ranged from light to 15-20mph with gusts. Temps were up with heat indices over 100 early getting cooler for the final 3 days. Clay Johnson sailed a great regatta winning the full rigs. Top Radial for the district was Max Lopez in 3rd place. The District had 13 full rigs and 32 radials. Full results can be found here: http://www.bbyc.net/LaserNAC The junior events were all over the area. Upper Barnegat Bay had their weekly interclubs and one day regattas all throughout the summer with some great turnouts. The 4.7 fleet there is getting bigger every year. Downbay on Long Beach Island there were weekly interclubs at every yacht club. The 4.7 fleet is also growing as well. I estimate we have at least 25 4.7s in the area now. And now my tradition for the summer editions: Billy Martin (CORK) Mike Russom (CORK) Ryan Bailey (CORK, Youth Champs) Andrew Puopolo (Youth Champs) Joe Paggi (CORK, Youth Champs) Nick Pro (CORK) Jack Swikart (Smythe) Kelly McGlynn (Leiter) *Champion* Patricia McGlynn (Leiter) Don Hahl (Master’s Worlds) John MacCausland (O’Day)
Surf City started off our fall series the weekend after Labor Day. LBI got through the hurricane with no more than flooding so the island was ready to host a regatta. Sadly there wasn’t much of a turnout. 7 total boats, 4 radials and 3 full rigs. Winds were 5-10mph both says and they sailed 7 races. Mike Hecky won the fulls and Anthony Pacheco won the radials.
The fall series starts up with some regattas and multiple fall series. Plenty of sailing this fall so no excuses to not be out on the water.
District 20 Wisconsin Steve Dolan
Another Summer Laser season in the books. Here’s how it went in the land of D20:
May 21-22. Pewaukee Yacht Club’s Ice Breaker. Big wind on Saturday (big boys get to hike) Light on Sunday. Nine boats on the line. Plenty of new faces. Roman Plutenko 196157 take first, Dave Abbot 771 second, Steve Dolan 198003 third. May 30. Milwaukee Yacht Club’s Memorial Day Regatta. Held on the day itself this year and sailed on Lake Michigan . A two hour shore side postponement allows for a tail whipper of a South Easter
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to develop. Sixteen boats sail the first race. Lot’s of swimming takes place and fleet attrition follows. The nine still standing after some beefy modified W2’s call it a day after 4 races and make race 5 their throw out. No one sails upwind after the first run. All continue the downwind surfing all the way back to the dock. Must have been some kind of team racing hand signal. Winds were in the high teens, waves 3 feet and the water was cold. Roman Plutenko 196157 and Matt Woodworth 168196 duke it out all day long a leg ahead of the rest and finish 1-2 respectively. JP Mull 191497 takes third. Special thanks to Terry McMahon 176890 and wife Patti for running the races. July 10. Vlad Kobal Memorial Regatta blown out from May is rescheduled as a one day event in early July on Lake Michigan and sailed out of Belmont Harbor, Illinois. Eight boats register. Roman Plutenko 196157 takes first, Rick Strilky 176078 second and Andrew Aronson 179491 third. August 27-28. Chicago Yacht Club, Belmont Harbor hosts the annual Verve Cup Inshore. A rare late summer North Easter brings big wind and waves on both days. Eleven boats register. JP Mull 198420 takes first, Paul Wurtzebach 175529 second and David Wagner 150962 third. Roman Plutenko decides to sail Etchells instead and take second in that fleet. Sept 3. A new Laser event is born. Mark Kastel 66263 gets the D20 Laser fleet a start in this perennial small boat Lake Michigan regatta sailed off the beach in Highland Park, Il. Rick Strilky 176078 takes first, Mark Kastel 66263 second and Steve Dolan 198003 third. Local Highland Park ace, Max Barson takes the first youth spot. Flat water, light air and an approaching cold front limited the racing to 3 races. A well run event by some fine folks who want us back next year. Sept 10-11. Laser Full Rig D20 Champs in Title Town (That’s Green Bay, Wisconsin for you Bears fans). Light air prevails both days (big boys do not hike and are not happy). Twenty four boats attend. Roman Plutenko is dethroned. Matt Woodworth takes the 8 race event sailed over two days out of Wind Jammers Sailing Club in Suamico, Wisconsin. A great club that host a great Laser event every year.
