Some really fabulous photos of last night's wet and wild race are online, courtesty of Chuck Feil from FotoFinish.
Also some great pics courtesy of Maggie from Tango are in a Kodak gallery online. (Create an account to view the photos.)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Worth a thousand words
Chuck Feil of FotoFinish has been an unofficial fleet photographer this season. He's posted a handful of shots to a Flickr photo album. Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Breeze vs. Current
The wind held relatively strong and steady for a competitive night of sailing this Tuesday. RC Nicole and her Tuesday-night Boogie TYP crew, Roger and Matt, brought along course-setting expert Howard Coon from the J24 fleet and flag-pulling expert Kaelan Fournier, spawn of the PRO. The LL headed southwest of Clapboard Island and set a long course for the Brothers Islands with a lovely mark boat (which is for sale) on stand-by for wind-shifts.
The first race got off in a moderate breeze that threatened to wane. The fleet split shortly after the start, with most of the boats heading left toward a breeze line and several boats heading right to get out of the current. From the LL, the RC was judging that left looked like it would pay with visibly more breeze, but the split fleet converged close together at the windward mark. More wind filled in the center of the course as the boats headed downwind which seemed to be a right-shift, but the fleet split again back up the course. The second downwind leg was led by ESP, who held onto it for a first-place finish, followed by FotoFinish and Schadenfreude.
With the breeze still holding on the square course, a second race got off immediately following the first finish. The boats crossed the start all clear, and more decided to go to the left side of the course in the waning wind. The once-around race was close among finishers, but Schadenfreude took the bullet and FotoFinish finished once again in second. Fuzzy Logic moved up into third place, and Tango just barely beat out Medusa for fourth.
This pleasant evening of summer sailing was a respite for the boats in last weekend's PHRF regatta, in which 20- to 25-knot winds beat down our sails and wore out our crews in a wildly great couple of races.
~Nicole, RC, Boogie TYP
The first race got off in a moderate breeze that threatened to wane. The fleet split shortly after the start, with most of the boats heading left toward a breeze line and several boats heading right to get out of the current. From the LL, the RC was judging that left looked like it would pay with visibly more breeze, but the split fleet converged close together at the windward mark. More wind filled in the center of the course as the boats headed downwind which seemed to be a right-shift, but the fleet split again back up the course. The second downwind leg was led by ESP, who held onto it for a first-place finish, followed by FotoFinish and Schadenfreude.
With the breeze still holding on the square course, a second race got off immediately following the first finish. The boats crossed the start all clear, and more decided to go to the left side of the course in the waning wind. The once-around race was close among finishers, but Schadenfreude took the bullet and FotoFinish finished once again in second. Fuzzy Logic moved up into third place, and Tango just barely beat out Medusa for fourth.
This pleasant evening of summer sailing was a respite for the boats in last weekend's PHRF regatta, in which 20- to 25-knot winds beat down our sails and wore out our crews in a wildly great couple of races.
~Nicole, RC, Boogie TYP
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
10 Boats + 3 Races = Fun!
It was one of those Casco Bay nights that you dream about in the dead of winter: SSW winds, 5 to 8 knots, oscillating 20 degrees back and forth, an incoming tide to keep things interesting.
The kind of conditions that make for some mighty fine Etchells racing.
The forecast called for a slight chance of thunderstorms, but they never materialized. Every so often through the evening we would feel a hot breeze blow off the land. As you felt it you knew that the pleasant conditions we were experiencing on the water were not shared by those sweltering through a hot, humid evening on land.
The 10-boat fleet got everybody excited. Even those of us on the committee boat. Check-in went smoothly, and we pushed Matt Camerson, our mark boat operator, hard to get the windward mark and pin end set quickly so we could start on time. The orange flag went up at 5:55, warning at 6:02 and the first starting gun at 6:07.
The first race was a four-legger, with the windward mark set .8 miles upwind. The pin end was favored, and Joy Robber pushed the advantage a little too hard and was half a boat-length over at the gun. They responded to the recall flag, radio and sound, and efficiently cleared their OCS. ESP and Schadenfruede rounded the top mark closely contending for the lead, the white spinnaker came up, followed by the all red just a few seconds later. Most of the fleet worked the right side of the downwind leg, taking advantage of a favorable shift and the stronger tide. The two lead boats rounded the leeward mark, still in close competition, but Rob, Kendra, and Alyssa on ESP increased their lead on the second weather leg, holding off Stephanie, who was subbing for Andrew on Schadenfreude, for the bullet. Andrew is suffering with a bad back, and he was missed by all his competitors in the night's racing.
For the second race we moved the windward mark right, and the pin back slightly to square up the line. With the breeze holding we opted for a four-legger to give the fleet more mark roundings. The PRO, Catherine Carpenter, did a good job being responsible for the food, drinks, air horns and TALK. With her on board there was never a dull moment on the committee boat. The start was clean, and I panicked through a shift midway through the sequence, I came within seconds of blowing off the start, but patience prevailed; at the gun the line and course were dead on. The winds were getting a little more shifty, so we watched to see who would pick them up and find the pressure and carry it to victory. As the boats rounded the leeward mark, we noted a nice shift and said, "Let’s see who goes left and they will be the winners." We saw the Red boat and its cagey skipper, Nicole, go left and we all put our money on Boogie. It held true as she nailed the bullet in the second race holding off Scott Thomas, in one of his best finishes of the year in Foto Finish. The racing was very tight and the entire fleet finished the second race within four minutes of the first boat.
