Mission Bay has come to life with summer activities.. beaches, barbecues and lots of boats and cars! Our pond was equally active with much of the same action, only in miniature scale! We even experienced a water skiing demonstration prior to our day of sailboat racing!
Dave Woodward drove from Yuma to volunteer as Race Director. He set the marks, called the line, and fetched everything at the end of the day! Dennis Rogers assisted with scoring the finishes. Great job guys!
Our pond was overcast most of the day with light and variable onshore breezes. Fleets experienced a mixed bag of long, medium and short courses as the winds fluctuated. A challenging day of sailing!
Pat Nevitt provided these beautiful score cards! We all appreciate your contribution!
Four Argonaut IOM Sailors traveled to Foster City June 10 & 11 for the 2023 IOM Regionals – Dennis Rogers, Jess Atkinson, Jason Brooks and Tom Warren. There were just 13 entries but a highly competitive field leaving Jason and I feeling at least this was a gaining confidence event. I was desperate for “B Rig” experience as I was told it can blow stink at the lake. I was also warned of Kelley fish and weed wrapping around our IOM appendages!
As it turned out, weed and jelly fish were the least of our concerns as Jason and I observed the rock stars show up on Saturday morning. These are the guys our parents warned us about.
George Pedrick decided to forego the competition and became PRO as Freddy could not attend. George moved us south of the Rec Center for more favorable course, and we all ran A Rigs the first day. But the winds did not cooperate early as George was able to get off several races before postponements and resetting the courses became the rule of the day. With a 180 wind shift, the first critical races required us to start from right to left and dyslexic vision hampered the rookies. Finding our speed was also difficult and we made major adjustments between the many races thus far. With another 180 windshift and wind building to upper limits of A Rig, Jason took the bait and was the only sailor to mount the B Rig. Unfortunately, he could not overcome the lulls. Saturday’s end results placed Dennis and Jess in the upper echelon with Gary Boel and Mark Gollison, and Jason and I scoring in the Top 20!
Sunday morning brought more challenges to George Pedrick as the City of Foster City booked two events…the Bay Area Dragon boat regatta took our Saturday race course away, and we had to push the course North of the Pagoda and into a short course configuration. And alas the wind gods came to play and pushed us all into B Rigs! “This ought to be interesting!” Lots of action! Be awake!
I quickly found I had boat speed up and down the course- Kantun K2 conditions.the boat from Croatia was flying! Planing, diving, and a hell of a lotta fun! I started moving up in the order, but also found close quarter port and starboards required situational awareness. Several times I sailed passed outside the finish line’s smaller balls, and had to circle back, costing me valuable positions. When George suggested we target completing 32 races total, I felt my last chances of improvement. Alas! I steal a second place, then a fourth, and finally I got the start of my dreams, and fought hard for another 2nd place…but dang! I nailed the final tack and WON my first race! I did a Fernando Tatis 3rd Base Shuffle and got Congrats from all! So that’s how it’s done!
We all had an excellent time, and as the results don’t lie, Gary Boel and Mark Gollison went One Two. The entire fleet gained a great deal of attention from the locals and the Dragon participants, who constantly banged their drums all day long.
I was very impressed that every IOM player is willing to help each other out, are extremely friendly and enjoy the spirit of competition. There were no protests! Penalties served without bantering. And the sailing skills outrageous!
George Pedrick announced that The 2024 US Nationals will likely be held in Foster City.
SIGN ME UP! And the Argonauts need to come up and play with the Best of the Best. They won’t bite! We will all benefit in enjoying top- level competition with classy people.
PS Gary Boel paid me off with a cookie! And Jess…thank you for encouraging Jason and I to compete. You are a true warrior!
Tom Warren IOM #48
The Crew
Hello IOM Sailors,
The regatta turned out pretty good. We had a bit of a crises as the City scheduled two water events on the same day. We both needed the same water and the Dragon Boats got there first and had bigger boats. So we set up a bit shorter course to leeward of them which worked out fine. The shorter course also meant we got in 17 more races Sunday for a total of 32 good races for the weekend. The day started out in A rig and switched to B just after lunch.
Special Thanks to Dick Hunter, Sandy Winton, Chris Sullivan, Gary Boell and Gene Harris for their contributions to making the event a success.
I need to confirm with Freddy, but I am confident we will be hosting the 2024 National’s on one of the first two weekends in June of next year. Pencil it in and start making plans to attend. Be sure to bring a friend or two.
Thank you to all that attended. I enjoyed the time we spent together, and I look forward to the next time we cross paths.
San Diego Argonauts welcomed new member, Len Bose, to our group. He will be sailing IOM and DF95. We hope to see him often!
This is starting to sound like a broken record! Our June overhead is still very grey!
Despite that rather chilly detail a good group of skippers turned out for DF95 and IOM Points races. Light winds ruled our pond and in fact became lighter as the afternoon progressed. Chris Staiger set the marks and Kim Robbins managed collections while Gil scrambled back home for his missing transmitter :{ RD Gil got the DF 95 fleet on a short clock a few minutes after noon, with a mixture of 4 medium, 1 long and 1 short courses to complete six heats. Nice sailing!
Sean O’Connor was our volunteer Race Director for the IOM fleet today. Thank you Sean!
Our IOM fleet was about 5 skippers short today, as they are competing in the Region 6 Regatta in Foster City. We missed them on the starting line and wish them good luck!
Volunteers make this all possible! Lend a hand when you can!
Thank You Volunteers!
Sean O’Connor, Patt Nevitt, Steve Ross, Kim Robbins, Chris Staiger and Keith Sternal
June is officially greeting Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond enthusiasts and it appears from the score cards there was some competitive sailing today. Thank You to all the skippers that participated and even more thanks to the team of volunteers that made this happen.
