6 continents, 122 countries - the biggest adult and youth racing class in the world
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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
Andy Roy Chairman 15 Claudette Court Peterborough, ON, K9J 7Y7 Canada 705-750-0189 aroy@bell.blackberry.net
Meka Taulbee Vice Chairman 570 Kirkland Circle Dunedin, FL 34698 USA Phone: 727-631-7005 Meka@sailfit.com
WI N TER
2013
District Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
President’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Soft Drinks - the bad and the ugly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Meet the ILCA-NA Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13
ILCA-NA Financial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Running Laser Master Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17
Masters Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
European Masters Championship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21
District 3 Championship-CORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 2013 Event Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Laser World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .center
District Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Membership Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Innovative Hiking Strap Adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Eric Reitinger Treasurer 7908 Normandy Dr. Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: 609-206-2973 er4599@gmail.com
Lauralee Symes Secretary 6901 SE Oaks Park Way, Slip 27 Portland, OR 97202 Phone: (503) 274-2818 llsymes@comcast.net
Christine Neville At Large 2321 Ransom Avenue Oakland, CA 94601 Phone: 917-285-5869 Chrisnev@gmail.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
WINTER 2013
6 continents, 122 countries - the biggest adult and youth racing class in the world
ÂŽ
Cover: Photographer Paul Nelson of Photoboat.com catches Hanne Weaver rounding the leeward mark in the Gorge at the 2012 WIND regatta. 5
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6 22 24 26
Hawaii
25
District 1
4 21
23
20 16
15
14
3
2
19
9
10
18
8
11 12
17
District 9
7
1
13 District 18
Danielle Dube, 8 Sunnydale Dr, Glen Haven, NS B3Z 2T8 902-823-2802, danielle_dube947@hotmail.com
Chas Williamson, 9 Lagrand Court Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-0630. cw26@cornell.edu
John Shockey 216-386-1920 johnrshockey@gmail.com
Philippe Dormoy, 385 Place Desmarest, Ile Bizard, Quebec, H9C 2G8 514-620-8124 Philippe_dormoy@steris.com
Eric Reitinger 7908 Normandy Dr. Mt Laurel, NJ 08054 er4599@gmail.com http://d10.laserforum.org
Ken Swetka 27022 Koerber St., St. Claire Shores, MI 48081 248-635-5363 www.d19laser.org
District 2 District 3
Nigel Heath 416-417-0193 D3 website: www.d3laser.com
District 4
Brigitte Smutny, Sail Manitoba; 409-145 Pacific Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6 204-925-5647 sailing@sportmanitoba.ca www.sailmanitoba.com
District 5
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.district6x.ca
District 7
Derek Stow. 28 Starlit Road Tiverton, RI 02878 401-625-5973 Laserd7@gmail.com
District 8
Ted Cremer, 7 Maple Street Blue Point, NY 11715. 631-363-8830, tcremer@optonline.net www.laserd8.tripod.com
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District 10
District 11
Jon Deutsch 3422 Blithewood Dr., Richmond, VA 23225 804-305-1244, jon@laserdistrict11.org http://www.laserdistrict11.org
District 12
Rob Bowden rbowden707@gmail.com www.d12.laserforum.org
District 13
Antolin Rivera, PO Box 26674 Tampa, FL 33623 813-837-3013, shipajoy@yahoo.com www.laser.org/m/_general/d13.asp
District 14
Cal Herman, 7038 Catina St New Orleans, LA 70124, 504-282-1770 callender.herman@wachoviasec.com
District 15
Forest Atkins 157833@gmail.com 214-686-7035
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/t xLaser/
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 19 District 20
Steve Dolan 21140 Chancery Ct. Brookfield, WI 53045 262-506-8879. dolan@mcw.edu http://d20.laserforum.org/
District 21
Erik Ahlquist d21.sec@gmail.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
Nick Burke nburke@skysail.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
WINTER 2013
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President’s Notes ANDY ROY
I’m pleased to be writing my first message for The Laser Sailor as Chairman of the North American Class Association, and would like to begin by thanking Laura Lee Symes for her time and effort filling in as Chairman for the past few months. It was Laura Lee’s husband, Bill, who asked me a few months back if I’d consider running for the Chairman’s position. I hadn’t considered becoming a member of the class Executive Committee, but when Bill asked me I couldn’t come up with a good reason not to throw my hat in the ring. I have gotten so much out of the Laser class over the years that I felt like I should perhaps try to put a little back into it. I’m looking forward to the role and fortunately for me my job will be made easy by relying on strong leadership at the international level with class President, Tracy Usher, and General Manager, Eric Faust, plus the ongoing superb work put in by our NA Executive Secretary, Sherri Campbell. As perhaps most Laser sailors know, and as has Tracy and Laura Lee addressed in previous communications, there continues to be an-going dispute between Kirby Inc. and LaserPerformance (LP) regarding Laser design/builder rights and royalty fees. Much has been written and discussed on this issue on various sailing forums. I have been trying to get more up to speed on the matter and my take is that the issues are so complex that a fiction writer couldn’t make it up. There are no easy answers and, although the international class association executive is putting considerable effort into helping resolve the issue, ILCA needs to take careful steps and not take sides or attempt to exert pressure one way or the other due to the potential for budget-crippling legal bills. Some have suggested that simply changing the name away from Laser while finding a new builder(s) will resolve the issue and this, I would say, would come with its own set of disadvantages and challenges. The issue will continue to play itself out between the parties and, in the meantime from what I understand, LP continues to produce Lasers and supply parts to the dealers, and ISAF continues to issue plaques to LP giving them the approval to suppply Lasers. The good news was recently announced that ISAF selected the Laser as the One Person Men’s and Women’s equipment for the next two Olympics. The 2013 regatta schedule is booked up with some exciting event locations on the grid. The long-awaited new Laser standard sail is
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expected to soon be approved by ISAF’s technical committee with the sail becoming available to buy hopefully in the first half of 2013. Although the new sail will be more expensive than the current sail, its longevity will be a considerable improvement with an anticipated long term cost savings for competitive racers. Sailors will still be able to purchase the original sail design if desired, and in testing there have been no distinguishable speed differences between the two designs. In summary, despite the legal issues in the background, the Laser is not going away and it will continue to be one of the most successful racing sailboat classes. Encourage other sailors at your local club to get a boat, new or used, join the class and get out on the water to join in on the fun in 2013. I’m particularly looking forward to the North American Championships in Kingston this July. The folks at CORK will put on a great event while showcasing the site in support of their bid to host the Laser Open
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Soft drinks – the bad and the ugly
EVAN LEWIS MSC. CSCS, CK
Up until now my articles have been focused on nutrition and training that lead to enhanced performance. However, in light of new research on the effects of soft drinks on overall health, I could not let this opportunity pass to share this information related to general diet and health. In the December edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition there was interesting editorial and ground breaking research on the health effects of soft drink consumption.
It is well known that soft drinks are loaded with sugar. Over time, the regular consumption of these drinks can lead to weight gain and increased body fat, which in turn increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Despite this information I was surprised to learn that soft drinks consumption still represents almost 10% of total daily energy intake in the United States1.
To reduce daily caloric intake, and reduce the risk of soft drink associated weight gain, diet soft drinks were introduced and marketed as the ‘healthy’ alternative. Diet soft drinks are designed to provide the same drink experience as their sugar-laden counterparts, by using artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Along these lines, the American Heart Association has made recommendations to reduce the intake of sugar added foods to no more than 100150 kcal/day1, which promotes the increased intake of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
Initial animal research into the effects of aspartame consumption found no negative effects on health; however, these findings were primarily the result of the short duration of the studies. In 2006, a longerterm study in rats examined the effects of different daily intake of aspartame consumption using a relative intake (mg of aspartame per kg of body weight) similar to that consumed by humans. The results showed that over the rat’s lifespan, aspartame caused an increased occurrence of cancer in the pelvis and bladder as well as leukemia1.
Now results from the first human study examining aspartame intake has been released2. Participants were part of the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. These were both long-term studies (>20 years) that involved tracking the dietary habits of nurses and other health professional in the United States with the purpose of examin-
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ing the occurrence of different health outcomes (e.g. type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, cancer). It was found that for men who consumed 1 or more diet soft drinks per day, over the course of the study, had a 30% greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 100% greater risk of developing multiple myelomas compared to men who did not consume diet soft drink. The intake of 1 or more regular soft drinks per day was associated with at 66% greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men and 42% increased risk of leukemia in both men and women. Surprisingly the same risk level for non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myelomas was not observed for women. Also of note, individuals that consumed soda more frequently had a higher BMI compared to non-soft drink consumers.
At this point you should be asking how and why do both regular and diet soft drinks cause cancer?
In the case of diet soft drinks, aspartame is broken down in the body into methanol (the toxic alcohol, we drink ethanol), various acids and phenylalanine (an amino acid)2. Methanol is further transformed by alcohol converting enzymes in your body to formaldehyde, which is a carcinogenic agent, or a molecule that causes cellular damage leading to the formation of cancer. It is understood that men have a higher amount of alcohol converting enzymes than women, which could lead to higher formaldehyde production and therefore is thought to explain the differences in observed cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myelomas.
some foods that are higher in sugar or fat. While this may be true, and necessary to ensure their energy requirements are met – soft drinks should not be a part of that group. Instead I would encourage high-performance athletes, recreational athletes and all other readers to replace your soft drinks with water, herbal tea, coffee (no more than 2 cups/day) or some fruit juices.
Evan is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, Department of Nutritional Sciences and is a founder of the L2M Performance Group Inc. Please send questions and comments to evan@l2mperformance.com For more information and training tips follow @L2MPerformance or visit www.l2mperformance.com 1. Aune D. Soft drinks, aspartame, and the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012;96:1249-1251. 2. Schernahammer E, Bertrand K, Birmann B, Sampson L, Willet W, Feskanich D. Consumption of artificial sweetener– and sugar-containing soda and risk of lymphoma and leukemia in men and women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012;96:1419-1428.
In comparison, the association between regular soft drinks and cancer has a less definitive cause, since aspartame is not an ingredient in these products. There is some evidence to suggest other chemical ingredients/preservatives or packaging materials could play a role in cancer development2. On the other hand, the dietary habits of individuals who consume one or more soft drinks per day could also play a major role in negative health outcomes, as high soft drink consumption is also associated with higher intakes of processed foods with high simple sugar and saturated fat content.
Many athletes think that because they are so active they can justify consuming
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Meet the ILCA-NA Officers for 2013 Chairman Andy Roy
Hometown: I’d guess you’d say my hometown is Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa was a really active Laser racing spot when the boat first came out. We had evening races at Britannia Yacht Club in the mid-70’s with 50 boats on the line. For the past 14 years I have lived in Peterborough, Ontario. How Long have you been sailing? Since I was 9, so about 45 years. How long have you been sailing Lasers? I started sailing my older brother’s 28,000 series Laser in 1974, and my first boat was a used 15,000 series. My first training partner was well-known Laser aficionado, Al Clark, and it’s remarkable that we both enjoy the boat just as much now as we did four decades ago. I competed in four Laser Worlds in the ‘70-’80s, and have been to five Masters Worlds so far. Where do you sail/home club? I’m kind of a “no fixed address” sailor, so I’ll typically trailer the boat to a regatta. I also love heading down to the Laser Training Center in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. It’s an incredible place to sail Lasers. What’s your favorite regatta/event? Laser Masters Worlds. What other class and event can I can jump on a plane, show up at a cool sailing locale, pick up a charter boat at a pretty reasonable cost and then race for a week against great guys, some of whom I raced Lasers against 30+ years ago, and in a competitive, professionally run yet laid-back event? Claim to fame: If you mean sailing, I’ve been at it long enough to have had a few decent results. Many moons ago I ended up 2nd and 6th overall at a couple Laser Worlds, won a silver medal at the Pan Am Games and won three different Laser Nationals (Australia, Canada and USA). I spent a fair bit of time sailing lead mines, including 12 meters in the Americas Cup, the Admiral’s Cup, Mumm (now Farr) 30’s, J-24’s and Etchells racing. Although I had a lot of fun in these boats and enjoyed the camaraderie, I’m happy being back in the Laser, and should have got back into it sooner. Profession: Semi-retired former defence industry executive. Right now I’m searching for a new gig. Age: By the time this issue of TLS comes out I’ll be 55 and a rookie Grand Master. If I had unlimited financial resources I would…..
