See below for information on the open invitational team race regatta hosted by the Severn Sailing Association in August to support the Olivia Constants Foundation.
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Sail1Designers of the Month: Dave Stark, Jody Stark, and Ian Jones
By Clinton Hayes
A couple of weeks ago Dave Stark sailing with his wife Jody Stark and Ian Jones captured the Lightning Class World Championship Title. The event, sailed at Club Velico Castiglionese in Castiglione del Lago, Italy, was relatively short with only 6 races sailed due to no wind on 2 of 5 race days. With tight competition from 10 countries and many former World Champions, even the smallest mistakes could derail hopes of a title. Dave and his team were able to sail a consistent series winning 2 races and only keeping single digit finishes. He took some time this week to share his thoughts on the event, lightning sailing, and his past and future in the sport.
S1D: Where did you grow up and learn how to sail? What’s your racing background? Where do you currently live?
DS: I grew up sailing at the Buffalo Canoe Club which is located on the north shore of Lake Erie in Canada, 15 miles west of Buffalo, NY. I attended NY Maritime College, Ft. Schuyler, and was a 3 time college All-American. My wife, Jody, girls (Sabrina, Jamie) and I currently live and sail in Buffalo, NY.
S1D: How long have you been in the lightning class and how many world championships have you competed in? Best previous result?
DS: Jody, Ian, and I all grew up sailing Lightnings as juniors. I’ve competed in 8 world championships and been runner-up twice (2005 Chile, 2009 Vermont). Jody and Ian won the worlds in 1997, sailing with Larry MacDonald.
S1D: What, if any, specific preparation did you do for this event? Did you practice/race with Jody and Ian a lot in months leading up to the event? What did you focus most on?
DS: Our team has focused on winning the world championship for several years now, coming very close to winning in the recent past. For this worlds, we sailed the Southern Circuit in March, a couple of regional regattas in May, and simply practiced at our club several times before flying to Italy. We worked mostly on boat handling, maneuvers, and communication.
S1D: I heard the wind was pretty light. Could you describe the conditions. Unpredictable and shifty? Light and choppy? How did you adapt your game plan to be successful in these conditions?
DS: We sailed on a rather large lake (Lake Trasimeno) in the Tuscany region of Italy. We witnessed all conditions….light, medium, breezy; shifty and steady winds. It was what you hope for any major championship…a sampling of everything. Gear changing and keep your head out of the boat was key.
S1D: What other events are you doing this year? Any other boats or types of sailing besides the lightning?
DS: Over the years, we have sailed in many different one-design fleets/classes. These days, time is tight so we focus just on the Lightning. We spend a lot of time on our own sailing as well as helping the junior sailors along. Further, our girls are interested so we take them in our club races. As far as the rest of 2013, Jody and Ian are sailing the North American’s together with Ian’s daughter, Allie. I will be home with our girls. I do plan to sail a couple of other regattas this summer as well as the fall circuit.
S1D: Why do you enjoy racing the lightning so much? (I assume you enjoy it since you do it so much!)
DS: The Lightning class is unique in that it is an incredibly competitive fleet worldwide, yet it is very family oriented. For people looking to sail in an affordable, competitive, large one-design fleet, you can’t beat it. It is the best!
S1D: How has the lightning class grown (or shrank), or changed since you first got involved? What do you think the future holds?
DS: The Lightning Class is hanging in there very well in terms of growth. Membership today is very strong, new boats are being built, class organization is the best there is, and the ILCA Boat Grant program is keeping the fleet young. At the world championship in Italy, there were 10 countries represented. In my opinion, the future of the class has never been so bright. It is a pleasure being involved in such a dynamic class organization.
Sailing with Grace: The Brooke Gonzales Clinic
Sail1Design is pleased to present our youth sailing perspective series “Sailing with Grace”. Grace Lucas, a Sail1Design intern, is a high school senior at Severn School just outside Annapolis, MD, and along with her busy academic schedule, is also a member of the nationally-ranked Severn School Sailing Team. Enjoy!
