Saturday seven Soling 50 and seven ODOM skippers wrapped up the 2021 sailing season with an afternoon of challenging pond conditions. The initial wind forecast was hopeful, with upper single to low double digit winds predicted . We actually experienced much less with just the first few Soling races getting an 11mph push here and there. The thick cloud layer and weak variable flow became the force of the day as fleets painfully accomplished six races each.
Dennis Rogers, our RD, managed to keep our sailing efforts relegated to daylight hours by running short course early on. Thank You! Bob Williams was on hand with coordination and registration. Mark Hallberg with the finishing count and emotional support. Ken Campbell is as fast providing results as he is on the water – Thank You Ken!
Bob Williams, Vice Commodore of Sail, continues to reach out to Santa Barbara skippers for renewed participation in the 2022 sailing season and event calendar.. San Diego Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond is the perfect setting for launching and sailing these elegant craft.
CONGRATULATIONS to Ken Campbell and Gerry Wold for an excellent season of RC Sailboat racing.
I trust all Argonauts had a wonderful Thanksgiving.. We certainly have been experiencing exceptional fall weather!
This report comes as a lump sum-up of all activities for November, so lets dive right in. WE have elected new club officers, initiated annual registration with updated forms, called out to ALL Santa Barbara skippers for participation in 2022 sailing schedule and lots of sailing scores.
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2022 Officers:
Mark Hallberg – Commodore
Ben Reeve – Purser
Bob Hirsh – Secretary
VC of Power – Bill Bridge
VC of Sail – Bob Williams
VC of Scale – Rob Wood
This looks like a great team for the Argonauts, for 2022, as we anticipate another fun year of pond activities. Our officers are important for our clubs direction and intentions but also need constructive support and input from all club members. Don’t be shy if you have a good idea that builds a stronger organization.
This is also the time of year for recruiting and sustaining membership. If you have friends interested in RC hobbies, related to our unique pond, please reach out to them. If you are already a member now is the time to refresh your dues. Ben Reeve, our new Purser, will be happy to take care of this matter. The updated membership and dues must be mailed or directly provided to Ben pond-side. If you would like to pay via PayPal please send Ben an email purser@sandiegoargonauts.com
This past year we experienced a dramatic reduction in the Santa Barbara fleet. As the the 2022 calendar and sailing schedule needs to be finalized. We greatly need input from Santa Barbara skippers with a genuine commitment from at least 3 skippers or we risk the loss of this elegant sailor on our racing schedule. Please contact Bob Williams, VC Sail with your input.
DF95 Thanksgiving Regatta
Thanks to Bob Williams and Ben Reeve this was a fun event. Ben Reeve was the RD and documented the event with this brief:
Today was exceptionally fun day. Fifteen skippers showed up to race in unforgiving light winds from 3-6mph. Consistency was the name of game as it is most days. We attempted to get 12 races in, but after the 7th race we took a break to hope the wind would come back up. We were able to get another race in and then the skippers voted to call it a day. Which was a good idea as within minutes of that decision the pond went to a glassy smooth finish. Before I get to the finish order a big shout out to Bob Williams for doing a lot of work today to assist me, and another shout out to Kerim Baran for assisting us with the boat clean up and put away.
As premonitions of ghosting conditions for the Argonauts ODOM Halloween Regatta haunted anxious pond skippers, the sorcerers of wind cast a gloomy spell and weird circumstances of breathless conditions.. None the less, seven courageous skippers challenged the odds with radio, craft and wireless determination in an effort to outwit the demons of the pond!
WOW.. where did that come from?
Indeed, we were all challenged with extraordinary sailing conditions.
Thanks to Ken Campbell, who shared critical ODOM measurements and tuning advice, our skippers gathered greater insight to our boat rigging and tuning. Our support team: Ben Reeve, Pat Nevitt and Steve Ross. These guys made it happen! Open the shed, launch our trusty committee boat, set the marks, RC the racing, score the races, present trophies, pull the marks, clean the boat and hardware, lock her up! A huge round of appreciation for their efforts and service!