After I solved all the planet’s problems and diseases, and if you mean related to sailing, I would probably get behind a Canadian campaign to challenge for the Americas Cup or Volvo Ocean Race.
Vice Chairman Meka Taulbee
Hometown:Dunedin, FL How Long have you been sailing? Since I was about 8 How long have you been sailing Lasers? I do more training Laser sailors than I do sailing Lasers. I was first introduced to the Laser about 13 years ago. I was a big boat sailor so the Laser was quite a change. Where do you sail/home club? Clearwater Community Sailing Center What’s your favorite regatta/event? CORK Claim to fame: I have trained 7 sailors who have been on the US Sailing Team and/or gone onto the Olympics. Three of which have won Medals Profession: Certified Personal Trainer/Holistic Fitness and Nutrition Consultant Age: Old enough to know better than to tell everyone! If I had unlimited financial resources I would….. Travel more with my kids and volunteer our time to those who really need help. Live Life to it’s fullest.
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WINTER 2013
Meet the ILCA-NA Officers for 2013
Treasurer Eric Reitinger
Hometown: Indian Mills, NJ. Currently in Mt. Laurel, NJ How long have you been sailing? 1992. Have sailed Optis, Lasers, 420s and Lightnings. Now it’s mostly Lasers and Lightnings How long have you been sailing Lasers? 14 years Where do you sail/home club? Brant Beach Yacht Club on Long Beach Island in NJ What’s your favorite regatta/event? Any major regatta BBYC runs ;) But for an event run every year, the Cooper River Frostbite series. The racing is tight, conditions are always tricky, the competition is great and it’s just a fun way to end the sailing season. Claim to fame: Outside of sailing, I spend a lot of time running and cycling. I race on occasion in 5ks, 10ks, Penn Relays and also compete in duathlons. Profession: Systems Engineer, currently working integration and test and data analysis Age: 28 If I had unlimited financial resources I would….. Travel around to as many regattas as possible, be able to train wherever, and be able to train for some longer running races and duathlons.
Secretary LauraLee Symes
Hometown: Portland, Oregon How Long have you been sailing? Since 1995 How long have you been sailing Lasers? Since 1996 Where do you sail/home club? Willamette Sailing Clu What’s your favorite regatta/event? Master Worlds Claim to fame: Married to Bill Symes Profession: Club Manager of Willamette Sailing Club Age: Really? Okay, 48ish If I had unlimited financial resources I would….. Sail in the BVIs, the Med, the East Coast and in the San Juan Islands for a whole summer at each location.
Member at Large Christine Neville
Hometown: Oakland, CA How Long have you been sailing? Age 9 How long have you been sailing Lasers? Of and on for 16 years Where do you sail/home club? Richmond Yacht Club and all of the San Francisco Bay area What’s your favorite regatta/event?
Anything at the Gorge Claim to fame: Used to drive from 5 hrs each way from Vermont to Rhode Island to sail with the Newport Frostbite Fleet for an afternoon. Profession: Sailmaker Age: 32 If I had unlimited financial resources I would….. www.Laser.org
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ILCA-NA Financial Report: Year Ended Sept 30, 2012 Balance Sheet - previous year comparison As of September 30, 2012
ASSETS Sep 30,12 Sep 30, 11 Current Assets Checking/Savings Certificates of Deposit 180 day CD 20,108.78 20,041.95 90 day CD 20,074.12 20,044.43 Total Certificates of Deposit 40,182.90 40,086.38 Pay Pal Checking - San Diego Total Checking/Savings
Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Total Accounts Receivable
Other Current Assets Income Tax Estimated Payments Accounts Receivable Misc Total Other Current Assets Total Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities Income Taxes Payable
Total Other Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities
Long Term Liabilities Future Memberships Total Long Term Liabilities Total Liabilities
Equity Opening Bal Equity Retained Earnings Net Income Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY
165.37 32,108.34 72,456.61
2,831.45 33,714.81 76,632.64
1,300.00 1,300.00
950.00 950.00
880.00 77.38 957.38 74,713.99 74,713.99
0.00 129.17 129.17 77,711.81 77,711.81
0.00 0.00 0.00
1,423.00 1,423.00 1,423.00
15,600.00 15,600.00 15,600.00
15,038.00 15,038.00 16,461.00
11,955.36 49,295.45 -2,136.82 59,113.99 74,713.99
11,955.36 51,050.02 -1,754.57 61,250.81 77,711.81
Profit & Loss - previous year comparison October 2011 through September 2012
Ordinary Income/Expense Income Laser World Credits Interest Ad Sales Google Ads Ad Sales - other Total Ad Sales Membership Sponsorship Payments Total Income
Expenses Regatta Fees State Tax Federal Tax On-line Database ExCom Expense Exec Sec Travel Total ExCom Expenses
Member support District support ILCA Dues Insurance Bad Debt Bank Charges Credit Card Fees Bank Charges -Other Total Bank Charges The Laser Sailor Printing Postage Total Laser Sailor
Association Fees Web Hosting Professional Fees Accounting Total Professional Fees
Class Promotion Office Expense Printing Phone Postage Total Office Expenses
Contract Labor Incentives Contract Labor Total Contract Labor
Total Expense Net Ordinary Income Net Income
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Sep 30,12
3,369.20 97.68
Sep 30, 11
3,207.75 77.01
420.60 32,410.00 32,830.60 72,369.58 0.00 108,667.06
623.69 31,175.00 31,798.69 73,678.12 5,250.00 114,011.57
2,937.74 164.46 0.00 0.00
313.75 569.00 864.00 1,060.00
0.00 770.91 18,722.24 2,314.00 0.00
4,299.50 726.83 18,287.98 2,008.00 660.00
13,791.60 4,971.37 18,762.97
15,389.03 5,416.14 20,805.17
375.00 3,730.00
375.00 2,865.21
1,652.78
1,718.40
4,753.05 4,753.05
2,870.68 35.00 2,905.68
1,050.00 1,050.00 209.44 385.99 4,943.62 5,539.05
4,521.60 4,521.60
2,891.79 35.00 2,926.79
1,125.00 1,125.00 146.05 344.38 4,781.00 5,271.43
2,406.00 45,000.00 47,406.00
2,368.50 45,000.00 47,368.50
110,803.88
115,766.16
-2,136.82 -2,136.82
-1,754.59 -1,754.59
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s
15
Running Laser Masters Events Question and answer with 2 sailors who haven’t yet reached masters vintage who have been tapped to run recent Laser Masters regattas. Eric Reitinger who ran the 2012 US Laser Masters at Brant Beach Yacht Club and Jon Deutsch who has run the Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship at Fishing Bay Yacht Club 2005-2012.
How did you get involved?
Eric: Brant Beach has hosted many Laser regattas since 2000 for which I’ve sailed every one of them. When the thought of a Master’s regatta came up, I thought if I can’t sail in it, why not run it? The Master’s group had a lot of people that I didn’t think had ever sailed here before. I thought it was also important to introduce them to our club and give them the best welcome we could. Jon: When I started sailing Lasers at my club again after finishing college, the guys who had been running the event came to me and basically said “since you’re not a master yet, we’d like to put you in charge of this regatta.”
Have you done this before?
Eric: The most I have done was help run races. This was my first time chairing an event. Jon: The Laser Masters was the first event I was the chairman for. I had helped with other regattas including a US Laser Masters in other capacities, but this was the first one I was the chair for.
How soon before the event did you start preparing?
Eric: Before the end of our sailing season last year I started getting chairpeople together and had a meeting to get the initial logistics in place. From there we worked on things during the winter. NOR was out early in the year Jon: I knew I was going to be chairing the event at the event the year prior so the event chairman (Brad Squires) walked me through it while it was going on and between him and David Hazlehurst who had run many more of these regattas before Brad - they gave me a pretty good game plan to work from. I put together a schedule starting a few months out of finalizing the NOR/SI with the PRO and then the tasks in the couple weeks before the event to make arrangements for all of the food, trophies, t-shirts, volunteers, email announcements, etc.
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What kind of support did your club give you? Eric: The yacht club was nothing but helpful. We had a few folks who have run our regattas in some form over the years help put together a handbook on how to run an event. That along with many tips from my dad (who ran NAs the previous year) as well as the masters sailors in general helped me get started as well as what the sailors wanted. Our club is a volunteer driven organization, which offered a large pool of people to help. This wasn’t a kid’s regatta so we didn’t have the luxury of all the coach boats out there for safety boats, but we also didn’t have them around that we had to police them and deal with the added wakes they would provide. We had plenty of support as well as RC boats out there in case we did have a problem. Since the regatta was also in the start of the off season we were able to help get many sailors housing and had a smaller population on the island in general. We were also given full access to the club property (minus the main club house on Saturday night due to a wedding) but we were able to get a sit down dinner, pizza, multiple breakfasts and a barbeque in the three days. Jon: The club lets us Lasers have the place for a weekend so we can rig, launch and dine without having to juggle or share resources with other eventsactivities at the club. We’ve also got a lot of club members who sail other boats who have race management experience and they really take responsibility for the on-the-water activities and all of the support boats and equipment needed. Our fleet members and even some of our visitors pitch in to help with food service and the off-the-water activities.
Any last minute surprises?
Jon: Running a regatta on the Atlantic Coast in the fall during hurricane season
always brings surprises. One year we had a minor storm roll through Friday night, and it left our access road flooded and Saturday morning the sailors couldn’t drive the last 1/2 mile to the club.
What did you do during the regatta?
Eric: The day before with registration I was helping people with measuring sails, greeting people and just helping make things ran smoothly as people arrived. Once the regatta started, I was out in an inflatable running in scores, watching the racing, helping move marks (the last race of the regatta, a nice 90 degree shift last race made things tricky for the sailors) and even playing crash boat the second day when it was windy and people were breaking parts. I also tried to tweet during the races as well as upload pictures. Jon: On the day of the regatta I try to have as much planned out as possible so that I don’t really have that many responsibilities. I do the registration and check-in, and I clean up the breakfast while the sailors and breakfast volunteers, who are usually sailors or RC, are headed out to the course. While the racing is going on, I’m usually floating around on a RIB with a camera just taking pictures, and being a liaison between the sailors and the RC to help advise the RC on the course, length and how late we want to sail, etc.
What was your biggest challenge?
Eric: For not knowing much about the master’s group I wanted to make this the best possible regatta for the them. I took some time talking to a few of the master’s I knew there were a few ideas they had. They had a different emphasis on the scores (age group rather than overall) and wanted a good time along with the racing. Some of
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Running Laser Masters Events Having seen what Eric did with the US Masters this year, I think we’re going to follow that model a little more and focus on a little more for breakfast both mornings and have healthy snacks and beverages on the water for the sailors.
What would you say to people running events for the first time?
the basics that make our regattas known would transfer right into master’s regatta (big breakfasts and on the water snacks between races) but we had to change some things around compared to the other Laser regattas we run. Kids don’t stick around for dinner but masters like to stay. Socializing was another major aspect of these regattas. I knew we’d have a better turnout with dinner than the kids. We set up registration early and had a late fee started a month before. That gave us a decent majority of the sailors but we did have more sign up between the regatta and the deadline. Jon: Not knowing how many people are going to come. We’ve got a great online registration system and the sailors that come every year help a lot by pre-registering online, but it’s always a challenge to get the number dinners right so no one gets left out, but also so we don’t break the budget buying food that I can’t sell.
What is your favorite part of running the event? Eric: Seeing everyone arrive, making them feel welcome and just making sure we can do whatever we can to make them feel welcome and have a great time. Jon: My favorite part of the regatta is really any chance I get to visit with the sailors who travel to sail with us. Some are coming for the first time, while others have been many times before and it’s always great to hear their stories.
it happen as there were many folks who wanted to make the trip but couldn’t get a charter. I would have to publicize it a lot earlier and get into direct contact with those able to charter. We had plenty of housing available to folks if they were coming from a distance. I also wanted to get in contact with local businesses to get some coupons for the Saturday night dinner. The pizza was supposed to be a snack but given the conditions (5 races in 15-20mph) tired them out and they just wanted to eat then go home. Going along with the local coupons I should have tried to book some blocks of rooms at a local hotel to get some sailors together for housing and give them a discount. If this regatta was in the summer I wanted to get as many kids on the water to help to appreciate what it takes to run an event instead of sailing it. Jon: In years past we’ve served lunch on the water to the sailors on Saturday.
