Canandaigua Lake RC Laser Sailing

The first day works out all the bugs.

It seems that just about everyone had issues on day one.  Jack Bennett was able to repair his on/off switch just before racing started without any assistance  (well done Jack).  Gary Schmidt was able to change out a bad servo during the 3rd race and was racing the next heat (I believe it may have been in record time).  Jay Niggli’s boat arrived but was never able to come to the water (problem unknown).  Anne Lambert’s boat was cursed with faulty wiring during the first race and needed to be rescued (may have been caused by all the shivering she did before actually launching).  And even my boat hobbled back to the docks to change out what I believed was a fully charged battery pack (sometimes I hear Anne down in the den, where I keep my boat, and wonder what she is doing).

Anna Gorbold (PRO) started us with a 3 race one lap something or other series to chill all the hot hands and then fit us in 4 official races before everyone agreed that the cold was winning and Maggie’s chili was waiting.

This Sunday (4/7) we will be racing 2pm – 4pm on Riley Lake just off Culver Rd. in Rochester.  This year we will again have a separate series award for all the races that we hold there. 7 race dates are scheduled for that location, 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10.  Scoring will be 40% throw outs for  races held.

A special thanks to RAMYA & Walt Bankes for allowing us to be included on their permit to use Riley Lake this year. We hope that many of their members will join us in racing wherever we are throughout the year.

Bill & Mary Schmidt have again offered there home ( 254 Fair Oaks Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 ) and Mary’s home made Lasagna for this Sunday.  If you are planning on attending please reach out to Mary (subfish77720@gmail.com ) for any appetizers, breads, or desserts you might want to add  so we don’t overdue it.

Barbie’s Boat renamed “USS ENTERPRISE” for boldly going where no boat has gone this year

In other news – it looks like the ice has left the channels and taken most of the weeds with it.  Barbie’s Boat was sent on a discovery mission and returned safely to dock without incident.  Therefore it is all “GO” for the walkabout races to be held April 14th at Holiday Harbor.

            The torch has been lit and the socks have been burned.

News travels fast when it is announced that RC races are about to take place.

Spectators gathering for the races

Hull # 272 Barbie’s Boat

The second race was abandoned due to mechanical difficulties ( The main sheet came unclipped).

Drawing straws to see who retrieves Barbie’s Boat

The meal was great, the food abundant, wine was served, conversation was mostly about the use of certain words that get thrown about when racing, and the “Once upon a Vine” story was told by Admiral Nelson.

Conclusion of the “Once Upon a Vine” Story

 Unable to make it to the event, Gary Schmidt, feeling depressed and left out, sent flowers.   “Thank You”  Gary

So Thoughtful

On a more serious note:

Racing begins this Sunday ( 2pm till 4pm)  at 423 Holiday Harbor if the ice has retreated. If not, we will simply move to the yacht club and return following the races for Maggie Atkins’ home made chili that she has so graciously offered. (As always, any of our RAMYA members are welcome to join us for racing and/or chili.)

It is also that time when we once again ask our members to pay their dues for the 2013 season. Annual dues for Fleet #14 RC Lasers expired at the end of October 2012. If you have not yet paid, your payment of $20 makes you an active member from 11/01/12 thru 10/31/13.

You can still pay your dues online! Click here.

The Spring Meet will soon be underway!!!!!!!!

“Health Warning” Do not attempt to roast marshmallows and always stand upwind.

Wednesday March 20th at precisely 6:53 EDT the city of Canandaigua will begin celebrating the arrival of Spring Equinox.  Although it is not a National Holiday as of yet, the RC Laser Fleet 14 sailors are planning on having their annual burning of the socks ceremony at 423 Holiday Harbor Canandaigua, NY .

Beginning at 5PM, Anne & Nelson will be at the cottage to welcome all that would like to attend.  You don’t have to bring a boat, but if the weather permits we will set out marks for you to tune up your racing skills.  Another advantage of bringing your boat is that if  we race and you finish out of the money we will have the fire going so that you can throw in both your socks and your boat.  You are asked to bring just 1 pair of socks due to the diminished air quality it causes.

Anne will be serving ham and potatoes, so if you feel like adding to it, an appetizer or dessert would be welcome.  Nelson is planning on having wine to go with dinner.

As it stands at this point, the first official race date for the spring meet will be March 24th (2PM) at 423 Holiday Harbor. The ice is fading from the channel so that we can see the conditions for racing.  The main channel where the water is deepest may be OK but the finger channels have many weeds left over from last year.  This could cause us to abandon our walkabout race later this spring.  I will pay close attention to it and keep you updated.