On a serious and somber note, Brian Burant, a long time D20 member succumbs to what is believed to be a massive heart attack immediately following the start of race one of the D20 Championship. He cannot be revived despite the heroic efforts of the support and race committee of Wind Jammers Sailing Club and local Paramedics. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time. Life is short, grab the ones you love and tell them so. Make everyday count. See you out on the water
District 22-West Bill Symes
Greetings from the new D22, recently re-gerrymandered by the annexation of Oregon and Washington from D6 and the secession of Wyoming to D23, thereby gaining deep water ports on the Pacific and restoring the US-Canadian border to the 49th parallel. With the addition of Portland and Seattle, you may start to notice a slight westward tilt to the D22 vibe, while former D-Sixers may require some cognitive restructuring in order to shift their orientation from north to east.
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It’s been a while since we checked in, so here’s a brief recap of district activity this year. Twenty-eight brave souls turned up in Seattle Jan. 29-30 for the annual Frigid Digit Regatta. Perennial winner Carl Buchan graciously stepped aside to serve as PRO, clearing the way for Victoria’s Bob Britten to etch his name on the revered FDR plaque. Bob romped to four bullets in the moderate conditions Saturday, but Sunday belonged to Mike Johnson who showed everyone how it’s done in classic FDR conditions – 20 knots, solid whitecaps, and, well, frigid. Britten hung on for the win, followed by Bill Symes and Mike Johnson. Seattle’s Alexis Aird led the radial fleet home, followed by Hanne Weaver and Sarah Mackey (full results at www.cycseattle.org). Fair weather and fine breeze greeted the 45 competitors who showed up for the Pacific Coast Laser Championships at CYC Seattle June 4-5. Portland’s Elliot Drake, representing the University of Oregon sailing team, dominated the 25-boat full rig fleet, winning four of the seven races to finish in front of Seattle sailors Anthony Boscolo and Michael Karas. Natalia Montemayor from Royal Vancouver YC came in first in radials, followed closely by Annie Rossi from Oxnard, CA, and RVYC teammate Joanna Moore. In the 4.7 fleet, Seattle’s Jack Toland took the win ahead of Vancouver sailors Graham Harney and Jake Cullen (full results at www.seattleyachtclub.org). The action moved out to the Columbia River Gorge in July, starting with CGRA’s annual WIND Youth Laser Clinic and Regatta, July 12-17. In typical Gorge-like conditions (i.e., full hiking!), Tacoma’s Teddy Weaver edged out his sister Hanne to top the 21-boat radial fleet, with Seattle’s Adam DiDomizio in third. Jack Toland dominated a 13-boat 4.7 fleet, scoring all top three finishes to lead home Seattle sailors Alex Demmler and Ellie Shaw in second and third. In full rigs, Taylor Smith from Orcas Island, WA, wound up on top, ahead of Marshall Le Baron and Cameron Schuh (full results at www.cgra.org). Next up was US Sailing’s Singlehanded Sailing Championships, July 21-24, featuring an all-star cast of 40 top Laser sailors, men and women, from around the country. In the end, it was an all-Seattle cast on the men’s podium, with Derick Vranizan taking the coveted O’Day trophy, Michael Karas taking the silver and Anthony Boscolo the bronze. The Peter Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to ILCA chief Tracy Usher for graciously retiring after ungraciously pasting Lars Hansen to the committee boat at the finish of race six. In the women’s fleet, Christine Neville from Oakland, CA, jumped out in front in the early, light air races, then hung on when the breeze cranked up to win her division. Sky Adams from Santa Barbara took second and Seattle’s Hanne Weaver was third (full results at www.cgra.org). Meanwhile, Lasers continued to converge on the CGRA boat park ahead of the 4th annual Laser Gorge Performance Clinic with Steve Bourdow and Sean Kelly, three days of intense heavy weather training that kicked off July 25th and climaxed on the 28th with the infamous Laser Gorge Blowout, a white-knuckle, 18-mile downwind ride from Cascade Locks to Hood River. This year’s Blowout attracted 28 daring souls from as far away as Florida, Mexico, Australia and Denmark, including a gaggle of master sailors tuning up for the upcoming Laser Masters Worlds in San Francisco. Once again, Derick Vranizan led the way, S-turning his way to the front of the pack and finishing a full