Eric: Get things started early by getting folks in place for all the major parts of the event early. Have meetings and/or checkup with everyone to make sure things are on time. Keep a notebook with everything for easy reference. Have fun and make sure everyone coming to the event will have fun as well. Also know what the club can provide and ensure that there are no other events that are conflicting. If something does conflict, knowing earlier the better. Jon: It’s not always a walk in the park, but with a little advice from those who have run regattas at your venue before and run events like the one you are running, anyone can chair an event. There’s a great satisfaction in giving back to the sport by putting on an event like this and for me it really makes me appreciate all the work that others put into the other events that I attend.
What would you have done differently?
Eric: Getting charters seems to be more difficult. There aren’t many places that offer charters unless they got enough boats. I was unfortunate we couldn’t make
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Masters Report
BILL SYMES (BILL@CGRA.ORG)
There’s a movement on among aging masters to establish a standard rig fleet for Great Grand Masters at Laser Masters World Championships. Currently, upon reaching our 65th birthday, we must relinquish our full rigs and henceforth sail radials only in the world championships. This has not gone down well with many of us, especially the plus-size sailors and others who relish the agony of wrestling a big rig in big winds.
Australian master and former world champion Mark Bethwaite has set out the case for giving Great Grand Masters the option to use full rigs at Laser Masters Worlds. In the interest of getting North American sailors involved in the discussion, we’re reprinting Mark’s comments below. To join the online discussion thread and voice your opinion on this proposal (whether in favor or opposed), email me at bill@cgra.org and I will add you to the list.
GGMs to have the Choice to sail Full Rigs
MARK BETHWAITE (MARK.BETHWAITE@GMAIL.COM)
Enjoyment of Sailing. We sail for fun. We sail to enjoy the sensation of wind and water and we race Lasers to pit our skills against others in a one design boat. We do not sail to crouch close to the centerline waiting for winds over 15 knots to allow us to hike and drive the Laser to its potential. We do not want to sail with a rig that was not designed for our weight and which confers a huge advantage on lighter sailors.
Design. Since its debut over 30 years ago the Laser has been adapted with radial and 4.7 rigs to suit lighter body weights. From experience over these years, it has been shown that a body weight of 80-85 kg is optimal for sailing the Laser full rig. Optimal body weights for radial and 4.7 rigs are some 10 and 20 kg lighter than for the full rig. In each rig category, heavier sailors have an advantage in heavy air and the reverse applies in light air. It is a fact, however, that 80 plus kg sailors are uncompetitive in radial rigs compared with 70-75 kg sailors across the likely range of regatta conditions.
Club Racing. In all Laser Clubs with which I am familiar, GGMs of 80 kg and over sail full rigs in Club racing. Why? Because it is more fun. We do not sail to be continually frustrated that the wind is not
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strong enough to allow us to hike and drive the Laser to its potential.
Views of the Sailors. Bob Blakey (NZ) in recent years conducted a poll among GMs and GGMs (mainly Australia and NZ with some responses from North America and Europe) to test support for GGMs having the option to use full rigs at the LMW. The response was an overwhelming 94 for and 1 against.
Finn Class. Another class with Masters/Legends age brackets is the Finn class. GGMs who are too heavy for the radial rig in Lasers are attracted to Legends racing in Finns because it is not mandated that they sail with smaller rigs than the original design.
World Master Games. The WMG were held in Sydney with the sailing events on Sydney Harbour in 2009. Unlike the LMW, GGMs had the option of sailing full or radial rig. GGMs who did not bother going to LMWs to be uncompetitive in radials chose to sail in full rigs at the WMG. The WMG was an extremely successful regatta, particularly enjoyed by the GGMs in full rigs. Despite conditions being extreme (winds gusting over 30 knots) on two days, there were no safety issues. Whilst all competitors in all categories capsized at one stage or another of the regatta, no GGMs required outside assistance.
The sailing events of the 2013 WMG will be held on Lake Maggiore, Italy, in August 2013. The regatta website states that classes will be Open and Women (Laser Radial only) 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+. As I read this, only Women will be mandated to sail the radial rig and GGMs can sail either full or radial.
their body weight. Few people take up sailing Lasers over the age of 65. Laser sailors have usually amassed considerable on water experience on reaching 65 years, but it is only GGMs who are forced to “dumb down” their sailing if they are too large for a radial.
The Safety Argument. The argument put forward by those favoring radial rigs for GGMs is safety. It is a spurious argument – safety issues have arisen in LMW not because of rig size but because of inexperience. I was at Wakayama for the LMW in 1994 when a Malaysian Master (not GM or GGM) drowned. It was clear that he had minimal sailing experience and that was the reason he got into difficulties. That issue has since been partially addressed by requiring entrants to LMWs to testify to their ability to handle a Laser in 25 knots. Irrespective of the GGM rig issue, I would go further and require all entrants to LMWs to have their Club or national authority certify that they are regular and competent Laser sailors.
Summary. In summarizing the above, it really comes down to freedom of choice to maximize our enjoyment of sailing. GGMs are mature men with considerable life and sailing skills. Many make a huge contribution to the Class. They have earned the right to make their own decisions – they have and will continue to decide against sailing Lasers if forced to sail with radial rigs.
Class & Club Administration. It is a fact that those administering our class at Club, State and National level are of mature age and many are GGMs. It is also a fact that many GGMs have given up sailing Lasers as a result of the stipulation that GGMs must sail radial rigs in LMW. The Laser class risks further alienation of this key demographic if it continues to mandate radial rigs for GGMs.
Freedom of Choice. Male Laser sailors in all age brackets other than GGM have the choice to use the rig size appropriate for
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19
European Masters Championship OCT. 1-5, 2012
PETER SEIDENBERG
When I heard that this regatta would take place in Roses, Spain, the site of the 2007 Masters World Championship, I decided to take part in it. Having competed in the Masters Worlds there five years ago, I remembered the beautiful location of Roses on a big bay open to the east at the foot of the Pyrenees where they meet the Mediterranean Sea, close to the French border. I remembered the breathtaking coastline, also known as the Costa Brava, NE of Barcelona, dotted with medieval fortresses and ancient Greek and Roman settlement remains. I remembered the tourist-friendly atmosphere of this quaint village, with its narrow streets and huge number of restaurants and shops. I remembered the spacious boat storage on a wide beach in front of the town, with a dozen wooden gangways laid out on the sand between the boats and adequate number of water hoses. But above all, I remembered the beautiful sailing conditions on the Bay of Roses in the dependable easterly sea breezes. Another attraction is Roses’ easy approach from Barcelona via a two-hour car ride on a four-lane highway, and, of course, Barcelona itself.
Roses’ good name must be known throughout Europe and beyond going by the large number of entries of 248 boats, including 111 Standards, 135 Radials, and two 4.7s from all over Europe and as far away as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico,
Australia, Dominican Republic, Qatar, and 4 from the USA: Greg Bennett (Std. App.), John-Bernard Duler (Rad. GM), Jacques Kerrest and myself (Rad. GGM) - 23 nations in all. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Radial GGMs, the oldest group (65 and over), fielded the third-largest age division with 37 entries, after 61 Standard Masters and 47 Radial Masters. Standards and Radials were separated to sail in different areas of the bay on their own trapezoid courses. Each group was divided into two fleets by combining various age divisions. My fleet, the combined Radial GMs and GGMs, always had the second start, sailing first on the inner loop. Ten races were scheduled over five days, with one discard after 5 races, and no more than two races per day. The social program consisted of an opening ceremony at the restored ruins of 16th century Trinity Castle high on a point overlooking the bay, a mid-week dinner party at a holiday resort in a nearby bay after a short cruise along the scenic coast, and an outdoor awards ceremony. Arriving four days prior to the event, early enough to set up the rental boat and to do some practice sailing in the expected typical sunny sea breezes, I was, of course, disappointed to be met with cool, rainy, stormy weather coming out of the foot hills of the Pyrenees. It lasted until the last day before the regatta, the day of the practice race. Aside from sailing in the practice race, it made no sense to practice in conditions we surely wouldn’t have during the regatta – and we didn’t. Instead, I used the time to explore the town with my wife.
Come Monday, the first day of the regatta, the dark clouds were gone, and so was the wind, any wind. The sun and its reflection on the mirror-like bay was nevertheless a welcome sight. After a two-hour postponement on shore, the building sea breeze had reached the required minimum of 5 knots, and the sailors were sent out for their first two races. The wind continued to build to 8 knots during the first race, and to 12 knots during the second. This wind pattern repeated itself for the entire regatta, causing a postponement on shore of two to three hours every day and then sailing in a building sea breeze. The exception was day 4 when the wind failed to materialize at all. Consequently, 8 races were sailed in 5-15 knots favoring light-air and heavy-air sailors equally and ensuring that the best all-round sailors came out on top.
It took me the first day to realize that the left side was slightly favored. That, and slow boat speed in the light conditions of that day, resulted in two 6th place finishes – not a promising start in the regatta. Things went a lot better for me on the second day in stronger winds (up to 15 knots) and bigger waves, with two 1st place finishes. The third day was a carbon copy of the second, with 10-15 knots in both races. It was, however, also a day of massive confusion in our fleet in the first race of the day, the 5th race in the regatta. After rounding the first windward mark on the inner loop, nearly half the fleet aimed for, and many actually sailed to, the leeward gate of the outer loop instead of the inner loop, result-
European Masters Championship ing in RAFs for the honest ones and DSQs for the ignorant ones or cheaters. This drives home the point that there is a need for mark rounding recordings in important regattas with large fleets. Having rounded the windward mark in 10th place and being the first one to realize the situation and correcting my course, it gave me an easy win in that race. Half way through the second race of the day, the 6th of the regatta, I had worked out a close lead on the favored left side, only to loose it on a rare 20˚ veer close to the second windward mark, allowing two GGMs to come in from the right and rounding the windward mark with a comfortable lead. After catching up with one of them and passing him before the reaching mark I had to settle
for a 2nd place. It was, nevertheless, still another good day for me. As mentioned before, day 4 was spent waiting for wind on the beach and socializing with fellow sailors from other countries. After another 2-hour postponement on shore, the first race on the last day of the regatta, got underway in 5-6 knots and saw me struggling again to get the boat going, while my main competitor, Henk Wittenberg, NED, “flew” in familiar fashion to a first place finish while I could do no better than 5th. Now being behind him by 2 points, I had to win the last race, with him finishing 3rd or worse, for me to win the regatta. Fortunately for me, this is exactly what happened. Knowing that I had to separate myself from Henk, I started at the committee boat and played the “unfavored” right side in clear air and undisturbed water. The increased wind speed of 10 knots helped as well. I rounded the windward mark with a good lead and never looked back while Henk finished 3rd erasing his two-point lead. The tie was broken in my favor due to my four firsts versus his three firsts. No matter how close, a win is a win, especially at my age! The 2013 European Masters Championship is scheduled for Borstahusen, SWE, July 29–August 2.
www.Laser.org
21
District 3 Championships Hosted by CORK, Kingston, Ontario On September 22ndand September 23rd 2012, as a part of Fall Cork, the District 3 Championships were held at CORK. Cork is the home of some of the best fresh water anywhere and is an institution in North American sailing. The event hosted over 221 athletes with six different fleets racing. Most of the attention was on the Laser and Laser Radial fleets as the District 3 Champions would be determined and the points would be significant for the Grand Prix series. CORK was created in 1969 with a view to promote sailing and host International regattas. As the location of the 1976 Summer Olympics it’s future was set. With a history of great sailing, great wind and home to a virtual who’s who of Canadian and International sailors, you can understand why it is a favourite venue for many sailors around the world. The annual CORK events in August include CORK International, the largest summertime youth regatta in North America and Cork OCR. The annual Fall Regatta in September includes the Laser classes as well. CORK regularly hosts Championships and was proud to host the 2012 District 3 championships. The first day was a typical fall day with great Kingston wind and a little rain. The weather didn’t deter the sailors or the volunteers from starting on time and getting in a full day of racing. With three races for the day Robert Davis of the Canadian National team was leading the Laser full rig fleet by 1 point. Close behind was Matthew Ryder of Toronto and Greg Clunies another Canadian team member sitting in third. In the Radial Fleet Ingrid Merry of the
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Canadian National team was leading. Local sailor and Canadian Youth world team member, Hugh Macrae sat in second with Erin Rafuse also of the Canadian National Team in third. The day ended with a Canada’s Olympic Laser sailor David Wright speaking about the Olympic experience and the importance of goal setting. This was sponsored by Maclaren. The second day started with the sun shining and great wind. As usual, the athletes got out to the race courses on time. The volunteers who ended the day yesterday a little cold and wet were much happier to see the sun. With great race management teams, the athletes completed another 3 races ending with 6 races overall for the championship. The Awards ceremonies were exciting as Robert Davis from Kingston and a Canadian National team member was the overall winner of the District 3 Championships for the Laser. He is the leader of the North American Grand Prix series and the former 2011 winner of this series. The Laser Radial District 3 Champion is Ingrid Merry a Canadian National team member from Toronto. Following Robert in second place was Evert
McLaughlin and Matthew Ryder who placed third, both of whom are from Toronto and members of the Ontario sailing team. In the Laser Radials, Hugh Macrae from Kingston and on the Youth world team was second, with Brenda Bowskill from the Canadian National team in third place. Fall Cork and this District 3 Championship, marked the end of the racing season in Kingston. The coordinators at
CORK should be very proud of the quality of the event and the level competition. It was a great way to end the season. Congratulations to Robert Davis and Ingrid Merry our District 3 Champions. For more information on CORK and the complete results from this event please visit www.cork.org.