Our optimistic team had hoped for a twelve race regatta. Wind started out in the hopeful category and we actually managed to complete two long races in 6-8mph. Wind deteriorated as the day progressed and the medium course became the norm. By early afternoon we were sailing short and modified short (shorter weather leg) courses in wind speeds of 0-5mph. A drifter!
Despite the difficult sailing our top notch skippers managed to thrive and drive in the light winds. Congratulations to First Place winner Gerry Wold. Second Place Kerim Baran and Third Place Kim Robbins.
Ben Reeve has a clean green ODOM ready for racing action. He made the first start, but unfortunately due to electronic failure had to drop out. Our fleet looks forward to his future participation. Thank Ben for contributing the photos on the post.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Fellow Argonauts, THIS COMING SATURDAY, We have a conflict with our Nov. 6 Sail Points and the Kaiser Permanente Marathon… Stay tuned for possible rescheduling.
Fellow tyrants. .. Don’t be silent.. Man your brooms and costumes. This Saturday is the ODOM HALLOWEEN REGATTA! The perfect seasonal opportunity that will either trick or treat your fellow pond pirates. Be prepared for abundant fun, without the bottle of rum!!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30
11:00AM- Ken Campbell will share his secrets about boat setup, tell tails, sail trim and other spooky strategy. South wind and fog could keep things creepy and interesting.
IOM and DF95 skippers enjoyed good breezes for our waning summer month of September. Lucky we are to have year round sailing on our pond! A special thank you to all participants and volunteers that contribute to the Argonauts success.
IOM Races 1, 3, and 4 captured in a series of 9 videos. Thank You Kerim Baran
Updated Pond Calendar 2021
If you are an RC enthusiast, big boat sailor or just pond side spectator the San Diego Argonauts welcome your interest into our FUN and challenging hobby of RC Sailing!
SATURDAY SEPT. 11- DF95 and IOM POINTS Racing Rules Clinic will begin at 11 am Skippers’ Meeting at 11:45am Sailing to begin at 12 noon.
I think most skippers would agree that this was one of the windiest Saturday points races we have experienced in a long time and a heck of a lot of fun. We were all hopeful Santa Barbara skippers would join in on the excellent winds. Unfortunately, our solo S/B skipper, Dunham Reilly, was unable to race. We need 3 boats San Diego!! Soling 50 and ODOM sailors benefited and got an additional few races under their belts with 6 races per class.
Fred Rocha had the row boat out early and set the marks for the right shifted winds. Ben Reeve was RD for the day with some assistance scoring from Bob Hirsch. Ken Campbell conducted an informative Racing Rules Seminar. Much gratitude to our support team!
Our fleet of six Soling 50’s started their races at noon with consistent building NW winds that increased as the day progressed. Good sailing action with no breakdowns or water below the decks! Yet..
ODOM skippers experienced more pressure on the water from additional wind and equipment challenges. The downwind run & sometimes broad reach became a submarine ride in the right gust. Those little grommet holes for sheets and adjustments all of a sudden welcomed sea water into the hold. Exciting sailing!
After a full day of fun on the pond Ben Reeve was there to man the row boat and extract marks. Gary Martin and Gil washed er all down and locked er away till next time. Scoring cards Ken Campbell.. Thanks all for participating.
If you are an RC enthusiast, big boat sailor or just pond side spectator the San Diego Argonauts welcome your interest into our FUN and challenging hobby of RC Sailing!
The San Diego Argonauts thank all participants and guests for their enthusiasm and support during this National Championship Regatta. We hope to see you all again in three years!
Smooth Sailing
_________________________
Snapshot Of September Sailing Calendar
September 4th:
11:00 Racing Rules of Sailing Seminar 11:45 Skippers Meeting
San Diego Argonauts culminate Race Week featuring the classic Soling 50 sailboat. This model has deep roots in our RC sailing community, with many extraordinary local sailors competing successfully at a national level. We salute all who continue to support this class.
