2007 Flying Dutchman National Championships

Coronado, CA

5-7 October 2007

The 2007 FD Nationals were a real lift to us. We experienced about the best weather you could hope for with unbelievably good courses. The conditions were ideal for an FD = wind + flat water. Most entrants expected light to medium winds, and pleasant weather. We got great weather, flat water and great breezes.  The winds varied from 8 to a constant 20 on Friday. The gusts were recorded up to 25+ mph with 20-30 degree wind shifts. The 16 racers were all close. 

We were told that the wind was really unusual and that we should expect the usual light winds on Saturday. They were wrong. It blew again. This day had less carnage but shiftier less predictable weather. Yet still the same folks were leading. The PRO started with the mother of all courses = triangle with a double windward leeward. 

Sunday was more like a windy “light weather” day, full trapezing and fully powered up. We were able to sail our preferred “Olympic” course = triangle + windward/leeward (shortened to ¾ mile legs). On the reaches we were sailing 3 sail reaches with crew and skipper hiking hard. It was a really fun day.

I came away from this weekend more infatuated with FD sailing characteristics. These large dinghies and very skiff-like yet with enough crew comfort and control that they can be sailed successfully in the higher winds of SF bay and the ocean. It was really a hoot to be blasting around the course on the edge of control and exhilarated from the speed and survival. The people were really helpful, and fun to be around. They all rallied around anyone who needed assistance, lent parts to those needing, replying to all that asked questions and wanted some answers. 

- Report from Zhenya Kirueshkin-Stepanoff (edited)

Here is Jim Algert rounding the windward mark out in front.     And here is a bit of crossing going upwind.   Very competitive racing all weekend!

Click here for full results. 

2007 US FD Nationals !!

Here it the Notice of Race and Entry Form  (here is a MS-Word version) for the US FD Nationals to be held October 5-7.  Coronado Yacht Club is hosting another major event - down San Diego way.  There are 5 boats heading west from the east coast and many boats coming from NorCal and farther.  Rumor has it this may be the biggest Nationals we have had in many years!!! Be there or you will be scored DNC.

Please note!! CYC is looking to have counts of participants along with desired shirt sizes by Friday, 14 September.  

So,  get that form emailed in to Jim Algert. (see NOR).  You can pay later!

How was your summer?

Well, so much has happened since we last spoke.  Many regattas on the east and west coast.  San Diego NOOD in March, North Americans at Canandaigua in May, boats were packed afterwards for Spain.  5 US teams had some good sailing and good times on the Mediterranean coast enjoying Spanish hospitality.  Here is Pete and Barbara Wells hanging with Nettie and Tanya from Holland.  

Here's a few more quick shots - 

Lisa having a great time and Lin with game face on   

Beach launch, but what a beach!   Beautiful Spanish coastline

Boats are back and you can read all about it in the upcoming Trapeze.   Oops! Not a member??? Then click here.  CORK was the next big event.  As usual they didn't disappoint.  Toward the end of day 2 Prez Tim tried to see what sailing a race with a broken rudder was all about.  Not much, he reports.  

2007 St.Pete Midwinters
Six FDs and four 505s appeared to race at Saint Pete YC on Friday Jan 26th. The format was different from prior years, the Yacht Club cancelled the regatta! It didn't matter. In fact it was better this way: no pickle dishes, no mashed potatoes, no entry fee! The sailing center went ahead and ran races. They are mad for sailing as we are, and would rather run sailboat races than stay home. We had two races in a dying wind on Friday, Ethan Bixby did the usual horizon job, Lin Robson was first FD . The 505s have a new very large spinnaker, but in the light wind they were not faster than the FDs, and in all the races the two classes intermixed, and a few luffing matches were inconclusive.

Dinner party chez Robson Friday night, excellent chow, excellent beverages, and great company. We were joined by a fleet of about 10 Snipes for another day of light wind racing on Saturday, followed by dinner at our favorite waterfront pub The Moon Under Water. Sunday morning a big front came through and it was blowing 25kts, so the race committee bagged it. OK, since two thirds of the fleet had to drive home more than 1000 miles. Ethan Bixby did some coaching from a whaler, which was a nice bonus for those who made the trip! Lin sailed with the 505ers on Sunday, as they did go out skylarking..

A few new faces,  Lucy Lingard from Scotland took a short vacation from her assignment in Houston to take the helm of USA-7, now a 1985  wood deck Mader with Superspars and North sails. Nick and Joe Sarephinoff pulled their 1970 Hoare down from Michigan,  put a mast in it and sailed in the races!  They enjoyed racing with the FD fleet for the first time, but are looking into a newer boat, since the old Hoare is fairly out to pasture.

Note from Bill Hyatt:   Lake Eustis Sailing Club's Washington Birthday Regatta Feb. 17/18. Tis a great place to sail & folks up there are very friendly!

 This is a good regatta with good club organization.  They have a number of National Regattas there.   Bill has sailed at the race for a number  of years.  The club is on a very nice, large, deep fresh water lake.  It’s approximately 3 by 5 miles across There is a large is a large fleet of scows there and the wind can be quite good.  It is not surrounded by high banks – it is Florida, and its big enough so you don’t get the typical cranky lake weather.

Bill Hyatt is planning on going. usaj24 at verizon dot net   Email him and let him know if you can make it.

 http://www.lakeeustissailingclub.org/regattas.htm

Ed: if I hear two or more FDs are going to sail, I'll remember add it to the callendar next year.