Photos by Geoff Webster and Ken Dool
WINTER 2013
Regatta
Laser
World Championship
Sr: Al Musannah, Oman
NA Championship
CORK July 24-28 www.cork.org
ISAF Grade 1
40 GP pts. ISAF Grade 1
Other North American Championships Canadian Championships
30 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 2
US Championships 30 GP Pts, ISAF Grade 2
CORK
30 GP Pts. ISAF Grade 1
2013 Schedule
Radial
Women's:Rizhao, China
Laser 4.7
Sept 28-Oct 7
Balatonfured, HUN July 6-13
Al Musannah, Oman Nov 28-Dec 7
CORK July 24-28 www.cork.org
CORK July 24-28 www.cork.org
New York YC Newport, RI Oct 18-20
na
na
na
St. Margaret’s Bay SC St. Margaret’s Bay, NS July 19-21
St. Margaret’s Bay SC St. Margaret’s Bay, NS July 19-21
St. Margaret’s Bay SC St. Margaret’s Bay, NS July 19-21
Beaconsfield YC Beaconsfield, QC June 14-16
Kingston, ON
Kingston, ON
Kingston, ON
Nov 14-Nov 23 Jr: Balatonfured, HUN July 14-21
Standard Youth August 12-15 www.cork.org
Northeast District 7 or 9 www.cork.org
August 17-21
Mens:
Dun Laoghaire, IRLAug 30-Sept 6 Youth:Al Musannah, Oman,Dec27-Jan 3
Northeast District 7 or 9 www.cork.org
August 17-21
Northeast District 7 or 9 www.cork.org
August 12-15
Midwinters East
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, FL
Midwinters West
California YC Marina del Rey, CA March 22-24
California YC Marina del Rey, CA March 22-24
California YC Marina del Rey, CA March 22-24
www.ussailing.org
na
Little Egg Harbor YC Beach Haven, NJ June 8-9
Little Egg Harbor YC Beach Haven, NJ June 8-9
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
No Coast Championships 25 GP Pts
Great Lakes Championships 25 GP Pts.
www.Laser.org
Masters
www.clwyc.org
Feb 21-24
www.clwyc.org
Feb 21-24
Miami, FL (men only) Miami, FL (women only) www.ussailing.org
January 27-Feb 2
Little Egg Harbor YC Beach Haven, NJ June 8-9 Colombia Gorge RA July 12-14 www.cgra.org Gulfport YC Gulfport, MS TBD
January 27-Feb 2
Colombia Gorge RA July 12-14 www.cgra.org Gulfport YC Gulfport, MS TBD
www.clwyc.org
Feb 21-24
Cabrillo Beach YC San Pedro, CA July 19-21
na Port Charlotte Beach Park, FL Feb 2-4 na na TBD
Colombia Gorge RA
July 12-14 www.cgra.org Gulfport YC Gulfport, MS TBD
Ft. Walton YC Ft. Walton Beach, FL May 18-19
District 23
District 23
District 23
TBD
District 19
District 19
District 19
TBD
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District Reports District 3 Ontario, Canada Nigel Heath
The lasers are now packed away for the season here in the north, as the temperature drops and the water hardens up. We pack our boats away but often with the knowledge that it may have to be dug out of the snow if driving south for some warm winter sailing. We have an active scheduled shaping up for 2013 including the Laser North American Championships in Kingston, Laser Canadian Masters Championships in Montreal, the Ontario Masters Championships at ABYC in Toronto, in addition to the six Fogh Gold Cup regattas in District 3. Fogh Marine is once again offering three new sails for the winners of the Fogh Gold Cup series, including the top laser sailor, top radial sailor and top master sailor for 2013. The remainder of the 2013 regatta schedule is coming together, so if your club is considering hosting an event let us know as soon as possible and we will add it to the schedule. Now its off to the gym to get the legs in shape for the ski season. So ski fast until you start sailing fast again.
District 4 Manitoba, Canada Brigitte Smutny
It’s the time of the year Manitoba is covered in ice and snow and there is no sailing up here from October until April. But our Laser sailors do participate in training camps and regattas out West. In November they attended the Remembrance Day Camp at the Royal Victoria YC. Steve McBride did a superb job putting on this camp. The next one on the list is Laser training in the Dominican and the Louis Riel Camp, again in Victoria. In March a handful of Manitoba sailors will participate at the Midwinter’s in Marina del Rey, Cal. In late April we will get our equipment ready and our season will start with short training sessions on Lake Winnipeg in May. Happy Holidays from District 4!
District 5 Saskatoon, Canada Mark Lammens
The new Dick Degner District 5 Series trophy, named after one of Alberta’s and District 5’s greatest sportsman. Dick was famous for his constant smile,
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great attitude, fit late in life and always showed up for the events that now bear his name. Skier, swimmer, sailor and very proud of his kids. The classic image of Dick is rigging his boat at the end of the dock walking on his bow to step the mast in breeze and always doing it successfully. Who can do that? Dick could. This year winners for 2012, Ian Elliot-Laser, Lewis Oteruelo-Master, Finn Griggs-Radial.
District 6 Vancouver, Canada Andy Hunt
Season Greetings to all Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 sailors who reside in District 6. First of all, I want to plead mea culpa for the last edition of The Laser Sailor by not submitting a report in time. For those of you who look forward to reading my reports, I am very sorry. The Autumn months in District 6 have seen us sailing in great weather in the earlier months and then the weather decided to get worse. All of the evening racing has come to an end with the shorter days (daylight speaking). For those of you who want to see how sailors did in evening racing, please check the club’s website. The Jericho Sailing Centre and the Surrey Sailing Club both maintain active evening racing programs. Garry Cotter, who lives in Squamish, is trying to get more sailing activity to happen at the Squamish Yacht Club. They have just started a Learn to Sail Program and look to improve it in the coming years. The more sailing that happens in District 6 the better. Also, there has been an increase in activity on Salt Spring Island. I am hoping to get over there for a weekend and check out the activities. Now for the regatta reports. The Rocky Point Sailing Association held it’s annual regatta on September 15 and 16. There was a light turnout of Lasers (4) and a modest turnout of Radials (13). Some of the RVYC youth race team went to another regatta which is why there was a low turnout of Lasers. I don’t have a report on conditions but I do know the results which are as follows: Radials – Alex Fritz, RVYC, 10.00; Fillah Karim, RVYC, 13.00; Miranda MacGillvray, RVYC, 17.00. The results of the Lasers - Adrian Vlasic, RVYC, 9.00; Dominic Fritz, RVYC, 14.00; Sebastien Fritz, RVYC, 16.00; Cam Elliott, RPSA, 26.00. The following weekend, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club held the Fall Dinghy Championships. By all accounts, the wind was light both days. I got confused and thought that the FDC was on the following weekend (September 29 and 30) so some of the local (Vancouver area) sailors failed to make the trip over to Victoria. That said, there were 15 Standard Lasers and 20 Laser Radials. Top five Standard sailors were: Dominic Fritz, RVTC, Matthew Turner, RvicYC; Max Gallant, RvicYC; Geoff Abel, RvicYC; Bob Britten, RvicYC. Geoff and Bob were not juniors while the other three sailors were juniors. The top 6 Radial sailors were: Reece Myerscough, RvicYC, Graham Harney, RVYC, Adam Sorenson, COSA, Miranda MacGillvray, RVYC; Jake Cullen. The West Vancouver Yacht Club held one of it’s biggest regattas, the Pumpkin Bowl, on October 13 and 14. There were five races on Saturday and three races on Sunday. From what I understand, it was very windy on Sunday and the race committee had to postpone the racing until the wind died down a little bit. Some of the sailors
decided to pack up and go home early. There were 43 Laser Radials, 17 Laser Standards and 5 Laser 4.7s. The top seven Laser Radials were: Jack Toland, RVYC, 18.00; Fillah Karim, RVYC, 23.00; Hanne Weaver, SYC, 23.00; Alexander Fritz, RVYC, 36.00; Miranda MacGillvray, RVYC, 33.00; Graham Harney, RVYC, 33.00; Reece Myerscough, RvicYC, 36.00. The top five Laser Standards were: Max Gallant, RvicYC, 10.00; Adrian Vlasic, RVYC, 14.00; Deniz Bekins, RvicYC, 27.00; Nick Smith, RvicYC, 29.00; Dominic Fritz, RVYC, 29.00. The Laser 4.7 sailors were: Jack Holbrook, SYC, 13.00; Samuel Gregson, Comox, 13.00; Nate Bell, Comox, 14.00; Nigel Fletcher, Comox, 15.00; Zoe Roberts, COSA, 18.00. The Kitsilano Yacht Club held it’s Bluenose Regatta on the first weekend of November. Winds were from the east both days with the lighter winds happening on the Saturday. There were two races on Saturday and four races on Sunday. There were 10 Lasers and 12 Laser Radials. In the Standard Rigs, Al Clark dominated by throwing out a second and scoring all firsts the rest of the way. The top three were: Al Clark, RVYC, 5.00; Ricardo Montemayor, RVYC, 12.00 and Kyle Martin, RVYC, 14.00. The top three Radials were: Graham Harney, RVYC, 8.00; Fillah Karim, RVYC, 8.00 and Natalia Montemayor, RVYC, 13.00. The results of the BC Circuit can be found on the BC Sailing website: www.bcsailing.bc.ca
District 7 Tiverton, RI, USA Derek Stow
The New England Laser Masters Championship was sailed off Third Beach in Middletown RI on September 8/9th with more than 40 sailors including some from as far away as Canada, Florida and California. Saturday was a gut buster of a day with a stiff southerly breeze building to well over 20 knots, along with the usual Sakonnet RIver waves “enhanced” by hurricane Leslie. Sunday gave us lighter winds from the north but with swells still rolling up the bay, some even breaking. Marc Jacobi from Cedar Point Y.C. did well to master the varied conditions to claim the overall win. First Apprentice was Steve Kirkpatrick, first Grandmaster was Mark Bear, and first Great Grandmaster was our regatta chairman Peter Seidenberg. Lynne Shore was first woman. Meanwhile, somewhat further inland and on somewhat flatter waters, Massapoag YC held their annual regatta in Sharon MA on the same weekend. The top three at that event were Gary Werden, Mike McCaffrey and Dave Ryan.
The “Loon Cup”, the 4th event in the Maine State Championship was sailed on September 15 and drew 15 boats. It was a challenging event with an ever building and shifting breeze. Colin Gowland of Belfast, ME took first followed by Stu Nickerson in second and Fred Boursier winning a three way tie for third.
On Saturday, September 29th the fifth and final regatta in the Maine State Championship was held at the Thomaston Laser Fleet, Thomaston, ME. There were 16 boats that showed up in the drizzle to fight it out. The first race was windy, with gusts in the
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high teens but the winds diminished as the day went on and the last race was a drifter. In the end Colin Gowland of Belfast won the event. Syd Sewall of Hallowell finished second in the regatta with David Frazier of Granby, CT third, Hank Thorburn of Harpswell fourth, and Sally Sharp from Enfield, NH in fifth and the first woman. Joseph Giblin of Marblehead, MA finished the day in 15 (held back by his Radial rig) and was the first Junior.
