A long overdue post to recognize Fleet 50’s own Bob Astrove as the 2013 Karl Smither Award winner. This award is given annually by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club to the Lightning sailor best representing Corinthian spirit, support of the Lightning class, and Class membership.
It was a beautiful weekend on Smith Mountain Lake.15 boats came from as far as upstate New York to race at Virginia Inland Sailing Association with Nabeel, Frank, and myself representing Fleet 50.
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We had a great turnout, with 7 Lightnings boats ready to race, sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s and plenty of wind blowing up the river from the south.
8 Lightnings, 4 Albacores, 3 Cats, and 2 Buccaneers made it out for the last day of racing in the Spring Series. PRO Len Guenther and the Lasers did a great job to give us 4 Olympic races in the west winds.
This past weekend was absolutely spectacular for sailing on both Saturday and Sunday and if you didn’t make it out you missed out. Both days it was clear and sunny with temperatures in the low 70s and a nice southerly breeze for racing…
After the cold, rainy, blustery wind of Series #3 Spring Series #4 gave everyone a chance to showcase their skills in light air with clear sunny skies and temps in the 60′s. Six Lightnings came out to race ( along with a few Albacores, several Buccaneers, three catamarans plus a neat looking little trimaran).
Spring Series #3 was a sharp contrast to the conditions of the previous week. It was a grey overcast, with a mostly steady rain, and temps in the lower 50′s. However, five Lightnings braved the elements and came out for three W2 races in the 13-16 north winds with some stronger gusts.
First, a big thanks to the PRSA Exec Board and everyone who had a hand in organizing the post racing cook out. You outdid yourself in providing a spread. It was a great opportunity to meet new folks who had joined us for the first day racing, reacquaint ourselves with members who had joined us for racing last year, and a chance to catch up with friends we hadn’t seen since the fleet banquet or the end of the Fall Series.
The day’s original forecast called for west winds of 5 to 15. As a pleasant surprise we ended up with temperatures in the 60s and winds out of the south around 10 with a few occasional stronger puffs later in the day. This was a good start to the year. The catamaran fleet as RC committee mixed it from our usual windward leeward courses by setting Olympic courses for the day’s 3 races. This gave us all a chance to reach with our spinnakers. Continue reading