Matt Jay 2/4/07:

Well with frigid temperatures and fair winds we had 5 racers show, and only 4 hit the water on sunday. Tom opted out and joined me on RC.

Matt was on the RC boat with Adam, Tony, Pat ,and Rich on the water. We had a few small problems at the dock with Pat trying to join the polar bear club (twice), and Tony had a small problem with his clew hook. After all that was settled we managed to start some races, and they turned out to be good ones.

Race one was a 3 leg W/L to the east, with winds in the 10-12 range. With a clear start they headed for the mark. Adam managed to reach it first after Pat gave him his turns. He retained his lead all the way to the finish giving him his second win of the year.

Race 2 was much the same and wouldn't you know it Adam hits the mark first again. Yet again he retains his lead, and adds another win to his record. Well for race 3 and 4 Adam does again with the Pat, Tony , and Rich racing for second all day long.

As crazy as it sounds Adam won all four races and most of them with a considerable lead. Has he finally noticed clear air is good air, or has he pulled his head out of the boat and started looking around? Well whatever it was it certainly worked, and I am now looking forward to racing against him this Sunday. We shall soon see if a mutt named Wolfie can turn into a greyhound.

Hope to see more boats this week, with the seasons first throw outs in it has certainly made it a close race, and now everyday is important.


Tom Compton 1/28/07:

Matt asked me to do the writeup. Not sure what he expected, but I did have the best view of the entire fleet.

Pat said before we sailed that the vang never comes off, well at least that's what I heard. Mine does, the boom dropping on the deck told me so. How many ways are there to tangle the vang?

At least this week we did not have any whining about being cold; although I though I heard something about some of us having more insulation than others.


Rich Morris 1/21/07:

Despite a forecast of virtually no wind and 28 degree temperatures, five racers led by RC Pat Phelan fought good, common sense to head out anyway. We left the docks with calm wind and water, but in a matter of minutes the sailing gods had smiled upon the Havre De Grace Laser Fleet. Wind out of the south at 5mph building to 7mph and shifting to the southwest, was enough for four good windward / leewards (three four-leggers and one two-legger).

A short starting-line and fairly strong current set up conditions to be over the line early. There were individual recalls in at least three races. Wind velocity varied across the course but the best strategy was to play the shifts. There was a mild persistent shift to the right, but Matt Jay won the day, attributing it to staying in phase with the oscillations. Adam Dolezal, Jeff Leach, Tom Compton, and I rounded out the pack. The sailing was clean - no fouls, no protests, nary a raised voice.

While Matt was in the lead for most of the day, the remaining positions in each race changed regularly. If any race had been one leg shorter or longer, the results could have been much different. Congratulations to Adam for winning his first race of the year. He finally caught Matt in the last race, rounding the top mark first due to some well-timed tacks.

Thank you to Pat for his solid RC work. He was quick & clear on the recalls, set a good, square course, and kept things moving. After four races we headed back, in time to catch the kickoff of the first playoff game and beat the snow. Let's get everyone out next Sunday. Sure it's really cold now, but after a while, your freezing toes will just go numb, and you won't even feel them. That's why it's called Frostbiting!


I think that points should be deducted for whinning about being cold. Matt, what do you think? [Ed.}


Matthew Jay 1/14/07:

Well we had an interesting day sunday after a one hour postponement the skies parted and a steady 20-25 from the south came in and races began. Adam and Tom seemed to have it down both surfing the waves like masters and fighting for the finish Tom winning it by a nose. Second race was the same way with Adam edging out Tom by a few inches. #rd race was so windy i swear Adam's boat was 3/4 out of the water at one point and Tom looked like he was skipping across the waves as if he had a motor on board. great day of racing and good practice sorry to all that missed it.

Just kidding 0-2 and completely socked in with fog about a 100 foot visibility. There was no racing.


Matthew Jay 1/7/07:

With the first day of the second season every one had a clean slate and was eager to put on a good showing. Would Matt Jay continue to dominate as he did in the early season or would the addition of a daughter and the lack of boat time and sleep see him playing catch up? Would newcomer Tony Iacona with some strong races in the end of the season take over the roll. Or would Adam Dolezal or Jeff Leech, both on hot streaks, emerge as the top dogs on the course? Of course you can't forget the veterans Mike and Pat both looking to jump to the first place spot. With 75% of the fleet showing up for the first race, the stage was set for a competitive day; only one thing missing, the wind.