By Grace Lucas
When we arrived on Thursday, the weather was dreary, nevertheless, the majority of young sailors attending the clinic were outside preparing their boats for the upcoming days. After an hour of trying to transition our settings from out normal Laser Performance C420 to our new Zim charter, the coaches informed us that we were going to have a tuning clinic. Attempting to escape from the rain, Justin Assad led the group of C420 sailors towards the Mule Barn at Sail Newport. Upon arrival, he guided the group into doing an onshore capsize, trying to fit the C420 into the barn. However, once we safely transitioned the majority of the boat into the building, we realized that there was no possible way that the roof of the building would clear the 20-foot mast of a 420. Reluctantly, we tilted the boat so that it would fit through the doors of the barn, and proceeded with the tuning clinic just as the rain started to clear.
During the tutorial, we reviewed some helpful tricks to remember when rigging or tuning any boat, such as marking practically everything to make adjustments on the water easier. We also learned about sail shape, and how the different controls affect the leeches of each sail.
After the very informative tuning clinic, the sailors went home with their host families. There we enjoyed a meal and acquainted ourselves with the Sertl family, who were very hospitable to four of the Annapolis sailors.
When we woke up Friday morning, it was hard to ignore the raging wind that was blowing outside our window. Our original transportation plan was to take the Sertl’s boat across the bay to the Sail Newport venue, however the weather prohibited this, so we drove. Once there, we did not immediately go out on the water. Instead, we had a lengthy talk about capsizing safety and how to prevent it if possible. “Are you okay?” should always be the first words out of a crew member’s mouth after a capsize, and getting the boat upright and both crew members safely back in the boat is the most important goal, especially in heavy breeze.
Lunch quickly followed this discussion, as we were all eager to get in some heavy wind practice. Once out on the water, the Club 420s sailed around a Windward-Leeward that the coaches had set up. The purpose of this activity was to get acquainted with sailing in a lot of wind and practice judging time management for setting and dousing the spinnaker. The big breeze we were experiencing was short lived, and as the pressure died we split into three groups, with three different sets of coaches.
Whilst in these groups, we participated in basic drills, but with a different set of eyes than normal. We conducted speed tests, practiced throw sets, free flew the spinnaker, and did the last beat drill. However, having such experienced coaches helped us perfect many of our boat handling and tactical skills. Unlike the beginning of the day, the end had absolutely no breeze. We ended up towing back in, and having a debrief, in which we discussed all of the occurrences of the day.
In the debrief, the coaches emphasized the importance of fine tuning in light air versus gross tuning in heavy air and how the angles sailed on the downwind affect your race. In light air, it is pertinent that you sail hotter angles downwind because speed is much more important than direction. They also stressed the necessary awareness of lay lines, and how you should constantly be thinking about how you want to approach the mark.
Shortly following the debriefs, we transitioned into short 15 minute talks, or “power talks.” There were four topics for Friday evening: How to have a good first race, Trapping, Current, and Chop. My skipper and I attended How to have a good first race, which entailed the importance of having a prestart routine, having confidence in your decisions and sticking with them. The coaches also told us that it is okay to take a chance and see the results, even if it is not the most conservative route. We also attended the talk on trapping, in which, very experienced crews taught us some handy tricks, such as, looking over your shoulder to get a view of the course instead of lifting your shoulders up. We also reviewed the importance of gear in relation to the wind conditions and thinking about its weight. These power talks concluded the day after a solid 12 hours of clinic.
Saturday morning, we quickly rigged and hit the water. Again, we were separated into the same groups as the day before. There, we sailed a W-L with a gate, during which our coaches instructed us to use different techniques, such as a throw set or free flying, as we completed the course. This allowed us to hone in our skills, that, often times, are not used. This concluded our morning session, after which we came in to Fort Adams for lunch.
After lunch, all of the Club 420s consolidated into one large group and headed back out onto the water. To finish out our day, we performed multiple practice races and completed the “One Up, All Down” a few times, before heading in for the evening.
Once again, the coaches conducted a debrief to give feedback, both positive and negative. They emphasized many skills that we needed to perfect for sailing with waves, such as being proactive instead of reactive, and always being powered up when going through chop. If every little thing is done well, the results are likely to follow in suit.
