PSSA CATALINA TO PORT THE SEARCH FOR NEMO and more...

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "PSSA CATALINA TO PORT THE SEARCH FOR NEMO and more..."

Reynold Lester Nelson
5 years ago
Views:

1 PSSA CATALINA TO PORT THE SEARCH FOR NEMO and more... PHOTO CREDIT Jerome Sammarcelli in the PSSA Race - Catalina to Port MAY MINDANAO WAY. MARINA DEL REY. CA

GENERAL INFORMATION ADDRESS: 13445 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 PHONE NUMBER: 310.306.2787 MEMBERSHIP REPORT FLAG.................... NON-RESIDENT........... LIFE TIME................ TOTAL.

2 GENERAL INFORMATION ADDRESS: Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA PHONE NUMBER: MEMBERSHIP REPORT FLAG NON-RESIDENT LIFE TIME TOTAL YACHT CLUB OFFICERS COMMODORE KARYN JONES VICE COMMODORE STEVE VINCENT REAR COMMODORE NICK SAMPSON COMMODORE S REPORT Karyn Jones April Showers really? No it s true, and you were there we actually had April showers. In fact, it showered so much that we weren t able to have our spring cruise to Catalina. But I think it was a good decision when we started looking at the weather ten days out. It was a hit or miss if the storm came in early and by the Monday night before Friday s cruise, Cruise chair Sandy B. gave the heads up that it was definitely a hit and we made the final call. We live to cruise another day, and our boats are most likely in better condition for it. Other boats however have not been so lucky this past month and my thoughts and prayers go out to the racers that sailed their last tack both in San Francisco and during the Newport Ensenada Race. Their untold experiences are with them in the sea and we can never know what they may have learned in those instances had they survived. We can only deduce from our personal investigations what critical factors came into play. We can learn from their mistakes. They serve as a reminder to all of us that the sea is untamable and demands respect. Even on a calm night things can go seriously wrong and we have to be aware of our surroundings at all time. Those lost at sea brought worldwide attention to how dangerous our sport can be. It s a shame they didn t also get to bring to the world s attention on how much they enjoyed it and why they were out there in the first place. As boaters we can all relate to that. We sail for the risk and the reward of a safe passage, regardless of whether we cruise, day sail or race. If we wanted to live in a cage, we would stay at home and watch TV. But we don t. We experience life at a completely different level. Knowing that we have no control over what the weather does, or how our boats are going to handle a certain situation that unexpectedly comes up, we choose to participate. Here at the home front, several South Coast Corinthians are doing just that. Debbie Sampson, has done a fabulous job in club entertainment. Race chair, Vincent Paternoster has been steadily prepping the club for the next race and will keep us all posted on how everyone is doing. Bruce Fleck has taken on the position for PRO for the Sunstroke Series. Karm Estlow was the first to step up to cook, feeding a hungry and happy crowd pulled pork sandwiches with an amazing coleslaw. Trevor Bazely is at the club most ever day to meet and greet new faces around the marina (not to mention the rest of familiar faces that can t seem to stop talking about boat repairs, cruising and racing). Robert Symer and Trish LaVay have been working behind the scenes with SC Jerry Magnussen to bring a little more light to the club. Matt Schulz has had a successful month with the Life Sail program building and sailing Optimist dinghies. So read on, and have a fun and safe month on the water South Coast. If you ve got a story to share, Beacon Editor Nik Vale would be glad to hear from you. Just send your article to him at nik@opensailingusa.com. See you at the club! MAY 2012 PAGE 2 / 8

A tour through the April Social Scene at SCCYC Although Friday

the club for the Board game night and BBQ hosted by Charles

Games from Apples to Apples, Jenga and Tabu were enjoyed.

Membership Dinner Turned into a Nemo Solidarity Party The

Nemo the new club mascot had been missing since Mach 23rd,

The board and members met some of the kidnappers demands at

3 A tour through the April Social Scene at SCCYC Although Friday the 13th was wet and very windy around 20 members still got to the club for the Board game night and BBQ hosted by Charles and Joanna Smith. Games from Apples to Apples, Jenga and Tabu were enjoyed. Jenga Mania! Membership Dinner Turned into a Nemo Solidarity Party The April membership turned into a Nemo solidarity party. Nemo the new club mascot had been missing since Mach 23rd, photos and demands have been sent to the SCCYC board. The board and members met some of the kidnappers demands at the party, but Nemo has still not been returned. Wolfie looking very sad Noah taking Karyns place with Nick and Steve shot gunning a bud light! Tracey supporting Nemo MAY 2012 PAGE 3 / 8

Saturday 12 th May 138½ Kentucky Race Derby At SCCYC 4.30PM 9.