Polish your bottoms and charge up your batteries!!!!!!!!!   30,20,10,GO!!!!

The 2013 North American Championship  is planned for March 1-3, 2013 at Marco Island, FL.

For the link to NOR and registration go to www.rclaserna.com

Many of the racers that came to Canandaigua will be there plus many more.

It is a great opportunity to get away from the snow and polish your skills in the warmth of Marco Island.

They are a very hospitable bunch and would enjoy our company “for sure”.  So, if you are planning on leaving the cold this winter you should fit it into your calender if you can.

In a stunning upset, Bill Schmidt races to victory in the Frostbite series 2013.  With a net score of 95 it bested Jonathan Gorbold (2nd) with a score of 99.

I must mention that Jonathan did not compete the final week due to a pre-scheduled vacation to Scotland. But I am sure that he will re-think the timing of such a trip given the consequences.  Third place goes to the Hallagan/Pope team who managed to just keep finishing “well” unnoticed.

In the Riley Lake series it was once again Bill Schmidt who avoided the most calamities to take another victory.  Hats off to Terry Schmidt who rallied back the last week to finish 2nd unseating Jack Bennett who held on to 3rd.  For the complete results (click here).

It is also that time when we ask our members to pay their dues for the 2013 season. Annual dues for Fleet #14 RC Lasers expired at the end of October 2012. Your payment of $20 makes you an active member from 11/01/12 thru 10/31/13.

You can pay your dues online! Click here.

Or if you prefer to write a check you should make it payable to:

RC Laser Fleet #14    and send it to our treasurer

Maggie Atkins 4314 Deep Run Canandaigua, NY  14424

Thank you for your membership.

♥  Happy Holidays To All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ho Ho Ho  spring is right around the corner.

In keeping with tradition, the top three finishers of the Frostbite Series will be awarded a “Jefferson Cup” engraved with your name and place of finish on sailors night 2013.  “It is still anyone’s race.”  Currently Johathan Gorbold holds the top spot but will be absent for the final week.  Jack Bennett follows in second and Bill Schmidt in third.

Pressure in the final week at Riley Lake is expected to come from Nelson Habecker (4th), Terry Schmidt (5th), Jay Niggli (6th), Dan Pope (7th) Anne Lambert (8th) and Neil Atkins (9th).  Any one of them can easily move up in the standings to earn the “CUP”.

Many more photos have been added to the Riley Lake album for all to view.  This photo leaves us wondering whether Anne is ducking another boat or just watching Jack’s back. ??????

Nine boats raced on Sunday with temps in the upper 60′s and winds relatively light.  Racing was called off by Anna at 3:30 for lack of wind and all retired to Bill and Mary’s home for delicious soup, bread, apple pie and very CHARGED political conversation.

Thanks to Mary and Bill!!!!!

I believe that the conversation helped bring all of us closer together. “LOL”

Sunday the 18th will be the final week for the Frostbite Series at Riley Lake.  Once again the start time is 2PM and racing expected to last till 4PM.  Following that, there will be an End of Season/ Holiday dinner of “Chicken Devon” at Anne and Nelson’s home at 47 Englewood Hill Pittsford, NY..  All are invited to come hungry with an appetiser or dessert (if you wish) but please leave your political views and shoes at the door.  (Anne hates to clean.)

“WHAT A GREAT FLEET”

“Anna Gorbold (PRO) calling all racers to the start”

The snowflakes in the air confirmed we have properly named this series “The Frostbite Series” BUT….

Johathan Gorbold has a 1 point lead over Terry Schmidt, who has a 1 point lead over Jack Bennett after two weeks of racing.  After that comes Bill Schmidt who has a 2 point lead over Jay Niggli, who has a 1/2 point lead over Nelson Habecker.  The handicap format makes it difficult to take a day off and still hold your position…”Interesting” …  Johathan will miss the final week of racing and Terry will miss next week’s racing. That leaves Jack, Jay, and Nelson just waiting to pounce.

Check it out “Results”

With racing this close we would not dare to change the venue to give any advantage, so the last two weeks of racing are planned to be held at Riley Lake.  Post time will be 2pm for the next two Sundays.

We once again have invited our RAMYA friends to join us and become the spoilers for those at the top.  It is always more fun when you have more boats on the water.