After dinner, a man from US Sailing came to talk to the entire clinic about Olympic Pathways. He told us that we were all on the path to the Games, the only major step we needed to take is making the decision to make it our goal.
Just as the night before, the coaches gave power talks. This night the topics were Big Fleet Starts, How to Recover from a Bad Race, How to Use a Compass, and more information on the Olympic Pathway. My skipper and I attended Big Fleet Starts and How to Recover from a Bad Race. We learned that line sights are very important on a big line, as sometimes you are not close to either the pin or the boat, and that the bigger the fleet, the earlier you set up, so that you can ensure a hole for your boat to accelerate in. When needing to recover from a bad race, the most important course of action is realizing it’s happening, and taking a step back and just concentrate on sailing your boat well and going fast. After this, it is important to remember to be conservative, as big risks will drop you down into the back of the fleet. It is also imperative that you do not focus on expectations, but only on executions. These talks, yet again, drew the long and informative day to a close.
Sunday morning, everyone was eager to start the Regatta! Most of the sailors were delayed on hitting the ramp, however my skipper and I quickly raised our main and hit the water. The Race Committee followed us out, and efficiently set the trapezoidal course, and the races came soon to follow. B
efore racing, many of the sailors, using their prestart routine, conducted speed tests, practiced tacks and jibes, all of which prepared them for the upcoming races. By the end of the day, all five classes, which included F-16s, I-420s, C-420s, Laser Radials, and Bytes, had completed four races on either and inner loop or outer loop trapezoid.
After we came in, the boat park was in a frenzy with sailors trying to quickly derig and destep their masts before heading back to the Mule Barn for the final debrief.
The debrief was relatively short, as both coaches and sailors were eager to continue onto awards. However, sailors did contribute all of their thoughts about the day and the racecourse before we joined the other four classes.
The coaches of each fleet handed out the awards for their respective winners. All of the participants, eager to head home, purposefully grabbed their T-Shirts and headed out to the rock to take the annual picture, which concluded the regatta in a bittersweet fashion.
This experience was invaluable to me, and to many other sailors, because of the amazing coaches and their extensive knowledge that we were able to acquire throughout the weekend. I hope to keep in touch with many of the people that I met, and hopefully I will see them again in the sailing world.
The Force — Concludes AC45 Training, Focuses on Summer Training & Outreach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO, California June 17, 2013 – The door closed on the first phase of the American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) training program this past weekend with the final two days of AC45 training provided by Oracle Team USA (OTUSA). With OTUSA’s withdrawal of support, the team is on its own for next phase of training. The Force will be relying exclusively on the SL33 and a new physical fitness program to prepare themselves for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.
In last weekend’s moderate September-like weather, The Force underwent hours of intensive training on the AC45. “This past weekend was once again incredible sailing the 45,” said Force member, Cooper Dressler. “In the breeze, the boat picks up and hauls, akin to a turbocharged engine that purrs like a kitten.” Things can go wrong and he talks about the physicality needed on the boat, “The AC45 is exceptionally dialed-in and a joy to sail in breeze…as long as you are fit enough to pull its strings.”
Fellow teammate Evan Sjostedt knows that timing on every maneuver is crucial, “Hoists and douses must be perfect, since being late on a hoist can make or break a bear away. The team treated every lap like a race, and pushed the timing as much as possible to simulate … when there are nine other AC45’s on the same course.”
The team has moved beyond how to do the maneuvers. Their focus is on how to do them better and faster. Evan continues, “We are learning how to push the boat in a race – constantly refining every maneuver, figuring out all the tiny changes to shave seconds off.” Teammate David Liebenberg adds, “We are trying to iron out the details of all of the maneuvers and how to conserve energy. No one has figured out how to best sail the boats with six people, but we are almost there.”
It was clear by the end of the day on Sunday just how far this team had come since its first encounter with an AC45 last November. They looked sharp and ready to go another round when practice was called for the day.
