James River Rapids Snow
I had always wanted to see the river after a snow and finally trudged my way all the way to Pony Pasture Rapids Park to get this shot around midday today:
2015 Davis Island YC J/70 Winter Series III: Sunday
Today was expected to be a light air day and that’s what we were delivered. Racing was moved up an hour and after a couple false starts we got a race started in a 6-8 north east breeze.
Our start on Spice wasn’t too bad near the middle of the line and we picked our way up the first beat. Near the windward mark we were around 20 but called a thin Pauline and stalled near the make while 5-8 boats went right around us. That further reinforced something we had learned yesterday – when j70s are blanketed they have no power so when in a clump at the windward make it pays to over stand and come in on the outside.
Around the top mark we jibed early going out to the left and that became a kiss of death when a 40 degree shift came in. We limped around the rest of the course while the wind died with only a handful of boats behind us.
All in all it was great to get out of Richmond for a warm weekend of sailing. Thanks to Holly for having me and I enjoyed sailing with Brian and Lud. I also got a lot of homework done on the j70 and am looking forward to having a boat of my own this spring.
Results | Pictures | 2015 Quantum J/70 Winter Series 3 Website
2015 Davis Island YC J/70 Winter Series III: Saturday
Racing at the Davis Island Yacht Club J70 winter series got underway this morning in a nice 8-10 knot breeze under mostly sunny skies and low 70s temperature. 51 boats are racing what is the final 3-weekend series that has run monthly since December.
In the first race we had a reasonable start and got bounced to the left. We held our own downwind and then made it to the right on the second upwind picking up a couple boats. On the final downwind we picked up a couple more boats and finished 28.
We had an even better start for the 2nd race and pretty much held our lane and got out to the right where we wanted to be and rounded in the top 20. Downwind we held our position and on the 2nd upwind we again made it more to the right and passed a few boats. By now the wind was dipping and it became a more of a challenge to keep clear air and boat speed. On the final downwind we were fast and hit the shifts well and picked up several boats to finish 13th.
We are currently 22nd and hoping for more wind on Sunday.
2015 Quantum J/70 Winter Series 3 Website | Results | Pictures
2015 Davis Island YC J/70 Winter Series III: Friday
After half a day of traveling – arrived in Florida at Davis Island Yacht Club to sail the J/70 winter Series on spice with Holly, Lud & Brian against 50 other boats. Today we did some practice, took part in the practice races and settled in for the night.
The forecast is looking a bit on the light side for the weekend, but we are looking forward to getting out sailing.
2015 GRSA Frostbite #1
On Sunday I got to sail for the first time in 2015 in the first race of the Greater Richmond Sailing Association Frostbite Series. I was sailing with Joe and his son Gabe who are new members at FBYC and were taking their new to them Flying Scot out for the very first time.
The weather started pretty miserably with rain showers. After a little over an hour after the expected start time, the rain let up and it turned into a nice clear light wind day.
2014 Favorite Photos
Another great year and another bunch of cool photos despite spending more time doing video. I was surprised looking back on how many good ones I got. Here they are:
US Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego
Open House Regatta Memorial Day Weekend at Fishing Bay Yacht Club.
Wolf Trap Light House on the delivery to Southern Bay Race Week.
Jackson Creek Sunset post J/70 practice
July 4th Fireworks at the River
East Carolina Sunset at the UNC game.
2014 Laser Masters Atlantic Coast Championship VIDEO
It’s winter now and what better to be doing than reflecting back on fun fall sailing. Here’s the video from the 2014 Laser Masters Atlantic Coast Championship at FBYC.
2014 White Tiger Tailgate – ECU Pirate Football
It’s been a great year visiting friends and seeing the ECU Pirates play football with the WhiteTiger. Here are some of the highlights:
2014 Tulane vs ECU Football
After nearly a moth away we were all finally back together for another Saturday afternoon ECU football game against Tulane.
Pictures starting here.
2014 FBYC Laser Frostbite Regatta
It was great to be back in a Laser today for what will likely be my last day of Laser racing at Fishing Bay Yacht Club‘s Laser Frostbite regatta. The winds were light, but that didn’t stop us from getting 7 races in while the wind steadily shifted from West to North and then a little east as the day went on.
With 9 boats on very short lines I focused on just sailing well and not getting myself into a hole – wind-wise or situationally. We had great group of sailors out and everyone had a good game and so anyone had a chance to win races. After a few races Stephen Sparkman and myself started to make it a two boat race. In the end he had the better day and got me by a point. Clark Dennison, back in the Laser for the first time in a couple years finished up 3rd.
All in all it was a fun day sailing with Len, Keith, Brad, Luke, Mike W, Mike T, Stephen & Clark and was a perfect way to end the season – racing, drinking beer and sailing with my Laser buddies.
