Hobie Fleet 72

Skamokawa Vista Park, August 9-10, 2008.

Notice of Race

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Winds peaked at 31 gusting to 32 at 2:30.  That was during our return leg from Home Valley!  Very strong winds for this early in the season.  That would be a strong day for July or August.  I sure didn’t plan it that way.  That’s why I prefer to do that race in the Spring before the Summer winds kick in, and early in the day before the wind peaks.  But, it’s the gorge, and you have to go ready for anything.  Conditions can change quick and it doesn’t always match the forecast.  In fact, I think the NOAA guys got yesterday’s forecast totally wrong (I think the forecast was calm wind becoming West 6-8, cloudy with 20% chance of showers).  Instead, it was sunny, warm and windy.

My heart-felt congratulations go to Jim and Patsy who won our first annual Columbia Gorge Cup race!  It was a hard fought race in rough, windy conditions and not only did they finish it, but they won it.  That’s probably the toughest race we’ve ever done, anywhere.  So, the bar has been set high for the first running of this race.  At dinner I presented Jim and Patsy with two Walking Man pint glasses (which will later be engraved).  These will serve as the Columbia Gorge Cup(s) and will be defended next year or presented to a new winner.  So, again; congratulations to you both!  You have earned bragging rights for a year.  Honorable mention goes to Tim and Monica, who endured a pitchpole and two capsize recoveries from a full turtle on the way down before retiring from the race.  They were considering continuing the race before we advised them to go back.  These guys are tough!  It was a good decision, since they were both tired and the winds were getting stronger.  Monica got caught by a shroud and has a nice bruise to show for it.

The overall elapsed time for the two remaining boats were:

The first leg took longer and may not be totally accurate since we both stopped and gave assistance to Tim and Monica before continuing on.  The overall difference was just 21 seconds in 12 miles of some pretty rough sailing.  That’s close!  So, it was competitive, challenging and fun to the very end.

Endless thanks to our illustrious on-shore race committee (Manu and Nani)!  Nani is a chip off the old block and has told me she wants to race with me some day.  She was giving me lots of helpful 10 yr old advice on how to win :)  Thanks Nani, but I think I’ll have to teach you how to sabotage Jim’s boat next time!

Get ready for our annual Yale Sail weekend!  We’ll be headed up to the beautiful and ever so sailable Yale Reservoir, close to Cougar WA, see link for “Places to Sail” for directions. We’ll be headed up on Fri, June 27, and staying till Sunday, June 29.  A few of us have campsites reserved at Cougar Campground, while a few more of us will be bringing up campers to Beaver Bay campground at the head of the lake.  This is a weekend not to be missed!  Sailing all day, big wind stories over a fire with awesome fellow sailors at night…but hide the brews…they’re officially not allowed. If you’re interested in joining us camping, we may be able to squeeze you in to existing sites (let us know asap), or you can call reservations at 503 813 6666 to see if additional sites are available (they’re likely full, though).  If you’re interested in coming up for the day, they have a beautiful launch, and only charge a $5 parking fee. We may do some informal racing, if enough are interested.  Alternatively, perhaps we can get a distance race up to the dam?  Another idea, it may be a good opportunity to test your righting technique….it’ll likely be calmer than the gorge….but come ready for some good wind!  We have some awesome pictures of Zeph flying on an 18 earlier this year!    So, let us know if you plan on coming!  We’ll make room on the beach for you! 

Light winds and cold water are the usual early in the season at Yale - but this year’s Tune-Up sail brought wind “17-25 with gusts in the 30’s” guesses Commodore Jim. “The sun was out, but it was still cold. Once everyone showed up and after meeting some new sailors, we started rigging up for a good sail.”

Established fleet members and new friends alike got out onto the water, though some hesitant to brave high winds so early in the season. Eventually, the draw of such excellent conditions was too strong. “Dave, Monica and I were thinking we’d probably pass on the sailing but once Jim got on the water with Kennedy, JP/Chuck, Dave/Zeph and I weren’t too far behind” recaps Vice-Commodore Patsy.

