Sonar Fleet 1 News: July 2012

Monday, July 9, 2012

FLEET RACING:

On Sunday July 8 we set an all-time new record for boats on-the-line fleet racing. 20 boats made it to the starting line for the first race, another light air affair. PRO KC Hart started us on a traditional D2 in 6 knots out of the SW.

Combine the light air with a flood tide and a leeward mark with a short anchor rode and you end out having a very interesting windward-leeward course with an unintended reaching leg to keep us on our toes.

With a little more pressure, our second race was a W1 sprint requiring lots of "tactical awareness" at the windward mark.

After our second race, the fleet came in ready to enjoy "tea" on the terrace.

Our winner for the day was Team 454 with Bill Thomson, Ed Sweeney, Alan DeSantis and Art Collins.

Ed, didn't you get the memo...PINK shorts!

The top three finishers and scores were:

1. Ed Sweeney- 2, 1 = 3

2. Bob Monro - 3, 5 = 8

3. McArthur/Milne - 7, 2 = 9

As always, full results can be see here: http://www.fleet1.org/

FLEET CHARTER OPPORTUNITIES:

We've received a couple of Sonar Charter requests. One during our Labor Day series from friend of Bruce Kirby and Scuttlebutt founder Tom Leweck. Tom would be bringing a very experienced California crew who are headed for the Sonar event at Harbour Court. They are very competitive and responsible (they'd

be happy to insure the vessel used). Please contact BK if you are interested in pursuing this.

Our second opportunity came to us from Brian Hayes. Drew Daugherty is also interested in a possible charter or even crewing opportunity. Drew is the current (and many time) Y Flyer champion and Chair of US Sailing Champion of Champions. He is very interested in sailing in the New Englands on August 4-5 and can even bring some of his crew if needed. If you are thinking of going to the New Englands but are short crew, this is a great way to put a top competitor on your boat.

Speaking of crew...

NEED CREW?

I've seen a number of our spring trainees out on the water, which is awesome. There are still others hoping to sail. I've also received requests to crew from two other people. Both have sailing experience but will be fairly new to the Sonar. Each will be a great #4 and possibly become a regular if you are interested in helping them grow.

FLEET BARBECUE:

Our next fleet barbecue is scheduled for this coming Sunday July 15 after racing.

FLEET RACING CALENDAR:

Sun. July 15, Fleet barbecue after racing

Sat-Sun Aug. 4-5, New England Championships, Falmouth YC, Falmouth MA

Fri-Sun Aug. 24-26, North American Championships, Rochester YC

Sat-Sun Sep. 29-30, Long Island Sound Championships, Noroton

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Fleet 1 results: http://www.fleet1.org/

SCA Newsletter: http://sonarclass.blogspot.com/

SCA Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sonarclass

SCA Twitter page: http://twitter.com/#!/sonarclass

Thursday, July 5, 2012

FLEET RACING:

We completed our July 4 series and unlike last year and this past Memorial Day, we did it on the days originally scheduled!

Sunday we had 16 boats on the line, enjoying 7 knots of breeze out of the SW. Our PRO Michael Rudnick sent us on two D2 races giving everyone lots of opportunity to mix it up.

After the first day of racing, the top boats were:

Galloway/Linville/Steinborn 3
Harrison 6
Girling 8
Morrison 8

Wednesday, July 4 was almost an exact copy of Sunday. 16 boats, wind out of the SW. The only difference was when we got to the race course we were looking at 12 knots and when we left the race course we only had 5. The breeze was also doing a slow shift to the south which made it a little difficult for our PRO, Commodore Randy Tankoos and his RC.

But still, we got another two races in. The first race was the Commodore's Race where Randy sent us on a D2. After about an hour of sailing, the first boat across the finish line was Lee Morrison with Susan Morrison, Willem Sandberg and Don Vasta.

Lee Morrison and Don "Can You See Me Now" Vasta

The second race was a W1. With light air and a fairly strong current, some boats finishing at the pin had a difficult time crossing the line. It made for some enjoyable viewing though!

For the four races in the Series, Fast Forward with Peter Galloway, Jim Linville, Paul Steinborn and Paul Barringer raced to first place with a total of 10 points.

"Paul, halyard...not you, the other Paul!"

Second place went to Lee Morrison with 16 points and third went to Team 500 who finished with 19.

All scores are available here: http://www.fleet1.org/

FLEET BARBECUE:

Our next fleet barbecue is scheduled for Sunday July 15.