If we hurried we hoped to get a third race off in the nice conditions. Matt hustled to the windward mark and moved it left to adjust for the shift, Daniel put a "1" up on the board, and with two races done by 7:30, we went for our first triple-race night of the season. The winds were getting lighter, and we kept our fingers crossed it would hold and get everybody back to their moorings before sunset. Luckily it was a nice clean start and the fleet battled the incoming tide upwind, turned the mark closely downwind. Boogie once again favored the right side coming downwind, while Rick Tonks on Fuzzy Logic, with Richard Hubbell, and Terry Naylon on board, jibed off and played the left side, but couldn’t quite gain enough to take the second bullet of the night away from Boogie.
In the end it was a “Boogie Night,” taking the evening with two firsts and a third. ESP finished second with a first and two thirds. Fuzzy Logic and Foto Finish tied for third and were involved in some very close racing all night long. Schedenfruede, with Stephanie at the helm, was just a point behind in fifth, and a point ahead of Seth and the Medusa gang in sixth. The racing was close throughout the fleet as Pam, Rich and Katherine brought Tango home in seventh, with three seventh-place finishes in each of the races. More Cowbelle, USA 50, made its first races of the season finishing with three eighths, to take the eighth place. Drumbeat finished ninth, and Joy Robber had a tough-luck night being over in one race and caught on the backside of the shift in another.
The only fleet boats not racing were represented on the committee boat, so Fleet 27 should get a perfect attendance award for the evening. Hopefully we will hit a dozen boats on the line before the end of our 2008 season.
Thanks for a nice evening; its good to be home.
--Ralph, RC, VooDoo
The kind of conditions that make for some mighty fine Etchells racing.
The forecast called for a slight chance of thunderstorms, but they never materialized. Every so often through the evening we would feel a hot breeze blow off the land. As you felt it you knew that the pleasant conditions we were experiencing on the water were not shared by those sweltering through a hot, humid evening on land.
The 10-boat fleet got everybody excited. Even those of us on the committee boat. Check-in went smoothly, and we pushed Matt Camerson, our mark boat operator, hard to get the windward mark and pin end set quickly so we could start on time. The orange flag went up at 5:55, warning at 6:02 and the first starting gun at 6:07.
The first race was a four-legger, with the windward mark set .8 miles upwind. The pin end was favored, and Joy Robber pushed the advantage a little too hard and was half a boat-length over at the gun. They responded to the recall flag, radio and sound, and efficiently cleared their OCS. ESP and Schadenfruede rounded the top mark closely contending for the lead, the white spinnaker came up, followed by the all red just a few seconds later. Most of the fleet worked the right side of the downwind leg, taking advantage of a favorable shift and the stronger tide. The two lead boats rounded the leeward mark, still in close competition, but Rob, Kendra, and Alyssa on ESP increased their lead on the second weather leg, holding off Stephanie, who was subbing for Andrew on Schadenfreude, for the bullet. Andrew is suffering with a bad back, and he was missed by all his competitors in the night's racing.
For the second race we moved the windward mark right, and the pin back slightly to square up the line. With the breeze holding we opted for a four-legger to give the fleet more mark roundings. The PRO, Catherine Carpenter, did a good job being responsible for the food, drinks, air horns and TALK. With her on board there was never a dull moment on the committee boat. The start was clean, and I panicked through a shift midway through the sequence, I came within seconds of blowing off the start, but patience prevailed; at the gun the line and course were dead on. The winds were getting a little more shifty, so we watched to see who would pick them up and find the pressure and carry it to victory. As the boats rounded the leeward mark, we noted a nice shift and said, "Let’s see who goes left and they will be the winners." We saw the Red boat and its cagey skipper, Nicole, go left and we all put our money on Boogie. It held true as she nailed the bullet in the second race holding off Scott Thomas, in one of his best finishes of the year in Foto Finish. The racing was very tight and the entire fleet finished the second race within four minutes of the first boat.
If we hurried we hoped to get a third race off in the nice conditions. Matt hustled to the windward mark and moved it left to adjust for the shift, Daniel put a "1" up on the board, and with two races done by 7:30, we went for our first triple-race night of the season. The winds were getting lighter, and we kept our fingers crossed it would hold and get everybody back to their moorings before sunset. Luckily it was a nice clean start and the fleet battled the incoming tide upwind, turned the mark closely downwind. Boogie once again favored the right side coming downwind, while Rick Tonks on Fuzzy Logic, with Richard Hubbell, and Terry Naylon on board, jibed off and played the left side, but couldn’t quite gain enough to take the second bullet of the night away from Boogie.
In the end it was a “Boogie Night,” taking the evening with two firsts and a third. ESP finished second with a first and two thirds. Fuzzy Logic and Foto Finish tied for third and were involved in some very close racing all night long. Schedenfruede, with Stephanie at the helm, was just a point behind in fifth, and a point ahead of Seth and the Medusa gang in sixth. The racing was close throughout the fleet as Pam, Rich and Katherine brought Tango home in seventh, with three seventh-place finishes in each of the races. More Cowbelle, USA 50, made its first races of the season finishing with three eighths, to take the eighth place. Drumbeat finished ninth, and Joy Robber had a tough-luck night being over in one race and caught on the backside of the shift in another.
The only fleet boats not racing were represented on the committee boat, so Fleet 27 should get a perfect attendance award for the evening. Hopefully we will hit a dozen boats on the line before the end of our 2008 season.
Thanks for a nice evening; its good to be home.
--Ralph, RC, VooDoo
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Light and lively.
