Racing Rules on Video

Try this racers. See the 16 video clips listed below.

Collection of Funny Moments in Sailing

As the author calls it -

Collection of funny moments in sailing. All filmed in last few years at practise and international regattas. Snow was in Athens, February 2004, with -18 degrees temperature. Celebration is filmed after winning 420 Europeans by Croatian team I was coaching, Matija Longin and Pavle Kostov.

I’d call it whitecaps, 420s, shredded spinnakers, rowdy mark roundings, Lasers and mayhem. Decide for yourself. - PW

Starting the new fleet of Hobie 16's

Here is an ad I recently saw on Craigslist. As Paul notes, those old Hobie 16's are cheap and plentiful! Now if there was a way to ship them cheaply!

There are also 4 or 5 Hobies at a house on the island in Big Lake northeast of the club.

16" Hobie Cat Sailboat - $500
Date: 2007-04-19, 9:28PM CDT

You are looking at an early 16' original Hobie Cat sailboat. Trailer is good. Boat has been in the weather but is complete. This is a great deal. Some Maintenance and you have a boat for the summer.

Those tippy FJs

Hello again. I promise not to go on and on about my sailing class, but it was so exciting I just want to tell a little more. We went out again today, Class #2. Wind conditions were about the same as last week, whipping. This time I sailed with a senior majoring in physics, named David. He learned to sail in high school on Cape Cod, but said he'd been out of boats for awhile. Well, he was terrific. We did go over twice, once a turtle that took both of us standing on the centerboard, once just half-way. But we managed to right our boat quickly, really fast the second time.

I'm the exact same age as his mom. Trying to do some of this stuff around these young folk is humbling, but also funny. When things got a little wild and some lively language slipped out from David, he apologized. I just laughed. Later, when we were going over the second time, I let out a choice word or two. He laughed. We had a good time.

Just yet we haven't really been racing. We're working on boat handling. We did a little buoy-rounding course today, but the coaches are working to get us to tack more efficiently and stay on a more direct course. Going downwind, they suggested we forgo jibing in today's conditions. Our teacher is head coach for the racing team, a big guy named Jay Kehoe, and his assistant coach, Amanda, a very tiny but very competent 20-something.

I can tell that I've developed a real sensitivity to the stability of the boat, which is completely unstable. Call it self-survival. We worked on reading the water for puffs, and how to handle them. I need more time on the water to gain competence and get my head "out of the boat," as they say.

Hoping for ongoing improvement. I'll say this; when I'm out on the water on a wonderful windy day like today, I think of nothing else but sailing. When I get back to shore, it is as if the wind wiped out all thought, any mental baggage or concern. I step back on shore as if I just landed from another planet. I have to think: OK, where am I going and what am I doing. Slowly the rest of the world returns.

Hope you are all well and making those plans for summer fun at Big Lake. These pix are grabbed off Flickr and have creative commons licenses, which means they can be shared for noncommercial uses. So I am sending them to you as little sailing postcards to enjoy as you think about sailing soon. Eventually I will send some pix I took...

/Kathleen

Hello from California

Dear Alaska Sailing Club friends,

I finally figured out how to sign on to the blog! It took coming all the way to Silicon Valley for some of the know-how to rub off, I guess.

Anyway, a few of you may remember I took the club's beginning sailing two summers ago with Cathy and Geoff, and sailed a few times, mostly in a little laser. Then I got a chance to go to school at Stanford for a year, and immediately signed up for sailing in the fall, which turned out to be windless. We went out anyway and sculled around for some action. Didn't learn a whole lot.

No sailing was offered in winter. But now that spring quarter is here, I have signed up for beginning racing. Last Wednesday, we had our first day out and the wind was whipping!

My sailing buddy, Doug from Seattle, and I turtled our FJ three times! So did everyone else in beginning racing.

An auspicious beginning. But I'll say this, the more wet I get, the more I learn.

I should be back in Alaska in July and will pay up my dues and get out for a few sails. I hope you all are well. I have been planning to get some shots of the boathouse here, and of some sails. Still working on all that...somehow it seems unwise to bring a camera out on the water just yet! Perhaps the instructor might let me tool around in the launch a time or two for some on-the-water shots.

