This year's Lakefest had some eery similarities to Lakefest 2009... Both scratched racing on Friday due to too much wind. Both ended racing early on Saturday due to the wind being too light. Both had moderate to heavy wind on Sunday. Both had dramatic and costly collisions with some similarities.
Both of the collisions had elements of trying to turn the bow down in an evasive maneuver, but having too much mainsheet trim to allow that to occur. In both instances, the skipper was "hard over" on the wheel/tiller, but the main needed to be eased... really fast! In one case, the skipper called "blow the main," but the main sheet trimmer was not able to respond fast enough. In the other case, the skipper called for "ease the main" and it was being "eased," just not fast enough. When the wind is over 15 knots, there is no way to turn one of these boats downwind without releasing the mainsheet.
My point here is not to be critical of these skippers or the mainsheet trimmers (I was personally involved with one of these situations and served on the protest committee of the other). My point is, most likely we have all been in this situation one time or another; whether it's racing or cruising. Our challenge is that in North Texas, we don't get as much practice in heavy wind as we'd like, and when we do see the situation, we aren't as prepared as we need to be.
I remember skippering a charter out of Kemah, and I gave the mainsheet duty to a friend of mine that was new to sailing. We went over "trimming" and "easing" of the main and things were fine. We had a great day on Galveston Bay and he really got the hang of it. Just when we were heading back to the marina, we got hit with a gust, as we were entering the channel to Clear Lake, and I was rounding up; right into oncoming traffic. I quickly yelled "blow the main!!" My friend just looked at me with wide eyes and that look of "what the hell are you talking about?" I lunged over and released the mainsheet from the cam cleat and all was well. It was totally my fault, I never told him what to do if I called for blowing the main and we certainly never practiced it.
Similarly, in racing situations, if that understanding and practice has not been made between the mainsheet trimmer and the skipper, you won't get the kind of practiced maneuver when you need it most. I would suggest that this be practiced often. Maybe even every time you do a bear-away set at the windward mark, get in the practice of calling "blow the main" (I understand this assumes a symmetrical spinnaker, but you get the idea). The skipper gets used to saying it and the mainsheet trimmer gets used to knowing exactly what to do when he hears it.
Our goal for Lakefest needs to be "No Rule 14 infractions!"
Just my 2 cents....
Be safe,
Capt. Dave
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Another Lakefest is in the history books!!
2011 marked the Silver Anniversary of the Texoma Lakefest Regatta, and with it another challenging set of races with a wide variety of wind conditions.
Friday April 15, saw sustained 37 mph winds, gusting to 47 out of the west. Too much of a good thing! We managed to take the signal boat and all the chase boats out, but we were never able to get the signal boat anchored and have enough room behind us (lee shore) to have a starting box. So, no racing on Friday. But, we made up for it with an awesome happy hour at the clubhouse and a great party at The Point.
Saturday started out with 15 knot winds, out of the West-Northwest. As the winds died, they clocked to the Northest... about a 100 degree change in three hours. We managed to get in one good race, followed by another that ended in very light conditions. While waiting to see if we'd get any wind building, we saw a 180 degree shift to the southwest, but it did not sustain any raceable winds.
Saturday also saw the first start of the Lakefest Flotilla. Nine boats registered for the flotilla and in all cases, these were boats that would not have raced in the buoy race, if the flotilla was not available. These folks had a blast, and it's assured that The Flotilla will be a fixture in future Lakefests.
After the racing, everyone made for happy hour and then the party at The Pavilion, with a good time had by all.
Sunday we finally saw good racing wind, starting at 18 knots and building to the mid-20's by the time we ended for the day. We managed to get in three races and ended the regatta on a high note. We handed out some great looking silver trophies and all was done with this chapter of Lakefest history.
So, Heavy air, Moderate air and Light air racing. It was quite a challenge for racers and race committee alike. But, most importantly, we did well on our fund raising for Make A Wish. Checks are still coming in (as well as bills) and we will know the final tally in a couple of weeks.
There are many people to thank and you can see their names in the "rolling credits" that we have posted on the TexomaLakefest.com website.
We are in the process of planning Lakefest 2012 now and will have our first planning meeting on the morning of May 14th at the TSC clubhouse. Let me know if you'd like to join us.
Capt. Dave
Friday April 15, saw sustained 37 mph winds, gusting to 47 out of the west. Too much of a good thing! We managed to take the signal boat and all the chase boats out, but we were never able to get the signal boat anchored and have enough room behind us (lee shore) to have a starting box. So, no racing on Friday. But, we made up for it with an awesome happy hour at the clubhouse and a great party at The Point.
Saturday started out with 15 knot winds, out of the West-Northwest. As the winds died, they clocked to the Northest... about a 100 degree change in three hours. We managed to get in one good race, followed by another that ended in very light conditions. While waiting to see if we'd get any wind building, we saw a 180 degree shift to the southwest, but it did not sustain any raceable winds.