We started the day with about a 2-hour harbor postponement, while we waited for the forecasted southerly breezed of 6 to 8 knots to settle in. We spent the time working on the boat, finding a set-up that allowed us to be fast in the predicted light conditions. After getting out on the course, and sailing along with some other boats we felt pretty good about our work.
We sailed two races. In both Gretchen got us off to good starts, both midline. In the first race we worked the right middle along with about 35 other boats. The far right didn’t pay today, and we crossed the majority of the boats as they tacked back onto port and headed left. We hit the starboard layline with about 200 yards to go to the weather mark. We were probably in the top 30, with lots of boats. Boats were pouring in off port, and despite being on the layline, we died in the massively disturbed air. Our options were few as we were blocked by other boats from tacking to clear our air, so we pinched, pinched, pinched around the mark, very slowly and were probably passed by as many as 20 boats. We had a good downwind leg, but on the weather leg we came in on the port tack layline and sailed in more gas and lost more boats. We were feeling a little better about a 73rd finish as we could look back over our shoulder and see some boats as we crossed the line, and the bulk of the fleet was within minutes of us.
We refined our tuning before the 2nd race, went over our errors from the first race, grabbed a bite to eat, and took a pee. And went off racing. Once again, Gretchen got us off to a good start and we worked hard on the weather leg. We got to the weather mark clean, had a good downwind leg, the sun was bright and right in my eyes trimming the chute, not quite enough suntan lotion as I’m a little red on the cheeks and lips this morning. We rounded in the top half of the fleet, as Gretchen once again chose the correct gate and made a great leeward rounding as we picked up a number of boats. As we approached the weather mark we dueled with our friends on 1207, tacking on their air and pinching them off as we approached the mark. We had to hike hard till our stomachs burned to pull it off. Flat sailing boats are fast. Downwind, we broke from our normal practice of an early jibe and stayed right, and we lost boats that went down the other side. Right near the finish a Canadian boat jibed twice right on our stern and took our air, that cost us about 4 or 5 boats. Bummer. We felt OK about the improvements our 63rd place finish showed, and remain optimistic as we approach day 3. Weather calls for rain, thunderstorms, and 15 to 20 knot breezes. Might be wet and wild.
More to come.
Ralph
We sailed two races. In both Gretchen got us off to good starts, both midline. In the first race we worked the right middle along with about 35 other boats. The far right didn’t pay today, and we crossed the majority of the boats as they tacked back onto port and headed left. We hit the starboard layline with about 200 yards to go to the weather mark. We were probably in the top 30, with lots of boats. Boats were pouring in off port, and despite being on the layline, we died in the massively disturbed air. Our options were few as we were blocked by other boats from tacking to clear our air, so we pinched, pinched, pinched around the mark, very slowly and were probably passed by as many as 20 boats. We had a good downwind leg, but on the weather leg we came in on the port tack layline and sailed in more gas and lost more boats. We were feeling a little better about a 73rd finish as we could look back over our shoulder and see some boats as we crossed the line, and the bulk of the fleet was within minutes of us.
We refined our tuning before the 2nd race, went over our errors from the first race, grabbed a bite to eat, and took a pee. And went off racing. Once again, Gretchen got us off to a good start and we worked hard on the weather leg. We got to the weather mark clean, had a good downwind leg, the sun was bright and right in my eyes trimming the chute, not quite enough suntan lotion as I’m a little red on the cheeks and lips this morning. We rounded in the top half of the fleet, as Gretchen once again chose the correct gate and made a great leeward rounding as we picked up a number of boats. As we approached the weather mark we dueled with our friends on 1207, tacking on their air and pinching them off as we approached the mark. We had to hike hard till our stomachs burned to pull it off. Flat sailing boats are fast. Downwind, we broke from our normal practice of an early jibe and stayed right, and we lost boats that went down the other side. Right near the finish a Canadian boat jibed twice right on our stern and took our air, that cost us about 4 or 5 boats. Bummer. We felt OK about the improvements our 63rd place finish showed, and remain optimistic as we approach day 3. Weather calls for rain, thunderstorms, and 15 to 20 knot breezes. Might be wet and wild.
More to come.
Ralph
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Right was right.
And we went left. End of story. The local guys had it figured out, and took 2 of the top 3 spots. Start at the boat and immediately tack onto port and bang the corner. That was the secret to race one. The wind was blowing from the East. I had reviewed the last 5 years of June wind data for Chicago and found the winds blow East less than 2% of the time, so I didn’t spend much time analyzing it. We started on the left/center on a square line with the center boat punched ahead by about a boat length. The boat ahead of us was OCS and gave us his dirty air which also didn’t help us get a jump off the line. We worked for a clear lane, heading left, and waited for a knock and lane to go back right. By the time we did it was way too late. EVERYBODY right of us had us beat. And in this fleet, everyone is fast like Andrew and tough to catch. We had some good speed downwind and passed a few boats, but struggled getting upwind speed in the shifting and dying winds. We made some good moves in preparation for the second race, and felt we were faster, but after waiting about 45 minutes they blew it off and sent us in.
Bottom line, thank God we have a throw-out. Day 2 will be a better day.
The race committee organization here is unbelieveable. 41 people, 8 boats, not even counting all the safety boats. They even have a separate boat for check-in. The start line is 3 boats, one on each end and a signal boat in the center. They use 5 mark boats to for each windward, leeward end, and one to wander and feedback wind info to the PRO. Last is the Judges Boat. In addition there is a press boat and a spectator boat, and probably 15 or 20 teams have coach boats which also function as safety boats. Quite an operation.
