Zero to Ten… but mostly Zero from WNW. Those were the winds for the Argonauts’ final day of racing in 2024. While the day was sunny and pleasantly warm, sailing conditions were once again… fluky. The DF95’s went first with RD Ty Beach selecting mostly medium courses.
Next, it was the IOMs’ turn. RD Craig Mackey called medium courses, but ended with a short course to get the sailboats off the pond in time for the Scaler’s Christmas Parade of Lights.
Fall is here in San Diego! Temperatures in the mid-60’s, plenty of sun, but WEIRD winds. Plenty of breeze from (mostly) the west, but monster shifts and a few cavernous holes made for VERY tough sailing conditions. Gerry Wold was our Race Director Du Jour for both the IOM’s and the DF95’s. Gerry chose a combination of standard Medium and Long courses for both classes. Tacks and downwind lines were chosen at great peril. Often, skippers found themselves becalmed as boats sailed past them on both sides within a mere few feet!
CONGRATULATIONS to our new slate of Argonaut Officers for 2025!!! Commodore: Pat Nevitt VC Sail: Chris Davidson VC Scale: Kurt Sellen VC Power: Bill Bridge Purser: Gil Jansky Secretary: Kerim Baran
Welcome, Gentlemen!
Following the Voting, Jason Brooks RD’d the Soling Class for November Points in sunny, beautiful conditions… with paltry, southerly breezes. Severe shifts and massive holes were the order of the day as Jason selected a combination of medium and short courses:
After the break, Ty Beach took over to RD the Odom Fleet. The winds had increased somewhat and moved more westerly, but there were still some big shifts and holes to contend with. There were many lead changes and close finishes to delight the Peanut Gallery!
Attention all DF95 Skippers: Sign up today for a chance to score some Poultry just in time for Thanksgiving!
FABULOUS Autumn weather: Sunny and warm with light westerly breezes. Bob Williams ran the DF95 Fleet with Gil Jansky Scoring. The spotty and shifty winds created lots of passing lanes for skippers who were able to capitalize.
Bob Williams continued as RD for the IOM Fleet, this time assisted by Kerim Baran as Scorer. Despite the forecast for stronger breezes later in the day, the breezes actually slackened a bit by the time it was the IOM’s turn. However, after the 3rd Race break, the winds filled in and became more consistent. Racing was amazingly tight with many passing opportunities and lead changes in the shifts.
Perfect Conditions! Sunny with mild temperatures and good westerly winds greeted the IOM Fleet for our annual IOM Fun Regatta! Great Sailing, Hot Dogs and Prizes! The conventional scores were:
…however, Prizes were determined by the final digit of a Skipper’s score, matched with a pre-determined number contained in a hermetically sealed envelope kept in a mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnall’s porch….
Winner of the Grand Prize RaceBird Electric RC Boat was Dennis Rogers (who was closest to 5 without going over), while Tom Warren and Gil Jansky each won embroidered hats for being closest to 9 and 2 respectively).
Bring your IOM out this Saturday for our 2024 IOM Fun Regatta! The fun starts at 12:00 Sharp, so don’t miss it!
PS: One lucky Skipper will walk away with a Special Prototype of the soon-to-be-released Joysway RaceBird electric hydrofoil racer! (Courtesy of Chuck LeMahieu of Dragon Sailing North America.) This is a 1/14th scale radio-controlled version of the full-sized electric foiling racers now competing in the International E1 Series with Teams headed by Tom Brady, Will Smith, Rafa Nadal, et al.
Overcast/foggy skies with cool October temperatures (but good winds) greeted the Odom Fleet for October Points. Keith Sternal had his new Odom in the water for its inaugural Points appearance; Welcome, Keith! RD Chris Staiger chose a combination of Medium and Long courses. Jess Atkinson dominated with Six Bullets. Well sailed, Jess!
Keith Sternal took over as RD for the Soling Fleet where long-time Argonaut Filippo Busalacchi made his first appearance after a long hiatus. Welcome back, Filippo!
REMINDER: Next Saturday is the IOM Fun Regatta. Stay tuned for details….
Thanks to Bob Williams for RD’ing Club Points for the Dragonflite95’s and IOM’s while some of us were away in Irvine for the DF65 Nat’s. Results Below:
The Argonauts turned out in force to say Farewell to Commodore Emeritus, Lifetime Member and Procurer of Sandwiches, Mark Hallberg. Mark is departing for the Great White North of Eugene Oregon and will be missed by Argonauts everywhere. Good Luck, Mark!
Following the presentation of a plaque to Mark in recognition of his decades of service to the San Diego Argonauts, Keith Sternal set the marks, called all medium courses and RD’d the Odom Fleet under sunny skies and 9 – 12 knots of westerly winds. Results follow:
Next it was the Soling Fleet’s turn. The winds were still pretty westerly but with a few more shifts and lulls. Like Keith, RD Pat Nevitt ran all medium courses. Results below:
