Download Oasis Of The Seas For Virtual Sailor
Ethelyn Mullice
He faced the final day in a haze. Not even fully aware of the results (he was virtually tied with Madhavan Thirumalai for the lead), he needed to win the final two races to win the regatta. Sailing in a weakened conditioned, but completely relaxed, he did just that.
Sail Sand Point is a local treasure introducing countless youth, new sailors and underserved communities to sailing every year and their one month long summer fundraising campaign ends on Labor Day weekend. This year contributions will help provide funds for new equipment, sail and powerboat parts, and much needed repairs to their fleet of vessels which are used by over 12,000 people each year through camps, classes, racing, rentals and free community events. Each year SSP spend roughly $27,000 on keeping their boats on the water and in great condition and they are hoping to raise that through this campaign! Secure donations can be made at:
US Sailing has definitely taken note of the youth sailing resurgence in the Pacific Northwest. The Bellingham, Hood River, Kitsap and Orcas communities will receive more funding as they continue to get more young sailors on the water. If you know a kid looking for a way into the sport, there are plenty of alternatives. Release below:
I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to compete in the 2021, ILCA (Laser) 4.7 North American Championships in July at St. Francis YC in San Francisco. There were many nations represented over the classes including: USA, Canada, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Mexico, BVI, St. Thomas, and Chile. I car-topped my Laser down arriving to a temperature of 60 degrees: a little bit cooler than I was expecting, but with warmer water than Seattle, I quickly acclimated. I was lucky to join the Alamitos Bay YC Race Team (and friends from Opti days) with coach Paul Didham, for training and the regatta. I learned many tricks and tips for sailing in big breeze! Most days the racing strategy was pretty similar: short tack up the sea wall as it was a 20+ knot westerly and a building flood tide. However, by the last day, an ebb began earlier on with a slightly lighter westerly (12- 15 knots) which mixed things up a bit. This was a 4-day regatta, but I had 2 training days before to get all tuned up and gather local knowledge- thank you also, Andrew Holdsworth! The courses were much longer than around here, as it was a championship regatta, so my months of fitness training paid off! As there were so many boats there were two alternating groups: one from about 11-2:30 and the other from 1:30-5:00. My best race in the regatta was a 5th, with a few times 2nd around the first weather mark. I was happy with my finish of 10th overall in a very competitive fleet. I found San Francisco to be the coolest place to sail ever with Alcatraz on one side of the course and the Golden Gate Bridge on the other: I hope to go back again soon!
Thanks a bunch, Alex, for this report and heartfelt congratulations on the 10th/25! There were several other PNWers in the 75-boat 6s fleet, but apparently none in the 24-boat 7 fleet. Scuttlebutt ran a report on the event, and the results are here.
Lasers, in turn, have become the boat of choice for many younger sailors, with the Radial and 4.7 rigs enabling smaller sailors to compete. Parents often attend the races in RIBs and Whalers, and act as shore crew for their kids.
Another fantastic day sailing on the Puget Sound. I was able to participate in the 3rd Frostbite series race. I was impressed by the number of sailors who came out. The wind came from ESE about 5-12 knots with some good current pushing us back. While racing I would ask myself two questions: do I hug the shore and get away from the current or go toward the middle and get better wind? What I found that worked best for me was just tacking when the wind shifted. I knew I wanted to finish on the top right of the windward mark because there was always a right shift. I made sure I have a plan for each race before it even starts.
By mixing up how we start keeps me on my toes. Since we got in the way of the shipping channel, the race community wanted to race us back down to the Meadow Point buoy. This meant a downwind start; the goal is to have clean air. I have worked on my down winds for many years. What I look at while I go down wind is the wave speed, angle and how close they are together. This helps me determine when to pump and carve.
Once down at Meadow Point buoy, another race course was set up. Great wind, great weather and great sailors, what more can you ask for. It was wonderful to see new faces and old ones too. I cannot wait to get back out on the water and race against you all again.
