FLEET 50 ARCHIVES FROM 2008

Last posted 03/15/2009

2008 Fleet 50 Skipper-nominated Crew Awards and Crew-nominated Skipper awards are posted!  Check them out on the Awards page.

2008 Season Retrospective is now available!  What did we do last year?  Click here to find out.

The RRS 2009-2012 edition is now available! If you are a current US Sailing member you got one in the mail. If not, visit the US Sailing website to join and get one free -- or just order a copy for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.  To view a PDF that shows the changes from the previous edition, click here.  Additions are in red, deletions are lined out.  Part 2  (pp 9 - 16) has been re-written completely, but primarily with the intention of simplifying.   The default "zone" at marks is now a 3 boat-length circle but that can be adjusted in sailing instructions.

PRSA Hangover Regatta Thursday, January 1, 2009!   Doug Savage was PRO.  Skippers meeting was at noon; first gun at 12:40 PM; no race started after 3:40 PM.  Hangovers were optional.  High tide was at 10:51 AM.  The AccuWeather forecast  called for a full day of sunshine, with winds from the NW at 16 - 20 MPH, and a high temperature of 37 degrees.  The river flow was at late-spring levels, at 9,700 CFS (gage height 3.9 ft), and the water temperature was a seasonal 37 degrees. On Wednesday (New Year's Eve) we had wind gusts to 50 MPH and sustained winds of 35 MPH, and at first the forecast for Thursday was for them to die down by 10 AM and flow at 10 MPH for the remainder of the day -- then on Thursday morning the forecast was revised to predict winds of 16 - 20 for the afternoon.  What we got, however, were 10 MPH winds from noon to 2 PM, that died to a flat calm right after that.  Results here.

Tom Allen III is US Sailing Sailor of the week!  Here is an extract of the write-up from the US Sailing Home page.

2008 Sydney - Hobart Regatta - all boats have finished! 

With whom did you sail in 2008?   97 different Fleet 50 crew sailed, in PRSA events plus the Potomac Cup, with 19 different Fleet 50 skippers in 2008, for a total of 322 crew-days on the water.  Who were they? Click here to find out. Additionally, 43 different crew sailed with 14 Fleet 50 skippers in 12 out-of-town regattas this year, including one boat that went to Savannah on the Southern Circuit.

Final 2008 Standings are posted!  Check out the  Results page and drill down to the cumulative standings for Spring; Fall; and Championship Series and check them out.  Congratulations to our top finishers for 2008!

18 fatalities so far this fall with cold water immersion -- and none were wearing life jackets!  As reported in the Sail World online magazine, since Labor Day in the Northeast US, here are 18 really good reasons for wearing PFDs when sailing in the late fall and early spring (and especially in the winter) on the Potomac.  Read more here.

PRSA End-of-Season Banquet and Annual General Meeting - Saturday, November 15!  At The Marina Towers.  Catered by the Lebanese Taverna.  65 Skippers, Associates, and guests joined in on the festivities.  We elected a new slate of officers for the 2009 season and handed out 52 awards for the 2008 season.  Congratulations to Pat McGee, our new PRSA Commodore; Mike Heinsdorf, our new Vice Commodore, Eric Johnson, our new Rear Commodore, and Robert Bennett, our new Secretary.  Stories and pictures to be posted soon.  Our sincere thanks to Jim Graham, chair of the banquet organizing committee, and the Albacore fleet, for planning and setting up for (and cleaning up after) the dinner, and to Dave and Annette Dalbec, for providing the site.

Hampton Fall Fling Saturday and Sunday November 8 - 9.  What a wonderful way to end the fall season -- with a trip to Hampton VA to race on the Hampton Flats across the river from the Norfolk Naval Pier with a great view of naval vessels coming and going as we raced. Five Lightnings competed -- Gary and Joan Hurban from Annapolis; Trevor Prior, with Danielle Prior and Barb Hill, from Susquehanna; Star Mikell, with Gene Shue and Carol Park, also from Susquehanna; Rebecca Dickerson, with Mark Fleckenstein and Christina Fazio from Skaneateles, and David and Barb Thompson, with Catherine Calvin, from Fleet 50.  We had temperatures in the mid-60s both days, and winds from the SSW at 10 - 12 MPH on Saturday, and from the WSW at 5 - 7 MPH on Sunday.  On Saturday the forecast was for occasional light showers under cloudy skies, but for the first race we had pouring-down rain; however it started clearing after that, and for the remaining 3 races of the day it dried out, with warm pleasant sunshine by the end of the day, which continued into Sunday.  7 Races were sailed, under the supervision of PROs Malcolm and Kathy Brady.  The Hurbans took first place, with 4 bullets, a second, and 2 thirds.  Trevor Prior was second; Star Mikell third. Results here.