An early morning rouge tropical front passed through the coastal region, again, but did not disrupt the the consistent onshore flow we have been experiencing throughout the week. The clock started at 11AM sharp and we were off to the races!
SOLING 50 USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP-SCORES
AWARDS
San Diego Argonauts Thank our Event Sponsors for their Generous Support of Race-Week Events and Activities.
Hats off to San Diego Argonauts Ben Reeve, Bill Bridge, Greg Williams and Mark Hallberg. This event would not have been possible without your support..
Snapshot Of September Calendar: SEE YOU AT THE POND
September 4th
11:00 Racing Rules of Sailing Seminar 11:45 Skippers Meeting
2021 IOM USA National Championship Regatta-DAY TWO
Synopsis for the far southern California coast… At 2 AM, a 1014 mb high was near the Orange County coast, and a 1003 mb low was near Needles. Weak onshore flow will prevail this week.
Todays forecast proved to be fairly accurate as IOM Sailors experienced light to medium pressure from a more westerly direction. Great competition today!!
IOM-DAY TWO SCORES
After a full day of sailing friends gather for a celebration!
CONGRATULATIONS MR. & MRS. STEVE LANDEAU
Participants enjoyed a beautiful pond side evening at Mission Bay Park
Special thanks to Kerim Baran for drone footage of todays races.
2021 IOM USA National Championship Regatta-DAY THREE
Towering cumulus clouds over our local mountains and a warm monsoonal push are the backdrop today at Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond. Sailors enjoyed tropical like weather and consistent sea breezes from the WNW direction. Championship class sailing continues!
2021 IOM USA National Championship Regatta-DAY THREE SCORE SHEET
___________________________________________
2021 IOM USA National Championship Regatta-DAY FOUR
Wednesday morning San Diego was greeted by a fast moving monsoonal surge and balmy tropical weather. Thunder storms rolled through and gave way to full sun, providing early sea breezes. Sailors were challenge by shifty pond conditions through out this final day of IOM competition.
2021 IOM USA National Championship Regatta-FINAL SCORES
San Diego Argonauts Thank our Event Sponsors for their Generous Support of Race-Week Events and Activities.
The ODOM is our second featured class during San Diego Race Week. This craft has been a highly successful pond sailor due to it agile performance on the water, ease of handling and fleet popularity. This year our event attracted eighteen highly competitive sailors to our National Championship Regatta. All on the starting line at the same time!
On both race days mother nature sent us a wind package from southeast and south. So sailors experienced some of the most challenging and variable winds our pond can offer, testing skill patience and determination.
ODOM National Championship Regatta-Aug. 5- SCORES
ODOM National Championship Regatta-Aug. 6 -FINAL SCORES
Honorable Mention Awards and Gift Certificates Thank You Midwest Model Yachting
I scribbled this image in my airplane seat, just a week ago, while traveling back to my home town on Lake Michigan. My father was a passionate sailor and we were active in a very small Lighting fleet of 5 boats. I recalled the names of the skippers and the color of their boats. I remembered how everyone helped each other rig their boats to go fast and prepare for a fun day of sailing on the lake. There was a lot joking and playful poking. But everyone pulled together to make our little club better. Once on the race course it was all business. It was about getting around the course as fast as possible in a seaman like manner. In many ways the sailing was about pushing yourself to be better and having fun as a group. That was over 50 years ago. It is a special honor to be recognized with the Corinthian Award at the 2021 ODOM National Championship Regatta.. Keep Sailing-Gil
A special thanks to Ben Reeve, Bill Bridge and Greg Williams for their stelar assistance!
And thanks to our top gun pilot Pat Nevitt (and his instructor Ben Reeve for looking over his shoulder as Pat did his first flight) we captured ODOM Race #19 on drone footage, in a series of 4 videos.
RACE WEEK CONTINUES…
San Diego Argonauts Thank our Event Sponsors for their Generous Support of Race-Week Events and Activities.
GOOD LUCK and SMOOTH SAILING TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!!