After a dismal outlook the RC postponed us for one hour; we went out on faith in a 3 knot breeze hoping for something to fill. Nine boats hit the course looking for answers to all the above questions.

Race One was a light air windward / leeward to the south where if you went left you were going to have some serious catching up to do. With Tony and others heading left and Mike, Adam and I going right we hit the mark top three. Tony made a great move to get far right on the downwind and squeeze out a win. with the rest of the fleet finishing in a pack just behind.

Race Two was a another light air race that was a starboard tack drag race bunching all up at the boat and whoever got out clean was going to have the good race.

In race three the wind switched to the ESE and we ended up with a longer course out to the mooring for the barges. This race was a gamble with wind coming more from the east. Yyou wanted to go left but going right got you into more open water which was giving a more steady breeze. I decided to go left early and then go back to the middle to get further south then hitch back on starboard sailing low and fast and lettin the current carry me to the mark. That worked quite well. it worked so well the most who went right ended up over standing the mark, Jeff leech being the exception. He stayed left and found a good lift and a strong breeze and managed to round the mark in a close second.

Race 4 was a first for the fleet with a downwind start, in a building breeze of about 10 -12. Interesting to see. You are against the current and can't really force anyone over the line. It seemed to be a reach across the line and slam it down to a run at the gun. With a start like that the whole fleet hit the leeward mark fairly close together and I was impressed to see some text book roundings in pairs. both Jeff and I made it a round seamlessly and followed by Rich and Pat who had great roundings as well, but as always with that many boats there at the same time there was bound to be some bumping. A few shouts later and we were headed back up wind hiking out and loving the breeze that filled in for us. The fleet seemed to stay in line back up wind and onto the leeward run, with the exception of Tony picking off a few boats to get a second.

Great first day back and good to see that everybody was so hungry out there, all though it got a little heated at moments. Great competition and great racing by all. Truly a day were a mistake would take you from hero to zero.


Jason Werner 12/17/06:

Suunday was "supposed" to have a lot more wind.. welcome to the winter. With one of the best turnouts of the year, we ended up getting in 4 races in a dying breeze that started around 7 and dropped to3-5 (and less). Interesting enough, the clydesdale division still got second and third even with the light air! Tony showed everyone the way around the course, starting at the pin each time and generally leading the races that he won. Phil took over RC duty, thanks Phil!, and did an excellent job all day.

Race 1 started with promise. We had a pretty good right shift that Adam and Mike took advantage of and crossed the fleet up the course. Mike ended up leading the race the whole way, with Adam blowing a gybe and losing a place downwind, and another place upwind. The middle of the pack was VERY close during the finish, Race 2 was a bit lighter, the shift and pressure died out a bit. The left was the place to go initially, and Tony took off from the pin with a big lead. This race ended up being quite long due to the pressure dying out, but was only a glimpse of what was to come. Mike was still leading the regatta at this time, but Tony and Jeff were not far behind.

Race 3 started promising, again with Tony taking the pin and heading left. He crossed the fleet shortly and him and the other lightweight pack (Dan and Rich) had a good lead going downwind. Oh...that's right, Pat was in there also in third at the bottom mark. The race had closed up a bit due to the back end folks holding on to the wind a bit longer. After rounding Pat decided to tack, and throw out the anchor while everyone else painfully sailed up wind. The wind in some areas had gone to nothing. Those who headed right initially ended up keeping breeze, and after a long while got to the finish. But wait...where was Pat? There was Jim...he had made up a lot of ground, but where was Pat? Oh...there he is...still with the anchor out at the bottom mark. After a painful beat, Mike, Pat, and Glenn got to the finish line in almost no breeze, and the decision to race another was made.

