Monday, March 11, 2024

February 2024

 

On the Line

February 2024
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Click here for the D7 website to see the season schedule and find a fleet near you
2024 Regatta Schedule
 

Welcome to 2024 ILCA season! The developing schedule is posted on the D7 website and at the bottom of this newsletter.  Here are the latest calendar updates:
  • The D7 Gran Prix events are filling in. We want one event in each D7 state. First to book a spot on the calendar for 2024 is the True Blue Spencer Evans Regatta, July 13-14 at the Kollegewidgwok YC in Blue Hill, Maine. You can't find a more beautiful place to sail.
  • The date for the 2024 Peter Milnes Regatta hosted by Fleet 413 in Newport RI is now set for April 28th. Join the fun and help 413 honor one of their own.
  •  This year's D7 Championship will be August 10-11 at Stone Horse YC on the Cape.  All clear for lobster and clams! 
  • As a warmup for the US Masters, the New England Masters will take place in Wickford the weekend before, September 14-15.
  • September 20-22, Eastern YC in Marblehead will host the US Masters. Show up with your boat and a bottle of Aleve for a weekend of competitive sailing off the mouth of Marblehead Harbor and lots of socializing on shore. Plus a pre-regatta clinic with the International Sailing Academy. Our goal is 100 boats on the line! Registration is open. Oh yeah, we have housing, but it won't last forever. The early bird gets the free bed!


Do you have an event planned but don't see it on the calendar at the end of this newsletter? Please let me know: laserd7@gmail.com
News from around the district

Barrington YC Frostbiting

BYC frostbite racing is set to restart on February 25th Check out the NOR and sign up at this link 

Fleet 413
Fleet 413
 in Newport is one of the strongest frost biting fleets in D7.  After each Sunday race, they send out a great email recap with Words Of Wisdom (WOW) from the winner.   Check it out, and get on their newsletter. You will learn a lot.



CPYC Hangover Bowl
Did you know one of the longest running laser events of all time is right here in D7? It's been going on for more than four decades! Here is a little history of the Cedar Point Hangover Bowl and a write up of this year's results. The following is reproduced from the CPYC newsletter. Photo by Jim Sorensen.

Hangover Bowl History
Still the second longest running Laser race in the world (after some club in NJ).   Year one happened because of the advent of wetsuits and a Bruce Kirby design.  On year #1Bowl, the early stalwarts did not think anyone could make it out of a frozen over basin only to watch a persistent RC push a club RC boat onto the ice and spend an hour jumping up and down on the bow to break a channel to the flats for the first sailors to get out of the basin, remarkable!  drinks and shenanigans ensued and the rest is hangover bowl history.  The junior building also doubled as a frostbite members lodge/smoking den during the winter. . . . . the 80s were different . . . .

The 41st Hangover Bowl brought 15 Lasers and 7 Aeros to the start line for some New Year’s Day antics under the watchful eye of PRO Halsey Bullen, who was ably assisted by Kasey O'Brien recording scores in the signal boat with Jim Sorensen and Matt Doherty in one mark boat and Scott and Dia Potter in the other.

With temps in the 40's and a dying Southerly, the fleet enjoyed an afternoon of shenanigans!

As is the tradition for the Hangover Bowl, there are various adjustments that the PRO and his team make to the standard sailing instructions in order to elevate the spirit of welcoming in the New Year!  Race winners are treated to on the water prizes of the 80 proof variety!
  • Race 1 was an abbreviated W1 with a backward finish (must pass line stern first).  Sarah Hatsell took the prize followed by Steve Fisk, and Tom Lawton.
  • Race 2 was a a Triangle with a 360 turn required on every leg.  AJ Sorensen demonstrated his roll jibe and roll tack prowess finishing first, followed by Steve Fisk, and guest appearance from Bryce Kopp.  
  • Race 3 was a W/L or L/W waiving rule 42 (all kinetics allowed).  John Killeen rocked and rolled to hold off AJ Sorensen followed by Tom Lawton.
  • Race 4 was a W2 with a chug stipulation.  Competitors stopped by RC on the downwind leg for a beverage and deposited the empty can with RC the following upwind leg.  AJ Sorensen won thanks to chugging a non-alcoholic beverage followed by Steve Fisk, and Sarah Hatsell.  
The post racing celebration included good cheer, awards, and Dave Foster's amazing chili.  

2024

District 7 Regattas as of 12/16/23

Date

Counts towards D7 Gran Prix?

Notes

Under the Rope

April 7

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com

Peter Milnes Regatta

April 28

 

Fleet 413, Newport, RI

Portland Pilot

June 1

 

Portland YC, Falmouth, ME

ILCA Nationals

June 6-9

 

New Bedford YC, Dartmouth, MA, 

Wickford Regatta

June 8-9

 

Wickford YC, Wickford, RI

Newport Regatta

July 13-14

 

40th Anniversary! Very cool event

True Blue Spencer Evans  Regatta

July 20-21

Y

Kollegewidgwok YC, Blue Hill, ME

Marblehead Race Week

July 27-28

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

D7 Championship

August 10-11

Y

Stone Horse YC, Harwich, MA

Ponce De Leon Regatta

Sept. 8

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA.

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com

New England Masters

Sept 14-15

 

Wickford YC, Wickford, RI

US Masters

Sept 20-22

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA. Registration is open!

Turkey Bowl

Nov. 24

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com


 
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Sunday, December 17, 2023

December 2023

 

On the Line

December 2023
View this email in your browser
Click here for the D7 website to see the season schedule and find a fleet near you
2024 Regatta Schedule
 

I hope your feet and fingers are staying warm in your favorite frostbite series. Before you know it, the 2024 season will be here. It's going to be a lot of fun.  The fledgling schedule is posted on the D7 website and at the bottom of this newsletter.  Here are some big regatta highlights to add to your calendar:
  • June 6-9 The New Bedford YC is hosting the ILCA Nationals. This is a great opportunity for both junior and master sailors to kick off the summer season with a big regatta.
  • September 20-22, Eastern YC in Marblehead will host the US Masters. Show up with your boat and a bottle of Aleve for a weekend of competitive sailing off the mouth of Marblehead Harbor and lots of socializing on shore. Our goal is 100 boats on the line! 
  • As a warmup for the US Masters, the New England Masters will take place in Wickford the weekend before, September 14-15.
  • The D7 Grand Prix will be back. We had a lot of fun last season with 6 races across 4 states (MA, RI, CT, and ME). Sean Guiness from the frozen north of ME won top road warrior.  This year, we hope to include VT and NH in the mix.  
  • The D7 Championship will be back. In 2024, the championship will move to Stone Horse YC in beautiful Harwich, MA. Dates TBD.
News from around the district

Fleet 413
 has been busy putting 30-plus boats on the line for their 2023-2024 winter series. Join any time!



Portland YC's fall series wrapped up with Jamie Carter in first place after 17 races. Sean Guiness took second and Hank Throburn 3rd, but everyone's a winner because this crew is serious about smoking turkeys. Yankee ingenuity!


Cedar Point continues their frostbiting season with lots of boats in the line and thoughtful write-ups by the winners of the day. 


The Marblehead Fleet (recently renamed Fleet 631) finished its fall series the weekend before Thanksgiving.
PRO Franny Charles, EYC's new Sailing Dean, put the fleet through a crazy 4-gate special, spinning heads and making for good fun unless you forgot the middle gate like me. Grrr. For the series, Bill Lynn took first, Patrick Andreasen second, and Tom Dailey 3rd. See you in April!




Cottage Park Winter Frostbiting in Winthrop, MA has a growing fleet of laser sailors. Come join the fun each Sunday and catch a puff from passing jets.




Have a great holiday season and sail fast!
 

2024

District 7 Regattas as of 12/16/23

Date

Counts towards D7 Gran Prix?

Notes

Under the Rope

April 7

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com

ILCA Nationals

June 6-9

 

New Bedford YC, Dartmouth, MA, 

Wickford Regatta

June 8-9

 

Wickford YC, Wickford, RI

Ponce De Leon Regatta

Sept. 8

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA.