Though the winds were much higher than expected, “as always, we had a great time just being with each other and having fun with it” according to Hobie 17 sailor JP. A great though chilly time was had by all. Hobie 16 sailor Monica said “I can’t think of a better way to spend the first day back out on the water.”

(all photos Sue Wood 2008 - click here for more)

This is the Fleet 72 opening event of the season!  Bring your boat and join us for the fun. We will meet at the Cougar Campground launch at 10:00 to rig boats and compare notes on rigging and sailing.  See the ”Places to Sail” link on the home page then click the appropriate sailboat on the map or the word “Yale” below the map for directions and more information.  Please let us know if you are planning to attend or  have any other questions; commodore@hobiefleet72.org.  We will send out any updated information regarding this event a few days prior to the 22nd.   

Below are the dates decided upon by the Fleet 72 members at the Fleet Meeting, February 17, 2008.  If you have questions regarding any of the following events or how to get involved, please contact us.  On the calendar page of this website you can find a google calendar containing the dates for Division 4 events as well as the Fleet 72 planned events.  An updated link to the Division 4 calendar with accompanying NOR’s, registration forms and maps to be added soon.

• Yale Tune Up Sail (day only):   Get your boat out on the water and ready for a season of great sailing with “tune-up” tips from the Fleet’s Hobie experts.  March 22, 2008, details on time and exact Yale Boat Ramp to be posted later.
• Yale Sail:   Great sailing and fine camping. A Fleet 72 tradition! June 28-29, 2008. Camping reservations recommended, please contact us for more information.
• Timothy Lake:   Camping adventure in the shadow of beautiful Mount Hood, this place put Fleet 72’s Commodore on the cover of the Hobie Hotline Magazine with an award winning photo. July 4-7, 2008.  Camping reservations recommended.
• Gorge Distance Sail from Home Valley (near Stevenson, WA)  Columbia River sailing at it’s finest! May 31st-June 1st, 2008. Details for this event to follow.  Camping available at Home Valley, no reservations required.
• Government Island:  Overnight camp-out in the middle of the Columbia River - a new event, destined to be the stuff legends are made of. July 26-27, 2008. Details for this event to follow.
• Skamakowa Regatta: The Fleet 72 Hosted Division 4 Event you can’t miss! August 9-10, 2008.  More details to follow.
• Waldo Lake:  A beautiful south Central Oregon lake with great wind that’s too inviting to pass up. August 17-23, 2008. Details to follow.

We will be holding a Fleet Meeting on  Sunday, February 17, 2:00 p.m. at Damien Fry’s home in Portland.  We would like to firm up our 2008 fleet events and discuss other fleet business.  Please contact us for more information if you would like to attend.

US SAILING Race Management Committee and US SAILING Area L are sponsoring a BASIC RACE MANAGEMENT Seminar at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, in Seattle, WA.  This seminar is designed for people with some race committee experience and newcomers who wish to become certified under US SAILING race officer certification program.  Topics will include race committee objectives, competition formats, sailing instructions, setting the course, starts, scoring and much more.  For more information about topics, time, fees & registration go to:

http://www.cycseattle.org/2008_specific/racemanage.html

As noted by Peter Nelson of Hobie Fleet 95 and US SAILING Certified Club Race Officer; “In order for this wonderful Hobie nation to continue as it does, each of us needs to put in our time helping to put on regattas…By understanding what a committee can and cannot do, this seminar will improve your skills as a competitor. More importantly, it will allow you to give back to the sport of Hobie”.

Fleet 72’s webmaster is always surfing the internet for interesting and educational sailing information to pass along.  We’ve added a special section to the website where you will find direct links to these helpful articles.  On the left side of the home page under “Education” you will find the links for the first of these articles. If you have an interesting article or source for sailing information let us know and we will get it added! 

Delicious pizza, salad, appetizers, and good times were had by all at the fleet meeting. Click through to read the minutes from the report.
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