Archives for January 2009
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Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation- 1st Annual Survey
Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation
1st Annual Survey
January 26, 2009 – February 7, 2009
LMSRF has put together a survey to learn what racing boat owners and
crews want in racing from organizing authorities, ideas on how we can
grow participation and how we are doing overall. >>>The most important
message we wish to send is to forward this link to all of your crew
members, your fleets, and get input from as far and wide across Lake
Michigan as possible. We can’t emphasize this enough.<<< Results will
be tabulated and shared on the LMSRF website for all of us to learn
from (G-rated responses only!). We expect to incorporate your
thoughts in the 2009 season plans.
Thank you, now here's the link and please respond fully.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oVlcxmEdZjcg16hfO70Kzg_3d_3d
Sincerely,
Donald Thinschmidt
LMSRF Commodore
LMSRF’s Area III Section Break Committee – Survey Participants Wanted
LMSRF Area III Section Break Committee:
Area III’s Section Break Committee is looking for input from boat
owners to improve racing in the PHRF sections.
We have sent 130 boat owners email inviting them to participate in our
survey on section breaks, rating rules, etc. You can see the results of
the current 41 responses at http://www.drapers.us/Multi-Design .
If we missed you because we didn’t have the correct email
information or if you didn’t race last year but plan to this year,
please contact Don Draper to get your survey invitation.
Quantum Sails and Sailing Anarchy: Ringing in the New Year with FAIL
Quantum Sails terminated the employment in Chicago of a very well-respected, admired and liked sailmaker as of January 1. We were very sorry to learn Tac Boston was let go.
On the other hand, Quantum Sails funded sponsorship for Sailing Anarchy’s presence at Key West Race Week. Apart from generating controversial attention as per usual, the powerboat used by Alan Block “Mr. Clean” interfered with racing, requiring redress for the competitor affected. This occurred AFTER receiving warning of numerous complaints from competitors. link
From our perspective, it’s difficult to imagine how these choices by Quantum Sails benefit anyone. Do they benefit Quantum Sails’ profitability? We have no idea. Does it really matter? How much embarrassment does Quantum need to fund in order to achieve their promotional goals?
Sailing Anarchy: Flying Tiger Controversy and False America’s Cup Bravado
From the “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up Department”:
Sailing Anarchy “Editor” Scot Tempesta has raised some eyebrows among the Flying Tiger fleet, by attempting some underhanded methods to exclude a well-respected and liked competitor from participation:
Meanwhile, Sailing Anarchy contributors have apparently paid more than $14,000 to fund a delusional effort to launch an America’s Cup challenge…
…add to the list of things that make you go, “hmmm….”
One Question:
Will the boat be named after Donald Crowhurst…
…or Bernie Madoff!?!
Chicago Mackinac Race: More Details about Double-Handed Division
Chicago Yacht Club announces:
Only monohulls will be eligible to race in the new Double Handed Division.
While multihulls are not eligible to compete in the Double Handed Division, they will have the option to sail in a double handed configuration within the Multihull Division.
Skippers and crews wishing to compete double handed (in either the Double Handed Division or the Multihull Division) must seek approval from the Race’s Selections Committee. In addition to the normal Race prerequisites, double handed applicants must document the following:
- Skipper has completed 1,000 nautical miles of sailing as a skipper of the boat to be entered, or a similar boat design;
- Skipper has completed a non-stop passage or race under sail of not less than 100 nm and not less than 24 hours;
- Crew has completed 1,000 nautical miles of sailing, either as a skipper or crew member sailing on the boat to be entered, or a similar boat design; and
- Both skipper and crew have significant racing experience.
These are minimum requirements. Most, if not all, successful applicants will far exceed these requirements, and will be able to demonstrate significant short handed racing experience.
ISAF Sailor Classification Commission To Hold Presentation At Acura Key West 2009
ISAF announces:
The ISAF Sailor Classification Commission is pleased to announce that it will be holding a presentation and panel discussion at next week’s Acura Key West 2009.
Youngest Briton to scale Everest killed – Was named “Adventurer of the Year” for global journey using only skis, sleds, sails and bicycles
Updated – More from National Geographic:
article 1
article 2
video
CNN reports:
Rob Gauntlett, the youngest Briton to summit Mount Everest, died in a climbing accident along with another mountaineer in the French Alps, the British Foreign Office confirmed Sunday. Both were 21.
he bodies of Gauntlett and James Atkinson were found Saturday in the Mont Blanc area. Weather conditions were reported to have been clear and cold in Chamonix at the time.
Gauntlett scaled Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, in 2006 just days after his 19th birthday, along with 19-year-old James Hooper, his Web site says. He shattered the previous British record set by Bear Grylls at the age of 23.
Last month, National Geographic Adventure magazine declared Gauntlett and Hooper “adventurers of the year” for their 26,000-mile journey from one of Earth’s magnetic poles to the other using only skis, sleds, sails and bicycles.
Gauntlett said on his Web site that completing the journey was his proudest moment.
“We had spent three months on a 60-foot yacht sailing across the world’s most brutal ocean. A year before I had done virtually no proper sailing, so to be thrown in at the very deep end was a little scary at times,” he admitted.
Mackinac Race Q&A seminar – 11:45AM, January 31, 2009 – Strictly Sail Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Race To Mackinac Committee announces:
I am pleased to announce that Chicago Yacht Club will have a booth at the Chicago Strictly Sail boat show this year. Additionally, we will be hosting a presentation at the show outlining our plans for, and answering your questions about, the 101st Race to Mackinac.
Pink Pony Party – Chicago Yacht Club Belmont Station, 6PM, January 31, 2009
(For those who might not already know, the Pink Pony is a Mackinac Island bar, a welcome destination for thirsty sailors at the end of the Mackinac sailboat race.)
Race To Mackinac Committee announces:
And, on the evening of the 31st, Chicago Yacht Club will host the annual Pink Pony Party at its Belmont Station. The party will begin at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome.