Thursday, November 8, 2018

Hi parents,
Here is a summary of Saturday, November 3rd meeting for the ones who were not able to attend.

-Meeting started at 9:30
-Presentation of the yearly program and ambitions for the upcoming year
                Ambitions: top three team in the nation; qualify the most sailors possible to the US National team; improve the homogeneity of the team
-Discussion around the program
                Practice: Due to safety reasons the practice schedule for 11/11,12, and 17 will be split into two groups.  Those attending Midwinters & Orange Bowl will practice from 9am to noon and all others from 1pm to 4pm.
-Discussion about midwinters and Orange bowl

*What have been agreed upon the meeting:
                *The sailors attending the Lake St Clair USODA event will be participating in the training bloc organized from the 1st to the 20th of July.
                *A personalized fitness program will be given to the kids (Based on the tests made last month).
                *6 spots are available for Norway, We will have free boats and I will try to organize a common camp with the collaboration of the NSF (Norwegian sailing Federation) and Stavanger sailing club.
                *The yearly program is not final and you’ll be notified with the modifications occurring to it.
                *Youssef believes in the power of communication so please come back to him for any inquiry, concerns or any matter you may find useful for the team.
                
Note: The deadline for the physical tests is Friday 16th (Youssef is available on demand)
Please join us for a wonderful evening on November 15, 2018 at Chicago Yacht Club Belmont Station.  We delight in the ability to bring together all of our Junior Sailors to jointly celebrate our achievements. 

Program Schedule:

6:15pm – Dinner Service begins
7pm – Awards: Opti followed by High School
8:30pm – evening ends

Please register at Click Here to Register

Additionally, we are interested in recycling and reusing gently used gear.  Therefore, please bring your sailing items for a ‘gear swap’.  Any unclaimed items can be retrieved at the end of the evening or donated to the Sailing School Gear Library which we have created for sailors to borrow from who have either left an item at home, gotten wet and need dry gear or have yet to fully embrace sailing as a sport.

Thank you and see you at the banquet!!

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Halloween Spectacular Regatta
7 Green fleet sailors 10 RWB sailors
More than 152 sailors converged on Lake Forest for the Halloween Spectacular regatta October 27-28. Day one brought calm winds out of the north ranging from 6-10 knots and light chop. Thirty-eight Optimists made their way to the windward-leeward course and began speed testing, checking the starting line and course configuration.
Racing began around 10:45 with an all-clear start and a significant right-hand wind shift making the boat-end of the starting line favored. In addition, it led to a long starboard tack upwind to the windward mark and long port jibe downwind to the leeward gate. The course was considerably short, approximately 25 mins, which made the start that much more important.
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A port tack approach allows sailors to take
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advantage of these holes on the starting line.
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Several top sailors approach the line on port tack, against the natural flow of the fleet, in order to find an opening on the line. This maneuver is ideally performed earlier in the sequence when sailing in larger fleets and light winds. The sailor then uses sail trim, body weight and rudder to maintain a position on the line with a leeward hole to accelerate. Another skill, the double-tack, is utilized to defend against ‘sharks’ attempting to steal our place on the line.
Boat speed through the chop and starts were critical because the wind was very consistent. Sailors in the front of the fleet consistently start in the front row with clean
air and the option to tack. The best sailors play the mainsheet and use their shoulders simultaneously to work the boat over every wave, up the face and down the back.
The Race Committee lengthened the course and moved the windward mark to the right for the second race. The competition was tight and Chicago Yacht Club sailors continued to fight for every point. Six races were completed before the breeze slowly faded. CYC finished strong with 4 sailors in the top 6 to close out the day.
We learned a valuable lesson about gear selection and proper preparation in cold weather. A few of us we’re underdressed and unable to focus on the racing as a result.Remember: it’s much better to peel layers off instead of adding layers after being cold.
Windward mark
It should be our goal to find the starboard lay line near the top third of the beat. We risk being tacked on or sailing a header without having ‘a runway’ to play the shifts if we get to an edge too early. Also, it’s easier to call the lay line closer to the mark.
How do we fix this? Tack 6-8 boat lengths before the lay line and sail in a clean lane.
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Sailors reaching the starboard-tack lay line too early increase the
risk of sailing in dirty air or on a header, and over laying the mark.
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Day two brought much different conditions: scattered showers and 10-20 knots out of the west. Sailors enjoyed a costume contest in which our own Annie Samis and Nissana Berman participated as a Chicago style hot dog and Ruth Bader Ginsburg respectively.
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During our briefing, we discussed the wind forecast and characteristics of an offshore or ‘geographical’ breeze. We could expect relatively flat water and very shifty, puffy conditions. We talked about how to super vang, de-powering the sail and how it’s easier to do on land rather than on the water. However, we still had a number of sailors launch with very little boom vang or outhaul tension applied.
Super Vang:
  1. Ease the sprit tension and remove twists out of the boom preventer.
  2. Raise the daggerboard halfway (if on the water) and over trim the mainsheet (boom
    to deck).
  3. Remove slack from the boom vang and then ease the mainsheet.
  4. Tighten sprit to the proper tension and lower the daggerboard.
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Racing was action packed with unpredictable puffs and shifts coming from both sides of the course. Mere seconds separated the top pack making mark roundings very thrilling. We discussed the importance of playing the shifts and ‘connecting the dots’ on the upwinds while committing to one side on the downwind.
Above: Annie Samis, Deana Fedulova, and Christian Prendergrast fight for the inside at the leeward gate.
Connecting the Dots:
This is a common phrase used to describe upwind sailing strategy in puffy conditions. Similar to playing a game of chess, our sailors must think several moves ahead and identify the next puff before other players. Sailing fast while looking upwind and ‘keeping our head out of the boat’ is a skill we can always improve.
One takeaway from the day was fleet management and to always cross the course with pressure. Sail on the lifted tack (pointing closest to the next mark) to the side with a majority of the fleet until you reach the next puff or shift. Use that puff to consolidate back towards the middle of the course. It’s important we remain patient while sailing towards the next line of pressure and refrain from tacking before we reach the new breeze.
The decision to stay with a majority of the fleet minimizes risk if pressure fills from the other side or the shift is not in our favor. Is it impossible to cover the entire course so we must commit to a side and play the odds. If the other side does pay, we will have only lost a a few boats rather than several. This is an important lesson while in the front of the pack. Try splitting from the fleet or playing the opposite side if you find yourself trailing in a race.
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Above is a screen capture of a video with :18 remaining until the start. The group at the starboard-end appears to be closest to the line while a significant sag develops in the middle and towards the pin-end.
This is another screen capture of the same video at the START. Most of the boats at the starboard-end nail the start while a majority of the fleet in the middle and at the pin-end are 5-10 boat lengths below the starting line. We must look over our front shoulder at the starboard-end of the line in addition to looking at the pin-end. This will give us a better idea of where the starting line exists.
Three races were completed on Sunday with intermittent rain and and winds gusting in the high teens. I’m proud of our team for managing the conditions with ease and putting forth 100% effort. We were treated to warm chili and pumpkin carving on land before the award ceremony.
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Congratulations to Christian Prendergrast on taking top honors. Best of luck to Christian as he travels to Myanmar for the IODA Asian and Oceanic Championship November 10-17. I look forward to seeing everyone else next weekend!
Schedule until Midwinters:
*NOVEMBER 02nd -04th  RBW  Youssef/Mitch   
                            03rd Lime practice Amy
                            09th   RBW Last day of practice /Wrap up
                            10TH – 11TH Exclusive practice for Midwinters / Orange bowl competitors
                            17th Practice and loading boats
                            18th Off to New Orleans
                            20th Practice at New Orleans
                            21st -24th Opti Midwinters

Parent Meeting on November 03rd at 9:30am in the Members Barge. Plan on 30 minutes.
*AGENDA: 
  • Introductions
  • Review Schedule for November
  • Finalize Midwinters participants
  • Review Schedule for December
  • Spring Schedule

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

All,

The Whats App for the weekend is working great.

Coach Mitch and Coach Abby are ready to go.

Saturday AM, rigged and ready 845am in Lake Forest at the sailing center.  Meet at the trailer at 745am.

