The Frozen Few 2010-2011

Frostbite racing results for 12/5/2010 (after the yellow ducks?)

YELLOW DUCKS?    The following enthusiastic note describes how nine of the  Frozen Few, in SunFish, chased bright yellow ducks around the race course at Edgewood this week - - thank you for your report Catherine!

Four oversized Rubber Duckies stared down the Frozen Fleet in Race 3, and sent skippers spinning their SunFish in all directions, including upside down.

An addendum to the Sailing Instructions was posted, as required, one hour before the first whistle with special rules for the day crafted by dastardly and ingenious Stuart, the Race Committee. Before skippers were allowed to round the windward mark, they had to capture a duck. Before leaving the three boat length zone around the mark, the duck had to be released back into the wild. 

Since there were fewer ducks than boats, The Frozen Few quickly realized that they had to devise impromptu boat handling strategies while observing the rules and still sailing fast! Precision and careful balance was required when approaching and leaning out to pick up a slippery duck in a twitchy SunFish. Leaning to leeward was considered a calculated risk for capsize.

Slithering over the top of the hull during a duck dueling capsize, Rob executed a nice "step-over recovery" landing on the daggerboard. He dove back into the cockpit without getting wet as the sailboat righted itself, and he still scooped up the rascally duck on the way back up!

Weather conditions were chilly in the upper 30s with winds from the Northwest.  Five Races were completed (T, O, W2 under special rules, T, W). David W. took the day's win, followed by Fauss. Tie breaker rules also favored Doug edging out Catherine.  Catherine "protested" Jeff for politely suggesting skippers murder the Race Committee upon arrival back at the club. The idea was quickly scrapped, since skippers were having so much fun chasing ducks.

And from my perspective . . . 

Yes! Sunday was exciting!  Lots of cool stuff happened.

 During one of T races, I had just rounded the leeward mark, and was making for the Gybe mark. Fauss passed me, but took a moment to let me know how I could sail faster by lifting the board a little, which I forgot! I made adjustments, and did nearly catch up by the time we reached the next mark! 

I also crossed the starting line, on port tack, right in the middle of the line, on time, with nobody in the way! I mostly did it, because I looked around and saw that I could! There was a  wind shift at thirty seconds that sent some early folks heading toward the pin end to avoid being too soon. I was sort of in that group. Everyone else was running a little late and bunched up at the other end! I just tacked and took off through the middle! I think that was the start for the last race, where I came in 4th.

Gene also capsized during the duck race, was assisted by the safety boat, and did not finish. He did continue on to sail the other races, and was in good spirits!

Doug got a third! He was sailing really well all day too! There was really good energy among all the sailors!

The duck race strategies might be worth a mention, since the leaders were feeling pressured to fetch the ducks first, and some of the upstarts from the back of the pack aimed for the mark, looking to be there waiting for the ducks to arrive by boat!

We're looking forward to next Sunday (when, by the way, Bill S will be Race Committee Skipper, and chef - - having missed his chance last week).

Thank you Race Committee !

C

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Skipper \ CourseScore
1David W.221229
2Fauss1154112
3Jeff8341319
4Jonathan C.4536523
5Dave Saunders342DNC 10DNC 1029
6Doug7773630
7Catherine5885430
8Rob H.6667833
9GeneDNC 10DNC 10DNF 108745

Addendum to the Sailing Instructions for 12/5/2010

On December 5, 2010, during any race designated by the Race Committee as a "Special Race", in addition to those rules described in Sailing Instructions (Edgewood Yacht Club, Frostbite Racing 2010-2011 Sailing Instructions) the following rules and definitions will apply.

Frostbite racing results for 11/28/2010

Competition is heating up for The Frozen Few! This Sunday drew a dozen skippers to race Sunfish with Edgewood's frostbite fleet. Race Committee set up 5 standard courses, a T, W2, G, W2, and O. The sixth race was an unexpected bonus, a hefty WL jaunt upwind to Green Can 5 at Port Edgewood and back to the finish line. Northerly winds were variable and shifty with mild temperatures in the low 40s. 

Kyle got the best score for the day with 14 points, followed by David W. and Ray W. 

The fleet also welcomed new skipper, Kevin, who arrived at the start of the 5th race, and sailed on to win it!  RC Stuart remarked that "it sounded like crispy paper when he tacked!" After eight years suspended in its unopened packaging, Kevin unfolded his "brand new" sail and sent it flying! 

Dave S. received thanks for serving as this week's Race Committee skipper and chef.  Bill S. volunteered for next week. 

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Skipper \ CourseScore
1Kyle13313314
2David W.44632120
3Ray W.35156222
4Jeff61824526
5Fauss52245DNC 1331
6Dave Saunders264107635
7Jonathan C.87568842
8Doug7107910750
9Rob H.11910791056
10KevinDNC 13DNC 13DNC 13DNC 131457
11Catherine10119811958
12Bill S.981111DNS 131163

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