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PRSA Fall Series 2005
Day 8 - Sunday, November 6, 2005
This morning's NWS forecast for the Potomac called for southwesterly winds at 15 - 20 kts, with gusts to 30, in advance of a strong cold front that was supposed to go through sometime between 1 PM and 4 PM, to be followed by some potentially violent thunderstorms from cells that had earlier brought tornados to southern Indiana. The bad weather did not materialize, but the forecasts did deter 3 Lightnings from competing, and the prediction of 15 to 20 kts was accurate enough. The day started with bright sunshine and mild temperatures that stayed with us all day, warming up to 75 degrees by mid-afternoon. The southwesterly winds permitted a triangular course with the windward and leeward marks in the middle of the river, and the winds were strong enough to create some good-sized waves, making for some exciting moments and lots of spray over the splash guards. Also sailing, but not shown in the results above, were Ed Michels from SSA, with crew Emilie Pavilon and Ian Mutnik. Actual hourly recordings of wind at National Airport were:
10 AM
11 AM
Noon
1 PM 2
PM
3 PM 4 PM
5 PM
Races:
F1/9-18/#32-34,F2/9-25/#35-37,F3/10-2/38,F4/10-9/39-41,F5/10-16/None(FD),F6/10-23/42-44,F7/10-29/45-48,F8/11-6/49-51 Day 7 - Sunday, October 30, 2005
Races:
F1/9-18/#32-34,F2/9-25/#35-37,F3/10-2/38,F4/10-9/39-41,F5/10-16/None(FD),F6/10-23/42-44,F7/10-29/45-48 Fourteen Lightnings came out on a great late October sailing day, under sunny skies, with temperatures in the mid 60s, and northwesterly winds averaging 10 MPH. Nabeel, sailing with Lisbet and Nik Holtan won the day with 3 bullets and a second; Pat McGee took second place, and Bob Wilbur third. It was great to see so many Lightnings out on on the water, including Red Fehrle, sailing with Jack Macklin and canine pal Stuart, who turned out to be very good on the spinnaker; Marian Bruno, sailing with Gary Roberts and friend Thorn Pozen; and Rob Tompkins, out on his new boat, 14522, BooNooNooNos, sailing with Jennifer Holzer and Tom Watson. The wind direction was more favorable than forecasted, so RC was able to set a nice triangular course with the reaching mark near, but not too near, the airport. Actual hourly readings at
National Airport were as follows: Low tide was at 12:33 PM and high tide at 6:15 PM. The river flow was slightly above average, at 6,800 CFS, and the water temperature was a chilly 52 degrees. This was the first race day on standard, rather than daylight savings time, so by the time we got off the water and got the boats put away, the sun had set and it quickly got chilly.
Day 6 - Sunday, October 23, 2005
Seven Lightnings came out on a sunny, breezy Sunday that turned out to be much nicer than forecast, but there were equipment problems that affected some racers. Rob Tompkins was there with his new boat 14522, BooNooNooNos, but his vang was not rigged correctly and he couldn't get the main depowered, so he went back before racing started. Rick Welch had a bent spreader that needed to be fixed so he missed the first race, and unfortunately he also capsized in the second race (but righted the boat and finished). Red Fehrle ripped his Spinnaker and came in after the second race. Also racing, but not scored, was a team from Georgetown (Dan Esdorn, Seamus Craft, and Andrew Campbell) preparing for the NCAA championships next week. Frank Gallagher and Laurie Duncan headed a RC that moved things right along. Actual hourly readings at National Airport were as follows:
Day 5 - Sunday, October 16, 2005 The forecast for Sunday was scary - winds 20 to 25 MPH, with gusts to 35. While RC did set up a race course out in front of the Alexandria Power Plant, no Lightings came out (six were at the Frigid Digit Regatta in Annapolis).
Actual hourly readings at
National Airport were as follows:
Day 4 - Sunday, October 9, 2005
Thirteen Lightnings came out on what turned out to be a very nice sailing day, with northerly winds at a steady 9 MPH, partly cloudy skies, no rain, and a high temperature of 63 degrees. RC set a long triangular course, sailed as a long windward-leeward course by the Lightnings, and launched 3 races in good order. Due to rains on Friday and Saturday, the river flow was above average, at about 15,000 CFS, but the water was remarkably clear of debris on the race course, and the effects of the current were less noticeable than expected.
Actual winds recorded
at National Airport were: Low tide was at 7:52 AM; high tide at 12:49 PM.
Day 3 - Sunday, October 2, 2005
Twelve Lightnings came out expecting another nice autumn day on the Potomac, but there was not much wind. RC set up a windward-leeward course in front of the Alexandria power plant and did manage to get off one race before the wind died completely. The Oktoberfest picnic after racing was most enjoyable however, and helped to offset the disappointment of racing on a light air day. This provided a nice opportunity for new crew members Colin McDonald, Brent Reid, Derek Russell, Vince Wawrzynski, Justine Faulkenburg, Bob Audet, Geof Bishop, and Graham Dumas to meet and mingle with our skippers and crew.
Actual winds recorded at National Airport were: High tide was at 8:11 AM; low tide at 2:36 PM. The river flow was as it has been all summer (below average), at 1,020 CFS (gage height 2.6 feet), with a water temperature of 71 degrees.
Day 2 - Sunday, September 25, 2005
Jury Chair: Infractions: SSC(Short
Crew)-Pos+1; Eleven Lightnings came out to enjoy the northerly breeze, sunny skies, and moderate temperatures on the first race day of the fall series. Pat McGee and Rick Welch headed a Race Committee that set up a long triangular course for the Hobie Cats and Albacores, sailed as a long windward-leeward course by the Lightnings. The generally northwesterly winds at 9 MPH were punctuated, especially in races 2 and 3, with stronger westerly gusts and notable no-wind holes, providing a spinnaker-flying challenge for some crews. Actual on-the-hour wind observations at National Airport were: 10 AM
11 AM
Noon 1 PM
2 PM 3
PM 4 PM
5 PM
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