In the overall Maine Championship Colin Gowland was first with Hank Thorburn second, David Frazier third, Syd Sewall fourth and Sally Sharp fifth and again the first Woman. Joseph Giblin was the first Junior. 34 Lasers participated in at least one regatta with 13 people completing the necessary 3 regattas.
Our fall regatta season ended on a high note with the Fat Boys Regatta at Bristol YC in RI on October 20th. The first five races were sailed in very light shifty winds but then halfway through the afternoon somebody remembered to switch on the real Bristol wind and we sailed the last two races in 15-20 knots. The first five were Seth Cooley, Peter Seidenberg, Dan Neri, Stu Nickerson and Scott Vogel. First woman was Christina Persson, who impressed us all by putting in new screws to attach her cunningham/outhaul deck cleat to the deck while on the water between the last two races, dropping off the screwdriver on the committee boat as she hardened up around it to start the last race. Is that hard core or what?
Congratulations are also due to two District 7 Sailors who scored major wins outside the district this fall. Marc Jacobi won the US Laser Masters Nationals Full Rig Championship at Brant Beach YC in New Jersey in mid-September. Peter Seidenberg came second (by one point) in the Radial Fleet at the US Laser Masters, and then went on to compete in the European Laser Masters in Roses, Spain at the end of September/ early October where he was successful in becoming the European Laser Great Grandmaster Champion.
Hurricane Sandy didn’t do as much damage in our region as it did further south, but it did cause the cancellation of the fall regatta at Cedar Point YC in CT scheduled for the weekend after Sandy. We wish our neighbors and especially those in District 10 well in repairing the damage to their homes and infrastructure, and hope things will be back to normal for the 2013 sailing season.
As I write this report in late November the frostbiting season is in full swing at Cedar Point, Essex, Bristol and Newport, with consistent turnouts of over 30 boats at the latter. I had the pleasure of joining the Duxbury Bay Fleet as a guest for the last two weeks of their frostbite season; clearly a good scene thanks a good deal to the enthusiasm of their “Energizer Bunny” fleet captain Dave Ryan. And the Marblehead Laser Fleet wrapped up what sounds like a stellar frostbite season on Nov 18. Congratulations to the top five in the series Phil King, Tom Dailey, Patrick Andreasen, Wayne Colahan and Bryce Andreasen. And so it’s time to look ahead to planning the 2013 season. One date to mark on your calendars NOW is the 2013 Wickford Regatta which will be on May 18-19 and this will also be the District 7
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Championship for full rigs. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the water at Wickford.
As the 2013 schedule is developed, details will be posted on the District 7 Website at www.laserdistrict7.com. Please feel free to contact me about any district matters at laserd7@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
District 8 New York, USA Ted Cremer
Happy Holidays laser sailors. After the enormous impact of “Superstorm Sandy” we here in downstate NY are cleaning up and reminiscing about the fun time we had this summer and throughout the fall. Mike Duran and Lynn Sexton did an awesome Job this summer setting up and managing our Eastern Long Island summer series. Mike reports that 67 racers competed in 46 races over 8 regattas this summer in the 7th annual East End Laser Series setting a series record! 8 picturesque venues on the eastern end of Long Island, New York hosted 8 afternoon regattas on 7 Saturdays in June, July and August, and Wednesday, July 4th. Many thanks to Old Cove Yacht Club, Southold Yacht Club, Noyac Bay Informal but Competitive Laser Racing Association, Westhampton Yacht Squadron, Shelter Island Yacht Club, Breakwater Yacht Club, Southampton Yacht Club and Devon Yacht Club.
Racers competing in 3 or more regattas were scored for the series. Geoff Loffredo was first overall for the 2012 East End Laser Series with a win at Old Cove YC, a 2nd at Southold YC and a 7th at NBIBCLRA. Jim Vos was the first Master. Nick Klinger was the first junior. David Berridge was the first Grand Master and Minna Scholl was the first female. The series fleet included 15 juniors, 15 Radials and 15 females. Congratulations to all the racers!
Lynn and Mile, you guys are awesome…Really appreciate your commitment to this great series. The fall Frostbiting schedule at Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club is underway and as of the time of this report Matt Lyons is leading followed by Lindsay Hewitt, Austin Newman. Winter sailing scoring whiz David Trinder is in fourth. Dave, many thanks for your efforts keeping all of our ducks in a row. Looks like we have at least 18 racing. Unfortunately the Turkey Bowl was blown out, but there is a lot of sailing ahead of us so grab your boat and join us.
Final recognition to our faithful webmaster and videographer Robert Terry. Please check out his excellent work at the district website. Bob, you are the heart and soul of this district and I cannot possibly thank you enough for all that you do for D-8.
District 9 Upstate New York, USA Chas Williamson
This summer in upstate New York, we had a very nice balance of moderate breezes and light weather, but no really wild weather this year. I would have reported on the regattas beck in September, except
that my computer did not receive the reminder messages from Sherri and Jerelyn, who run the class and do a fantastic job of putting together this magazine for us all. This reminder issue has been solved now, so I am sending in a short report on three of the summer regattas since the last report in June 2012. I include here 3 mid-season events - the regatta at Turner HQ - namely Chautauqua - and a regatta at Sodus Bay JSA, and the District 9 Championships at Sodus. Mike Foley did an outstanding job of running these regattas. In the next report, we shall also include Seneca YC, and the dreaded Deathroll Regatta at Willowbank. At Chautauqua Lake YC (23 June 2012), the Turner Dynasty again were central in a regatta that was tremendous fun! The wind blew steadily and with moderate hiking strength, with brilliant sunshine all day. The Turners are amazingly fast and talented as a family. Charley turned up from Ithaca thinking he might win, as in previous times, but Marc Turner had blistering speed, winning four races out of 5. In the fifth race, we had a really close battle between Marc and Rick Turner and Charley, especially down the run, and Rick won this one at the finish. The racing was outstanding, and culminated in a feast ashore in the clubhouse, at which point we were joined by Dick Turner the father of the speedsters Marc and Rick, and grandfather of one of out top sailors at Cornell, Lauren! The placings were as follows: 1. Marc Turner; 2. Charley Williamson; 3. Rick Turner; Mike Lorenz; 5. Doug Bargar; 6. Jake Sellstrom; 7. Peter Mueller; 8. Hanna Evan; 9. Nick Evans; 10. Reed Gustafson
The District regatta at Sodus Bay JSA (30 June 2012) saw Snipe sailor Doug Kaukeinen win from a set of three youngsters -Brendon Cook, Daniel Lawless and Alex Steo from Rochester, followed by Chas. Light weather was the order of the day, with some big shifts. All five of these sailors won one race each! At the awards, the First Junior sailor was Chippy Williamson, stepping up to the full rig this year. In the Radials, John Lawless won from Jenny Borshoff, a top 420 sailor at Cornell. The finishers were: 1. Doug Kaukeinen; 2. Brednon Cook; 3. Daniel Lawless; 4. Alex Steo; 5. Charley Williamson; 6. Chris Wilson; 7. Luke Miller; 8. Dan Fien; 9. Pedro Bushnell; 10. Steve Leach; 11. Chippy Williamson; 12. Kyle McGraw; 13. Joe Miller; 14. Mark Shannon. RADIALS: 1. John Lawless; 2. Jenny Borshoff; 3. Bridget Lawless; 4. Jessica Lietz; 5. John Mastroandrea. Mike Foley then ran the District 9 Championships, again at Sodus Bay JSA (14-15 July 2012), this time in light winds throughout the sunny weekend, sometimes with extreme fluky winds, favouring the light wispy sailors in the light wispy winds. Owen Macdonald came back from years away from the region and won with two firsts, never below 3rd in the 16 strong fleet. Scott Posse came second behind Owen despite having four firsts, and Charley came in third after winning the 5th race out of 7. One thing I noticed was the very nice ambiance of the front runner sailors, very obviously having a good time racing each other and spending two glorious days on the water. AJ Murphy from Willowbank YC sailed well to come in front of Brendon Cook and Chris Wilson, first Youth sailor from Seneca. The Radial fleet was won by Alex Marshall, with Jenny Borshoff to follow in second. Jenny could
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District Reports
only race the Saturday, winning all the races she entered on that day. The placings were: 1. Owen Macdonald; 2. Scott Posse; 3. Charley Williamson; 4. AJ Murphy; 5. Brendon Cook; 6. Chris Wilson; 7. Alex Steo; 8. Luke Miller; 9. Ciaran Hurney; 10. Kyle McGraw; 11. Aliana MacDonald; 12. Wes Britton; 13. Peter Britton; 14. Tucker Rae; 15. Joe Miller; 16. Greg AvilaShat. RADIALS: 1. Alex Marshall; 2. Jenny Borshoff; 3. Nick Lyons; 4. Vincent Viego.
District 10 New Jersey, USA Eric Reitinger
District 10 took a big hit from Hurricane Sandy. Many people’s homes along the coast as well as the clubs along the coast took severe hits. It will take some time to rebuild but many of the clubs should be ready to go next year. Now onto the sailing. Eric Reitinger made the trip down to the D11 champs in the radial and won the regatta after some windy conditions the first day and the lighter wind the second day. The Laser Radial and 4.7 Mid-Atlantics were held in conjunction with the 420 Mid-Atlantics all at Brant Beach. The Opti ACCs were at Little Egg at that time as well which brought many folks from all over the eastern part of the country to Long Beach Island. Saturday the 42 radials and 7 4.7s were treated to a wonderful 15-25mph sea breeze and 4 races. The second day offered completely different conditions with a very light northerly and on and off rain. The varying conditions tested the sailors conditioning, patience and handling the cooler conditions. Top 5 radials were: Andrew Puopolo (Marsh Creek SC) William Marshall (FAST) Luke Ruitenberg (RNSYS) Eric Reitinger (Brant Beach YC) Corinne Peters (RNSYS) Top 3 4.7s: Charlotte leClue (Stamford YC) Margaret MacCormack (Toms River YC) Scott Megitt (Surf City YC) Marsh Creek’s Fall regatta had a venue change this year due to the lake being drained. Lake Nockamixon was the new venue and the sailors made the trip. 20 boats raced with Jim Knab (Cooper River YC) in first, Faye Flam (Cooper River YC) in second and Tony Iocono in third. Conditions looked like light and fluky. Monmouth hosted their annual fall regatta. Sadly there were only 4 there but that didn’t stop them. Christian Henkel won all but 1 of the races to take the win. The Philadelphia Cup occurred for the second year with a 14 boat full rig turnout. The sailing was in the Delaware River just off the Philadelphia Seaport, with the Battleship New Jersey, Camden Waterfront, Philadelphia skyline and Ben Franklin Bridge as the scenic backdrop. This multi boat regatta also hosted Lightnings, Sunfish, PHRF 1 and 2, Mariners, J/22s and J/27s. Had Brick (Island Heights YC) won on a tie breaker over Eric Bennung (Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May). Brant Beach decided to cancel their fall series due to the resurgence of the Toms River Fall Series. Thanks to Clay Johnson for starting this back up. Over the four weeks of the series there were 5 4.7s and 13 radials on the face course. Beachwood also has their fall series as well in the fall every Sunday in September. They
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had 5 full rigs, 5 radials and 4 4.7s through the whole series. Due to the lake water level at Marsh Creek and the Hurricane damage for Monmouth, Cooper River was the only frostbite series in the area. Racing took place all but one Sunday in November, Thanksgiving and first Sunday in December. The group is always competitive and new folks come in all the time. Thanksgiving usually brings back the college kids and some of the locals out of retirement to race. John MacCausland (Cooper River YC) won all but one of the days to win the series. Eric Reitinger was second and John Burnham (Cooper River YC) was third. Christian Neuman (Riverton YC) won the radials.
District 11 Richmond, VA, USA Jon Deutsch
We’re gearing up for another great season. By the time you read this most of the 2013 schedule will posted on our website (www.laserdistrict11.org). As you plan your calendar for next year, circle one or two weekends to go visit another club and sail. Not only will you be learning the challenges of a new venue, but it’s a great way to meet new sailors and learn different things in the way of techniques and strategies being used elsewhere. It’s also a great way to invite other sailors to come sail your venue at a later date.