The weather forecast is for a wonderful weekend with plenty of sunshine and temps. in 90s.  “OOPS” I mean 60s.

“Thank You” Anna & Johathan for the Black Bean Soup and hospitality last week.

Apr-es:

This week Mary and Bill Schmidt have offered their home again ( 254 Fair Oaks Ave., Rochester, NY) for soup and breads.  She’ll have the soup if we’ll bring the breads or something to pass.

There should be much to discuss after racing….

RC Fleet #14 & RAMYA Members – Oct 28, Lake Riley

The sails got wet and so did we!:) No Pictures as we could hardly see between the rain”drips”! Yes.. we were DRIPPIN!!

It was a relatively warm rain and we were among friends so…. IN All That Mattered..  ALL was GOOD!!

We were accompanied by several from the Rochester Fleet being that we were on their home turf!

Scores were after 5 races as follows:

• Nett    7      Johathan Gorbold
•             9      Terry Schmidt
•            10      Jack Bennett
•             11      Gary Schmidt
•             20    Jay Niggli
•             22     John Yost
•            23.5   Nelson Habecker
•           27.5     Anne Lambert
•           36        Bob Rotolo

The excuses were:

1.  Bob had a servo problem that prevented him from tacking.
2.  Anne spent much of her time under wraps trying to stay dry.
3.  I (Nelson) just wanted to stay close to Anne.

For the complete scoring results click on the (Results Tab) Riley Lake Series.

Apres Festivities:

We were hosted by Mary and Bill Schmidt for a toasty fire, some delightful gabber and A-A-AWesome Lasagna!

THANK YOU!

Next week Nov 4^th - we will be at Riley Lake once again and Racing will start  at 2 pm.  The weather forcast is for a much brighter day with temps around 50 degrees.

We have received a WARM WELCOME  from Anna and Jonathan Gorbold for APRES SAILING FESTIVITIES at their home (3 South Pittsford Circle, Pittsford, NY 14534).

The menu is Anna’s YUMMY…Hot Black Bean Soup- It will warm our spirits!

Riley Lake is just off Interstate 490 at the Culver Rd. Exit

This coming Sunday we will be holding Week 3 of our Frostbite Series on Riley Lake in Rochester  from 2-4PM.  Also invited to race with us are any members of RAMYA that would like to participate.  Following racing Bill & Mary Schmidt have offered their home ( 254 Fair Oaks Ave., Rochester, NY) as a place to settle our on the water protests and warm ourselves up.

Week #2 of racing at Steamboat Landing was anything but a drifter.  Many Sailors were seen switching from “C” sails to “D” and back. I am sure that wind gusts exceded 20 knots at times which made not only  racing your boat difficult but also controling it between races.  At one point I thought I had secured my boat on the docks under a cleat only to turn around and find Tracy fetching out of the water for me.  “PHEW”.  I was able to return the favor later when she attempted to stop her boat from going under the docks by grabing the sail mast.  Yep, the mast came out and the boat kept going.  Leaning over the dock on the other side my fingers where just long enough to grab before it would have been out of reach.  “PHEW AGAIN”.

For the remainder of is series it has been decided that Fleet 14 will be racing in a handicap format based on racing experience and ability.  Each racer will be given a stagered start time for the remainder of this series based on their handicap.  Our intention is to allow all of us to experience the thrill of leading and holding off challanges to win races.  Those with the least experience will start 90 seconds before the start of the most experienced.  All others will be started somewhere between.  We hope that this format will be fun for all and encourge more racers to participate.

The Crescendo of the Sailing Season

Awards were abundant for the Talented RC Sailors

Bill Blevins – Top Prize: Ultimat Vodka

Jonathan Gorbold- 2^nd Place

Jay Nigley- 3^rd Place

2012 Ladies Fleet

Tracy Blevins – Top Prize: Champagne

Terry Schmidt - 2^nd Place

Anne Lambert- 3^rd Place

The night was appropriately Topped off with Friendship and 007… Yes CYC Chef/Staff and Pauline served us well!

…Drum Roll Please…..

It’s a New Day and a New Sailing Season for the RC’s

Remember Dues are Due ($20 per sailor… Thanks to those that have already sealed their position in 2013 Season.)

The Frostbite Series started 10/14 and the baton has been passed!

2013 Slate of Officers:

• Fleet Captain: Nelson Habecker
• Website: Gary Schmidt
• Scorer: Jonathan Gorbold
• Secretary: Maggie Atkins
• PRO: Anna Gorbold