Also, we are including all Fall Opti Sailors into our Fall Banquet on Thursday, November 15 at CYC Belmont.  Sign-up link:



Cheers,
DG


Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Physical tests for the Opti sailors on Tuesday , October 23rd!

Opti sailors will pass a series of physical tests with Youssef on Tuesday ,October 23rd at 4pm at Belmont.
Please bring sport clothes, food and water!
The test will include running in intervals, stretching and upper and lower body muscle solicitations.
If a parent thinks that one of the kids cannot pass one of the tests please come back to Youssef.
Youssef's contact details:
TEL - 1(312)566-3985
EMAIL: Akroutyoussef@hotmail.com
All,

Posted a blog yesterday from Marek and Lake Geneva Yacht Club...thanking all of us.

Here is the write-up on the event from Mitch.  He is here this weekend and will discuss with the kids. Please share with them as well.

USODA Midwest Championship September 28-30
16 CYC RWB fleet sailors 2 CYC Green fleet sailors
Geneva Lake Sailing School (GLSS) hosted 85 Optimist sailors September 28-30 at the Buddy Melges Sailing Center for the 2018 USODA Midwest Championship. Chicago Yacht Club was represented by sixteen Red, Blue, and White fleet sailors and two Green fleet sailors. Coaches Dave Gerber, Mitch Hall, and Abby McFadyen held a practice Friday afternoon working on straight line speed, starts, and leeward mark roundings. This was a great opportunity to test the venue prior to racing.
Sailors were welcomed to GLSS by calm winds Saturday morning. The Race Committee hoisted the AP and postponed ashore with updates every couple hours. Chicago YC team members did their best to stay focused and hydrated with the hope of racing if conditions permitted. Alas, a light easterly trickled in and the sailors launched around 4 PM.
Two races were completed in 4-8 knots using trapezoid courses before the sun set over Lake Geneva. Chicago sailors were rewarded for completing their pre-start homework with five team members in the top ten at the first mark. The courses were short, only 25-30 minutes, which emphasized starts and first beats. Several sailors were eager to race causing a couple general recalls and eventually the U-flag penalty.
The big take-away from Saturday’s racing was to stay mentally prepared during long postponements. It’s easy to be distracted from the task at hand but we must stay focused to accomplish our goals. Our field of play is always changing which is one aspect that makes this game so special.
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Above: Sailors return after the first day of racing.
Sunday brought an 8-12 knot easterly accompanied by precipitation. Our team was hungry and ready to move up in the standings. Again, Chicago YC sailors were first on the water and testing the race course.
Our strategy was to start conservatively with clean air near the favored end and ‘connect the dots’ on the first beat. The leaders came from both sides of the course and Peter Barnard led the charge. He was followed closely by Christian Prendergrast in third and Dina Fedulova in fifth. Several other team members were hot on their trails.
On-the-water judges penalized several sailors throughout the event for RRS 42 infringements. These include sculling, rocking, pumping, ooching, and repeated tacks or gybes. Unfortunately, a few of our sailors were flagged for these actions during the final race. While we may disagree with the decision, Chicago YC sailors acted appropriately and took their two-turn penalties. It’s important to be aware of judges nearby and refrain from unnecessary movements. Please find the rules concerning RRS 42 at the bottom of this summary and don’t hesitate to ask any questions.
The RC had time for a fifth and final race before the cut-off time. Three sailors were vying for the top spot on the podium entering the last race. Peter Barnard was sitting in second, two points out of first and just one point ahead of third. The USODA Midwest Champion would be decided on the final race. Peter saved his best for last winning the final race and the regatta. Go Team Chicago YC and congratulations Peter!
Leeward Marks
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Sail less distance by sailing closer to the
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rhumb line downwind.
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Congratulations to the following Team Trials Qualified (TTQ) sailors: Peter Barnard
Dina Fedulova
Anne Samis