This winter we’ve got 3 very active fleets doing frostbiting. Potomac River Sailing Association near the Regan National Airport in Washington DC sails most every Sunday and has 15-20+ boats most days. Results and more information can be found on their website at: http://potomacriversailing.org/lasers/
Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis also races most Sundays with another 10+ Lasers each day AND they’ve got a fleet of Radials getting their own start as well. They do their racing just off the Naval Academy. Complete information including results and write-ups can be found at: http://ssa.sailregattas.com/_/ssa/ui/Index.aspx?tabid=685
The Hampton Roads Laser Fleet has been gaining momentum for their frostbite series over the past couple seasons. They do a little more limited schedule in the winter still sailing most days. They sail out of the ODU Sailing Center. For information contact Rob Suhay at robsuhay@gmail.com
We concluded the fall with a number of regattas... here’s a recap:
45 Laser Masters sailors attended Fishing Bay Yacht Club’s Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Regatta. While they didn’t have the epic winds of recent years, the conditions didn’t disappoint with 7 races. John MacCausland added his name to the trophy by putting up 3 bullets to pull away from the fleet. Gavin O’Hare finished 2nd and 2-time winner Mike Schmidt finished 3rd overall. Apprentice 1. Gavin O’Hare (EYC) 2. Dorian Haldeman (SSA) 3. Kent Leverich Master 1. John MacCausland
2. Mike Schmidt 3. Henry Amthor Grand Master 1. Michael Moore (DGYC) 2. Had Brick (IHYC) 3. Don Hahl (BBYC) Great Grand Master 1. Newton Wattis (SCYC) 2. Lindsay Hewett (CSHYC) 3. Roger Link (WRSC) Women 1. Sandy Westphal (SSA) 2. Dorian Haldeman (SSA) Severn Sailing Association hosted the District 11 Championship in September in conjunction with their Crab Claw Regatta. Brady White (SSA) emerged the District Champion in the Standard Rig beating out Henry Filter (SSA) and Eric Reinke (SSA). In the Radial Fleet it was Eric Reitinger (BBYC), Mike Schmidt(MRSA) and Carsten Faubel. 7 races were sailed in two days of windy conditions (yes - it was windy for two days in a row in Annapolis). Rock Hall yacht Club had 20 boats for it’s Hard Rock Masters Regatta the first Saturday in October. Mike Schmidt (MRSA) was the overall winner. He was followed by Ted Morgan (SSA) and Len Guenther (FBYC). SSA sailed their Fall Series on August 25 and September 9. 28 boats participated and the overall winner of the series was Brady White (SSA). Steve Cofer (SSA) was 2nd followed by Peter Young (SSA). In mid-August Tred Avon Yacht Club hosted their Annual Oxford Regatta. Bill Vickers (AYC/SSA) won the event in the Standard Rig followed closely by David Schoene (SSA) and Alex Jacob (FBYC/SSA). Morgan Wilson (SSA) won the 4boat Radial Fleet. Lasers were among the 120+ boats at the FBYC Annual One Design Regatta. Racing was cut a little short on Saturday when a storm rolled through late afternoon, but Sunday’s beautiful conditions more than made up for it. Dan Herlihy (FBYC) led the Standard fleet with Jon Deutsch (FBYC) in 2nd and Brad Squires (FBYC) in 3rd. The Radial fleet was won by Luke Hayes (FBYC). Deep Creek Yacht Club had typical light-air lake conditions for their Invitational Regatta in July. While the local lake sailors usually excel in those conditions, it was a bay sailor Jon Deutsch (FBYC) who won the event. Meredith Hillyer (DCYC) was 2nd and Darrell Van Hutton (DCYC) finished 3rd. The junior division was led by Jessica Bennett (DCYC), Mary Tran (DCYC), and August Henry. The very last event of the year was the Frostbite Regatta at Fishing Bay Yacht Club. 9 boats were out for some light-air sailing on Fishing Bay. With some close racing at the top Jon Deutsch (FBYC) squeek out the win over Neil Ford and Robert Suhay. The sailors were treated to some wonderful chilli and live music in front of the fireplace after racing.
District 12 Carolinas, Georgia, USA Rob Bowden & Butch Mumma.
District 12 finished up 2012 with its final event being a Grand Prix event. Columbia Sailing Club, (CSC) did a fantastic job hosting the final event of the year on October 6-7th. There were a total of 25
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boats sailing. Jon Deutsch visited us from D11 and took 1st place home with him in the Full Rig Division while Jr. Sailor Travis Tucker won the Radial Division. Throughout 2012 Master Sailors continue to dominate the podium in D12 events followed by the Jr. Sailors. Hey folks, once you graduate college you don’t have wait to be 35 yrs old to get back into racing Lasers! Hopefully will see some more college grads come back into the class in 2013. In order to encourage more of the inland crowd to join the regatta circuit we’ve added another inland regatta to our schedule. Lake Norman Yacht Club, (where I grew up) is once again on the schedule. This club has amazing grounds for camping and a sandy beach for easy boat launching. The facility is great for the whole family to visit. It’s also very close to the race area so the sail to/from the course is usually minimal. Hope to see a nice turn out for this one. When we added another regatta to the schedule we had to consider some other schedule related regulations. Essentially everything is the same as in 2012. However, there is one change. In the event of a tie breaker we will go to the Grand Prix event to break the tie. Whoever beats who in the GP event will win the tie. Looking ahead to 2013 here’s how the calendar is shaping up, (These dates will be confirmed in early 2013): March 29-30 Easter Regatta CYC-SC This one’s in Charleston and has a great party! May 4-5 SC State Champs BYSC Again, another great party and on site camping! June 1-2 Savannah YC D12 SYC Don’t Miss the party at Charlie’s house! Aug 3-4 SAYRA Open Wrightsville Bch CYC One of the best venues in the US! Sept.21-22 NEW-LNYC Great on site camping! Oct 5-6 Grand Prix Event CSC They will host the year end event just like 2012! Not sure if anyone picked up on the party theme, but D12 sailors like to have a good time off the water too so come sail with us in 2013! D-12 Salutes our top Juniors: The last couple of years we have had the privilege of seeing some extraordinary juniors rise through the ranks of district 12. There are four in particular that have been sailing together for the last 6 years. They have attended clinics and spent countless weekends at each other’s houses just so they could sail together. Through it all they have become great friends and very competitive sailors. Here they are along with some of their accomplishments: Avery Fanning: In 2011 Avery won the Laser Radial NA’s and finished 3rd in the High School Cressy Nationals. He also placed 3rd in the ISAF Qualifier for Worlds, was 2nd at the Orange Bowl and sailed for his High School Team in 420’s. Avery currently attends and sails for the United States Coast Guard Academy. Rolfe Glover: In 2011 Rolfe finished in 25th place at the laser Radial NA’s and finished 25th in the Orange Bowl. As a sophomore in high school he formed the school’s first sailing team. Rolfe currently attends and sails for Tufts University. Dana Rohde: This year Dana was 3rd in the US Sailing Jr. Women’s Singlehanded Championship,
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3rd in US Sailings Women’s Championship, 22nd in Laser Radial NA’s, 1st in the Smythe Qualifier for our area and most recently 1st in the Cressy High School Nationals Singlehanded Qualifier and was 9th at the Nationals in Nov. Dana is a junior in High School and has just started her college search and is only looking at schools with sailing teams!
Nick Valente: In 2011 Nick was 5th in the Laser Radial NA’s. He finished in 2nd place at the High School District Championship in 420’s, in A division in April 2012. Nick current attends and sails for SUNY Maritime (Fort Schyler) in NY.
All four of these sailors will be the first to admit that their accomplishments were possible because of the support of their parents and adult mentors. Sailing has given these juniors much not only in the trophy case but also in life lessons. They are and will continue to be great ambassadors for sailing for many years to come.
On a final note I want to mention a quick blurb regarding being the Secretary for 2012. I’ve been a member of the class and D12, (off and on) since 1984. I figured it was about time to give something back beyond the few regattas I’ve chaired over the years. I’m looking forward to 2013. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail rbowden707@gmail.com or phone 843-441-6267.
District 15 Texas, USA Forest Atkins
So D-15 is heading into that other season we have here in Texas that I like to refer to as “not summer�. Kinda hard to characterize 60-70-80 degree days in January-February as “winter� although it gets below freezin’ now and then so there will be some sporadic “weather permitting� club sailing up here in the north DFW area I’m sure activity will continue more consistently in the central and gulfcoast regions. Texas regattas tend to be “grouped� into spring and fall subseasons. This fall season consisted of events at Lake Travis (Austin), Eagle Mountain (Ft. Worth) and Lake Canyon (Wurstfest-New
Braundfels) all of which experienced uncharacteristic-consistent light winds ..... this master’s “Achilles’ heal� ... gonna have to fix that. For those of you outside D-15 Lake Canyon is among the most picturesque lakes in Texas ...being in the hill country and all. The clear water, beautiful weather and Wurstfest in “downtown� New Braunfels are amazing. How can you beat sailboat racing with beer/saugage all in 80 degree weather in November? There was one fall event with winds over 12 kts.....Arlington’s Lazerpalooza in early October, although it’s a non-circuit event. Need to fix that too! Overall, we had quite a year with 86 participants in the D-15 circuit. Doug Peckover continues on as D15 Champion followed by James McTurk, Sebastien Dubois, Norm Grail, yours truly and Greg Wallace respectively. Doug and Greg will share the D-15 “Iron Man Award� for having attended all of the circuit events. Go to our district Google Group for more info https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!foru m/txlaser Time to get back to working out in prep for the 2013 season! Happy Holidays y’all
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District Reports District 19 Michigan Ken Swetka
“Great Lakes Masters Regatta”
We missed the deadline for the Fall report so this one includes most of the D19 schedule! June 23-24 Great Lakes Masters Championships Crescent Sail YC, Grosse Pointe, MI - Ken Swetka The forecast for Saturday was for very light air but the traditional thermal kicked in so we got 5 races off in about 6 - 8 kts of ESE wind. Sunday we were treated to a nice 12 kt Southerly for 2 more races. Results by Age Division: First Apprentice - Rusty Deane First Master - Ken Swetka Second Master - Harumitsu Yamamoto Third Master - Tom LaBelle First Grand Master - Jim Meyer Second Grand Master - Steve Wiseman Third Grand Master -John Walton, Jr.