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com

US Masters

Sept 20-22

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Turkey Bowl

Nov. 24

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Show up at 11 AM & register on site. Prizes and party afterwards. Contact tomdailey15@gmail.com


 
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Sunday, November 19, 2023

On the Line November 2023

 

On the Line

November 2023
View this email in your browser
Click here for the D7 website to see the season schedule and find a fleet near you
Regattas in November
 

Fat Boyz Regatta, November 5th, Fleet 413, Newport, RI
This is a classic annual event with the fast folks from 413. Sailing in Newport Harbor is always fun. NOR is posted on the 413 website.

Turkey Bowl, November 19th, Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA
This is the grand finale of the Marblehead fall frostbite season. The winner goes home with a turkey, and we all go home with good memories after a crisp day on the water, a social hour, and prizes. Just show up that day. 11 AM is a good time to arrive. Registration is $15, and students sail for free. 
News from around the district

D7 Championship and Atlantic Coast Masters, Eastern YC
ILCA District 7 Championship and Atlantic Coast Masters Regattas
On October 21st and 22nd, 48 sailors completed a whopping 16 races in challenging conditions. The regatta combined the ILCA District Championships and the Atlantic Coast Masters. All ages sailed together, and we let a team of MIT graduates figure out the complicated scoring. 

Saturday brought an easterly, 10-15 knots, waves, and sheets of rain, but that did not stop our PRO, Kate Dailey, and EYC’s Dean of Sailing, Franny Charles, from running nine excellent races for the two fleets (ILCA 6 & 7). Many thanks to the awesome crew of mark boats, finish boats, and judges who pitched in. It was not an easy day on the water with numerous breakdowns among the competitors and water rising in the finish boat. (Yep, the bilge pump was clogged.) The entire RC crew showed that they are made of sterner stuff. They have great skills combined with cool heads, allowing them to pull off an excellent day of racing.

In both fleets, the leaders emerged early, with local fast guy Ben Richardson packing away the bullets in the ILCA 7 fleet, nine of them!  His boat is named “Has Ben,” but apparently, it’s a misnomer. Another local favorite, Stein Skaane, known for his prowess in big waves and wind, was in close pursuit all day.

In the ILCA 6 fleet, young hotshot Grayden Mott, currently a sailor at Tabor Academy, set the pace with seven bullets, a 2nd place, and a 7th. (That’s what drops are for.) Oliver Grant, a junior visiting from Newport, was nipping at Grayden’s heels all day with six 2nd, two 1st, and a 6th.
After race 9, everyone headed to the ramp happy and tired and ready to enjoy a hot shower, social hour, and a delicious dinner.

Day two was a different universe: a sunny fall day, a blustery west wind with auto-tack shifts, and flat water. Kate and Franny didn’t let up, running the fleets through seven more races. In the first few, there was carnage on the downwind legs as big puffs rolled off the land and boats capsized this way and that. Lots of sailors were inspecting their foils mid-race! The RC switched to a triangle, and we had a great time reaching around and anticipating the jibe mark.

Thanks to all who participated and pitched in. This was a warmup to the ILCA US Masters, which will be held at EYC in September 20-22, 2024. We handled 48 boats with ease this time, and we’re aiming for 100 at the US Masters! 

D7 Championship Results (Full Results)
1st ILCA 7: Ben Richardson                                
2nd ILCA 7: Stein Skaane                                          
3rd ILCA 7: Chip Terry                                             
1st ILCA 6: Grayden Mott
2nd ILCA 6: Oliver Grant
3rd ILCA 6: Max Dressel

Atlantic Coast Masters Results (Full Results)
1st ILCA 7 Apprentice: Barry Canton                       
1st ILCA 7 Master: Ben Richardson                          
1st ILCA 7 Grand Master: Chip Terry                        
1st ILCA 7 Great Grand Master: Dave Crawley         
1st ILCA 6 Apprentice: Elizabeth Newmyer
1st ILCA 6 Master: Bryan Sherbacow
1st ILCA 6 Grand Master: Frank Hennessey
1st ILCA 6 Great Grand Master: Stephen Kosacz

Thank you to our D7 Championship and Atlantic Coast Championship Sponsors



                                   
US-ONE DESIGN has one goal and one goal only: to outfit the world’s one design sailors with the gear they want and the gear they need! Located in Cape Cod, Ma, US-ONE DESIGN is owned and staffed by experienced one-design sailors. Whether you’re a gear-head looking for that extra edge, searching for a PFD that doesn’t get caught on the main sheet or simply trying to avoid shrinkage while frostbiting, we got you covered! We understand your needs because they are our needs!

