ODOM and Soling 50- April Points

Grey overcast. Temperature hovering around 60 degrees. Light 3-7 SW winds early. Shifting right slightly as the day progressed. These are the conditions our pond sailors experienced this Saturday. Not exactly ice fishing weather, but a warming hut may have been welcomed by a few crew members.

Ben Reeve, our volunteer RD for the ODOM Class, set a standard mark/course arrangement. Bens row boat etiquette is definitely improving! Steve Ross was scoring the slow motion action while Pat Nevitt monitored mark rounding’s. Ben passed the RD baton to Karim Baran, who managed the Soling 50 races. Thank You to all helpers.

Before the skippers meeting Ken Campbell reviewed barging at the starting line and ways to avoid getting trapped between the pin and other boats. Kerim Baran documented the seminar for the benefit of all.

BARGING and Thinking Ahead

We had six ODOMs and four Soling 50’s each making 6 appearances at the starting gate. Here are the results:

Videos from today’s Soling 50 races:

(All 6 races are captured in one video. The first 3 were shot from the sidelines, the last 3 from the drone.)

The peanut gallery is alive and well!

Don’t forget to order your hats and t-shirts! Bob Williams is eager to take your order.

A Closing note from Ben Reeve:

“In 2022 we’re all quite aware of basically everyone having a camera in there phone and I see many people taking pictures and would really love to see some of those photos shared with the membership.  Here I am providing some of the vintage photos I have taken recently.  Vintage in that I have used several cameras that are 40 to 100 years old recently at the pond.  These are unedited negatives scans straight from the camera. Enjoy and don’t forget to share your photos.” All contributions are welcome and appreciated!

Sooth Sailing, Gil

Hat & T-Shirt Orders

Members have been asking for hats and T-shirts for quite some time! Bob Williams has been working on your requests!! This is a unique opportunity to spruce up your wardrobe and support Sail Division, just in time for summer..

New Sail Division T Shirts – Digital Printed Back and Front

Ball Cap Navy with Embroidery Sail Division Logo

I Think you NEED a hat!

ORDER TODAY!!

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MAR19 IOM & DF95 Points

March was an active month on our pond with three consecutive weekends of sailing events! Thank You, to all that participated!

The month wraps up with IOM and DF95 fleets, with a competitive day of sailing. Winds were  favorable all day and each fleet easy completed a series of six races.

Prior to racing and our skippers meeting Ken Campbell conducted a 10 minute discussion with the topics When do the Rules Apply and Proper Hailing. Hailing is a subject all skippers are aware of, but challenged to initiate, while engaged on the water. There were numerous questions and clarifications during this seminar. The challenge to all is taking the knowledge to the race course. Kerim documented the class:

When do the Rules Apply
Proper Hailing

Before the races, Commodore Mark Hallberg recognized volunteers by handing out cash awards to those who routinely contribute to club activities. This was a huge incentive to get involved with our club. Don’t spend your dividends all in one place!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

IOM’s were on the course at noon, greeted by southwest winds in the 6-8mph range. Medium courses were the norm. As the day progressed and the IOM’s had a few races under their belt, winds shifted right for a little variation. Nice conditions!

The fleet of twelve DF95 started their series of six races with slightly freshening wind conditions and competitive racing. Chris Stager is back on the Argonauts sailing circuit with years of RC racing experience. It’s great to see the level of competition continue to grow!

At the end of the day Bob Williams, on his 80th Birthday, fired up the grill and served delicious hot dogs. Happy Birthday Bob.. Thank you for all you do!

IOM’s Video 1 of 16:  (Automatically continues to the next video, or click next arrow)

VOLUNTEERS MAKE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE-SMOOTH-AND FUN!

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTED TODAY:

Bill Bridge – Skiff and Mark Prep

Ken Campbell – Rules Seminars & Points Scoring

Ben Reeve – Registration & Collections

Kerim Baran – IOM RD and Drone Video Documentarian

Gil Jansky – Course Marks / RD DF95 series

Commodore, Mark Hallberg – Assistant RD and Scoring

VC Sail, Bob Williams – Grill Master

Keith Sternal – Skiff Clean-Up

Smooth Sailing, Gil

FIRST ANNUAL ODOM BURNT HOT DOG FUN RACE

BBQ Chef, Bob & the prize!

The First Annual ODOM Burnt Hot Dog Fun Race was attended by 7 eager skippers with intentions of capturing the illusive perpetual award. Kim Robbins set an excellent course. Ben Reeve our RD extraordinaire managed a total of 12 races with 2 throw-outs, in fairly consistent winds. An active and festive “peanut gallery” had a great time watching and commenting on the races.  Was that Irish music I heard playing pond side?? Everyone seemed to be having a really good time!

Congratulations Ken Campbell- Nice Sailing!

After a fun day on the water Bob Williams fired up the grill as skippers enjoyed hot dogs and great camaraderie!

Various segments from Races 7 through 12 captured in a series of 15 videos from Kerim

We thank all our volunteers that consistently lend a hand to the various activities that support our club. Your dedication is appreciated!

MAR5 Sail Points

Saturday brought out a handful of heavy weather sailors to our pond, as winds teased to small craft advisory levels! Ken Campbells statement, that was included with his sailing scores, pretty much says it all – “In my 20-plus years of racing at the pond, I don’t believe I’ve ever sailed here in winds as heavy as today.  I’d estimate it was blowing at least 18 knots, with gusts well above that.”

Just before skippers headed to the water for sailing action Ken Campbell held a Sailing Rules Clinic covering a number of issues that are common on the race course. Kerim Baran documented the seminar. Thank you Ken & Kerim!