We were really pleased to see Eric and Justin win the first race. First they are amateurs, second they are great guys, humble, friendly, open, and helpful. Also, they are damn good sailors. They previously had USA 1101, but decided to trade up to a new boat gearing up for this Worlds. They have lacked the chance to practice for this event as much as the pro teams, but are very focused, they know Chicago conditions, and they are smart. They very well may end up being a real surprise team in this event.
Good Luck sailing tonight, and wave to VooDoo when you head out. We’ll miss you.
Best regards,
Ralph
Bottom line, thank God we have a throw-out. Day 2 will be a better day.
The race committee organization here is unbelieveable. 41 people, 8 boats, not even counting all the safety boats. They even have a separate boat for check-in. The start line is 3 boats, one on each end and a signal boat in the center. They use 5 mark boats to for each windward, leeward end, and one to wander and feedback wind info to the PRO. Last is the Judges Boat. In addition there is a press boat and a spectator boat, and probably 15 or 20 teams have coach boats which also function as safety boats. Quite an operation.
We were really pleased to see Eric and Justin win the first race. First they are amateurs, second they are great guys, humble, friendly, open, and helpful. Also, they are damn good sailors. They previously had USA 1101, but decided to trade up to a new boat gearing up for this Worlds. They have lacked the chance to practice for this event as much as the pro teams, but are very focused, they know Chicago conditions, and they are smart. They very well may end up being a real surprise team in this event.
Good Luck sailing tonight, and wave to VooDoo when you head out. We’ll miss you.
Best regards,
Ralph
Monday, June 23, 2008
Worlds: Day One
The stress filled process of measurement, weigh in, sail checks etc are over. It took the better part of two days for us to get all our measurements and check ins done, I was impressed with how thoroughly they go over every inch of the boat, sails, hull and sail cards, insurance, etc. Boom, mast, spinnaker pole, every hull dimension, every last wing nut on the bulk heads, even the length of the hiking line on the console. All are checked. The boat weighed in at 1523 kg, just a few pounds more than when she was weighed when made in 2001. Just about average for the competing boats. The check of the safety gear was impressive. They even had a template to assure the paddles blades were of the correct square inch size and length! They even checked the length and diameter of the tow line. You all know me, I had done this myself preparing over the last year. I was amazed at how many boats we have competed against over the past few years at major regattas that had paddles too short, or anchors without a proper chain, or PFDs without whistles. I hope the Chicago West Marine was well stocked. You must select only 5 sails for the entire regatta, and they are precisely measured. If they fail, they are placed in Quarantine, and you don't get them back till after the event.
Seems like we are building a reputation for having a good inventory of tools and spare parts. All day long its was:"can we borrow your dremel, can I borrow your drill, do you have a 1/4 20 tap and die", etc, etc. 1199 is sailing with one of our spare Jib C/Forestay/sealing block assemblies, 1313 is using one of our spare TackTick compass brackets. Must be something about being from Maine that people think you are prepared and willing to help out.
We launched on Friday, and I had the honor of sailing in a "mock" race, designed to expose some of Chicago's inner city kids to sailboat racing. The two kids who sailed on VooDoo Too were Jesus and Alida, ages 14 and 16. What nice kids, very polite and excited. It was the first time Jesus had been on any boat, of any kind. and Alida's first time on a sailboat. They had a live camera on Andy Beadsworth's boat and the event was shown on the local ABC new channel 7 affliates nightly news. It was an honor to participate. Even though we didn't win, Jesus was on the helm as we crossed the finish line and got our horn and wave from the race committee. We pumped our fists and high 5ed, just as if we had won the America's Cup. Yesterday was the practice race, with all 85 boats out. They gave us 4 starts, where we went through a full sequence, then they post a general recall about 5 minutes after the start so everyone came back and we did it again. Finally on the last one they let us go. We thought it was another practice start and we were OCS, so waited for the General Recall and it didn't come so we kept racing. Glad it was practice. We had a good day, the boat seemed fast at times, our crew work was solid, and we picked up some good technique at sailing though the tricky lake chop that is so different than ocean seas.
Now today is the big day. I can't tell you how anxious I am. The weather call for fair skies , but fairly light breezes of 7 to 10 knots. Whatever the conditions we'll be ready to give it our best shot. First warning is scheduled for 11:30 Chicago time or 12:30 in Maine. Check out the etchells worlds website, (link through http://www.etchellsworlds2008.com/Results.aspx). Give us a cheer and throw us a little love, we certainly can use it with this competition.
Best regards Ralph
Seems like we are building a reputation for having a good inventory of tools and spare parts. All day long its was:"can we borrow your dremel, can I borrow your drill, do you have a 1/4 20 tap and die", etc, etc. 1199 is sailing with one of our spare Jib C/Forestay/sealing block assemblies, 1313 is using one of our spare TackTick compass brackets. Must be something about being from Maine that people think you are prepared and willing to help out.
We launched on Friday, and I had the honor of sailing in a "mock" race, designed to expose some of Chicago's inner city kids to sailboat racing. The two kids who sailed on VooDoo Too were Jesus and Alida, ages 14 and 16. What nice kids, very polite and excited. It was the first time Jesus had been on any boat, of any kind. and Alida's first time on a sailboat. They had a live camera on Andy Beadsworth's boat and the event was shown on the local ABC new channel 7 affliates nightly news. It was an honor to participate. Even though we didn't win, Jesus was on the helm as we crossed the finish line and got our horn and wave from the race committee. We pumped our fists and high 5ed, just as if we had won the America's Cup. Yesterday was the practice race, with all 85 boats out. They gave us 4 starts, where we went through a full sequence, then they post a general recall about 5 minutes after the start so everyone came back and we did it again. Finally on the last one they let us go. We thought it was another practice start and we were OCS, so waited for the General Recall and it didn't come so we kept racing. Glad it was practice. We had a good day, the boat seemed fast at times, our crew work was solid, and we picked up some good technique at sailing though the tricky lake chop that is so different than ocean seas.