Our appreciation to volunteer race committee Giancarlo Nucci and Andrew Loe for running Frostbite #4 races on Sunday, January 3, 2021. They did a superb job of clicking off the races in difficult mark-setting conditions. Approximately 15 Aeros, 8 Lasers a handful of Optis participated. What a great way to start off the new year.
More than 20 RS Aeros turned up, and Dalton Bergan dominated with two firsts, a second and third. In the biggest Laser fleet, Hannah Weaver made a triumphant appearance winning in the Radials. There are excellent pictures from Jan Anderson (above) and John Beaver.
One of the Aero sailors described the sailing as follows: On Saturday four races were sailed with a mix of wind conditions. The first two races were medium breeze and the last race was light. The wind and current were going opposite directions throughout the day, so keeping the bow above the chop and the boat dry was important. The pin end of the start line was being pushed up the course with the current resulting in several general recalls in the very aggressive Aero fleet, and the RC worked hard to keep the line square. The pin end of the start line was still generally favored. There were shifts on both sides of the course with longer lasting left shifts. You could go left or right up the windward leg as long as you maximized the time on the lifts and covered the fleet when there was an opportunity to do so. On the downwind legs it was important to have a good visual on the mark and it usually worked to sail close to the rhumb line while taking into account a few degrees of offset for the current.
Perhaps the biggest news was the prevalence of young sailors in the Laser fleet. There were healthy numbers of 4.7 and Radial rigs and in fact there were only a couple of Standard rigs. Young faces were everywhere, having fun and enjoying the outdoors and fellowship at the same time.
In the end, everyone was a winner on what may be the best sailing day of the year of really good singlehanded sailing. The next Frostbite is December 6, but before then the CYC Turkey Bowl on November 14-15 should be a great event. Check out seattlelaserfleet.org for more information. Frostbite registration is here.
The off-season is a critical time for sailing vessels and sailors. For many, this is when training vessels undergo essential refitting and maintenance. And the crew and prospective sailors? This time is your golden opportunity to lay the groundwork for a successful season ahead. Make sure you have a plan before anything else. Set your goals for the next sailing season. Are you wanting to enhance your skills? Do you aspire to become a skipper, or perhaps you're planning on working on a yacht? Your objectives will determine your course of action during these quieter months.
This is a great opportunity for novices to become acquainted with the fundamentals of sailing. Take part in theoretical learning, which can involve learning about safety protocols, navigation, and various types of vessels. This foundational knowledge will not only make your practical experiences more enriching but also ensure your safety and that of your crew.
Remember, the key to a successful sailing season lies in the preparations made during the off-season. So, use this time to research, make plans, and daydream about the experiences you will have sailing the high seas.
An essential part of your off-season preparation should be the RYA Day Skipper theory course, which is available online. The course is designed to provide you with comprehensive knowledge essential for safe and enjoyable sailing. It covers various topics such as coastal navigation, chartwork, meteorology, and the basics of seamanship.
The beauty of the online course is its flexibility. You have the freedom to learn at your own speed and arrange your coursework around other obligations. This method lets you thoroughly absorb the material without feeling rushed, which is especially helpful for beginners.
In addition to the course materials, there are loads of resources available to supplement your learning. You can gain a deeper understanding of different topics by reading books about sailing, and you can visualize theoretical knowledge by viewing instructional videos. These films offer a visual and captivating learning experience by frequently showcasing real-world situations and skills. The course ends with an online exam that, if passed, is a major step toward becoming a qualified sailor. It's a prerequisite for practical training and a necessary qualification for anyone hoping to work as a skipper or aboard a yacht.
While the online RYA Day Skipper course provides an excellent foundation, diversifying your learning methods can significantly enhance your understanding and enjoyment of sailing. As we have already mentioned, books on sailing, ranging from beginner guides to advanced manuals, can offer in-depth insights into various aspects of sailing. They can serve as a valuable reference as you progress in your sailing journey.
Watching sailing videos is another effective way to complement your learning. Many sailing channels and platforms offer tutorials, experiences of seasoned sailors, and even virtual tours of different types of vessels. These videos can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, making complex concepts a lot more understandable.
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