three minutes ahead of second-place Sean Kelly and third-place Ville Roberts (full results at www.cgra.org). The Gorge Laser season wrapped up July 30-31 with the D22 Laser Championships hosted by CGRA and attended by 36 sailors from five countries. In epic Gorge conditions, an epic battle unfolded between veteran Laser ace Steve Bourdow from Santa Cruz and young upstart Alexander Heinzemann from the Royal Vancouver YC sailing team. Tied at the end of seven races, the two leaders went head-to-head all the way to the finish in the final race, with Alex beating Steve across the line to take the title. Third place went to Danish master sailor Otto Strandvig. Over in the radial fleet, Christine Neville was beating up all the boys, outdistancing fellow Bay Area sailor Drake Jensen to win the championship. Vancouver’s Joanna Moore came in third (full results at www.cgra.org). As the old guys headed south to San Francisco, the kids turned north to Seattle for their summer grand finale, the 2011 US Sailing Junior Olympics Aug. 19-21. It turned out to be another Weaver family sweep, with both Teddy (full rig) and Hanne (radial) winning their divisions with perfect scores. Runners up were Robyn Lesh of Bellingham and David Brink of Seattle in the radials and Adam DiDomizio of Seattle and Alex Dzinbal of Olympia in the full rigs (full results at www.seattleyachtclub.org). Final note: D22 was well represented at the 2011 Laser Masters Worlds in August. Seattle fleet members Dan Falk, Todd Wilsie, Greg Jackson, Joe Burcar, Jim Barrett and Jay Winberg and Portland sailors John Sturman, John Purdy, Henry Drotning, and Bill Symes all made the long trek to San Francisco. I’m happy to report that all survived, and in fact performed with distinction throughout biblical sailing conditions and bacchanalian social functions. At the end of the week, it was nice to see some familiar names high up on the leader boards, especially Dan Falk (9th in the ferociously competitive Standard Apprentice fleet), Joe Burcar (4th in Radial Apprentice), and Bill Symes (1st in Radial Grand Masters). There should be some good stories around the D22 campfire this fall.
District 22-East Mike Gilbert
Hello from the Montana end of District 22! We had a late spring, a ton of rain, and a late start to summer on the lakes. Our first real event was the Annual Whitefish Lake Regatta in support of the Whitefish Lake Institute in mid-July. Peter & Cheri Aronsson generously organized and hosted the event as well as tasty brunch at their home overlooking City Beach. Thanks also to Heather Mull, whose lakefront yard served as staging area for trailers and dollies. Cheri Aronsson, Heather Mull, and Fred Jones assisted with committee duties. Early morning thermals dictated 7AM starts both days. Very, very pretty to be on the lake at that hour with sun on the water and a major ski hill as a backdrop. We had nice winds right off, hiking conditions, and the best part – short course racing like they do up in Saskatchewan! We got in 22 races in two days, with lots of extra starting practice due to most of us pushing the line. It was great fun and good practice, with the fastest race lasting only 12 minutes, even with a jibe mark. The race committee decided to have some fun with us and ran a counterclockwise race, then a downwind start and finish. As the wind let up mid-day, we de-rigged at the beach and