Saturday also saw the first start of the Lakefest Flotilla. Nine boats registered for the flotilla and in all cases, these were boats that would not have raced in the buoy race, if the flotilla was not available. These folks had a blast, and it's assured that The Flotilla will be a fixture in future Lakefests.
After the racing, everyone made for happy hour and then the party at The Pavilion, with a good time had by all.
Sunday we finally saw good racing wind, starting at 18 knots and building to the mid-20's by the time we ended for the day. We managed to get in three races and ended the regatta on a high note. We handed out some great looking silver trophies and all was done with this chapter of Lakefest history.
So, Heavy air, Moderate air and Light air racing. It was quite a challenge for racers and race committee alike. But, most importantly, we did well on our fund raising for Make A Wish. Checks are still coming in (as well as bills) and we will know the final tally in a couple of weeks.
There are many people to thank and you can see their names in the "rolling credits" that we have posted on the TexomaLakefest.com website.
We are in the process of planning Lakefest 2012 now and will have our first planning meeting on the morning of May 14th at the TSC clubhouse. Let me know if you'd like to join us.
Capt. Dave
Friday, March 4, 2011
2011 TSC Racing Season begins!!
Last weekend marked the beginning of our racing season with races number 1&2 of the Icebreaker series... and what a weekend! 77 degrees and 12-20 knots of wind out of the SE to S! Thanks to Mark Hobbs and the crew of Valhalla for serving as Race Committee. And a big thanks to Bill Nichols and Gary Witt for getting the Whaler ready for action as the chase boat!
As for the racing, in Spinnaker fleet top honors for the day went to Second Star; in cruising fleet Trust and Terra Nova split the races and Southern Cross took both races in the Leisure fleet.
But, the sailboat racing was just a warm up for the Ladies Soup competition on Saturday night! Gayle Witt took top honors for the night, but all the soups were great!
Beers on the deck of the clubhouse, at 9pm on a Saturday in February, in short sleeves... It doesn't get much better than that!
As for the racing, in Spinnaker fleet top honors for the day went to Second Star; in cruising fleet Trust and Terra Nova split the races and Southern Cross took both races in the Leisure fleet.
But, the sailboat racing was just a warm up for the Ladies Soup competition on Saturday night! Gayle Witt took top honors for the night, but all the soups were great!
Beers on the deck of the clubhouse, at 9pm on a Saturday in February, in short sleeves... It doesn't get much better than that!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Week Until the 2011 Racing Season!
Well, the weather is starting to be our friend again! We are all thawed out and ready to sail!
"Seminar Season" concluded last weekend with another great group of "Rules" students and a sailor social that saw a number of new crew members get linked up with boats in need of crew. A couple of weeks ago, we had a great Race Committee seminar, covering the finer points of race management for our club racing.
So, we start the Icebreaker on 2/26. We are back to two races per Saturday and a total of 4 Saturdays. Keep in mind that the second race weekend is the next week; March 5, then every other Saturday.
Mark Hobbs and the Valhalla crew will be heading up Race Committee (Thanks Folks!!!).
Fair winds and following seas,
Dave
"Seminar Season" concluded last weekend with another great group of "Rules" students and a sailor social that saw a number of new crew members get linked up with boats in need of crew. A couple of weeks ago, we had a great Race Committee seminar, covering the finer points of race management for our club racing.
So, we start the Icebreaker on 2/26. We are back to two races per Saturday and a total of 4 Saturdays. Keep in mind that the second race weekend is the next week; March 5, then every other Saturday.
Mark Hobbs and the Valhalla crew will be heading up Race Committee (Thanks Folks!!!).
Fair winds and following seas,
Dave
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Onward to the 2011 Racing Season!!
I sure did learn a lot in my first year as Race Captain! I had an opportunity to make a number of changes in 2010, in the attempt to "fire up" the racing program. Some of those changes worked (Destination races to Cedar Mills and the creation of the Leisure Class) and some of them did not work as well (2 day regattas, extending the series race days, shortening the series).
I am a big believer in learning from things that don't work and trying to find the "root cause" (yes, my day job is in engineering). The changes that were made last year are really good examples of "it looked good on paper, but didn't work in practice." While the skippers thought this looked good when we reviewed the plans last year, it was another thing when trying to get crews to commit to two day regattas, and later racing on Saturdays. So, our desire to create a more regatta feel on Saturday nights after racing, actually reduced the participants instead of increasing it! It is rare in science/engineering to get exactly the opposite results than what you are attempting, but I managed to accomplish this!! The great thing about this is, to correct it is much like the advice your doctor would give you when you complain about "it hurts when I do this." The advice, "don't do that." Hence, a number of changes in 2011 are the result of "don't do that."
So, we are back to the Icebreaker Series having 4 race days and the Sundowner having 5 race days. No more two day regattas (except for Lakefest and the Texoma Classic). The Solstice regatta will be one day in length. Wunderlick will be 25 and 50 miles (instead of 50 and 100 miles).