In this next training phase without OTUSA support, The Force is sailing three days a week on the SL33 catamaran that we’ve chartered for the next two months. It’s the same boat we’ve been alternating with the AC45, but now we’ll be using it to primarily work on two boat tactics with the other US team. The Force is also starting a new physical fitness program now that they won’t have the OTUSA trainers to work with every day. Strength and conditioning is going to be key to muscling these wicked fast catamarans around the course. Take a look at our new video on our exercise program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1KazLeYdM
The Force is also working hard on raising the money to reach the starting line of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. They are planning fundraisers, engaging in crowd source funding and signing new sponsors. Their next fundraiser is at the Golden Gate Yacht Club on June 21. Cooper is excited about making contact with team supporters and he hopes that, “aside from gaining support for our team, we can raise more excitement among the Bay Area sailing community for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.”
Beyond the ever-important fundraising, The Force is moving ahead with their summer outreach program that includes educational efforts at the Treasure Island Sailing Center and the National Maritime Historic Park’s Hyde St. Pier. Cooper says, “Outreach is highly important to our team, and although we are training and striving to win this competition, we refuse to lose sight of how important it is to pass on the stoke of sailing to younger generations as well as those who don’t have the means to get out on the water themselves.”
Vince Casalaina
(510) 504-2605
americanyouthsailingforce.com
The American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) is the San Francisco team representing the United States in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. More than just sailors, this self-managed team comes from all walks of life including having served as riggers, boat-builders and sail-makers. The Force aims to prove that, with steady determination, hard work and passion, anyone can compete on the elite international sailing circuit. Charting a course to inspire the next generation of young American sailors, The Force conducts community outreach by teaching Bay Area students to embrace science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through the love of sailing.
2013 Snipe Midwinter Regatta Report
By: Terra Lee Berlinski
2013 Snipe Midwinter Regatta Report
The winter months bring a stronger breeze and for three days, 24 boats from five countries competed in six races in some of the best sailing Florida has to offer. From March 10-12 the Clearwater Yacht Club hosted the 2013 Snipe Mid Winters.
Sunday morning Eric Heim, Quantum San Diego, and I arrived to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, puffy eyed and exhausted from racing the Miami Bacardi Cup the days prior. But the breeze at Midwinters gave us no mercy; she huffed and puffed throughout the regatta.
Races were held in the Gulf of Mexico, giving the race committee plenty of room to set a lengthy Olympic course to kick the regatta off with a bang. The easterly was strong enough to have some exciting reaches and waves to surf. The first race offered up some excellent foreshadowing for the outcome of this regatta: Bruno Amorim and Dante Bianchi started off with a win, with their fellow Brazilians, Mario Sergio de Jesus Jr. and Gabriel Portilho Borges, coming in second, and Augie Diaz with Julia Melton coming in third.
“This was my 4th consecutive year sailing in the Midwinter’s event and it has been gratifying to improve slightly each year,” Julia said. “The open, deep water venue on the gulf and smaller fleet with sailors of varying abilities makes speed and kinetics through waves an important factor. In this varied wind we focused on ‘changing gears’ through puffs and lulls – I played the vang a lot and consciously rolled our tacks more or less depending on the pressure. We would re-heel a few more degrees and ease through the lulls, then get flatter in the puffs. These changes may seem obvious but premeditating how you are going to move in the boat is essential to marinating speed.”
The day finished with a slightly shorter second Windward/leeward race.
Monday offered us a little relief with steadier conditions and smaller seas. RC took full advantage and ran three Olympic courses. The hard work paid off in the evening when the sailors gathered at the Clearwater Yacht Club for a wonderfully hosted dinner and grapefruits filled with your choice of either rum or vodka.
A storm system brought overly heavy breeze and scattered showers on Sunday. Greeted by the AP flag upon arrival, sailors dispersed around the center to find ways to pass the time. Some tuned their boats and talked tactics, others used the time to take care of work while a few crews decided to stretch their worn bodies with a little yoga. AP down, gear up – or so we thought. It wasn’t soon after every boat had dawned their boots and neoprene that the AP flag was raised again due to fog. The afternoon sun finally cleared up the weather enough for one final big-wave course.
The San Diego Quantum loft keeps a roll of pink sail tape in stock, mainly for one pink boat. Hanna-Leena Lehtinen and Juha Lehtinen made the trip from Finland to the states to sail the three part winter circuit. The “easy-going people, great nature, great waters to sail and dolphins” keep the Fins hoping to return next year to do it all over again. Race conditions were not easy with the “crazy tide under the bridge,” Juha remembered.
