By Mark Ross
Ed. Note: It is absolutely invigorating to be out on the water on Thursday nights off Shilshole, and it’s enough to start a little fire of optimism in even the most Covid-weary among us. With a whaler as a committee boat and whistles as starting signals, it reminds us of our grass roots. There have been several signups on the Seattle Laser Fleet Google Group and the RS Aeros continue to go out for practices. Youngsters, in particular, seem to be energized. KH
By Mark Ross
When I arrived at Shilshole around 4PM I was all excited. The forecast wasn’t particularly good but there was a nice breeze of about 10 mph out of the north accompanied by its engine, a dark cloud and light rain. Who cares if it’s dark and rainy, there is wind!
That bubble burst by the time we got on the water. It reminded me of summer sailing as a kid on the small lakes in the Midwest. It was race day so you raced. Didn’t matter if there was wind. The starting gun went off and the race was on. Back then out came the punk and cigars so you watch the smoke drift and try to figure out where that very little breath of air might be coming from. All the bows were pointed in every direction imaginable but eventually you’d make it around the course.
Photos below by John Beaver. There are lots more here, including some more awesome gull photos.
Minus the punk and cigars, that is what it seemed like on Thursday. Jared and Kathy buckled down and started races. A little wind here and a little wind there, starting the first race with a rightward leaning northerly, which turned northeasterly and eventually in the second race the upwind leg became a downwind leg and downwind became upwind. For the third race Jared had both fleets do a rabbit start while he zoomed up and set the up-wind mark by the break-wall. An easterly. The 4th race was twice around and then we headed home.
It was a lot fun and everyone stayed and sailed. It just didn’t matter how much wind there was. And as usual it was competitive. We’re lucky to have Jared and Kathy scoring; not used to that at Frostbites. Here are the results. Forget the Totals as they are skewed by the DNC. I believe there were 10 Lasers and 14 Aeros on the water so just look at individual races if you’re interested. http://www.celebrationboatworks.com/SLF5-21-20.htm
Once again people did an excellent job of maintaining space while setting up their boats and launching. Good job, keep it up.
Cheers,Mark Ross 425.391.2371