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!
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.
Clouds and Southerly winds greeted the DF95 Fleet as Point races began. Lots of shifts, holes and lead-changes were the order of the day as RD Jason Brooks chose courses to fit the conditions.
The winds picked up a bit, filled in and moved more westerly by the time the IOM‘s took to the pond. Racing was extremely tight as the fleet remained bunched throughout most of the heats. There were many lead changes; many occurring on the final leg!
Thanks to Bob Williams who RD’d the IOM Fleet and Fred Rocha who RD’d the DF95’s! Also, a special Welcome Back to Paul Hart who proves you can’t keep a good Skipper down!
Beautiful, sunny weather with wonky winds! The Dragonflite95 Fleet began in moderate but shifty Southwest winds. Due to the direction, Starboard rounding courses were selected by RD Tom Warren. Though the winds filled a bit over time and veered slightly more westerly, there were some big holes and massive shifts. There were many lead changes, but lawyers took the top two spots with Scotty Harris carrying the day by winning half the races:
Next it was the IOM’s turn and strengthening westerly winds allowed a return to our traditional Port Roundings. RD Chris Staiger ran a combination of Medium and Long courses. Dennis Rogers dominated the fleet of eleven IOM’s; missing a perfect score of “6”‘ by a single point. Results follow:
Full Regatta Report to follow. Stay Tuned….