Bill and Maggie Anderson - live performance of bluegrass, gospel,

Under starters orders 6.30pm Will you be joining us?

the bar. Save the date! You've asked for it! Now you've got it!

to the 1812 Overture with cannons and pyrotechnics, They feature stars

4 Saturday 12 th May 138½ Kentucky Race Derby At SCCYC 4.30PM 9.00PM Don t miss it Horse Racing from Round the World Sweepstakes, Live music and Luxury Buffet! Don your pretty dresses, hats, fedoras or just dress for fun! Bill and Maggie Anderson - live performance of bluegrass, gospel, americana, and traditional music 4.30pm to 6.15pm Derby buffet from 5pm. Under starters orders 6.30pm Will you be joining us? Help us get the catering numbers right by signing the catering sheet at the bar. Save the date! You've asked for it! Now you've got it! Wine tasting with: Friday 8th June, 6pm at SCCYC. More information to follow... Sept 8th at 8pm - Tchaikovsky and fireworks This year, in addition to the 1812 Overture with cannons and pyrotechnics, They feature stars from American Ballet Theatre in famous pas de deux from Swan Lake and from their new production of The Nutcracker. I have 5 tickets remaining TICKETS ARE $35. If you would like to join us me at debs744@hotmail.com MAY 2012 PAGE 4 / 8

5 Busy Guest Dock Sunstroke Series Starts (by Debbie Sampson) Sunset Series Starts (by Debbie Sampson) The return of Nemo! Pogo 2 Racing Kidnapped Nemo! MAY 2012 PAGE 5 / 8

6 I was running a little behind that morning. The sun was out and there was no wind in MDR when I left the dock (9am). Shortly after leaving, I could see a wind line and quickly took 2 reefs in the main, just in time to be hit by 20 knots of wind. I didn t see less than 20 knots until I finished Catalina to Port on Pogo 2 USA 806 The start was crazy: I didn t know who was racing and who took the start. I didn t recognize any boats and the only ones I remember were Slow Poke (Ranger 23) heading back and shortly after Tenacity (J133) under reefed genoa leeward of me. Before the start, I had to go forward to run a new sheet before I could reef the 110% jib down. This cost me to be very late, I guess minutes behind the first starters.i could see 3 boats ahead of me. Not sure who this was. Didn t see Slacker until I spotted him with his spinnaker near the East End of catalina. The way to the island was brutal. Not sure how well my instruments are calibrated but the tight reach to the West End of Catalina Island was gusting 30 knots, probably an average of 27 knots. Waves were crazy, and I found myself airborne in the cockpit, hanging onto the lifeline several times because waves were hitting the boat side ways, hard. For the first time, I had 3 reefs in the main and the reefed jib. I must say that even if the conditions were tough, it was the right amount of sail. The boat was going up and down the waves. Most of the time, I was able to slide down the waves without slamming the boat down but a few times, the boat was dropping hard behind a waves. I got hosed off of course. If I was soaking wet outside, I was still dry inside and was never cold. The autopilot was doing its job when needed on the reach to catalina but I barely used it. In this kind of waves action, it takes a real person to drive around a limit the damages. I was getting closer to the 2 boats I could see. One (found out at the finish that this was Todd) was reefed down and making good progress. I could now identify the other boat and was surprised to realize that it was a J24. Finally someone with bigger balls than me: I could see 2 bodies on the boat and thought it was crazy of them to sail without a reef. Well, they explained that same evening that that sail didn t have a reef and was basically flogging all the way to the west end. That s one way to destroy a sail I rounded the island pretty much with these 2 boats and quickly passed Todd which went for a nap and warm lunch. Todd, I envied you at that point. The J24 was changing headsail for their larger 155%. I was not in the mood to set spinnaker. I have a mast head, a fractional medium and a smaller spinnaker. The fractional medium was the only one I could use in this breeze (still gusting in high twenties and bad sea) but with the spinnaker up, I knew it was going to be tough being overpowered. I therefore took 2 reefs out of the main and the jib, sailing downwind, slowly but surely. Surfing the waves, I was doing 12 knots but averaging downwind about 8 knots. After probably an hour on the back side of Catalina, with a little food in my stomach and the tough part behind, I found myself motivated to set the spinnaker, forgetting that this was going to be bad. In a low (25 knots), the spinnaker went up without any issues and the boat speed jumped from 8 to 15 knots. I only had the spinnaker up for 20 minutes. My speed was never below 15 knots, rushing from one wave to another and my top speed was 19.1 knots. If the speed was good, the sea state was making my life miserable. Shortly after setting the spinnaker, I rounded up. No big deal but it is always annoying. I quickly got the boat back on track and speed went right up again. I was bearing away in the waves and coming back up before hitting the MAY 2012 PAGE 6 / 8

I was still back up in speed and doing 15 knots when I put everything that I had to bring the spinnaker in one piece in the cockpit. The loads were crazy but I still got the spinnaker back in the bag.