Now today is the big day. I can't tell you how anxious I am. The weather call for fair skies , but fairly light breezes of 7 to 10 knots. Whatever the conditions we'll be ready to give it our best shot. First warning is scheduled for 11:30 Chicago time or 12:30 in Maine. Check out the etchells worlds website, (link through http://www.etchellsworlds2008.com/Results.aspx). Give us a cheer and throw us a little love, we certainly can use it with this competition.
Best regards Ralph
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Counting down the days: Worlds 2008
84 boats, all working on last minute details for the big show. All have been preparing for over a year, and in just 6 days we will leave it all on the coarse. Man are we excited to be a part of it!
We arrived, as planned; in Chicago at 3:30 a.m. last Thursday morning. The last thing I wanted was to fight city traffic the last 30 miles of our 1150-mile journey pulling VooDoo Too from Falmouth Maine to the Windy City. Just my luck some Chicago commuter would T-bone us and ruin our dream. Thank God for Ohio, gas there was ONLY (?) $3.91 a gallon.
Our immediate impression was what a beautiful city and great place to race. We found the Chicago Yacht Club and Fleet 11 extremely well organized. Parking was secure and reserved, lots of grass for folding sails, assigned slips once we got in the water, a two week membership at the Yacht Club, so we can eat and drink there. You name it, and they’ve got it covered. The Chicago lakefront is all open parkland, and I took my bike to ride through the park, back and forth from our hotel, 3 miles from the Yacht Club. That should help me maintain my required weight.
This last weekend, we sailed in the Chicago NOOD regatta with 54 other Etchells to tune up for the Worlds and get used to lake sailing. They canceled the first day due to Thunderstorms and high winds. The big boats sailed and we saw some severe carnage, broken masts, booms, etc. Kind of glad we didn’t go out and tear our boat up in what was a tune up regatta for us. We are sailing with a new mast, and have new sails we didn’t want to blow out. We finished 37th out of 54, but were less concerned about where we finished and more in understanding the new rig, getting it tuned in to it to maximize our boat speed, and getting used to the crazy chop and shifty winds of Lake Michigan. We made some progress, but would sure love about another week to prepare. Instead we have just 1-1/2 days. That’s where the pro teams really have an advantage. One pro team competing has been virtually sailing their Etchells 8 hours a day, 4 to 6 days a week for the past 2 months! They are going to be hard to beat. One of our goals is to be in the top half of the all-amateur teams. All amateur teams make us less than half the boats entered. Many of them have years of Etchells sailing under their belt. With the high level of experience and skill many of these teams have it will be tough to meet that goal. Also, we are one of 6 boats entered who will be skippered by a woman. It is another goal of ours to be the top finishing boat skippered by a woman. With the high percentage of woman involved in our fleet it would only be fitting. Our toughest competition will probably come from Julia Bailey from Great Britain, and Shannon Bush who comes from the Houston fleet. Also competing are Betsy Altman from Chicago and the reigning Adam’s cup champion, veteran Etchells sailor Pat Stadel, and an unknown from Ireland. Gretchen will have her work cut out for her but we have complete faith in her skill and instincts. Other than that we want to sail to the best of our abilities, get the boat going fast and feel good about being a part of this event. Pretty simple goals.
Another interesting part of the Worlds will be a “mock” race, being held on Friday afternoon. Two members from each crew, as well as, 2 kids age 14 to 16 from Chicago’s inner city will participate as a crew in the event. The kids participating all come from the Rickover School, a talented and gifted program that emphasizes Marine themes in their Science classes. The kids have been studying the Physics of Sailing. The event will be televised as a feature in the Chicago area and ends with a big picnic dinner with the sailors and kids. Should be fun.
I will try and post a number of reports back from Chicago to all our friends in Fleet 27 as the World’s progress via our blogspot on the web. We are extremely proud to represent our fleet and the Maine sailing community. We will do our best to positively represent our fleet both on and off the water.
Right now, our biggest worry is to shed those last couple of pounds so we can confidently make weight, and have a little room so we can have some fun in Chicago. It seems the challenges never end.
You can follow the series, live through the International Etchells website www.etchells.org. , but only if you’re going to be rooting for Bow number 50.
Ralph
We arrived, as planned; in Chicago at 3:30 a.m. last Thursday morning. The last thing I wanted was to fight city traffic the last 30 miles of our 1150-mile journey pulling VooDoo Too from Falmouth Maine to the Windy City. Just my luck some Chicago commuter would T-bone us and ruin our dream. Thank God for Ohio, gas there was ONLY (?) $3.91 a gallon.
Our immediate impression was what a beautiful city and great place to race. We found the Chicago Yacht Club and Fleet 11 extremely well organized. Parking was secure and reserved, lots of grass for folding sails, assigned slips once we got in the water, a two week membership at the Yacht Club, so we can eat and drink there. You name it, and they’ve got it covered. The Chicago lakefront is all open parkland, and I took my bike to ride through the park, back and forth from our hotel, 3 miles from the Yacht Club. That should help me maintain my required weight.