The ripping current paired with the bounce back of waves made for an eventful downwind return through the inlet. How we didn’t capsize is still a wonder; behind us was a particularly large wave rolling in. I gave Eric a look. We were quickly on top of it with our bow being buried into the wave ahead of us. Somewhere in the scramble for the high side we were able to blow the sails and get the boat back under control. A few nervous laughs later we continued towards the beach.
As the awards commenced that evening, along with honoring the top placing boats, Steve Lang from fleet 801 was also recognized with the Sportsmanship award, for actively recruiting so many new crews for the regatta and into the snipe class. Julia Melton’s final thoughts on the regatta are key words for any sailor to remember: “I feel very lucky to sail with such talented skippers. Always take notes and love the learning opportunities Snipe competition has to offer!”
Finals Results From Clearwater Yacht Club
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Lido 14
The Lido 14 dinghy was designed by W. D. Bill Schock, owner of the Schock Corporation, in 1958 in Newport Beach, CA. Now there are active sailing fleets in CA, WA, TX, LA, OR, UT, and OH. While designed to be a comfortable day sailor, avid Lido sailors quickly took to racing. The Lido 14 Class Association was formed to maintain the strict one design nature of racing Lidos and promote all aspects of family, fun Lido 14 sailing and racing.
At its inception the boat was a sleeper, a 14-ft. beamy low-performance centerboard day-sailor that rarely planed or capsized. Yet despite its unprepossessing appearance, the Lido-14 has grown to immense popularity within the competitive arena along the West Coast, with additional fleets in Texas, Ohio, and Utah. From the outset its simplicity has attracted beginners, juniors, families, and world-class competitors.
Lido 14 history begins with Barney Lehman, boat builder and designer. Barney, best known for his Lehman series of dinghies, had been in development of a 14-foot version of his successful Lehman 10 when he sold his business to W.D. “Bill” Schock. Bill, a successful small boat builder, completed the work that Barney had started by creating a fractional sloop rig, increasing the boat’s beam for stability, adding internal seat tanks for comfort and buoyancy, and providing a foredeck and a deck stepped rig rather than the Lehman’s traditional keel stepping.
What followed is nothing short of spectacular. Within three short years, almost 1000 boats had been built. By 1970 the total approached 3000. Of these, a very large percentage were involved in competitive racing around the nation. It was common for relatively minor regattas to have 60 or more boats and major regattas having limits of 100. As with all one-design boats of the era, the popularity of the Lido 14 peaked in the mid-70′s. By 1980, the total number of boats constructed had risen to nearly 5000 but the number of new boats was quickly decreasing. A testament to the quality of the construction is that boats built in 1960 are still actively racing and will continue to sail many years to come, given a little maintenance and loving care. Perhaps to the chagrin of W.D. Schock Corp., the availability of quality used boats sustains the popularity of the Lido 14, providing an unmatched entry into the wonderful world of small boat sailing.
By 1995, with more than 5000 boats built, the venerable Lido was almost 40 years old. It was then that Lido14 Association members formed a committee to create a modern version of the ‘old’ Lido to be called the ‘new’ Lido, a version that would be much less expensive to build yet remain competitive with the old boat. The tremendous effort of W.D. Schock Corp. to revitalize the Lido 14 for the 1990′s and beyond led to a reintroduced Lido 14 with a modern two-piece mold design that greatly reduced the complexity and cost of construction while simultaneously improving upon the safety, comfort, and longevity of the design. The “new” Lido 14 was showcased to the nation in the running of the 1996 U.S. Sailing Championship of Champions held in Newport Beach.
The Lido-14 continues to be the chosen boat for those wanting to enjoy sailboat racing at any level: from beginning novices to world and national class competitors. For beginners with their families and friends it is a very simple, safe and affordable entry into the world of sailboat racing with generous guidance from the fleet’s experienced members. For experienced racers there is the knowledge that this is a ‘tactical’ boat and that they can expect to find the most challenging tacticians competing on the race course.
Information taken From the Class Website
Read our Airwaves One-Design class profile on the LIDO 14!
http://www.lido14.com/