Avery Baldwin Christian Prendergast
42 PROPULSION 42.1 Basic Rule
42.2 Prohibited Actions
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e)
(a) (b)
(c)
(d) (e)
Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind
and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of
sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move
their bodies to propel the boat.
Without limiting the application of rule 42.1, these actions are prohibited:
pumping: repeated fanning of any sail either by pulling in and releasing the sail or
by vertical or athwartship body movement;
rocking: repeated rolling of the boat, induced by (1) body movement, (2) repeated
adjustment of the sails or centreboard, or (3) steering;
ooching: sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly;
sculling: repeated movement of the helm that is either forceful or that propels the
boat forward or prevents her from moving astern;
repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to changes in the wind or to tactical
considerations.
42.3 Exceptions
A boat may be rolled to facilitate steering.
A boat’s crew may move their bodies to exaggerate the rolling that facilitates
steering the boat through a tack or a gybe, provided that, just after the tack or gybe
is completed, the boat’s speed is not greater than it would have been in the
absence of the tack or gybe.
Except on a beat to windward, when surfing (rapidly accelerating down the front of
a wave) or planing is possible, the boat’s crew may pull in any sail in order to initiate surfing or planing, but each sail may be pulled in only once for each wave or gust of
wind.
When a boat is above a close-hauled course and either stationary or moving slowly,
she may scull to turn to a closehauled course.
If a batten is inverted, the boat’s crew may pump the sail until the batten is no
longer inverted. This action is not permitted if it clearly propels the boat.
(f) A boat may reduce speed by repeatedly moving her helm. P2 PENALTIES
P2.1 First Penalty
P2.2 Second Penalty
P2.3 Third and Subsequent Penalties
When a boat is first penalized under rule P1.2 her penalty shall be a Two-Turns Penalty
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under rule 44.2. If she fails to take it she shall be disqualified without a hearing.
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When a boat is penalized a second time during the regatta, she shall promptly retire. If
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she fails to do so she shall be disqualified without a hearing and her score shall not be
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excluded.
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When a boat is penalized a third or subsequent time during the regatta, she shall
promptly retire. If she does so her penalty shall be disqualification without a hearing
and her score shall not be excluded. If she fails to do so her penalty shall be
disqualification without a hearing from all races in the regatta, with no score excluded,
and the protest committee shall consider calling a hearing under rule 69.2.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Dear sailors, coaches, parents and supporters,
I would like to thank all who took part in the 2018 Optimist Midwest Championship at the Geneva Lake Sailing School. It was our piviledge to host you in Wisconsin and we appreciate your efforts on and off the water that make this regatta a succes. I especially appreciate your patience and good seamanship when it came to dealing with uncooperative weather and late afternoon sailing. In the end we were able to complate 5 good races and determine the Midwest Champion!
Congratulations at all participants for their fair sailing and great sportsmanship. I hope you have all reached your goals and that the experiences you have gained here will help you excel in future regattas. Good luck to all sailors who qualified for the 2019 Team Trials and I hope all those who came short of qualifying will manage to do so the next time.
On behalf of the GLSS board of Directors, I hope we will be seeing you again in a future event at Lake Geneva.
Marek Valasek
Regatta Chair
GLSS Executive Director

Monday, October 15, 2018

Happy Monday.

What a great weekend of "Fall" sailing at Chicago Yacht Club.  Lots and lots of boats on the water on Sunday.  Awesome!

1.  Thank you to Meg Six and Peter Holz.  Always fantastic to have Chicago Yacht Club alumni, assist with coaching.

2.  Congratulations to New Trier, St. Ignatius, Latin and Walter Payton.  All 4 High Schools advanced to the Great Lakes Championships, hosted by Chicago Yacht Club in early November.

3.  This week.  Practice on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  We have Coach Mitch Hall returning.

4.  Some of you have seen Youssef around.  He is in Chicago.  Yes!  This coming weekend he is coaching our Laser sailors who qualified for High School Nationals.

5.  Remember to sign-up for the Halloween Spooktacular the weekend of October 27 and 28.  The event is at Lake Forest...a rocking' weekend.  We have Coach Mitch and Coach Abby lined up.....
5a.  Sign-up on the Google doc and with the event.

6.  Loading for Lake Forest will happen this Sunday after practice.

7.  Mitch wrote an excellent summary of the Midwest Championships and I will post in the blog.

8.  If any questions or comments, please let me know.

Cheers,
DG

P:  (312) 213-1181
E:  gerber@chicagoyachtclub.org

Friday, October 12, 2018

1.  Happy Friday evening.

2.  Nice group of 7 on the water this evening with a few other participants for the unload.  Thank you.

3.  Youssef made Chicago this week and is around to assist this weekend.  He is not our head-coach.  Giving him some time to say hello and check it all out.