Overall Results: 1 Ken Swetka 2 H. Yamamoto 3 Jim Meyer 4 Tom LaBelle 5 Rusty Deane 6 Bruce Hansen 7 Steve Wiseman 8 John Walton, Jr. 9 Mark Udell 10 Mark Pytell 11 David Wagner 11 Roy Toth 11 Michael Schreiber
M M GM M A M GM GM GM M M M
19pts 32 33 34 35 36 46 47 64 91 96T 96T 96T
June 30 - July 1 D19 Championships - Muskegon Yacht Club - Bob Harvey / Bruce Hansen – This regatta was preceded by a clinic put on by the man who “wrote the book”, Dick Tillman. Those who attended were all compliments! This was the first time this regatta was in Muskegon and it was nice to have new venue! The local fleet did a great job in all areas of the event and we look forward to more regattas in Muskegon. Laser Radial Grace Pytell 6pts DM Griswold 10 Sean Stephens 21 CJ Ramsdell 22 Jack Sheeren 26 Adam Savage 29 Joshua Corder 32 TJ Sherry 34 Sarah Corder 45 Laser Standard EJ O’Mara 5pts Conner Corgard 15
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Ken Swetka (M) Jon Deutsch H. Yamamoto (M) JP Mull (M) Kevin Ratigan (M) Jim Meyer (M) Bob Harvey (M) Chris May 50 Bruce Hansen (M) Eric Anderson Eric VanFossen Alex Romer Ken Griswold (M) Patrick McBriarty (M)
26 33 33 33 36 43 44
51 52 54 61 67 78
July 16-17 Leland Laser Regatta - no report… August 18 Lake Lansing Annual - Doug Carlson This regatta is normally the highest attended regatta in D19 and this year was no different despite the nowind forecast. There were over 30 skippers who came, rigged, ate a great barbeque, and went home. Not a single boat launched but as usual the Lansing folks put on a great social event. Everyone still had a great time and will return in 2013! U of M Fall Regatta - September 16th Details are available on the Michigan Sailing Club web site: http://www.umich.edu/~sailclub/regattas/laseroct.ht ml Sept 29 No Sweat Regatta - Portage Yacht Club It was a beautiful Fall day in Michigan with bright sunny skies and light winds. After some god sailing the local fleet put on a great spread of food and drink! 1 Doug Carlson 17 2 Ken Swetka 17.50 3 Peter Johanson 17.75 4 Mike Moody 18.75 5 Jim Meyer 28.75 6 Matt Heywood 41 7 Steve Wiseman 50 8 Susanna Tellscho 53 9 Jim Sunstrum 55 10 Jack Steife l 57 11 Susan Peters 60 12 Tim Harrod 65 13 Andrew Hopkins 71 14 Dave Williams 72 15 Dillon McCormic 72 16 Ken L. Hopkins 75 17 Jeff Hartlep 75 18 Tom Pendergast 79 19 Julia Hopkins 83 20 Brian Hoort 83 21 Jeffrey Smith 93 22 Sheri Hartlelp 95 23 Roy Toth 104 23 24 Ehren Barr 118 24
GTYC Fall Regatta & BABEL CUP - Traverse City – September 29th Report by - Tom Babel STUURSMA REPEATS! The 2012 GTYC LASER Fall Regatta and second leg of the BABEL CUP was held on Saturday September 29th. It was a “Chamber of Commerce Day on West Grand Traverse Bay”. Sixteen boats (12 standard rig, 4 radial) sailed in the 5 race no throw out series. The breeze filled in at noon and built to the mid teens by race four. RC/PRO Jordon Owen ran four legs in each race and ended race five with six legs. Jeff Ragains was hot out of the box and won race
one followed by Jamie Stuursma and Frank Reeg. After 3 races Ragains and Stuursma were tied at five points each, with a “shoot out at the OK Corral” in the making. Reeg was holding on to top junior/standard rig and tied with Than Dykstra for third. The breeze built to the low/mid teens for races four and five. The battle was on between Stuursma and Ragains, breeze on, hiking hard up wind and surfing downwind. When the dust settled, Stuursma was able to hold off Ragains to repeat as Fall Champion and defend his hold on The BABEL CUP. Congrats Jamie. Tom Babel finished 3rd overall, followed by Dykstra and Reeg. In the Radial Fleet, GTYC’s Dirk Phelps sailed a strong regatta placing first, seventh over-all with 35 points. Ryan Clulo was second Radial with 45 points followed by Sarah Corder (top female) in third. After racing the fleet enjoyed some hot dogs from WARES FROSTY TREAT and cool beverages. Thanks to Jim Sorbie and his crew for on the water support and pictures, and to Sally Corder for registration. The fleet is looking forward to the 2013 Spring Regatta next May. Results: 2012 GTYC Fall Regatta 1st Jamie Stuursma 9 1st BABEL CUP 2nd Jeff Ragains 11 3rd Tom Babel 16 4th Than Dykstra 20 5th Frank Reeg 27 Top Junior 6th G. Peet 31 7th D. Phelps 35 Top Radial 8th R. Clulo 45 Radial 9th A. Cornwell 47 Top Cornwell 10th S. Corder 53 Radial/woman 11th S. Cornwell 55 12th S. Corder 57 13th J.Corder 60 14th W. Cornwell 69 15th M. Cornwell 72 16th G. Cornwell 74 Frosty Mug Regatta - Irish Laser Fleet, Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs – October 6th
“This Year’s Winners!” Here is a re-cap on this weekend’s 6th Annual Frosty Mug Laser Regatta written by Tom Trautman. We had 7 boats show up to brave the weather, temperatures were in the 50’s and winds were out of the north/west at around 12 to 15 knots gusting up to 20. The breeze was shifty with lots of velocity changes making for some very challenging conditions. There were thrills, spills, equipment failure and even a minor laceration to a head causing a few boats to retire early. The race committee ran 5 races consisting of Olympic triangle and windward/leeward courses. After the results were tallied with a single throwout, it was last year’s champion Tom Babel clinching the 1st place mug with a total score of 4 points. Taking home the 2nd place mug and repeating last
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year’s finish was Mac Jacob with a total of 7 points. Tom Pendergast travelled all the way from Indiana to round out the top 3 earning the 3rd place mug with a score of 14 points. I would like to thank those who attended along with our race committee, Kent Case. A special thanks to Petoskey Brewery for supplying a few growlers of their tasty craft beer. We look forward to next year and another season of Laser/Sunfish Racing on Little Traverse Bay… Tom Babel 4 7 Mac Jacob Tom Pendergast 14 Kevin Meier 16 Tom Trautman 19 George Peet 20 20 Jim Axelson
Pumpkin Head Regatta - Grand Rapids – October 13 - Report by Chad Coberly Despite an ominous weather forecast of cold, rain, thunder and wind, 19 boats registered for this year’s Pumpkinhead on Reeds lake. Fortunately, the storm broke for a 2 hour window allowing 4 races in a fairly consistent 10-15 knot SE breeze down the length of the lake. The top was very tight in all four races ending in a fairly unprecedented 3 way tie for first between Chad Coberly of Grand Rapids, Tom Babel of Traverse City, and Dillon McCormick of Lansing with the tie breaker sorting out in that order. 5 juniors from the East Grand Rapids HS sailing team joined the fun with top Junior going to Michael Madden in 6th place overall. Top Grand Master was Tom Babel in 2nd, and Top Female was Lindsey Gates in 9th overall. Hopefully the weather gods will stop punishing this regatta next year! 1st Coberly 9 2nd Babel, T 9 3rd McCormick 9 4th Babel, B 19 5th Karaitis, A 22 6th Madden 27 7th Pendergast 28 8th Ulbrich 33 9th Gates 39 10th Karaitis, V 42 11th Babel, J 43 12th Ralston 48 13th Sikkenga 52 14th Currier 53 15th O’Dougherty 59 16th Stefanski 59 17th Dixon 72 1 Rad Madden 6 2 Rad Reid 9 That’s all for D19 regattas this year! A couple fleets did some frostbiting but by now most boats are tucked away or getting ready to go South! As always check www.D19Laser.org for more reports and photos!
District 20 Wisconsin, USA Steve Dolan
The 2012 Laser season has come to a close. Here is what went down in the land of District 20 since we last spoke (my apologies for missing the deadline for the Fall issue of the TLS. Sailing my lead mine in the lead up to the 2012 Soling Worlds had me preoccupied) The 2012 Icebreaker at Pewaukee Yacht Club,
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Memorial Day Regatta at Milwaukee Yacht Club, Summers End Regatta at North Shore Yacht Club and Jimmy Talbot at Chicago Yacht Club were each blown out and not sailed. My what big winds we have had in these parts this past season. The 2012 District 20 Champs was sailed in conjunction with the Hobelman Regatta out of Corinthian Yacht Club on July 27-28. Newcomer to the District and high school ace, Matt Ripkey 199598 took overall honors with Ben Jassin 187371 second and Andrew Aronson 179491 third. This was an 8 race event sailed over two days on the waters of Lake Michigan with light air on day one and moderate air on day two. Milwaukee Community Sailing Center hosted its first ever Laser event on July 7 and 8. Racing took place inside the government break wall and saw moderate air on day one and a flat water easy hiking on day two. Steve Dolan 198003 took first and Sean Lennon 183847 third. Next up was the Great Lakes Champs which was sailed in conjunction with the Al Henning Regatta out of Racine Yacht Club over the weekend of August 11-12. Roman Plutenko 196157 took first, and Andrew Aronson 179491 edged out Matt Ripkey 199598 on a tie breaker for second in this two day light air event sailed on Lake Michigan. Glad to be back sailing out of Racine Yacht Club. The 2012 Verve Inshore Regatta sailed out of Belmont Station, Chicago Yacht Club was a heavy air two day event with a separate race circle for dinghies and one for small keel boats. Andrew Aronson 179491 took first, J.P Mull 198420 second and Robert Christie 176204 third. A week later, the 2012 Titletown Regatta was sailed out of Windjammers Sailing Club on the waters of Green Bay. By report it was a picture perfect one day event sailed on the first Saturday in September. Mark Kastel 6263 took first, Dave Poquette 187723 second and Bill Goggins 203623 third. Two weekends later, the annual Border Challenge went down at the LaCrosse
Sailing Club. Here is what Mark Kastel had to say about the event: Gary Smith blew into town from the Green Bay fleet and won the event by one point over local Mark Kastel and three points over fellow La Crosse sailor Kurt Schroeder. The scores indicate the closeness of the series. Lake Onalaska, a dammed up portion of the Mississippi devoid of current, lived up to its reputation. Although the wind was a bit tepid onshore the Venturi effect, down the Mississippi Valley, kicked in and sailors enjoyed a wind velocity in the mid to upper teens most of the day. The final event sailed in District 20 for the 2012 season was the Oktoberfest Regatta sailed out of Nagawicka Yacht Club over the weekend of October 13-14. Big air, heavy rain and cold temps did not deter Kent Jones from taking first and Willie Rozanski from second. Other racing news saw the Milwaukee Bay Laser Fleet host Tuesday night racing from mid May until late August with Jared Drake claiming the season
championship. On Pewaukee Lake over the same summer months, Matt Schmidt won the Wednesday night Laser Series and Thursday night racing out of Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club has yet to name a season champion for that series as of press time. October and November saw a well attended Sunday Frostbiting season sailed out of Belmont Station, Chicago Yacht Club. Here is what Dave Abbott had to say about that series: After too many Sundays of working, I decided to join the fun frostbiting out of Chicago YC Belmont. I have been doing this off and on (mostly on) since the late 70’s. I want to report that this program is still going very strong. We are getting 15+ boats...even the Sunday before Thanksgiving when it was 29 degrees when I woke up! Some of the basics that makes this a great program: 1. No matter the weather, their great volunteer RC and crash boat folks show up. Sometimes it’s a no go due to weather, big winds and waves, but generally they will at least make an attempt by going out, setting a course, and see how the sailor’s fare. 2. No membership required. The season costs $35 if you’re a junior and $50 for adults. You can also leave your boat there for the series...making life even easier. 3. Locker rooms w/ hot showers 4. Hot soup afterwards (included in your entry fee). Beverages at the bar if you bring your credit card. 5. Great competition. Roman Plutenko (the Ukranian flash) won every race this fall. You will see the best of the Chicago sailors out there from other classes as well: Rick Strilky (Laser, T10), David Wagner (J105), Paul Wurtzebach (Laser, Lightning), top HS sailors, and many more notables. It’s kind of like a Chicago Champion of Champions sailed in Lasers. We start again in mid March. In some years, I have been able to race my DN on Saturday and frostbite my laser on Sunday! That’s living the highlife! Be there or be square! Below is the tentative 2013 schedule. Please check the D20 page on laser.org for event logistics and confirmed dates Stay fit. See you in the spring
District 21 Minnesota, USA Erik Ahlquist
The sailing in Minnesota has now come to a close for the 2012 year. We had great events with sailing in Duluth on the big lake, sailing on Gull Lake for the first time, the annual NUMB regatta in October, club racing at Wayzata, Calhoun and White Bear Lake, and finally finishing with our Thanksgiving Day racing on Lake Calhoun. This was our 31st year of sailing on Thanksgiving Day. We were blessed with morning temperatures near 60 degrees and pleasant winds. Seven of us showed up to have some great competitive races with rabbit starts. Now our boats are sitting idle covered in tarps as later that evening it snowed and most of the lakes began to freeze that weekend. We anticipate another great year of sailing in 2013 as our fleet seems to
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District Reports
grow each year. If you ever venture up this way next sailing season don’t forget your Laser. You can find a place to race or just sail every day of the week when the lakes thaw.
District 22 Montana, Oregon Bill Symes
Mark your calendars for the Gorge Dates have been posted for the 2013 Laser events in the Gorge. The season opens July 7-10 with the Columbia Gorge Racing Association’s annual Gorge Laser Performance Clinic with Coach Javier “Rulo” Borojovich. This has become the go-to training clinic for sailors looking to polish up their downwind chops in big wind and waves, and provides an excellent warm-up for the infamous Laser Gorge Blowout 18-mile downwinder on July 11. All this should get your quads toned for the big event, the 2013 Laser Pacific Coast Championships July 12-14. Youth sailors will want to stick around to train with Coach Rulo in the popular WIND Youth Clinic July 15-18, followed the next weekend by the annual WIND/Northwest Youth Racing Circuit Regatta July 20-21. Clinic and regatta are both open to all Standard, Radial, and 4.7 youth sailors. To find out more and register for all events, visit CGRA on the Web at www.cgra.org. Note: entry is limited for the clinics and Blowout; register early to make sure you get a spot!