Another addition for this year is the result of Jack Montani and his quick thinking to recover some racing after the weather cancellation of the Full Moon Regatta. Jack put on a pursuit start, distance race on Sunday, that started at The Point and rounded two GPS-based marks and finished back at The Point. It was great fun and did not require a race committee! So, for 2011, we have scheduled four, "Free, Family Fun Flotillas" using this format. And, they're FREE!
But wait, there's more! We are also offering a "Season Ticket" that represents a huge reduction in the price per race/series. This covers entry fees for: Icebreaker Series, Texoma Classic, Solstice Regatta, Ol' Man o' the Sea, Wunderlick and the Sundowner Series. That's 6 races/series for the low low price of $225 (with US Sailing Membership).
See you on the water!
Captain Dave Long
TSC Race Captain
I am a big believer in learning from things that don't work and trying to find the "root cause" (yes, my day job is in engineering). The changes that were made last year are really good examples of "it looked good on paper, but didn't work in practice." While the skippers thought this looked good when we reviewed the plans last year, it was another thing when trying to get crews to commit to two day regattas, and later racing on Saturdays. So, our desire to create a more regatta feel on Saturday nights after racing, actually reduced the participants instead of increasing it! It is rare in science/engineering to get exactly the opposite results than what you are attempting, but I managed to accomplish this!! The great thing about this is, to correct it is much like the advice your doctor would give you when you complain about "it hurts when I do this." The advice, "don't do that." Hence, a number of changes in 2011 are the result of "don't do that."
So, we are back to the Icebreaker Series having 4 race days and the Sundowner having 5 race days. No more two day regattas (except for Lakefest and the Texoma Classic). The Solstice regatta will be one day in length. Wunderlick will be 25 and 50 miles (instead of 50 and 100 miles).
Another addition for this year is the result of Jack Montani and his quick thinking to recover some racing after the weather cancellation of the Full Moon Regatta. Jack put on a pursuit start, distance race on Sunday, that started at The Point and rounded two GPS-based marks and finished back at The Point. It was great fun and did not require a race committee! So, for 2011, we have scheduled four, "Free, Family Fun Flotillas" using this format. And, they're FREE!
But wait, there's more! We are also offering a "Season Ticket" that represents a huge reduction in the price per race/series. This covers entry fees for: Icebreaker Series, Texoma Classic, Solstice Regatta, Ol' Man o' the Sea, Wunderlick and the Sundowner Series. That's 6 races/series for the low low price of $225 (with US Sailing Membership).
See you on the water!
Captain Dave Long
TSC Race Captain
Wrapping Up Racing in 2010...
The racing is done, the results are in and the planning is done for next year!
The 2010 TSC Champions for this year are:
Captain Dave Long
TSC Race Captain
The 2010 TSC Champions for this year are:
- Spinnaker Class: Second Star (J.D. Hill: Skipper)
- Cruising Class: TBD (Mike Meinhardt: Skipper)
- Leisure Class: Wisc Me Away (Pete Nitsche: Skipper)
Captain Dave Long
TSC Race Captain
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sundowner III - The last races of 2010
Well, another year of TSC sailboat racing is in the history books! We had a wonderful day of racing with 10-12 knot winds out of the south, clear skies and a high in the low 70's. Ya gotta love fall sailing in Texas!
Pete and Judi Nitsche on Wisc Me Away were very gracious in filling in as Race Committee at the last minute. Along with crew of Bill and Sharron Sorensen, we had a great time on the committee boat.
In the spinnaker fleet, the conditions were right for Godspeed and Irish Rover to split winning and runner up finishes. In the cruising fleet, Trust and TBD split winning and runner up finishes as well. In the Leisure fleet, Southern Cross won uncontested.
It's hard to believe we are done for the year. It's been a year of learning for me as Race Captain and I have a better idea of what will and won't work for our racing program. Next year, we will focus the program on Saturday racing composed of a couple of races as well as a few days of fun racing to bring out more cruisers.
We'll be sending out next years club schedule in the next month or so. I'll also send a letter with details of the changes to the schedule and TSC points championship in the next couple of weeks.
Fair winds,
Capt. Dave
Pete and Judi Nitsche on Wisc Me Away were very gracious in filling in as Race Committee at the last minute. Along with crew of Bill and Sharron Sorensen, we had a great time on the committee boat.
In the spinnaker fleet, the conditions were right for Godspeed and Irish Rover to split winning and runner up finishes. In the cruising fleet, Trust and TBD split winning and runner up finishes as well. In the Leisure fleet, Southern Cross won uncontested.
It's hard to believe we are done for the year. It's been a year of learning for me as Race Captain and I have a better idea of what will and won't work for our racing program. Next year, we will focus the program on Saturday racing composed of a couple of races as well as a few days of fun racing to bring out more cruisers.
We'll be sending out next years club schedule in the next month or so. I'll also send a letter with details of the changes to the schedule and TSC points championship in the next couple of weeks.
Fair winds,
Capt. Dave
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