US One-Design is generously provided gift certificates for the rescheduled Atlantic Coast Masters Championship.



 


 
The International Sailing Academy (ISA), located in La Cruz, Mexico, just north of Puerto Vallarta is renowned for its excellent instructional staff, including Olympic champions and highly experienced Olympic coaches, but it's more than just big names. ISA offers a systematic process for learning to sail an ILCA at the highest levels. Its curriculum is appropriate for beginners and experts, juniors and masters. All this is offered at an excellent facility with dependable winds that start light in the morning then build as a reliable local thermal kicks in for the afternoon. Sailors practice in all conditions throughout the day. Additionally, ISA offers virtual coaching. ISA graciously offered one free clinic tuition to the winner of the 2023 Grand Prix. This is up to a $2600 value! Wow! 

 
If you want the best rigging for your ILCA, go no further than southeastsailboats. Owner Max Hunt makes beautiful custom rigging at an affordable price and has a full selection of laser gear, plus you get to say that your rigging comes from the United Kingdom.  How cool is that? Southeastsailboats provided a gift certificate of 100 pounds for second place in the Grand Prix. 

 

Colie Sails is 100% focused on small boat sailing and has an excellent selection of ILCA equipment. Owner Clay Johnson, an excellent sailor and very helpful guy, will set up up with what you need. This shop is a great source for ILCA sails and is widely known from their custom boat covers. Collie Sails donated a dry bag of goodies and a gift certificate of $75 for third place in the Grand Prix.


Frostbite Sailing Kicks Off!

Cedar Point YC Frostbiting
Frostbiting is underway at Cedar Point YC. Click the link for more information and to join the fun. Here is Steve G's write up of their week two action:
Fresh and Feisty. High Teens to mid-twenties with 30 KT blasts.

Eric Heller’s RC was out on time after a quick drystall double check that we actually wanted to go sailing. The fleet reluctantly followed. The Aeros were on the scene first and started racing. Eventually four lasers showed for the first race Steve G, Steve F, Frederico, and Rikard.

The first race was (W1). It was pretty shifty out of the west (harbor breeze battling sound breeze at high speeds!!!) so there were big rights and lefts all day. Frederico led at the first weather mark after taking advantage of a sizable righty, but flipped halfway down the run for Steve G to take the win.

In Race 2 (T1), Peter had arrived to play, led at the weather mark, then flipped at the wing mark graveyard. Steve G happily led on the blast to the leeward mark until another solid gust literally knocked him over. The others, having recovered, sailed on through. Peter took the win, Frederico was second, Steve G recovered to third and Steve Fisk brought us home.

In Race 3 (T1), Steve G led at the weather mark with Peter close behind.  Frederico overtook Peter at the wing mark and Steve opened up a gap on the two reaches. Out of the leeward mark, Steve G took a shift back into the middle, but Frederico and Peter found an Uber-righty to his right. Peter held on for a narrow win over Frederico.

In Race 4 (T1), Steve narrowly led Peter at the weather mark and extended  on the second reach. The breeze oscillated 30+ degrees (left this time) on the final beat. This time Steve took the win, with Peter in 2nd. (For a 1,1,2 on the day - great sailing Peter).

Despite the inclement conditions, there was a lot of variations in pressure. You had to get back to vang sheeting upwind in time for the pressure blasts, but there were also plenty of block to block cycles. Cunningham on hard when vang sheeting, then sometimes eased a little in the high teens moments.

Same downwind. It was easy and slow to be carrying too much vang when the pressure was lighter. (High teens!) Vs the mid twenties.

Line bias was always changing as the shifts rolled through so quickly. Even with your head out of the boat, the shift was sometimes way bigger than prior or expected.

We all just kept grinding. 

Best, Steve G

Barrington YC Frostbiting, Barrington, RI
BYC's fall and winter program is underway. Join them for Sunday racing through December 17th and starting again February 25th. 