In the meantime, I grabbed a few thumbnails from the sailing Web site to share. The big building is the boat house. We started off in 420s in the fall, and moved into the FJs for the spring.

Happy sailing!/ Kathleen McCoy

Summer fun at Big Lake

With 3' of snow still in our yard, it's hard to believe that we could be sailing at Big Lake in less than 6 weeks.

So to remind myself and you that it's truly possible, here are links to photos and stories about Big Lake sailing that I've posted on another blog:

• those fickle Big Lake winds


• it really will be green again


• Fourth of July fireworks

Happy Spring and see you out at the club!

~ corinne

p.s. I was inspired by the ASC blog to start my own blog. It's even simpler than I realized. It's been a good way to keep in touch with friends and family Outside.

Want to Learn How to Sail?

It’s not hard and it sure is fun being on the water during our Alaskan summer.

The Alaska Sailing Club is once again offering its annual adult sailing class and the dates are as follows:

Saturday, May 19th, from 1 to 4 PM, at Big Lake.
Monday, June 11th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at the Barlett High School pool.
Tuesday, June 12th, from 6:30 to 9PM, at the BP Energy Center building,
Saturday and Sunday, June 16th & 17th, from 10 AM to 6 PM, at Big Lake.

The cost to attend is $450 for a family (2 people in the class) and $350 for a single person. In addition to the class, you also become a member of the Alaska Sailing Club and will have unlimited free access to 6 different sail boats all summer long.

The class is limited to 12 people so do not delay, also you must be 16 or older and be able to swim. Visit our ASC web site to see our beautiful lake front site.

Contact Dave Johnson at: dave_99504@yahoo.com

2007 Summer Race Schedule

Hi Everyone,

We've come up with the 2007 race schedule for this summer's race series. Here's what we've got planned for this season.

May 26-27: Icebreaker Regatta (hopefully the ice is out!)

May 28: Memorial Day

July 7-8: Firecracker Regatta

Aug. 1: First Midweek Race

Aug. 8: Second Midweek Race

Aug. 15: Third Midweek Race

Aug. 18-19: Fireweed Regatta

Sept. 1-3: Governor's Cup Regatta (Labor Day weekend)


In addition to the usual races and regattas, I have instituted a midweek race series in August. These races will be held at 7:30 on the first three Wednesdays in August, ending with the Fireweed Regatta the third weekend of the month. The "Hot August Nights" series will be a points series much like the Dave Johnson cup. Points will be tallied up from all of the races including the Fireweed race results and trophies will be awarded accordingly at the end of the Fireweed Regatta.

Also, I am looking for volunteers to serve on the Race committee. If anyone is interested in helping out with the races, whether it be helping time a race or running the committee boat, please contact me and I will be glad to make you an honorary member of the prestigious Race Committee.

I hope everybody is as excited to hang out at the lake and get some racing in as I am!
Have a great spring,

Troy Aumann
(aumdeezy@gmail.com)

Tacticat - Online Sailing Tactical Training

While pursuing the latest from sailing blog meister Tillerman I came across an outlet for us sailors confined in the hardwater months of Alaska. It’s called Tacticat and I’ve signed up to try it out (it’s Free).

It’s a virtual sailing race with hundreds of online sailors. It has all the elements of a real race, except of course the wind in your hair and the sun on your face (also no water balloons). Tillerman offers 14 postings with plenty of tips to get you going.

Look out Tim we’re gaining on you!

Tillerman just retuned from some wild Laser sailing in the Carribean at the Laser Caribbean Midwinters.

ASC visits the Kona Sailing Club

Last Harrah tries to close the gap on the last leg of the race.

Last minute instructions from First Mate Fred

Launching the Holua Kai



Leaving Kona small boat harbor.

Here is the crew of the Holua Kai. Captain Tom at the helm. Robbie on the hatch cover working on his sunburn. Fred and Kurt taking a break after a great race with Holua Kai edging out Last Harrah right at the finish. We crossed the line second overall but after the adjusted times came in we were paced 5th. But our main goal was achieved by beating Last Harrah. Both boats are Hobie 33 mono hulls built in the 1980's.

WELCOME TO THE KSC LASER BAR!