District 23 Park City, UT, USA Geoff Hurwitch
The Park City Sailing Association hosted the District 23 Regatta for the fifth year in a row, combining the event this year with their annual Fall Regatta which included four other class starts but the Laser fleet continues to be the largest turnout for the PCSA. The fifth year didn’t disappoint as nearly twenty Lasers lined up for the start on mid-day on the 22nd. Throughout the first day the wind was a manageable 6-9 knots with occasional puffs around 12. The day was won by Wayne Lemley of Colorado who flew himself over and borrowed a Laser from the PCSA fleet. Wayne was one of two people who traveled into the event for the Laser racing. The other was Tim Herzog, a well known elite racer and collegiate coach who came down from Bozeman, MT. to get his sailing fix in. Day two of the District 23 Regatta offered a much different venue with wind in the 15-18 knot range with puffs around 22 knots. This mixed up the results quite a bit as Buster Pike, a board member of the Park City Sailing fleet, won the day with solid results. Wayne was challenged for the overall lead by Jeff Kluge but in the end Wayne was able to hold on for the event win, followed by two PCSA members; Jeff Kluge and Maciej Mamon. Tim Herzog placed just out of the trophies for his first time back in a Laser in a long time. The Park City Sailing Association is looking forward to hosting both a Spring and Fall regatta in 2012 as the growth of the organization continues.
District 24 Nor Cal, USA Nick Burke
Winter Patterns in NorCal
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There are changes in various patterns besides the weather, such as when Lasers race. During winter in D24, organized racing is always on Sundays. At Richmond YC, it is almost every Sunday. At Santa Cruz YC, it is the 2nd and 4th Sunday. I’m not aware of any other D24 fleets racing over the winter. Winter has better odds of sailing in shorts and t-shirt on the central SF bay compared to summer. The weather isn’t actually bimodal, but you can think of it that way: Either the sun is out, the temperature is in the 60s Fahrenheit and the wind is 5-10 knots; or there is a winter storm and it is steady 20-30 knots breeze, 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, and sometimes freezing rain.
Winter is also when the biggest waves appear on San Francisco bay. The long axis of the south bay points south-east. With a slow moving and windy storm, that fetch can raise relatively large waves. Occasionally waves break over Richmond’s inner breakwater after breaking over the outer breakwater first. One pattern that never changes in D24 is there is a lot going on. RYC Small Boat Midwinters The RYC small boat midwinters have grown large enough that they have split the Optimists, multihulls and Aussie 18s out and race them on Saturday. Lasers and other small boat classes still race on Sunday. These events are the first weekend of the month in December, January, February and March. Although two different wind models and the NWS predicted the steady 30 knot gusting to 40 knot winds of Saturday December 1 would die off Sunday morning, RYC decided to abandon Sunday racing sometime Saturday afternoon/evening. This was not well received by some in the Laser class. Lasers are well known to sail in conditions in which other classes are disintegrating. There are three more potential sailing days January 6, February 3, March 3. If you will be passing through town, there are loaner or charter boats available. If you are local and haven’t tested these waters yet and are hesitant, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. RYC Junior Racing The advanced sailors in the RYC junior program sail Lasers. Early on Sunday morning, they have drills. After a lunch break, they do short course racing. Several years ago, Mark Halman invited adults to join in the racing. This helps the juniors by presenting an elevated level of competition, helping them to stretch. A pattern here is juniors start off losing badly to adults, then after a year or two they start teaching the adults a lesson. Drake Jensen is a great example of that. This mixed adult/junior racing is a great training technique that works for both adults and juniors. Mark said this about the event on November 18: 20 Lasers (10 Radials and 10 Full rigs) and 8 knots of wind. Sunny, warm - what more could you ask for in November? In the Full rigs, Roger Herbst won the day narrowly beating Peter Shope. Bart joined us for the first time and edged Emilio into 4th. Isabella Bertold and Christine added a few sailors who were attending their 3 day clinic. In the Radials, Neil won the tiebreaker over David, but it was Ezra who but for a DSQ for going though the start/finish line would have won the day. Lots of close fun racing. Adults welcome to join us. We have a whole range of racing skills so all of you will fit in.
Santa Cruz Corinthian Series Report by Laird Henkel: On November 11, Santa Cruz Yacht Club hosted the first of five planned monthly midwinter Laser regattas. It was a beautiful, warm fall day, with winds increasing from about 3 kts. to about 12 kts. by the end of the afternoon. The light wind enticed some regular Radial sailors to go big with standard rigs; of the 16 boats on the line, 12 were standard and 4 were Radials. Teenagers, young adults, and Masters were all represented. And while most of the racers were from the Santa Cruz area, two sailors were lured up from the southern reaches of D24 in Morro Bay (Steve Hendricks & another, sorry, missed the name). The race committee set short courses and provided 3-minute starts, getting in a fantastic 8 races (allowing one throw-out). Henry Nieuwstad proved that consistency pays, winning the standard fleet with five second-place finishes. Despite several firstplace finishes each, Laird Henkel and Tom Burden couldn’t manage to match Henry’s consistency. Dominique Betrand dominated the 4-boat Radial fleet, with four bullets. Full results are at: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/5995# Next SCYC midwinter regattas are planned for December 9, January 12, February 10, and March 10. Radial Clinic Christine Neville led a clinic for Radial sailors Nov 19-21 at RYC. North American champion Isabella Bertold also coached the first two days, and Claire Dennis helped coach the third day. Mark Halman helped on and off the water too There were roughly a dozen sailors participating.Wind conditions varied a lot, which is great as participants got advice on a variety of techniques. The first day was 5-8 knots, the second day had mid-teens, and the last day was very light. The typical day was some class room work, some video review, then on the water drills and finally some racing. Laser Ladder at Sequoia YC Sequoia YC in Redwood City has a Laser ladder. They also have 8 club Lasers, which get used in the competition. Participants can challenge people one or two levels above their current position. The outcome of a challenge is determined by best of three match races. If the challenger wins, they swap tags with the defender. This sounds like a fun game to play and only requires the two participants.
District 25 SoCal, USA Jorge Suarez
Sailing in D25 can be a very warm experience in the fall and winter. However, with the occasional low followed by persistent high pressures, the winds become light and somewhat unpredictable. That didn’t stop major Laser events in D25! Both the ICSA Single Handed Nationals (college) and the High School Single Handed Nationals (Cressy Trophy) were held in early November at the U.S. Sailing Center in Long Beach, CA. The College Nationals full rig was won by Juan Maegli of the College of Charleston and the Radials was won by Erika Reineke of Boston College. The Cressy Trophy was won my Mitchell Kiss of Black River H.S. (MI) in full rigs and Malcolm Lamphre
WINTER 2013
of Lake Forest H.S. (IL) won in Radials. For full results, go to U.S. Sailing Center website at www.ussclb.org.
One of the largest dinghy regattas on the West Coast is held each year in late November at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club’s Turkey Day Regatta where there was strong class of 51 Lasers and Laser Radials. Here is the report from Steve Smith, ABYC Laser fleet Co-Captain:
Preregistration for this year’s Turkey Day hosted by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) in Long Beach CA was looking thin compared to last year’s turnout and with cloudy, rainy skies leading up to and on the morning of the regatta, combined with a light wind forecast, I suspect some racers decided to take a pass. Maybe some decided to attend or watch the big USC vs. UCLA football game on TV. The light wind forecast was correct as Lasers and Radials raced in the ocean just south of the shores of Seal Beach on Saturday. Despite the conditions the ABYC Race Committee (RC) was able to run four races for Lasers, Radials, Finns, Mercury’s and Cal 20’s sharing the windward-leeward course. The last race of the day saw the day’s race results thrown into turmoil as fifteen of nineteen Laser racers were judged OCS, i.e. premature starters. Now I’m not sure how the RC was able to identify all those racers. All I know is I was about midway down the start line on starboard with seconds to go before the start and all I could see was a huge pack of Lasers obscuring Patience –the ABYC RC boat- at the end of the line. I was confident I was not over early, so began to race. Hearing no General Recall signal, I kept going but still finished well behind the assumed
leaders. I did not learn of the mass OCS situation until Sunday morning when I finally saw the results and looking down the page, I did not see my name where I expected. Instead, due to the large number of early starters, I stood in ninth. This was not to last. Matthew Long, representing Santa Barbara and Cabrillo Beach YC’s also escaped the OCS scrum and ended the day in first place.
In the Radial Fleet, Cooper Weitz from ABYC and California YC held a slim lead over Lindsey Baab representing San Francisco and St. Francis YC’s. Simone Staff from California YC, Lola Bushnell from San Francisco YC and Christopher Weis from Del Rey YC followed in order. The early Saturday morning rain and gloom did dissipate to give us the kind of sparkling day we enjoy during the winter months here in Southern California. Although we raced in sunshine, rain clouds threatened to the west and rain did arrive as the fleets returned to the club. No worries, as everyone was soon showered, warm and dry in the clubhouse enjoying the annual Thanksgiving-themed feast. The upstairs was packed with tables, chairs, sailors, volunteers and guests leaving precious few available seats for late arriving diners. The rain and clouds were gone Sunday morning but the breeze was up. The RC started all fleets on time with Lasers and Radials contesting three races in Force Three to Four breezes. With completion of seven races, the sailors affected could discard their OCS scores from the previous day. Matthew’s brother Stephen scored two firsts and a third on Sunday to best the Laser Fleet after discarding his OCS. Matthew did come in second with ABYC’s Chris Raab, rejoining the ABYC Laser Fleet for the
first time this year, finishing third. Frequent guest of ABYC, Dave Leuck from Mission Bay YC finished fourth with Richard Didham from San Diego YC in fifth. Newcomer to our ABYC Laser fleet, Charlie Crockett warrants special mention for fielding a vintage blue Laser he put together just minutes before racing began Saturday. Charlie dates his hull to 1973, much older than many of the sailors racing that weekend. Unfortunately, Charlie did have a close encounter with the weather mark, causing his boom to separate from the mast gooseneck when the breeze was up on Sunday. Charlie told me he was able to limp back to the club, but the boom was broken beyond repair. We hope he gets his rig back in the boat in time for our Boxing Day Regatta after Christmas! In the Radial Fleet, ABYC’s Cooper Weitz’ consistent finishes gave him fifteen points, ten less than second place finisher, Lola Bushnell. Lindsey Baab finished third, Simone Staff fourth and Christopher Weis was fifth. For complete results and photos, go to: http://www.abyc.org/event.cfm?id=665
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WINTER 2013
Innovative Hiking Strap Adjuster NICK BURKE
Operation of this hiking strap adjuster is is very simple: One handle tightens, the other handle loosens. Both pull forward, toward the bow. There is enough friction in the sliding splice that the strap does not slip. This is symmetric, so the strap tension is equal on both tacks. That is a desirable quality first pointed out to me by Mark Halman. There are roughly half-adozen people in district 24 with this setup, and it has been used in races in the gnarly conditions of San Francisco bay. This strap adjuster rigging was approved by an international measurer at the 2011 Masters Worlds at the St Francis YC. It was invented by Ryan Nelson, a district 24 stalwart who has won the Thursday night series at Treasure Island twice in 2010 and 2011. Ryan is a professional rigger and West Marine Rigging Alameda shop manager. Ryan also races in the 5o5 fleet and uses this hiking strap adjuster on that boat too. This is his latest iteration in many years of thinking about the problem. The strap adjuster is based on a sliding splice. In order to implement this, you need the actual boat. This is not something Ryan can make up and ship to you. If you would like to know more, contact Ryan at ryann@westmarine.com or 510-421-2914.
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When it all comes together, there’s nothing like it. But when somethings. not right, it can be a drag. For the past 15 years, Tackle Shack has been the South’s major supporter and dealer for Laser Class Sailing. We’re here to make sure you get what you need, when you need it - at the best price. New & Used Lasers *Expert Service* Parts & Accessories*Wetsuits, Dry suits & Wet wear *PFD’s *Thule Car Racks*Custom Trailers* Hard to find items...everything for the Laser Sailor. If we don’t have it you don’t need it! We charter Laser’s for all Florida events. call us at 727-546-5080 or 1-800537-6099 or stop by the store at 7801 66th Street N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781 Plus check out our web page www.tshack.com
San Dimas, CA Permit No. 410
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San Dimas, CA Permit No. 410