This last weekend, we sailed in the Chicago NOOD regatta with 54 other Etchells to tune up for the Worlds and get used to lake sailing. They canceled the first day due to Thunderstorms and high winds. The big boats sailed and we saw some severe carnage, broken masts, booms, etc. Kind of glad we didn’t go out and tear our boat up in what was a tune up regatta for us. We are sailing with a new mast, and have new sails we didn’t want to blow out. We finished 37th out of 54, but were less concerned about where we finished and more in understanding the new rig, getting it tuned in to it to maximize our boat speed, and getting used to the crazy chop and shifty winds of Lake Michigan. We made some progress, but would sure love about another week to prepare. Instead we have just 1-1/2 days. That’s where the pro teams really have an advantage. One pro team competing has been virtually sailing their Etchells 8 hours a day, 4 to 6 days a week for the past 2 months! They are going to be hard to beat. One of our goals is to be in the top half of the all-amateur teams. All amateur teams make us less than half the boats entered. Many of them have years of Etchells sailing under their belt. With the high level of experience and skill many of these teams have it will be tough to meet that goal. Also, we are one of 6 boats entered who will be skippered by a woman. It is another goal of ours to be the top finishing boat skippered by a woman. With the high percentage of woman involved in our fleet it would only be fitting. Our toughest competition will probably come from Julia Bailey from Great Britain, and Shannon Bush who comes from the Houston fleet. Also competing are Betsy Altman from Chicago and the reigning Adam’s cup champion, veteran Etchells sailor Pat Stadel, and an unknown from Ireland. Gretchen will have her work cut out for her but we have complete faith in her skill and instincts. Other than that we want to sail to the best of our abilities, get the boat going fast and feel good about being a part of this event. Pretty simple goals.
Another interesting part of the Worlds will be a “mock” race, being held on Friday afternoon. Two members from each crew, as well as, 2 kids age 14 to 16 from Chicago’s inner city will participate as a crew in the event. The kids participating all come from the Rickover School, a talented and gifted program that emphasizes Marine themes in their Science classes. The kids have been studying the Physics of Sailing. The event will be televised as a feature in the Chicago area and ends with a big picnic dinner with the sailors and kids. Should be fun.
I will try and post a number of reports back from Chicago to all our friends in Fleet 27 as the World’s progress via our blogspot on the web. We are extremely proud to represent our fleet and the Maine sailing community. We will do our best to positively represent our fleet both on and off the water.
Right now, our biggest worry is to shed those last couple of pounds so we can confidently make weight, and have a little room so we can have some fun in Chicago. It seems the challenges never end.
You can follow the series, live through the International Etchells website www.etchells.org. , but only if you’re going to be rooting for Bow number 50.
Ralph
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Thank you, Nor'easterly
This week's Tuesday night races looked like they were not going to happen given the weather forecast and dead calm conditions at 5:30 p.m. Shortly after postponement at 6 p.m. we had a fairly steady light northeasterly filling in, allowing us to get things underway at 6:15 p.m.
Ten boats were on the line. Boogie T.Y.P. won the evening with a third and a first. Welcome back to Rick Tonks, who came in second. Third was Rob Haile/ESP and fourth was one of our newer members, Todd Lalumiere, in Joy Robber.
We had a shortened course in the second race. To review, a shortened course is always at a turning mark that the boats would round as part of the race. We made two sound signals and hoisted an S flag on our race management boat anchored outside the windward mark so as to finish boats as they passed the windward mark to port.
Thanks again to Dave and Mary for their help on the committee boat. Those two are a big help!
—Andrew Carey, RC
Ten boats were on the line. Boogie T.Y.P. won the evening with a third and a first. Welcome back to Rick Tonks, who came in second. Third was Rob Haile/ESP and fourth was one of our newer members, Todd Lalumiere, in Joy Robber.
We had a shortened course in the second race. To review, a shortened course is always at a turning mark that the boats would round as part of the race. We made two sound signals and hoisted an S flag on our race management boat anchored outside the windward mark so as to finish boats as they passed the windward mark to port.
Thanks again to Dave and Mary for their help on the committee boat. Those two are a big help!
—Andrew Carey, RC
Monday, March 10, 2008
Racing through the Winter
I felt the wonderful warmth from the sun’s rays as they hit the back of my neck in the 80-degree weather. It was a big contrast from the –4 degrees that showed on my thermometer at my home in Maine earlier that morning, as I hustled out the door to catch my 6:00 A.M. flight to Miami. As we lifted our white boat, VooDoo Too off its trailer, swung the crane around and dropped her into th
e water, I kept thinking how sweet it is to be sailing in the Jaguar Series this winter. Just eight hours after leaving bitter cold, mammoth snow banks, and my ever-present shovel in Falmouth, we were ready for another weekend full of exciting Etchells racing against 80 other boats, many of them sailed by the biggest names in yacht racing today.
For years one of the saddest days of the year for me was haul out day. As a fleet we would pull our boats from the water, store them away for the winter, and begin counting the days till spring. This year was different. After buying US-1166 in Miami last spring and racing in the 2007 Midwinter Regatta, VooDoo Racing decided to enter the full Jaguar Cup Series for this winter. My terrific shore crew rose to the task and got the boat transported to Biscayne Bay Yacht Club over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were one of the first away boats to arrive in Miami. The Jag series is made up of 4 regattas, 1 per month, December thru March. What is nice about the series is you rig the boat before the first regatta, and then leave the rig up, with the boat stored on its trailer in the yard of the Yacht Club through the entire series. This way, within a couple hours of arriving in Miami you can be on the water tuning up or racing.