PRSA Fall Finale - Saturday, November 8!  Rick Welch was PRO, with RC provided by Lightnings and others.   The AccuWeather forecast for Saturday called for cloudy skies, westerly winds at 8 - 9 MPH, and a high of 65 degrees.  Instead, it was sunny and warm, with almost no wind,  3 Albacores, 2 Buccs, 3 Hobies, 4 Lasers, and 5 Lightnings came out, and sailed one shortened race before the wind went completely calm.  Congratulations to Frank Gallagher who sailed the only Lighting to actually make it to the finish line.  Results here.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 8, Sunday Nov 2 -- Last one of the 2008 Season!  Bobby Astrove was PRO, with RC provided by the Lightnings.  The AccuWeather forecast called for mostly cloudy skies, a high of 58 degrees, and winds from the ENE at 8 - 9 MPH.  The river flow was  below normal for this time of year, at 2,000 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft) and the water temperature was a chilly 53 degrees.  High tide was at at 10:48 AM and low tide at 4:57 PM. We actually got better winds than forecast, and RC was able to get us 4 races  - one on a triangular course and three on a windward-leeward course - before it was time to come in.  A great way to end the 2008 Fall Sunday Series!  Results Here.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 7, Sunday October 26.  Steve Yelland was PRO, with Race Committee provided by the Cats. We had excellent winds under sunny skies, with relatively warm temperatures, making for some great fall Sunday sailing.  We got in five races before it was time to come in! Results and Details here.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 6, Sunday October 19 -- We asked for wind -- and got it!  Sunday's AccuWeather forecast called for sunny skies, a high of 60 degrees, and northerly breezes at 15 - 17 MPH.  The river flow was below normal for this time of year, at 1,520 CFS (gage height 2.7 ft), and the water temperature was a seasonal 66 degrees. High tide was at 12:06 PM.  Actual winds gusted to 25 in the morning and it was chilly, which kept some skippers from going out.  But as the day wore on the air temperature came up and the breeze settled down, making for one of the best sailing days this fall.  PRO Jim Graham and the Albacore-provided RC got off 4 races before it was time to come in.  We welcomed Kate Smith-Morris, a new Lighting crew sailing with Russ Roberts.  Results here.

Frigid Digit News!  We can always count on good winds and exciting times at  the Fridge, sailing on the Chesapeake in the shadow of the Bay Bridge, and this year was no exception. The AccuWeather forecast  for the weekend on the Chesapeake called for sunny skies, a high of 61 degrees, and breezes from the north at 15 - 25 kts. Small craft advisories were posted.  3 races were sailed on Saturday, and none on Sunday, due to the heavy wind forecast.  Nabeel placed 26th out of 31 boats; Colin Kirby also sailed to round out the Fleet 50 participation.  Results here.

Gail Johnson. It is with great sadness that SSA,  Fleet 329 and Fleet 50 mourn the loss of Gail Johnson, wife of long time fleet member Todd Johnson.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to Todd and his family - Alex, Graham and Carolyn. More info.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 5, Sunday October 12 -- Not Another Light Air Day! We can't take it any more! Steve Kistler was PRO, with RC provided by the Hamptons. The AccuWeather forecast (always subject to change) looked good -- sunny skies with a high of 76 degrees, with afternoon southeasterly winds at 7 - 8 MPH. What we got, however, were northerly winds 3 -5 MPH in the morning, followed by four straight hours of flat calm.  The river flow was below normal for this time of year, at 1,850 CFS (gage height 2.8 ft) and the water temperature was a seasonal 67 degrees. 11 Lightnings came out along with 3 Cats, 3 Buccs, and 3 Albacores, and got in one race before the wind died. Details here.  Here are pictures, courtesy of RC member Peter Howson.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 4, Sunday October 5.  Eric Johnson was PRO, with an ace RC crew provided by the Lightnings. The AccuWeather forecast  called for partly sunny skies with winds from the west at 5 - 7 MPH, but we got much better than that -- northwesterly winds at 9 - 10 MPH, except for a lull during the second race. With beautiful clear skies and bright sunshine and a high of 75 degrees we thoroughly enjoyed racing -- and got in four races before it was time to come in.  We welcomed Charlie Helfinstine, sailing with son Alex, making his first appearance on the PRSA course this fall, and sailing to a respectable 8th place finish.  Robert Bennett sailed Laurie's Lightning with crew Lindsay and Wendy, and Red brought an all-Fehrle crew.  Russ Roberts won the day with 2 bullets, a second, and a fourth; Rick Welch was second; Nabeel third.  Results here.

 PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 3, Sunday September 28.  Many Albacores and Lightnings really wanted to sail, and RC was ready to set up a course, but there was no wind.  While the AccuWeather forecast called for northwesterly winds 6 - 8 MPH, we actually had winds 0 - 2 MPH from multiple directions at several readings between 9:30 AM and noon.  At 11:30 the remaining assembled skippers and crew voted to abandon racing for the day.  While a southerly did come up after 1 PM, it was not steady, and it never exceeded 6 MPH, and it was accompanied by a warm rain, heavy at times.  Next week it will be better.  Here is more scoop.

 It's a Boy!  Congratulations to Pat and Lauren McGee -- son number 4, Patrick Finian McGee,  was born to them on Saturday, September 27!

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 2, Sunday September 21.  A tough day to be on the water if you were interested in sailing fast -- as in racing -- with winds from the north; east; and south, varying between calm and 5 MPH, but the Lightning RC pulled it off and got in two races before giving up on the day.  Results here.

SMSA Small Boat Invitational September 20 - 21.  Winds were lower than forecasted on both days, but we did get in 3 races on Saturday.  There was no wind -- zero - zip -nada -- on Sunday.  Dave Meiser took first place in a field of 8 Lightnings; Trevor Prior was second; Dan Liston 3rd.  The SMSA new clubhouse, located right on Main St., a short block beyond Stony's, is a delight, plus it is only a short walk from there to the world famous Tiki Bar which, as you might suspect, was packed to overflowing on Saturday night.  Results here.

PRSA Fall Sunday Series # 1, Sunday September 14.  What a delightful day for the first Sunday of our Fall 2008 PRSA Sunday series!  The breezes were actually from the south to SSE, allowing RC to set a nice long windward-leeward course right in the middle of the river, with the windward mark parallel to the end of the airport's Runway 32, and the Leeward mark about a mile north of that.  We sailed 3 nice races in 10 MPH breezes before it was time to come in.  Race Committee was provided by the Lightnings, with David Thompson as PRO.  Results Here.

Olin Stephens 1908 - 2008. It is with great sadness that we report that Olin Stephens passed on September 6,  at 100 years of age. Olin was one of greatest yacht designers of the 20th century, and was the designer of the Lighting one-design sailboat that we all love.  For all of his great accomplishments, he was amazingly humble, according to Corky Gray who met him in Mystic Seaport a few years ago. Here is more information.

President's Leukemia Cup 2008 -- September 6 and 7.  The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna came through the area on Saturday, and we did not race that day.  On Sunday, the winds were from the NW at 9 MPH in the morning, but became light and variable in the afternoon.  3 races were sailed; Frank Gallagher, took first place in a Lightning fleet of 11 boats.  Frank also won the Norman C. Schaller trophy for the highest-finishing boat in the largest class in the regatta.  Here are results. Here is a post-regatta write-up.  Here is Bill Buck's Commentary.

Wednesday Evening Sailing September 3rd. Aaron Boesnecker and Frank Gallagher splashed their boats; Maryann Gallagher and Chris Smith came out as crew, and Brenna Copeland stopped by to pick up the training materials that Joe Warren brought.  Both boats joined the Albacores for starting practice in light winds that died around 7 PM.  That was the end of the Summer Sailing 2008, and that's all we have to say about that.

Wednesday Evening Sailing August 27.  Joe Warren and David Thompson were on site setting up their boats after their return from Havre de Grace, and Frank Gallagher stopped by to drop off his Leukemia Cup donations and to help Joe and David with their masts.  The weather forecast called for periods of rain developing around 6 PM, which was enough to keep skippers off the water, even though the rain didn't actually start until after 7.  This, the final Wednesday Night sailing for the summer thus was postponed until next Wednesday, September 3.