The Argonauts had a healthy turnout of IOM & DF95 skippers despite the prevalent overcast conditions. Winds were about as predicted but came up early with a surprising consistency. Ben Reeve-RD did a fantastic job managing the fleets and kept crews on their toes with a variety of courses. It was a good day on the water if you were lucky enough to avoid our floating green paddies!
Special thanks to everyone that pitched in today! I know Bob Williams was calling sail numbers. Pat Nevitt, that is only a day out of surgery, produced these beautiful score sheets.. We appreciate your dedication and hope too see you back on the water soon! If I missed anyone that helped-I’ll do a circle for you!
We are getting good participation with our club races and volunteers staff. That said we would like to reach out for more helping hands to share the load. Don’t be shy.. It’s actually more fun when you contribute to the activities..
A Special Report from todays Race Director:
Hey all – I little regatta report from todays’ event.
All went very well today and very improved sportsmanship from all competitors. We had 11 IOMs and 16 DF95s on the lines today. The biggest worry was slipping and falling. Three skippers took a fall on the slippery shore. We really need to organize another big RAKE FEST. I promise to bring the donuts (even though I can’t have any) if we want to set a day soon to do it.
We had fair to good wind and a number of different bullet owners today. Pat is working on the scoring and it will be out soon I am sure. We mixed up the courses a little to try and keep the skippers on their toes (and not their butts from slipping). I personally want to thank Steve for getting the shed ready, David helping with the boat setup, Gil for setting the marks, Bob and Steve with help scoring, Pat for scoring totals, and Chris and Steve for boat removal and clean up. With all of this help the day went super smooth and ended quickly.
Below are some photos from the little point and shoot camera I had at the pond last month. Cheers!Ben
We had a successful day of racing thanks to a good crew of volunteers. This would not be possible without these eager hands that contribute to our pond sailing.
Pat Nevitt
Steve Ross
Kim Robins
Bill Bridge
Gil Jansky
Grey weather seems to be intrenched on the beaches, so sunscreen was optional today. Sea breeze was pretty much coming down the center of the pond in the low to mid single digits with a random gust to 8mph.
During our skippers meeting Pat Nevitt stressed the need to follow the rules, call fouls properly and sail in the Corinthian Spirt. So.. when you foul-do your turns!
Highlights from Soling50 Race 1- Finish would be a good topic for a Rules discussion.
Looking back at our beautiful Blue Planet.. It’s a good time to stop and appreciate the fragile space we think we possess.
APR. 29 Points- DF95 & IOM
Grey weather has been dominating the coastal regions while sunny skies slowly tease their way west. Today was no different with DF95 and IOM skippers sampling cool shifty breezes and spirited competition. The DF 95 fleet started shortly after noon in highly unpredictable breeze in the 2-6mph range. Medium and short courses were called by RD Kim Robins. Six heats and lots of fun!
We had a comfortable attendance on our IOM starting line. Dave Woodward traveled from Arizona to jump into the action and it was great sailing with him. The wind increased a notch or two for the six IOM heats, but substantial shifts still snagged most skippers. Scott Harrison managed the honor of RD and ran medium and short courses.. Great Sailing Guys!
Drone footage IOM RACES 1 & 2- Thank You Kerim Baran
Skippers today were enjoying some long awaited spring like weather for our first series in April. Winds turned more prevailing with fairly consistent 7-10mph breezes. That said, the west end of the pond with all its swirls and eddies created the usual challenges. It was a good day for sailing and nice attendance.
Tom Warren our RD for today, did a great job setting the course, along with Jason Brooks assisting in the skiff. During the skippers meeting Tom suggested sailing a modified medium course. The “Z” course, as it was referred to, was sailed in the last ODOM heat and added an extra challenge to our pond sailing. A nice change!
Check out the great drone footage of several Soling 50 heats. Thank You Steve Ross.
Special thanks to Pat Nevitt for these prompt and beautiful score sheets!
It was a cool but beautiful day for sailing on Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond! Winds started out a little on the light side and out of a south westerly direction. Our robust DF95 Fleet started their six race series just after noon, sailing a modified medium course. Fred Rocha, our DF95-RD likes to keep us on our toes, so he changed our normal mid-basin reaching leg into an inside gate. It was a nice change to a course that can some times be a merry-go-round. Nice sailing skippers!
As the afternoon progressed wind pressure increased and shifted a little more to the right. The IOM’s had their turn on the pond and benefitted from the additional wind and a 2 lap course. The long course gives skippers just a little more time to chase down those boats up front! Chris Staiger did a nice job as RD for the IOM fleet, and we all appreciate our volunteers. Thank You!
Awesome drone footage of IOM Races 1-3.. Thank You Kerim Baran!
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OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!
Fred Rocha, Chris Staiger, Ken Titilah, Henry Johnson, Pat Nevitt
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IF THE RAIN GIVES US A BREAK WE SHOULD BE BACK ON SCHEDULE
Today skippers were greeted to 5-8 mph breezes and warm sunny skies. A nice respite from the many days of rain and cool weather we have been experiencing.
Sean O’Connor, our IOM RD, has mastered the skiff, oars and and mark setting. We truly appreciate each volunteer and are eager to train others. Bob Williams stepped up and managed the DF95 races. Thank You Bob!
Thank You Kerim Baran for todays drone footage..
Thank You Pat Nevitt for prompt score cards! I hope that rudder servo is ready for action next week!
ATTENTION IOM & DF95 SKIPPERS
Saturday, March 25 is a make up race for our February rain out.
