RC Laser Sailors Start "Midwinter Madness" Indoor Regatta
Reported by Tom Weigel,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
All 10,000 Lakes in Minnesota are now frozen, ice fishing season is in full bloom and the outdoor temperature is O degrees F.
What better reason to stay indoors and enjoy some RC Laser pool sailing? (Photo page here)
Thursday, January 9, 2003, six of the Minnesota RC Laser Fleet representing Edina Model Yacht Club and the Calhoun Yacht Club met to start the Midwinter Madness Pool Racing Series.
Four large barn fans were set up at one end of the pool, aimed straight and at angles to simulate different wind directions.
It was soon discovered that pool sailing was a real challenge. In short, it's hard to duplicate natural wind conditions, no matter how fluky we may think our natural pond breezes really are. Several "wind holes" and light airs, as well as strong wind lines, challenged all sailors on all points of sail.
Each heat consisted of a windward-leeward course with four legs. The start line was also the open leeward gate, heats ended with a downwind finish.
Following practice sailing and one warmup race, the series began.
The line was set short and starts were crowded. Avoiding two diving boards in the starting area was also of major importance!
We found that if a good start was not executed, with clear wind, then a long wait was needed for clear air to reach your sail. Stated another way, starts were everything! If you could not break away from the line in clear air, you were stuck in the tank for awhile!
Bill Coppage (1015) sailed consistently and won all four races with great starts. Bill started at starboard end, just high of the mark and accelerated across the line to break free of the other boats.
Sailing within wind lines was also key, and Dave Ginsberg (1018) used good strategy and maintained boat speed which resulted in consistent top-three-place finishes. Standings from our first evening are as follows:
1. 1015 Bill Coppage
2. 1018 David Ginsberg
3. 1020 John Dodson
4. 1016 Dale Borgeson
5. 1014 Tom Weigel
6. 1022 Phyllis Rivard
We all had a great evening enjoying pool sailing, and look forward to continuing our Midwinter Madness Series on Thursdays through January 30th. Cheers, and good RC Laser racing!
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