2023 PYC Frostbite Series, Falmouth, ME
The Portland YC and the Casco Bay Laser Fleet are hosting their fall series Nov 5, 12, 19 and 26. Contact Chris Morin at 207-807-9243,  etchellsfleet27@gmail.com

Fleet 413, Newport, RI
Starting with the Fat Boys Regatta on November 5th, one of the best winter programs in D7 will be underway.  Find out more at the 413 website

Cottage Park YC, Winthrop, MA
The winter Laser Sunday series at CPYC will crank up after Thanksgiving.  Great short racing followed by awesome social in the Club.  

Looking ahead to 2024
Oh, it's not too early to starting planning another excellent laser season. The December newsletter will focus on the schedule for next year, but several key dates are already set:

The ever-popular Wickford Regatta is set for June 8-9, 2024.

The US Masters will be held at Eastern YC in Marblehead, September 20-22.  Our goal is to put 100 boats on the line!  

As a warmup to the US Masters, the New England Masters will be held in Wickford the weekend before, September 14-15

2023

District 7 Regattas

Date

Counts towards D7 Gran Prix?

Notes

Under the Rope

April 2

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Pete Milnes Regatta

April 15

Y

Fleet 413, Newport, RI

NH Seacoast Laser Spring Regatta

Canceled

Y

Dover, NH

Wickford Regatta

June 3-4

Y

Wickford, RI

Portland Pilot

June 17

Y

Portland YC, ME

Salty Dog Regatta

June 18

 

Hingham YC, Hingham MA  See club site for more information

John Bentley Memorial Regatta

June 24

 

(Championship of Buzzards Bay, Saltmarsh Trophy), Open to all ages.  ILCA 6 and 7 rigs usually sail as one fleet for the championship but can be divided if numbers at pre-registration justify it.  

True Blue Spencer Evans Regatta

July 16

 

Kollegewidgwok YC, Blue Hill, ME

Duxbury YC Midsummer Regatta

July 22-23

 

Keep checking Regatta Network or back here for the registration link. First gun 2 PM

Helley Hansen

July 29-30

 

Marblehead, MA

Hyannis Regatta

July 29-30

 

Hyannis, MA

Taylor Pond Yacht Club Open Laser regatta

July 30

 

1 Yacht Club Drive, Auburn, Maine;  first start 3 PM.  No race to begin after 5 PM.  Practice sails OK. Free. Social hour on the yacht club deck after.  Contact Peter Garcia 207-754-0443 or petergarcia207@gmail.com to register.

Squam Day

Aug 4

 

Annisquam YC

Taylor Pond Yacht Club Invitational Regatta 

Aug 5

 

1 Yacht Club Drive, Auburn, Maine;  pursuit race, fun for all, especially inexperienced racers;  one design Laser class for this distance race.  First start 3 PM, followed by open air barbecue (bring your own food and beverage);  TPYC provided the gill; followed by Tinpanic Steel Band concert and dancing.  All free. Contact Peter Garcia 207-754-0443 or petergarcia207@gmail.com to register.

Buzzards Bay Masters

Aug 5-6

 

New Bedford YC, Dartmouth, MA

Malletts Bay Boat Club

Canceled

Y

Lake Champlain, VT

Lake Massapoag Small Boat Regatta

Sept 9-10

 

Sharon, MA

Ponce De Leon Regatta

Sept. 10

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

Atlantic Coast Championships (25 GP Points)

Sept 16-17

Y

Hyannis Yacht Club (Hyannis, MA, USA)

Atlantic Coast Championship Masters

Sept 16-17

 

Hyannis Yacht Club (Hyannis, MA, USA) This event is concurrent with the ACCs

New England Masters

Sept 23-24

 

Wickford, RI

North American Masters

Sept 28-Oct 1

 

New York Yacht Club (Newport, RI, USA)

Fontelieu One Design Regatta

9/30-10/1

Y

Cedar Point YC, Westport, CT

Great Bay YC/PSA 2022 Fall Laser Regatta

TBD

 

Dover, NH

Oktoberfest Laser Regatta

TBD

 

Hyannis YC, Hyannis, MA

District Championship & final day of District Grand Prix, Eastern YC Marblehead, MA

Oct 21-22

Y

Eastern YC, Marblehead MA

Fat Boyz Regatta

TBD

 

Fleet 413, Newport, RI

Turkey Bowl

Nov 19

 

Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA

    

D7 Gran Prix races in green. Sail as many as you can and win points for great prizes