4.  For the weekend, we have Meg Six and Peter Holz to lead the charge and coach.

5.  October 20 and 21 we have Mitch Hall.

6.  October 27 and 28, The Halloween Spooktacular we have Mitch Hall and Abby McFaydgen.

7.  November 3 and 4 we have Youssef and on Sunday, November 4...we will do a pot-luck...details to follow.

See all of you tomorrow morning, rigged and ready at 9am.

Cheers,
DG




Monday, October 1, 2018

Monday, October 1.

Awesome weekend.  Congratulations to all of our Chicago Yacht Club sailors.  Great kids, parents and coaches.

Plan for the week:

Mitch will coach an Opti practice on Wednesday from 4pm to 630pm.

Also, we are staffing the race course in Holland, MI this weekend with Mitch on the RWB course and Abby on the Green fleet course.  Therefore, no practice at Chicago Yacht Club this weekend.  If you still want to go to Holland, MI and the JO Festival please sign-up in the next 24 hours...so we have a count.  The load/reload will happen at Wednesday's practice.

Let me know if you have questions.

gerber@chicagoyachtclub.org or (312)213-1181.

Cheers.



Monday, September 24, 2018

Monday, September 24.

First, great to have Mitch join us this past weekend and see so many kids on the water.  Awesome.

Second, plan for the week.
We will load on Wednesday afternoon/evening.  Around 5pmish.  Between the 2 trailers, we have enough space.

All of the assets will drive to Lake Geneva on Friday morning.  We are planning a 2pm unload at the Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Friday with a 3pm-530pm practice.

Registration closes at 6pm.

We have a very nice group attending the event.

If anyone has questions, please let me know.

Cheers,
DG



Upcoming events:
JO's in Macatawa Bay...the weekend of October 6 and 7

Halloween Spooktacular....the weekend of October 27 and 28

Other news:
Midwinters in November....Thanksgiving.  We want to know how is attending by the Halloween Spooktacular.  Thank you.

Orange Bowl....yes, we will train in advance...details arriving shortly.  Somewhere around December 22.

Friday, September 14, 2018

All,

Good morning from Rhode Island.

Our 2018 Resolute Cup team is sailing well...hoping that continues.  As an inspiration to our Opti Team...we are the youngest team here competing.  2 at age 21, 1 at age 23 (skipper Will Holz) and 1 at 32.

The plan for the weekend is Meg Six tomorrow and Jay Kehoe on Sunday.

As for today, Friday, we have no coach.  Our apologies.  If your student/athlete would like to sail, please bring them to Chicago Yacht Club.  We have High School scholastic practice today.

If anyone has comments or questions please call me.

(312) 213-1181...I am on the water and have my phone.

Cheers,
DG


Wednesday, September 12, 2018

We have a fantastic group of kids signed up for the Fall.  Great to see our Green and Lime fleets continue to grow.

Remember:  Orange Bowl sign-up this morning.  8am CDT.

US Sailing Number, credit card and other information on your child.

Good luck.

A couple of questions about upcoming coaching and I will update the "blog" later today.

Foggy this AM in Newport.

Cheers,
DG


Friday, September 7, 2018

Great Meeting Wednesday evening.....thank you to all who attended.

1.  We moved some boats on the pad......big wedding at CYC Belmont this weekend.  All gear is in the rack.....please be patient and look the gear is there.

2.  Register with US Sailing.  Register with the USODA.  Orange Bowl sign-up on September 12.

3.  Registration for Midwest Champs on September 12.

4.  Register with Chicago Yacht Club:

Please include the link to register.  https://theclubspot.com/register/IPHUrJ0O2b

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Meeting, Meeting, Meeting.

All Opti parents for Chicago Yacht Club.

We have a parent meeting, tomorrow, Wednesday evening at Chicago Yacht Club Belmont Station.

Time:  7pm.

Thank you,
Chicago Yacht Club Opti Team


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Update for all Chicago Yacht Club Opti parents

All,

We are going to use the Opti Blog to update you all on current events at Chicago Yacht Club Opti Sailing.