Race 4 started light, and built slightly. The pack headed left for a breeze line on the water, but that line never moved towards the group. Jason and Pat, followed by Tony,and Adam (and another, can't remember who) headed right. We had air, light, but air. Pat convinced Jason and PAt to tack back for gains, and only Tony continued way right. Of course...way right was the place to be, and Jason and PAt got stomped. Jason headed right to get back, and was able to make a big gain on Tony again to lead at the top mark with Tony and several others right behind. A light run allowed Tony to get past, for his 3rd win of the day. Everyone showed a lot of improvement in the light air, most noticeably Glenn in the last race. Light air sucks.

Next race is on Jan 7th.

Everyone is invited to DC/PRSA for their hangover bowl on the 1st. Several folks are thinking about it, it will be fun.

As a note - Please remember that we start at 12:30. The RC waited for everyone today, and due to launching, it may be necessary to wait for people who are simply waiting in line to launch. But please hurry out to the course so that we can start on time. Also let the RC know the status of the people behind you, if someone is waiting in line and ready to go, but can't launch...then the RC should wait for them (not their fault), but if someone is simply not ready because they got there late or were slow, then it is not fair to everyone else to have to wait.

Also, for folks launching. Try to do everything possible to be ready to push off once you are in the water. Put the rudder on, clew attached (if wind allows it), etc. You should be able to put the boat in the water, and push off immediately after dropping your daggerboard in the slot. Not everyone is as fast as others, so no worries there, but just try to hit all the things on land before getting in the water.

Jason


Rich Morris 12/10/06:

We got in five good races on Sunday - three four leggers and then two five leggers with midline finishes. Dan Shelton did a solid job on RC duty. This guy was busy - he moved marks between races, set marks during races, chased down an overturned laser, and took a boatload of pictures. Good job!

The racing conditions were ideal - a sunny day with the temperature around 50 degrees. The wind started at 10 mph, built to 12 mph in the middle races, and settled to 8 mph for the last race. It started from the south and shifted to the southwest halfway through the day. If you got caught on the wrong side of the course during the shift (like I did), you suffered.

With our current leader Matt Jay out on pending maternity leave, there was a new sheriff in town, and his name is Jason Werner. Bullets in the first four races was easily enough to take the day. Mike McCusker and Pat Phelan also put in good, consistent racing. Tony Iacona made a guest appearance, battling with Pat throughout the last race to get the win. The Adams, Glen, and I rounded out the pack. I did a headfirst plunge in the river good enough for a Dr. Crash calendar, when I jumped to the high side on a tack and hiked out without a foot under the strap. The water really is 10 degrees warmer than this time last year.

The whole fleet has clearly gotten better over the fall. If you made a mistake, it cost multiple places. A good start, as always, was essential. On the starting line, we seemed to bunch up at the pin end a bit, leaving some clear air at the boat end, for those smart enough to take advantage of it. I didn't hear any protesting or see any 720s, so I'd say we all raced clean too.

Next week is the last racing of the fall series. Let's finish up strong and get everyone out there. Good luck to Adam Blackwell as he leaves for work in the Mediterranean for four months. Of course, good luck to Matt Jay and his wife, Sharon, as they are expecting a baby girl any minute now.

See you next week - Rich Morris


Matthew Jay 11/25/06:

Well not exactly a blowout but enough wind to race thanks to the lack of current and flat water. Good to see nine boats show up on what looked like a drifter. We had Adam B. back again as well as Trevor driving down from Gettysburg for the day. Guy showed up and did RC for us which freed up Rich to sail. Guy managed to get off two races, first a three legger on a custom course and then a two-leg shortened-course second race.

Race one was ok with winds about 5 out of the southeast. Mike won the start and most of us followed him out to the left. Key today was clear air and boat speed. The wind was pretty even and I saw no clear advantage to either side. After about 8 different course changes trying to get back across all the starboard boats I eventually hit the windward mark first with Mike and Jeff right on my tail. Pretty even downwind. I don't think any positions changed there. Then a quick upwind back to the finish. Some good battles there with Mike edging out Jeff and Adam barely holding off Rich.

Race two was same wind direction, just down to about 3 at the start and dropping to almost nothing half way through the first leg. Had just enough wind to drift towards the mark and after brush with the mark and a circle both of the Adams got past me. Just enough wind filled in at the mark to head downwind where I just edged out Adam D. who just edged out Adam B. who had Mike right on his heals.