The warm weather and water, Miami nightlife and dining, socializing at the Yacht Club all add to the experience, but racing in the Jag absolutely blows your mind; 80+ boats, all looking for a front row position at the starting line, all crowding around a windward mark 2 miles up the bay, dueling downwind through the leeward gates, back up wind then drag racing to the finish. After 8 miles of racing the entire fleet finishes within minutes, from bullet to DFL. One boat length back could cost you 4 or 5 positions.
If you even wanted to think about obtaining a top 30 finish your racing has to be perfect. The boat set-up and tune, the start, the choice of coarse sides are all critical. If you miss a shift, forget it, you will drop to the back of the fleet. As an all amateur team with family and work obligations limiting the time we can commit to sailing, just beginning to experience major regattas and on a steep learning curve we struggled to move up in the standings. In the first regatta we were tagged with 2 OCSs and finished 70th. The next regatta we generated much more consistent boat speed and were excited about our 49th place finish in the 81-boat fleet. We found that if we nailed the start, and held our lane we could sail the rest of the race competitively in the middle of the fleet. We also discovered a number of subtle deficiencies in the boat, rig, and sails that would need updating if we aspired to consistently sail in the front pack. We stuck with our plan, realistically set expectations and goals, and looked for signs of improvement. For us the bottom line was to redefine winning consistent with our abilities and experience and strive to enjoy the whole experience.
In the last and biggest regatta of the series, we got off to a slow first day. The entire VooDoo Racing team came to Florida not feeling well. We suffered from a combination of Maine winter cold and flu bugs, and struggled to hit the physical level needed to compete. A good nights rest helped a lot, and on the second race of the second day of the regatta we put together a race to be proud of. Gretchen banged off a near perfect start, the boat was fast, and we hung with the Olympic Gold Medallists, America’s Cup sailors, Etchells World Champion’s and all the boats with paid professionals. We were hanging in the top 20 boats through the first 3 legs, and were amazed at how much cleaner the air was in that front pack. The downwind leg to the finish found us the meat in a sandwich with current Etchells World Champion and Olympic Gold Medal winner, Andy Beadsworth from England about a boat length ahead and to our left. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and past Etchells world champion, Jud Smith was to our right and about 3 boat lengths behind us. I concentrated exclusively on spinnaker trim and trying to catch the surf and every wave. I kept telling myself that I had to continue to do my job and trust my teammates to do theirs or we would lose precious positions. We completed our last jibe, swinging back onto starboard, less than a minute from the finish. As we settled in for the home stretch we heard the gun as the first boat finished. A group of boats including eventual Jag Series winner, Bill Hardesty, previous world champ and North Sails Vince Brun, and America’s cup tactician on Luna Rosa, Andy Horton, crossed us on port and finished ahead of us. We were overlapped with Beadsworth as we finished at the left end of the line, but another boat slipped in between on the right side. We looked over our shoulders and found we had beaten Jud Smith by about 4 boat lengths. We were not sure of our actual finish position, but hoped this might be the race where we finally obtained a top 20 finish.
Later that day, back at the Yacht Club with Mount Gay in hand, we checked the recently posted scores and saw we had obtained an 18th! We were thrilled and felt this a huge accomplishment for an amateur team with relatively little experience in sailing Etchells in big time events.
On the third day of the regatta we found ourselves back in the fleet racing boats with crews similar in experience to ours, but still having a ball. In the last race we held off current Adam’s Cup Champion Betsy Altman from Chicago and our fellow fleet 27 member Terry Naylon and his Marblehead partner Mark Toso. With this finish in the book, a 49th, VooDoo ended up as the second highest finishing boat in the regatta driven by a woman, behind Shannon Bush of Houston. We were especially proud of this coming from a fleet with a significant number of female members and drivers.
Our shore crew stepped up got the boat broken down, and she is now safely back in Maine. We are now working through the lengthy list of items we need to complete to prepare for our first opportunity to sail in an Etchells World Championship this June in Chicago. The preparation work never stops.
Participating in the Jaguar Cup Series is a tremendous opportunity for Etchells sailors; the conditions, race committee, facilities, and competition are all unbelievable. I am so thankful to all the people involved with VooDoo Racing for making it happen. Whether they assisted as crew in fleet races and practices, boat prep, transport, shore crew, whatever, they are as much a part of the experience as those of us fortunate enough to be on the boat for the racing. One of our competitors at the Jag, named his boat “My Wife is the Best”, but I believe with all my heart that my wife Sue, is the BEST. Holding down the home front with a 6 and 2 year old, while Daddy is away racing in Florida for 4 weekends is no small task, and without her the experience would not have happened.
Lastly I can’t say how proud I am to be a member of our fleet, and sailing as one of fleet 27’s members at this event. I have learned so much sailing against you, and getting beaten by you through the years in our Tuesday night races. Our fleet racing is very good, and any of you have the skill to make the jump and give the Jaguar series a try. I can assure you it would be a rewarding, yet humbling, learning experience. It would also be an experience, whose memory you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
And besides that warm sun feels so good on the back of your neck.
e water, I kept thinking how sweet it is to be sailing in the Jaguar Series this winter. Just eight hours after leaving bitter cold, mammoth snow banks, and my ever-present shovel in Falmouth, we were ready for another weekend full of exciting Etchells racing against 80 other boats, many of them sailed by the biggest names in yacht racing today.For years one of the saddest days of the year for me was haul out day. As a fleet we would pull our boats from the water, store them away for the winter, and begin counting the days till spring. This year was different. After buying US-1166 in Miami last spring and racing in the 2007 Midwinter Regatta, VooDoo Racing decided to enter the full Jaguar Cup Series for this winter. My terrific shore crew rose to the task and got the boat transported to Biscayne Bay Yacht Club over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were one of the first away boats to arrive in Miami. The Jag series is made up of 4 regattas, 1 per month, December thru March. What is nice about the series is you rig the boat before the first regatta, and then leave the rig up, with the boat stored on its trailer in the yard of the Yacht Club through the entire series. This way, within a couple hours of arriving in Miami you can be on the water tuning up or racing.
