Saturday, April 20, 2013

Sunday, April 14 Frostbite Sailing

Morning and afternoon series had boats racing in all fleets. The morning Laser fleet completed a total of five (5) races, races 14-18 of the series. Five (5) boats competed in each of the five (5) Laser races. The V15 fleet also completed five (5) races, races 11-15 of the season. Seven boats competed in the 11th V15 race. Six boats competed in each of the remaining races (races 12-15). The morning Sonar session completed race numbers 6-10 within their series. A total of three (3) boats competed in each of the five (5) races.

The afternoon session consisted of races for the second Sonar series and the 420 fleet. Three (3) races comprised the afternoon Sonar session (races 15-17). Four Sonars competed in each of the three races. The 420 fleet also completed three (3) races (races 5-7), with a total of six boats competing in each race.


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Saturday, April 13th - Powerboat Class




There was a great turnout for the US Powerboating Accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling, Safety and Rescue class that was held for the Race Committee.  After two classroom sessions over the last few weeks, it was finally time to head out on the boats for some on the water training.  Despite 30 degree weather, strong breezes and a little snow, everyone showed up ready to go.  We had a great morning session with plenty of close quarter maneuvering practice, docking and some intense reverse slaloming.  The weather just wouldn't break though so we spent the early afternoon doing some knot tying and review questions and called it a day.

The grand champion of the coiling and heaving contest was the Monroe Dockmaster, Michael D.  Rumors of a rigged competition not withstanding, we all congratulate his heaving expertise.

Lynn L.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013


Sunday, April 7th, 2013 Frostbite
Sam V, Frostbiting PRO, Daily RO Lasers and V15s, DRO Afternoon Sonars

The day began with fair weather, temps in the low 50’s and westerly winds at around 12 kts.  With the High School Invitational taking place in the harbor, as well as frostbiting on the lake, Belmont was abuzz with activity.  Despite the shifty west winds, we were able to start the dinghy course on time with 9 Lasers and 7 Vanguard 15s in attendance.  Nick B. assisted me on the signal boat as DRO, Lynn L handled the windward mark set, and Gaetan C. and Jeff G.i handling the start, finish, and leeward gate.  After the first race, the course was shortened slightly to keep the races to around 20 minutes, with the goal of getting 5 races started before the 12:00 cut off time.

The racers were kept busy with rapid turnarounds.  In order to start and finish fleets simultaneously, Nick and I had the mark set boat come alongside the signal boat to provide an extra set of eyes.  The day went smoothly, in spite of one general recall for the Laser fleet, with no course changes until the wind shifted 120 degrees during the first beat of the 4th race.  Race committee quickly located the N flag, abandoned the race, and reset the course for a 5th race.
After lunch, Nick took over the lead role as RO, and we headed back out for the afternoon Sonar session.  After a 5 minute postponement, the wind settled in and were able to get in 5 quality races.  The first two races saw some aggressive starts with multiple boats over early, but after lengthening the starting line slightly, the excitement diminished and the racers fell in to line.

Back at the club afterwards, several racers approached the race committee with thanks for the quick turnarounds and great racing.  Nick B. took home the Blue Star award for his great service in quickly turning the fleets.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Sat & Sun, April 7 & 8 - High School Invitational



Sunday, April 7 - High School Invitational

After completing the full round robin on Saturday, today's racing was for the championship.  27 more races were run in a shifty breeze that eventually settled in from the east northeast.



Saturday, April 8 -  2013 High School Invitational


Ten (10) teams from Minnesota, Michigan, and the greater Chicago area competed in the CYC High School Invitational.  The competitors completed nine (9) flights for a total of forty-five (45) races.  Following a Block “N” pattern, the sailors maintained an average race duration of 11-13 minutes/course.

During the earlier portion of the day, winds remained an average of 150 degrees with a fifteen (15) degree margin. The wind velocity ranged between five (5) and seventeen (17). 

Later in the day winds grew increasingly shifty with intermittent puffs, some up to twenty-eight (28) knots! The number of capsizes increased as the day wore on, allowing sailors to test the thirty-nine degree waters.

There were aggressive starts within individual round rotation assignments in order to cover a specific competitor and compile the lowest combined score possible.  

The Star Award was earned by Jill D. for orderly finish sheets, and keeping the boards up to date.