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strolled up to the Aronsson’s house for a fantastic brunch and some sight-seeing and hiking. Nine boats competed, with always-positive John Underwood taking first and our friends David Elliot and Richard Quinlan from Alberta rounding out the top three. The top five places were very close. 16 year old Austin Gilbert raced in his first regatta ever. August brought the Flathead Lake Laser Championship (formerly the D22 Championship) in a spectacular setting at the north end, hosted by the North Flathead YC and sponsored by SailMontana.com. We had a light attendance of eight boats due to some exhaustion from the Masters Worlds two weeks before and several major NW events. Some new faces, however, and great racing with Alan Boch of Helena, Frank Caccavo of Spokane, and Dennis Muri of Billings / Seattle appearing here for the first time. Early north thermals up to 15 knots eased mid-day into light wind racing, requiring an entirely different skillset. Good close starts and 5-wide roundings made for a great weekend of sailing. Several sailors enjoyed big improvements from past performances. The top three spots went to Tim Sauer of Billings and organizer of the regatta, Mike Gilbert of Missoula, and Dennis Muri of Billings. Dennis has relocated to Montana after serving as a tactician on a big boat in Seattle for 15 years. One of the best parts of the weekend was this was the first time we’ve been able to put on youth races at the Championship. Tim Sauer and Dennis Muri have built a youth lesson and racing group in Billings using their own fleet of boats, new rigging, and 4.7 sails. Five youth boats raced in the afternoons and we want to acknowledge them here in print: Emily Dardis, Dylan Eve, Caleb Gillam, Allie Sauer, and Julia Windam had good races with lots of spectators and informal coaching from the adult sailors. It was a good learning experience and everyone had a great time. Our local dinghy racing future is looking brighter here. A big thanks to Harold Gillam and his wife Joanne for their help with the Junior program in Billings as well as committee boat and dinner support during the regatta. Two of our intrepid sailors (out of 6 paid ILCA members), John Underwood and Peter Aronsson, made the trek to the Masters Worlds in San Francisco. We are very proud of their efforts and are learning vicariously from their big wind experiences. They seem a little reluctant to talk about the actual sailing, but one did say, “I’ve never sailed in conditions like that on purpose!” They came home beat up but very happy they went, and will add to the experience level of local sailing. One of our members will be at the No Coast Championship in Park City in September. Another will be sailing at the J22 Worlds in New Orleans in October.
District 23 Nick Ondrejka
The Park City Sailing Association has had another great year of Tuesday Night Laser Racing with a number of new racers joining the fleet. The average nightly attendance throughout the Summer has hovered around the 20 boat mark with a peak of 25 boats. Four sailors from the Park City area, including three that race actively on Tuesday Nights, raced at the Laser Master Worlds in San Francisco. Those three were Chuck Thomas, Jay Miles and Jeff Kluge. They were joined by Doug Dubois, another top sailor from Utah. In just a week from this writing the PCSA is honored to host the Laser No Coast
www.Laser.org
Championships. Attendance is expected to be around 25-30 boats and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for good weather and great breeze for our guests coming from Colorado, California, Washington D.C. and the Northwest. A write up on the Laser No Coasts will be included in the next edition. Check in with the fleet at www.sailparkcity.org for the 2011 No Coasts NOR and Registration information. The Denver Sailing Association races on Thursdays at 6pm at Cherry Creek State Park. For more information, see their website at www.denversailing.org/. The Colorado Laser Champs were held at the Grand LakeYacht Club in August, a wonderful venue at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. Wayne Lemley was first, Doug McNight second, Tim Everett third. Awesome mountain lake racing. More information is available at www.usdiscovery.com/laser/.