The warm weather and water, Miami nightlife and dining, socializing at the Yacht Club all add to the experience, but racing in the Jag absolutely blows your mind; 80+ boats, all looking for a front row position at the starting line, all crowding around a windward mark 2 miles up the bay, dueling downwind through the leeward gates, back up wind then drag racing to the finish. After 8 miles of racing the entire fleet finishes within minutes, from bullet to DFL. One boat length back could cost you 4 or 5 positions.
If you even wanted to think about obtaining a top 30 finish your racing has to be perfect. The boat set-up and tune, the start, the choice of coarse sides are all critical. If you miss a shift, forget it, you will drop to the back of the fleet. As an all amateur team with family and work obligations limiting the time we can commit to sailing, just beginning to experience major regattas and on a steep learning curve we struggled to move up in the standings. In the first regatta we were tagged with 2 OCSs and finished 70th. The next regatta we generated much more consistent boat speed and were excited about our 49th place finish in the 81-boat fleet. We found that if we nailed the start, and held our lane we could sail the rest of the race competitively in the middle of the fleet. We also discovered a number of subtle deficiencies in the boat, rig, and sails that would need updating if we aspired to consistently sail in the front pack. We stuck with our plan, realistically set expectations and goals, and looked for signs of improvement. For us the bottom line was to redefine winning consistent with our abilities and experience and strive to enjoy the whole experience.
In the last and biggest regatta of the series, we got off to a slow first day. The entire VooDoo Racing team came to Florida not feeling well. We suffered from a combination of Maine winter cold and flu bugs, and struggled to hit the physical level needed to compete. A good nights rest helped a lot, and on the second race of the second day of the regatta we put together a race to be proud of. Gretchen banged off a near perfect start, the boat was fast, and we hung with the Olympic Gold Medallists, America’s Cup sailors, Etchells World Champion’s and all the boats with paid professionals. We were hanging in the top 20 boats through the first 3 legs, and were amazed at how much cleaner the air was in that front pack. The downwind leg to the finish found us the meat in a sandwich with current Etchells World Champion and Olympic Gold Medal winner, Andy Beadsworth from England about a boat length ahead and to our left. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and past Etchells world champion, Jud Smith was to our right and about 3 boat lengths behind us. I concentrated exclusively on spinnaker trim and trying to catch the surf and every wave. I kept telling myself that I had to continue to do my job and trust my teammates to do theirs or we would lose precious positions. We completed our last jibe, swinging back onto starboard, less than a minute from the finish. As we settled in for the home stretch we heard the gun as the first boat finished. A group of boats including eventual Jag Series winner, Bill Hardesty, previous world champ and North Sails Vince Brun, and America’s cup tactician on Luna Rosa, Andy Horton, crossed us on port and finished ahead of us. We were overlapped with Beadsworth as we finished at the left end of the line, but another boat slipped in between on the right side. We looked over our shoulders and found we had beaten Jud Smith by about 4 boat lengths. We were not sure of our actual finish position, but hoped this might be the race where we finally obtained a top 20 finish.
Later that day, back at the Yacht Club with Mount Gay in hand, we checked the recently posted scores and saw we had obtained an 18th! We were thrilled and felt this a huge accomplishment for an amateur team with relatively little experience in sailing Etchells in big time events.
On the third day of the regatta we found ourselves back in the fleet racing boats with crews similar in experience to ours, but still having a ball. In the last race we held off current Adam’s Cup Champion Betsy Altman from Chicago and our fellow fleet 27 member Terry Naylon and his Marblehead partner Mark Toso. With this finish in the book, a 49th, VooDoo ended up as the second highest finishing boat in the regatta driven by a woman, behind Shannon Bush of Houston. We were especially proud of this coming from a fleet with a significant number of female members and drivers.
Our shore crew stepped up got the boat broken down, and she is now safely back in Maine. We are now working through the lengthy list of items we need to complete to prepare for our first opportunity to sail in an Etchells World Championship this June in Chicago. The preparation work never stops.
Participating in the Jaguar Cup Series is a tremendous opportunity for Etchells sailors; the conditions, race committee, facilities, and competition are all unbelievable. I am so thankful to all the people involved with VooDoo Racing for making it happen. Whether they assisted as crew in fleet races and practices, boat prep, transport, shore crew, whatever, they are as much a part of the experience as those of us fortunate enough to be on the boat for the racing. One of our competitors at the Jag, named his boat “My Wife is the Best”, but I believe with all my heart that my wife Sue, is the BEST. Holding down the home front with a 6 and 2 year old, while Daddy is away racing in Florida for 4 weekends is no small task, and without her the experience would not have happened.
Lastly I can’t say how proud I am to be a member of our fleet, and sailing as one of fleet 27’s members at this event. I have learned so much sailing against you, and getting beaten by you through the years in our Tuesday night races. Our fleet racing is very good, and any of you have the skill to make the jump and give the Jaguar series a try. I can assure you it would be a rewarding, yet humbling, learning experience. It would also be an experience, whose memory you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
And besides that warm sun feels so good on the back of your neck.
—Ralph Carpenter, VooDooToo
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