All in all good racing in the light air and well done by Mike showing us all how to get a good start winning them both. Also I can be happier with the turnout on a day what looked like no one would show.

To Adam D. and Mike I had Mike second and Adam third since Mike had a better finish the first race.

The program scored Adam over Mike which one is right? I thought a tie with same scores goes to the one who had better finish first race. Who knows the answer?


Matthew Jay 11/19/06:

Week 4 was the best turnout yet, with 11 boats out on the course.

The wind was a steady 10 but shifting every 5 minutes. Add in a 2 mph current and you had some tricky racing on your hands. The biggest challenge seemed to come once you got close to the top mark. With the wind lighter and less steady, and the current swirling off the bridge, it seemed like no one was every going to round it. Once you got around it though, it seemed like the downwind leg lasted only minutes, with a good breeze and the current helping you along. All and all everyone sailed well considering the conditions.

Let's keep getting those boats out. We have 4 more races this year, and we start back up on Jan 7th.


Matthew Jay 11/12/06:

Well week 3 was a good one. While we had limited competitors and only had one race it was a good one. With winds blowing around 20 and gusts in the 30s we debated even going out. We had a committee boat and the water wasn't that bad yet; perfect time to give it a shot. Tom decided to switch with Adam and do RC.

The start of the first and only race was good with only 4 boats and plenty of room on the line. Adam had a good start and rolled over me in the first 50 yards. Mike and I tacked on port while the Adam continued on starboard. I tacked back to starboard after 100 yards while Mike went way right. At the first crossing I was ahead of Adam by 1 boat. We continued up towards B and I rounded first with the Adam about 3 or 4 boats behind.

I rounded the weather mark and started down-wind sailing slightly be the Lee. I thought "this isn't so bad" and instantly the boat decided to make a 90 degree turn to starboard followed promptly by a capsize. Thinking I just lost the race I looked north expecting to see Adam sailing past me, but as I looked up he was taking a dip himself. I got the boat back up as did Adam and we both went right back in. I finally got going did a sissy Gibe and managed to cross the finish line upright. Mind you completely exhausted and a bit waterlogged.

We decided that was going to be the only race since Mike was having various boat problems and Adam D broke a good size chunk of his dagger board during on of the rightings. Adam "you called Jenny yet". It was a good race and good to see that we are all improving enough to be able to sail safely, maybe not upright, but safely in those kind of conditions.

Well done by Adam Blackwell having limited time on a laser this year and being the only one with a dry downwind leg. He swam promptly just after finishing though.

Well to all that weren't there Rich, you missed a good time and some great capsizes. Hope to see you out next week . I will be on RC with a camera taking photos.


Matthew Jay 11/5/06:

Well Mike finally received his trophy for last season, and I think he was quite happy with it. Thanks to Adam for doing the assembly and final touches to it.

Tom Compton was the talk of the course this week with not only a brand new boat, but also with some quality sailing in his first week out.

We had a better day then expected with enough wind to run three races all be it very light ones. Bob Cole did a good job on RC and kept us going quickly. First race was about 3-5 out to G then back to C and an upwind finish. Lighter air forced us to just have a downwind finish and come up with a shorter course.

Race 2 and 3 were the same midcourse start up to G down to D and upwind finishes.

With the first regatta having more than 3 boats we had some competition this week with Mike making a case for the left side all day, and Adam sailing fast rather than high in those conditions. Both did well. I think it was a day of connecting the dots. If you could find those spots with one more knot of breeze than the rest of the course than you could making huge gains. Mike seemed to have the course figured out going far left, but little patches I found seemed to give me just enough to gain a boat on him all day. One thing was definitely sure going right too early was a death sentence. All in all it was another good day and everyone raced well, let's just look to next week and keep getting as many boats out as possible.

Thanks to Bob for doing RC and to Tom for all he has done for the website.

Also glad to see Adam Blackwell join us for the ay and i think he will be down again next week.


Matthew Jay 10/26/06:

Well we had a good first week with heavy wind and good waves, now we just need to start getting the numbers out. In expect there will be some really good racing come november. Great Job Pat and Rich for sticking it out in the heavy conditions