Make sure you check the Chicago Yacht Club Opti Blog at least 2-3 times a week.

Cheers,
DG


Tuesday, May 8, 2018

2018 USODA Team Trials Regatta Report

Hi everybody, 

This is Juan Ignacio Mazzini, Spring Coach for the CYC Opti fleet. 
During the month of April I had the pleasure to coach the Chicago Yacht Club Optimist fleet and help with the preparation for Team Trials. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather in Chicago this Spring, but the kids did their best and sailed in super cold conditions. 
Luckily we also train in Miami for 7 days, including a preparation regatta (Spring Fleet Regatta) and after that, Team Trials, a 4-day Regatta in which kids to represent USA overseas are selected. 

During the training days we were able to get used to Miami conditions. We had different conditions, but mostly NE winds during the mornings at 5-7 Knots, and picking up during the afternoon with the sea breeze, coming from the SE at 12 Knots and choppy waters with some current. 

Team Trials was hosted at Key Biscayne Yacht Club, and 222 kids from all over the Country that were pre-selected for this event were there ready to race. 

During racing days we had mix conditions, from no wind to up to 16 Knots and no racing day due to Thunderstorms. 
Overall was a super mental regatta with very long days at sea and CYC opti kids did awesome. 

After 8 races for gold fleet, Peter Barnard (13 years old) got 21st and Christian Prendergast (12 years old) got 28th, both qualifying for representing USA overseas this summer. 
And in silver fleet Annie Samis, who is only 11 years old and first time racing in a Team Trials, got 59th, amazing result for such a young sailor. 

Thank you CYC, opti kids, opti parents and Julia Melton, hope to see you soon! 


Juan Ignacio Mazzini



Tuesday, April 17, 2018

YouTube Opti Boat handling Videos

Green Fleeters!!   We're working on speed and boathandling - Particularly Roll Tacks!!
YouTube is full of great Opti Sailing Video Examples!! Please check out these videos before Practice this weekend... So we can get closer on the tacks & jibes!!


ROLL TACKS:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TfGALHmzig
   - Rayne from the British Virgin Islands - He's a small sailor, and does a great job vaulting across the CB Trunk in the tack.  (-Oliver take note!!)

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0o1Kn9aVy0&t=41s
   - Shirley Robertson talks sailors thru this roll tacking tutorial... video goes slow and emphasizes the hand switch we've been working on.
   -  Notice that the sailor remains seated until the boom passes overhead.

  - You did not believe me... but here is proof!! Look at how they hold the centerboard... This is a National team practice... but the sailors you see are my mostly Cow Harbor Sailing Team kids.  

-Amy Kehoe

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Gulf Coast Championship Regatta Write up-Jay Kehoe

Parents and sailors,

Thanks for a great weekend of sailing… Fairhope is an awesome place to sail and Gulf Coasts will definitely be on our dance card in the future.
This is a two part debrief, one for the parents and one for the sailors…

A few quick take aways…
Having the Team’s boats parked & rigged together was great, we should always try to make this happen… love it and love the team vibe of working together!
Food is our Fuel, with long days on the water, we need to upgrade our fuel to something that’s going to provide hours of energy, with protein, some carbs and some fiber.  We can never rely on the regatta-supplied to sustain our athletes. Part of what we need to practice is how to fuel ourselves for a long day on the water, and bring those bars, snacks with us.  We need to pack good and tasty energy-sustaining snacks… the Club lunches had a cookie the size of Grace’s face!  That much sugar will blow anyone’s concentration.
Pre-event practice…. Even though I was late arriving, and we made some great effort getting out on water, ideally we make more of this as a standard and fly/drive in the day before to get a full day in…
Sails, the J sail is nice out of the bag, but does not age well. Leeches looked shrunk (maybe too long in the hot van?).  To make the jump to the top level we have to Look at our sails critically and reassess their condition after each event. Three sails per year should cover the top contenders. A good schedule for replacing could be:
Three New Sails a year, depending on conditions (a windy event could put a new sail into tier 3 regatta status)
1.       For Team Trials, Spring International Events, then save for USODA Nationals
2.       For Summer International Events (Euros, NA’s)/save for ACC’s in the fall
3.       For Midwinters, Orange bowl/winter sailing
If one event is windy, then you might be adding one more sail…  use the last sail as practice sail. 
Winter Sailing: Looking back at this winter I think we have to look at our winter sailing options, ideally we sail Orange Bowl, Jan Team Race@ Hilton Head, First weekend of Feb practice in Florida, Valentines Day @St. Pete, Jenson Bch Spring Fling and then Gulf Coast Champs…I really like Gulf Coast as it is an easy regatta to win and do well and leave Fla feeling good..
Improve our stamina, strength and fitness!  The sailors know now that it is harder to sail and Opti in 5-8 kts than over 20.   Opti sailors need strength and stamina to hold uncomfortable squatting positions in light air, with explosive muscle power to rip off excellent roll tacks.   In wind they are quickly spent…… we need to come up with a good year round fitness program and follow it. (jay included)
Our CYC team has a great camaraderie – they all seem to have a great time together, but sometimes struggle when it is time to refocus and work… Focus is another point we should work on…
Hope this all helps…