District 24 NorCal David LaPier
Lasers ruled San Francisco Bay this summer. Thanks especially to the many volunteers that made all the racing and socializing such a success, and thanks to all the family and friends that let us play. 4.7 North Americans and Masters PCC’s South Beach Yacht Club and the Treasure Island Sailing Center co-hosted the 4.7 North Americans and Masters PCCs. Bright sunshine brought on a healthy westerly in the upper teens. We raced just south of the Berkeley Circle, still in open water, but with a more moderate chop. The 4.7’s looked great, with the top sailors torquing hard. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the breeze as a warm-up for the pending world championships. 4.7’s – 1) Ryan Amlehm (NZ); 2) Taylor Burn (NZ); 3) Jack Marshal; 4) Adrian Vlasic (Can); 5) Brendan Shanahan; 6) Bradley Shaw; 7) Liam McDonald (AUS); 8) Graham Harney (Can); 9) Lola Bushnell; 10) Markus Suorsa; 11) Kyle Larsen; 12) Hannah Hughes; 13) Max Guerriero; 14) Liam McCarthy 15) Thomson Butcher (35 Boats). Masters — 1) Wolfgang Gertz (GM); 2) Emilio Castelli (GM); 3) Mike Bishop (AM); 4) David LaPier (M); 5) Chris Boome (GM); 6) Kurt Wessels (AM); 7) David Wyllie (GGM) (14 Boats) Laser Slalom This year’s recreation of the retro 70’s classic starred Anna Tunnicliffe. Generally speaking, competitors hairstyles have improved since the mullets of past generations. Finals Included: 1) Peter Shope and 2) Ben Richardson. Semi’s included: Michael Matan and Scott Furguson: Quarterfinals included: Tracy Usher, Al Clark, Colin Dibb; and Anna Tunnicliffe. Bay Area Youth Sailing (BAYS) The BAYS championship is a series of youth regattas, with an event at five different yacht clubs in the area. Radials: 1) Andrew Godfrey; 2) Travis Cottle; 3) Kyle Larsen; 4) Sara Lake; 5) Will Cefali. Full Rig: 1) Greg Kushner, 2) Will Queen Leiter Cup Richmond YC hosted the US Womens Junior National Championship with 65 competitors from across the country. The event featured strong seabreezes from 15 to 20+. Results: 1) Kelly McGlynn; 2) Christina Frost; 3) Kaitlyn Baab; 4) Alexis Aird; 5) Madison Gates; 6) Hanne Weaver; 7) Quinn Howes; 8) Elizabeth
Dubovik; 9) Dana Rhode; 10) Susannah Spoto. Dinghy Delta Ditch Dinghy Delta Ditch is a 30 mile downwind marathon on the Sacramento River for all kinds of small boats. This year there were 25 boats overall. Laser results: 1) Roger Herbst; 2) Orville Hrabe; 3) Josh Lindsau Tahoe Fleet Championship The Lake Tahoe Laser fleet takes a camping trip to Stampede Reservoir in early September for a day’s racing and night’s party. In keeping with the fun atmosphere, registration was on a first name basis. Results: 1) Stan [Ericson]; 2) Drake [Jensen]; 3) Nick; 4) Joe; 5) Ricardo; 6) Buff [Wendt] (19 boats) Totally Dinghy Racing was great at Richmond YC’s last summertime event for small boats. We sailed six long races, with plenty of hiking on Saturday. Tracy Usher schooled us – rounding first at almost every mark of every race. After Tracy’s performance, it was clear to see why Emilio Castelli let out a jubilant cheer after coming out of the right side to win the last race. Newcomer Ricardo Lange joined us for the first time and was right up front in several races. Coach Andy Casey was on the scene, happily guiding a strong fleet of Radials kids. When all was said and done, I realized that the San Francisco summer was over, because I finally got to sail for a day on the bay without wearing my winter hat. Full Rigs: 1) Tracy Usher; 2) Emilio Castelli; 3) Mike Bishop; 4) David LaPier; 5) Simon Bell Radial: 1) Drake Jensen; 2) Lola Bushnell; 3) Lindsey Baab; 4) Richard Leland; 5) Christy Usher.
