Archives for June 2007
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta:
Day 3, Course B Racing pictures
2007 Chicago NOOD Regatta racing pictures from Day 3, Course B:
http://www.sailfastchicago.com/2007ChicagoNOODRegatta_Day3CourseB
The day began under postponement, due to light wind conditions. Beneteau’s rafted to swim, socialize, pass the time and share cold beverages.
Program sports the most expensive, yet very stylish, fender in the Beneteau 36.7 fleet (and the envy of many wishing for a quick beer run to cool their thirst).
Wanda effortlessly displays her light-air performance, breezing past the rafted Beneslow’s. Wanda, a Viper 830, was ready and eager to race in conditions when none of the other boats on the course could possibly get up to starting speed.
Impetuous successfully tows a water-skiing crewmember.
The attention signal from the RC called the boats to the starting sequence, concluding the fun and frivolity of pre-race postponement activities.
In contrast to the relaxation and recreation earlier in the day, racing was very competitive in mild winds and flat water ideal for sailing. Here, the entire Vayu crew concentrate their focus and determination during a tight crossing.
More pictures in the complete (unedited, bulk upload) photo gallery:
http://www.sailfastchicago.com/2007ChicagoNOODRegatta_Day3CourseB
Chicago Beer Can Racing (Monroe)
June 20, 2007 pictures
Chicago Beer Can Racing (Monroe) – June 20, 2007 pictures are online.
The weather was fantastic, and the sunset was amazing…
Tough call by the race committee to shorten the course in light air, cutting racing short on such an amazing night. The wind filled in as boats finished, which would have easily allowed more racing to finish the full course. The unpredictable winds of summer evenings in Chicago on Lake Michigan could just as easily have stayed light, so it was probably a good decision. The boats that were enjoying themselves stayed out longer, to enjoy more sailing and the usual Wednesday night firework display off Navy Pier.
http://www.sailfastchicago.com/20070620_ChicagoBeerCanRacing
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta:
Awards & Party pictures
2007 Chicago NOOD Regatta Awards & Party pictures are online.
http://www.sailfastchicago.com/2007ChicagoNOODRegatta_PartyPictures
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta:
Ron Buzil’s Beneteau 40.7 coverage
Beneteau 40.7 North America Championship
2007 NOOD – NA Championship
Article by Ron Buzil:
LIGHT AIR RULES THE NOOD – BARRACUDA SURVIVES LAST SECOND PROTEST PENALTY TO WIN 40.7 NA CROWN
Thanks, Ron, for another excellent 40.7 article!
www.first407.com – Chicago’s Beneteau 40.7 Fleet
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta:
Sailing World coverage
Sailing World
News:
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Day 1: Beneteaus Boom in the (Not So) Windy City
Day 2: If You Wanna Win, You Gotta Find the Wind
Day 3: Laser Sailor Wins T-10 Class, First Overall
Final Results:
Photo Galleries:
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta
Photos will be posted here online later, including racing pictures from Day 3 on Circle B (Beneteau 40.7 fleet) plus a few surprises.
Here is a link to final race results (on www.chicagoyachtclub.org):
Chicago 2007 NOOD Regatta results
Chicago lived up to its “Windy City” reputation Thursday as dangerous wind gusts blew into town, wreaking havoc
NOAA meterological data shows severe winds throughout much of the day Thursday.
Chicago Sun-Times article:
45 mph winds blister city, O’Hare
BLOWN AWAY | Boats overturned, flights canceled, trees and scaffolding rocked as strong gusts whip through area
Chicago lived up to its “Windy City” reputation Thursday as dangerous wind gusts blew into town, wreaking havoc that even led to two people being pulled from the water near Belmont Harbor after their boat capsized.
About 7 p.m., a male and a female were pulled to safety by staff members of Chicago Yacht Club after their 15-foot sailboat was tipped over by high winds in Belmont Harbor, police said.
“This isn’t a time that they should have been sailing,” said Joe Quick, a sailing instructor who helped rescue the pair.
The Chicago Sun-Times article also describes the tragic drowning of a young man in Waukegan who attempted to rescue another swimmer.
Reports posted on Sailing Anarchy describe a more troubling marine rescue scenario:
I saw 4 individuals (who’s names will be withheld from this tid bit) at Belmont last night deciding to go out on Vanguard 15’s. I had just finished up some prep on the Farr40 with the owner and noticed a couple of Vanguards being trotted from the dry dock to the lawn. They were going sailing. I said, ” Don’t do it, you are smarter than that. Don’t do it, something will happen.” I saw one of these individuals up in the club house and told them that racing would definitely be canceled, this person told me that racing was already canceled. They decided to venture out anyway.
They were doing a nice little planning ballet in the harbor and then they headed out into the lake. One of the crews was drinking beer from a glass bottle, not cool. I left at that point, needing to be home in time for game one tip off. I was in line for cigs when I got the call. “Dude get your ass down here, there are 3 fire trucks two ambulances a police boat and now, oh shit there are more vehicles coming.” “One of them flipped over, turtled and they are having a tough time getting it back up, M-2 blasted out of the harbor with a 7 foot wake and I have pictures.” I said,” Serves them right, it was death on a stick out there and now they are going to get ticketed.” Spectator said,” I know dude two of them came back in and now they are trying to hide-out.”
In all there we 10 -12 emergency vehicles and divers down there, one cop was quoted as saying, “I can’t believe someone would be so stupid as to take out a 14 foot boat in those kind of winds.”
2007-06-03 LMSRF Area III Long Distance Classic Race
John Dybas observes mixed cloud formations over Chicago affecting winds over the race course.
A brief, heavy rain after racing gave way to a spectacular rainbow off Chicago’s Navy Pier.
A pair of geese has nested at the end of the Columbia Yacht Club pier. One of the geese stands guard (pictured) while the other nests (out of view).
Multimedia update
The 2007 sailing season is well underway, and we’ve been busy documenting some of the activities with photos and video. It will take some time to sort through the media we’ve acquired, and we’re exploring different options for streamlining the workflow.
Here’s some of the events that you can look forward to seeing online in days ahead (as quickly time permits, given our busy schedule):
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2007-04-29 sailboat delivery, river trip, mast stepping at Columbia YC – photos
2007-05-09 foggy Dusable Harbor, Chicago Police rescue dive training – photos
2007-05-09 Columbia Yacht Club Beer Can Prep School – photos
2007-05-27 LMSRF Area III race dock prep, boat return – photos
2007-05-30 Columbia YC Beer Can Race – HD video
2007-06-02 MORF race –sailing with new crew, no photo/video
2007-06-03 LMSRF Area III race – HD video
2007-06-03 LMSRF Area III race return, rainbow, wildlife – photos
We usually shoot while racing and actively sailing, rather than as bystanders, which provides a fresh and exciting perspective compared to more static viewpoints. Of course, it has special challenges because of our other simultaneous crew responsiblities, but we get it worked out.