This is the only club owned boat at the KSC. After the sails gave out they turned it into one of the most useful items at the club.

Here are some of the other burgees that hang in the KSC clubhouse.

The ASC Burgee hangs in the KSC clubhouse

Frostbite Race #6, 01/07/2007

Here's some good Laser racing starts (20 boats) on a chilly day on the Potomac River.

Former ASC Members Alive and Well

While cleaning up our Message Board (internet trash postings for magic pills and everything else tend to accumulate over time) I came across a couple of old sailors and club members from the 70’s who had posted.

I’ve copied their postings here and invited them to join our blog and Google Group.

Enjoy.

Fond Memories

Posted by kris kletka on 11/7/2004, 6:05 am4.227.195.42

Greetings to all you AK sailors.I have enjoyed reading your message board. I spent several great summers sailing on big lake in the mid to late 70's.

I just got back into sailing this summer. I bought a merit 23 and sail it here in Colorado.

My father (Fred) died last New years. As he was dying of cancer he would go in his mind to sailing and all his times on the water to help ease his pain.I have 4 kids and they are loving sailing. If any are still around who remember me you can email me or reply kletka@juno.com

Editor's Note - Kris was Governor's Cup champion (for some reason there' s a first name spelling discrepancy).

1979 CHRIS KLETKA
1980 CHRIS KLETKA
1981 CHRIS KLETKA

Over a year later a reply post:

Re: Fond Memories
Posted by Al Andrus on 3/14/2006, 9:45 pm, in reply to "fond memories"4.242.198.186

Kris, I remember you being the unbeatable sailor that the kids all admired. Sorry to hear about Fred. Sharon, Ken, and I are living in Vancouver WA. We have an Ericson 29 and a Laser here. Ken is married and had a housefull of 9 kids. He is a Oregon state trooper. We lost my dear friend Dick Evans several years ago.

We had planned to race in the West Marine cup, and it almost happened. Did manage to tour Glacier Bay with him. I guess the sailing club has changed in the last few years, nothing similar to what we had in those days.

We keep up with Ben, Birgit, Henry, and Oliver Robar's and a few you probably didn't know. I would really like to find where Bob Massey and family are. We see Bill & Joyce Ower every now and then.

I still would like to find a Skip here to show the locals how an old boat could perform. We looked over a local sailing club here that was so much like our old club...there were the workers and those that only came to play. Sound familiar? Wonder if the Arctic Roadrunner is still around. Gotta go as it's past my bedtime. Let me know when you get this. AL

ASC Winter Work Party 07

Thanks to all the members who showed up for

Winter Work Party 07

All the boats, buildings, trailers, and RV's were shoveled off in one afternoon.

Nice job ASC!!! (Alaska Snow Club)

Jeromy and crew work on the sauna roof with lots

of supervision from the ground crew

Paul and Jay did an awesome job cleaning off the clubhouse roof.

TL, Teri, Jeromy, Jay, Melissa, and the rest of the shoveling crew stopped by the cabin to warm up and have a bite to eat.

Thanks again everyone for coming up and enjoying the sailing club during the winter.

New Year’s Day 2007 at the ASC (Alaska Snowmachine Club)

With the all the fresh December snow we’ve had, Taylor and I decided to dust off the old snow machine the day before New Year’s Eve and prepare for some fun on the lake. First this meant we had to carefully remove the 4 foot mound of snow blower discharge from the snow machine and shovel out the trailer.

Of course the sled’s track was also frozen to the ground (poor storage technique Dad – it should be up on blocks!) which required quite a bit of time on hands and knees chipping and prying the beast loose. With that done, it fired up after a dozen pulls and gradually warmed up. I promptly decided to do a test run across the backyard and managed to get stuck – excellent recurrent training for getting unstuck!

Then it’s load the sled onto the trailer and roll it into the garage for a thaw and pre-ride inspection and service. Everything checked good, so with the fuel and oil topped off the trusty 1991 Skidoo Scandic II was ready to churn up some powder.

Early New Year’s Eve we went to the Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Town Square. It was a lot of fun but extremely cold at 5°F with a biting breeze the whole time. Later that evening we gathered our gear and welcomed in the New Year safe at home.