If they thought about putting the kite up, and considering my 2 broaches, they were better off wing on wing with their 155%.

7 I was still back up in speed and doing 15 knots when I put everything that I had to bring the spinnaker in one piece in the cockpit. The loads were crazy but I still got the spinnaker back in the bag. After that, I being fairly tired and cramped, I figured the last thing to do was to gybe back inside the island and to the finish. PRESENTS The J24 was making some ground. If they thought about putting the kite up, and considering my 2 broaches, they were better off wing on wing with their 155%. With still one reef in the main and the small jib, I was underpowered but it was easy. I could now see the other boat (which I never spotted at the start). I could recognize my friend Whitall with a spinnaker up. Whitall, I didn t know you could have a smaller spinnaker than the one you usually carry! Way to go. Finishing was great. The seas were calmer and clear, there was a little less wind and it is great to sail 0.2 mile from the island with 150 feet of water. I turned the outboard on soon after the finish, took the sails down but ready to go back up just in case. Staying in the lee of the island, I was at the mooring opening my first beer. It was great to see all the finishers next to each other. We all had great stories to tell and margaritas and beers were running at the dinner table!! OFFSHORE MADNESS One sailors adventure racing 4,000 miles offshore across the Pacific Ocean aboard a 21 foot sailboat! Sleep deprivation, isolation, malnutrition: the 3 elements of torture! Learn how to deal with these as well as boat preparation, physical and mental training, budgeting, equipment, practicing, life aboard,... Video footage with intense moments like youʼve never experienced before! The trip back was awesome. As I always, we had a little motoring to do but overall, it was spinnaker and code 0 up the entire way. Eric, Robin, it was great to see you at the dock. Thank you again so much for the beer and walking my gear back to my office!! 5/17/12 Presented by Jerome Sammarcelli CALIFORNIA YACHT CLUB 7:30 PM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC NO ADMISSION CHARGE It was another great experience. Being the smallest boat in the fleet is a great motivation factor. I am sure it was tougher for me than the other boats in the fleet and I am glad I made it. With the right amount of sail area reaching, it was not so bad, except for the waves. Downwind, it could have been better with the right amount of sail area. Although I had sail the Pogo 2 in France and for the past 12 months in Southern California, saturday s 19.1 knots of boat speed was the fastest I have sailed the boat. I feel ready now and only know that I need to add a heavy air fractional spinnaker that I can fly safely in 30 knots. I have some footage of the race which you can find on YouTube or on the Open Sailing website. Congratulations to everyone who sailed out and those of finished. by Jerome Sammarcelli MAY 2012 PAGE 7 / 8

UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, May 12 @ 6:00pm Night at the races Sunday, May 13 Mother's Day Friday, May 18 @ 7:00pm General Membership Meeting and Dinner with Bruce Fleck Saturday, May 26 Corinthian Cup

Board Meeting Friday, June 8 Wine Tasting with a Speaker Friday, June 15 @ 7:00pm General Membership Meeting and Dinner with Lara Jacques Saturday, June 16 Lido Fleet 2 Championships Sunday, June 17

8 UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, May 6:00pm Night at the races Sunday, May 13 Mother's Day Friday, May 7:00pm General Membership Meeting and Dinner with Bruce Fleck Saturday, May 26 Corinthian Cup Sunday, May 27 Corinthian Cup Monday, May 28 Memorial Day Friday, June 7:00pm First Friday Dinner Saturday, June 2 Cal Race Week - CYC Sunday, June 3 Cal Race Week - CYC Sunday, June 6:00pm Board Meeting Friday, June 8 Wine Tasting with a Speaker Friday, June 7:00pm General Membership Meeting and Dinner with Lara Jacques Saturday, June 16 Lido Fleet 2 Championships Sunday, June 17 Father's Day Club Guest Policy A reminder to all members about our guest policy: when in the clubhouse, all members should wear their name tags. All guests need to be sponsored by a member, sign in the guest book along with their sponsor s name, and then wear a guest name tag. Officer of the Day Schedule MAY 2012 PAGE 8 / 8

STAR CLASS HISTORY CHAMPAGNE SERIES BLOWOUT 2012 SOCIAL CALENDAR and more... A PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH COAST CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB FEBRUARY 2012

STAR CLASS HISTORY CHAMPAGNE SERIES BLOWOUT 2012 SOCIAL CALENDAR and more... PHOTO CREDIT Free Spirit on a mooring in Catalina taken by Peter Beale FEBRUARY 2012 13445 MINDANAO WAY. MARINA DEL REY. CA