Sailors!
Great event this weekend, while the results were not what we all wanted, hopefully we can get better at every event and learn…and next year run away with the Gulf Coast!

Pre event
I’m so proud of you all and glad our Team has a great time together, yet only one of you had a notebook. Focus was strained at times…
Food, skip the pre-race doughnut… even Michael Phelps saved those to the end!  Lets make sure we start off healthy and find some better fuel for our racers; protein from eggs, even protein shakes, fruit, whole grains. 
Develop a regatta food-fuel plan, we’ve learned regatta supplied lunches not reliably good.  But no one really had a plan to eat during the day and what to eat….or drink! Have a water with a squirt top so you can sail & drink. Add some gatorade to water to give you some electrolytes.  Pack your food for the day and label the bag so the coach can give it to you right away… and keep a snack (or 2) in your boat for fast access.
Coach boat etiquette… I am not a fan of sailors on my boat… I don’t go on yours, why should you be allowed on mine? 
I learned a long time ago, when sailors are on my boat, their game-brain turns off a bit and it takes time to get it back… Once a coach talks to you and gives you pointers, it is time to test and see what is going on… put the coach’s comments into play, eat a bit, come back to the coach with a question and give up the food bag… the 5 minutes before the next start are yours, look at the line, sail the line and look up wind… maybe take a quick pee!
Pre-race plan, test…not only your speed which we did a good job of… but what side works… sail the start line at least 10 times… put your plan together then make sure you know what your back up is…
Starts…

I will try and share some videos but here are some good diagrams of what I was talking about in debriefs:


TIGHT RIGHT WIDE LEFT!
Text Box: #2 here has plenty of room to bear off and get speed

Text Box: Yellow has no runway to pick up speed






Text Box: Port Tack approach, Green 7 makes  Red 1 his marshmallow!









Text Box: So Green spots the marshmallow… and tacks bow forward and tight



Text Box: Here Blue Ducks green to get up close on yellow, yellow tacks and blue goes with them and tacks back, BOW forward








That leverage thing I kept talking about:

Pretty huge when you look at what young Grace had here for Leverage






While she did not round in the top 10 she was nearly top 20… if she just held on at the top and not got into a tacking duel with herself…  BUT why did it work? Front coming in from New Orleans caused a bit of pressure on the right!  Remember the weather we talked about in the am!

Why did the left pay? Lee shore effect!


Wind wants to come off the land at right angles to the land… pretty cool… so we always had a bit of a shift on the Fairhope side of the race area.

Current:
Current
We had a lot of wind driven current… meaning water flow was moving hard with the wind… at the weather mark it paid to either come in on port or over stand a bit…



Text Box: Here yellow is caused to sail below mark due to current.  Blue ducks and tacks above lay line…





Text Box: Did you notice how there was always a bit more wind in front of the cloud

Look at the clouds!




Overall great weekend… I know there is a lot more to cover here but this is a good start for your notebooks…
I will try and get the photos and some of the video on that U Tube thing… not the most technical…

Thanks for welcoming me back to “Charlies Angels”  now Evan’s Angels! 


You have come a LONG WAY BABY!!!

Jay Kehoe