New Year’s morning was cloudy in Anchorage and about 16°F. The Big Lake forecast was for 12°F with light snow. By 11:00 AM we finally had everything loaded and hit the road. Then the snow began to fall again! The Glenn Highway was single lane, with white out conditions the whole way, so the drive to Big Lake took over 2 hours.

By Big Lake the snow had stopped and the sun was trying to break through the lower clouds. We pulled into the boat launch area at 1:00 PM. By 1:15 PM the sled was off the trailer and warming up. With “Cat Crap” (anti-fog) carefully applied to spectacles and helmet lenses, we suited up and charged across the lake.



With about 3 feet of snow to play in our sled surged ahead with each push on the throttle lever. The road system berms are perfect for a little aerial work, but with two aboard (“veteran” on the back) our workhorse sled is a little too harsh on landings for my taste and my back. We trade off for some solo riding and warm ups back at the Tahoe main base.




The sun comes out and wow, what a difference! It’s easy to forget that it’s 12°F out. There are perhaps a dozen other machines either riding the lake or transiting for access to the outstanding Big Lake trail system. We quickly take a cruise by the Islander. There aren’t any customers parked outside but it looks open with at least one person inside.



Zooming back across the lake at 60 MPH, we veer off the main trails to try some banked turns in the deep powder around the club’s harbor and stop for a couple of photos. Everything looks ok at the club site but all the boats and trailers could use a good snow cleaning.




1/7/07 Update
We rode at Big Lake again and stopped by to shovel off the RL. It looked a little precarious, with a slight list to starboard.

After a late lunch and warm up break we did some more runs and Taylor really enjoyed testing the top speed limits of the Skidoo.

By 4:00 PM the sun was setting and casting a pinkish hue across the snow. It was a great end to a great day. Time to load up the sled, secure for trailering and head back to Anchorage.

The LOVE BOAT --funny mishaps with BOATS

Jay found this one. Some are painfully familiar.

Blu and the Buoy

Keith and Judy will have to comment and provide the story behind these photos!

Keg House Rocks the ASC

From the dusty pages of The Sheet...
Keg House rocks the ASC at the 2004 Ice Breaker Regatta.
Whose that behind those Ray Bans?

Melissa and I went up to the Club on Sunday to see how the boats faired from all the high winds. Everything looked great. We also took a couple of pictures to post on the blog. I remember the other summer when we took a picture of the thermometer reading 90 degrees. It was 15 below on Sunday, and it is still November! Enjoy the pictures.

Jay

Ocean Racing

Some trans Atlantic, big cat racing footage. Looks like good work if you can get it. Enjoy.

Tech Help Seminar

Our first Tech Help Seminar was a success! We added more bloggers and Google Group members. It was a lot to cover in a short time, but I think everyone came away with new knowledge and the tools to practice with. We can explore more sessions like this in the future and target more specifics, if needed.



I’ll be sending invites to our Google Calendar to those that don’t already have them. This invitation will allow you make event entries and edits on our private calendar, plus see all event details. If all you want to do is view the event time and date, you can ignore the invite and just use our web calendar (below on this November 2006 blog page and soon back on our website’s Library page).




Remember folks – you can’t hurt the blog or the group with a mistake.


Blog Tips:

Login at http://www.blogger.com/start to make a new posting on the blog.

Visit the blog at http://aksailclub.blogspot.com/ to read posts and make comments.

If you realize you’d like to edit or delete one of your previous postings - Login at http://www.blogger.com/start Click New Post - On the Posting Create page Click Edit Posts - Select Edit or Delete as needed.

Add these links to your browser Favorites for easy navigation the next time.

Review the Blog Help Files on our website’s Library page. Blogger offers Help links also.


Google Group Tips:

Visit the Google Group Help links.

Look for Google Groups Beta logo in the upper LH corner of the page. If you can’t see it, look for a Groups Beta link in the page header. This will let you use all the features, like Pages and Files, that were added with the Beta version.

Go to the Edit My Membership link and make your preferred choices for email notifications of group happenings. Be sure to set a nickname (first names work well) for other group members to see.

Edit My Membership options:

How do you want to read this group?

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Get up to 25 full new messages bundled into a single email

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Keep up those postings! The blog is our club’s living newsletter.