District 25 SoCal Steven Smith/Jorge Suarez
The 2011 Laser Class District 25 (Southern California) Championship Regatta was held in conjunction with the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC), Long Beach CA Labor Day Holiday Regatta which was also chosen as the first of four events for the Southern California Youth Yacht Racing Association 2011-2012 Ullman/Frost Series for juniors raced in Laser Radials. This combination of events resulted in a nice turnout of 53 Laser Radials and 24 Lasers. The regatta drew racers from the San Francisco Bay Area, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles area, and San Diego. The Radial fleet was dominated by junior racers, while the Laser fleet had a mix of junior, adult and Masters.
The bright morning sunshine presaged fresh breeze for Saturday and we weren’t disappointed as Force Four to Five winds were blowing by the time the Race Committee (RC) set the race course inside the Long Beach Harbor breakwater. In the Radial fleet, we had to cool our heels as nine separate classes started before we got our chance. Thank goodness we had no General Recalls all day. Due to the wind velocity and petite stature of some of the competitors, the Radial fleet spread out widely over the race course, especially in race one when we were sent twice around a long windward-leeward track. You have to give the youngsters their due, however, as there were no DNF’s and only a smattering of DNC’s over six demanding races Saturday and Sunday.
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Showing mastery of the conditions, Christine Neville from the San Francisco Bay Area –heck, those winds made her feel right at home- won all three Radial races Saturday followed by; Matt Long from the Santa Barbara YC (SBYC), Keenan Chung from Newport Harbor YC (NHYC), ABYC’s Jack Jorgensen, Chris Vilicich from Cabrillo Beach YC and James Trotter from San Diego YC. In the Laser fleet ABYC’s Vann Wilson was tied on points for first place with Oliver Toole from SBYC followed by; Kieran Chung from NHYC, Michael Bradley from Long Beach YC and Stephen Long from Santa Barbara SC rounding out the top five on Saturday. Following racing Saturday, all sailors and guests could partake of the food and drinks on the ABYC patio accompanied by great music from the band and lots of fun and games well into the evening. Sunday brought the same if not a bit more breeze than Saturday and as we waited for our first start the F18 multihulls, that started earlier, screamed through the start-finish area on three sail reaches, crews shouting out cautions to clear the way…pretty wild. I guess anticipating anxious Laser and Radial racers, the RC hoisted the “I” flag enforcing the “round the ends rule” but amazingly, only one racer in one race failed to restart correctly all day. Radials did have one General Recall in the penultimate race as the wind had moderated making everyone a bit more aggressive while the last race of the day looked to be a real drifter as a high overcast rolled in blocking the breeze from earlier in the day. With the strong winds Saturday and early Sunday and with moderate to light winds for the last races, there was a condition for everyone; however,
Christine Neville continued to dominate with a second in race five and seventh in the final light air affair…impressive. For her efforts, Christine is our 2011 Laser Radial District 25 Champion, Labor Day Regatta winner and she’ll have her name on the ABYC Art Hall Fiesta de la Playa Perpetual trophy as winner of the Labor Day Regatta’s largest fleet. Following Christine in the final results were; Matt Long, Alan Rochard from Austin YC, James Trotter, Keenan Chung and Jack Jorgensen. The Labor Day & Laser District 25 Champion was Oliver Toole who posted three second place finishes Sunday winning by two points over Kieran Chung.
Vann Wilson placed third, followed by Oliver’s father, Pat Toole from SBYC and Michael Bradley. For complete results, go to: http://www.abyc.org/upload/LaborDay6.htm
The ABYC Laser Fleet is grateful to the ABYC Lido 14 Fleet volunteers and friends for putting on a great show, especially all the help at the launch ramp and on the water! We are also thankful for the hard working staff of ABYC. We know it has been a busy season and it is not over yet.
Calgary 1520 Meridian Rd Calgary, AB, T2A 2N9 403 266 3055 calgary@glenmoresailboats.com
Edmonton 6507 104th Street Edmonton, AB, T6H 2L3 780 434 0101 edmonton@glenmoresailboats.com
Vancouver 1625 Powell Street Vancouver, BC, V5L 1H5 604 251 3455 vancouver@glenmoresailboats.com
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