Leeward boat rights at the Start Line 
Room to Tack at an Obstruction –
Port-starboard with multiple boats on Port 
Inside the Zone at the FInish Line
 Inside overlap when rounding a Mark
Soling Race #6. Captured in a series of 3 videos. 
Winds gusting over 20 knots. Check out Ty’s boat speed in Video #2 from 3:55 to 4:30.

Special thanks to Kerim Baran for navigating the drone in WIND!

NO B RIGS

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO RACE DIRECTOR TOM WARREN AND OTHERS THAT HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!

DF95 & IOM-February Points

Twelve DF95 and five IOM Skippers closed out February points racing with delightful sailing conditions. Newbie RD Gil and seasoned score keeper Bill Bridge were the days event managers. 

The 95 fleet was on the course just after noon with a nice WNW breeze in the 6-8 mph range. As the afternoon progressed the wind range increased at the same time predictability decreased. Shifty and gusty! 95 skippers made the best of it with 6 fun races.

Our fleet of five IOM’s had their turn on the pond with winds continuing to pulse. Skippers experienced gusts and occasional speedy bow down conditions to light and variable drifty areas of water. Some refer to it as a  “crap shoot”! Observing the best skippers consistently score high in these conditions it appears there is more than just luck! Keep working.

After a fun day of sailing VC Bob Williams fired up our new grill that was generously donated by Steve Delva. Bob experimented with a new blackened hot dog recipe, that was not fully approved by Julia Child; but turned out to be wildly acknowledged by all attendees! Bob also presented beautiful hand made trophies to Bill Bridge, Ben Reeve and Gil Jansky for their recent volunteer efforts. Thank you Bob!

A fun day indeed.. Bring on March!

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta- Final Day

Sunday morning on the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond found skippers is quiet contemplation and focused trimming and tuning for the final day of the IOM Midwinters Regatta in San Diego. The pond waters were still as skippers shared ideas and tuning techniques among their friends and competitors. This class has a truly a collaborative group of skippers, which continues to raise and inspire a higher level of sailing.

Sea breezes begin to freshen as Fred Rocha calls a 10:30 am Skippers Meeting. “C” fleet is on the course for a 10:45 am start and another perfect day of pond sailing!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

Congratulation! Mark Gollison- 1st Place
Jess Atkinson- 2nd Place
Gary Boell- 3rd Place
George Pedrick- 4th Place
Christian Plaza- 5th Place
Gene Harris- FAIR PLAYER AWARD
Various segments from Races 15A, 16C, 16B, 18A

Special appreciation go to our dedicated IOM sailors that attended this years annual Midwinters Regatta in San Diego. Without your passionate interest and participation in this unique sport and hobby, our pond culture would not be the same. Good Luck in future regattas and see you next year!

This event was made possible by unconditional support from club volunteers: Kim Robbins, Bill Bridge, Ben Reeve, Commodore, Mark Hallberg, Dennis Rogers and Kerim Baran. Each one added a special contribution to make this a great event. VC of Sail, Bob Williams, has been a driving force to our club success.. NICE JOB!

Last but not least.. The man with all the energy and enthusiasm for our sailing addiction, Fred Rocha!! We could not do this without your genuine drive and passion! YOU ARE AMAZING.. Thank You!

SMOOTH SAILING, Gil

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta-San Diego, Day 2

Our pond was greeted by a beautiful sunny morning, relaxing offshore flow and early prevailing NW breeze. Not to be argued with in the middle of February! Good sailing was abundant throughout the day with C fleet hitting the water at 11AM and A fleet ending the day while the sky was turning sunset orange. Thank you Fred Rocha for the tight rounds!

DAY 2 IOM MIDWINTERS-SCORES
ALL CLEAR

Special Thanks to Kerim Baran for spectacular drone footage.

segments from Races 7C, 7B, 7A, 8C. Captured in a series of 8 videos

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta-San Diego, Day 1

The San Diego Argonauts launched their three day IOM Midwinters Regatta with twenty six eager skippers and perfect perfect summer-like weather on Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond. Water level was a bit skinny due to recent maintenance and shoreline work, so our fleet was divided into 3 heats in order to avoid traffic issues. Sea breezes freshened by mid day with increasingly challenging shifts as the day progressed. Fred Rocha, master organizer and RD extraordinaire directed a full day of sailing for all!

3-2-1 LAUNCH
OFF ON THE FIRST WEATHER LEG
FRED!
DOWN WIND LEG
JESS ATKINSON-NICE FIRST DAY.. GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!
FEBRUARY 18, 19 and 20

Conditions are looking favorable for another great day of sailing tomorrow! Smooth Sailing..

Sand Bar Reduction Program-How Low Can We Go??

A two foot pipe on the south east side of our pond supplies the daily tidal flow to our cool little estuary. The currents created, through the pipe, by the flood and ebb of sea water shift the sand and create a shoal or island. Numerous skippers have run aground. Not good! You guessed it..start digging!

Who pulled the plug?
Kim-One “Man Skip Loader”
Drone Footage-Kerim Baran

San Diego Argonaut volunteers have been working diligently to prepare for the 2022 sailing season and the IOM Midwinters 3 Day Regatta, Feb. 18,19 & 20. The skiff and launching dolly refinishing project was completed this weekend. Nice job guys.. our little mark setting skiff should service us for years to come!

A special note from VC Sail Bob Williams:

I want to thank Kim, Tom, Gil, Kerim, Keith, & Freddie for lowering the sandbar on Sat. The skiff & trailer repairs are finished & please take care when using them! Bob VCS

City workers are scheduled to rake/scrape the pond shore line while the water level is down. The valve will be re-opened and we should be up to full level in a few days!
FEBRUARY 18, 19 &20

This will be a fun spectator event with continuous sailing action throughout the day! Bring your camera and chair.. Volunteer if you can, extra hands are always welcome..