sailfastchicago.com

Author: sailfastchicago_news_admin

  • 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:

    Flying Tiger thread on SA

    Meanwhile, Sailing Anarchy contributors have apparently paid more than $14,000 to fund a delusional effort to launch an America’s Cup challenge…

    Who’s Donated?

    Where is the money?

    …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.

    (more…)

  • ISAF Sailor Classification Commission To Hold Presentation At Acura Key West 2009

    ISAF logo - www.sailfastchicago.com

    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.

    (more…)

  • Youngest Briton to scale Everest killed – Was named “Adventurer of the Year” for global journey using only skis, sleds, sails and bicycles

    Mount Everest - www.sailfastchicago.com

    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.

    (more…)

  • Mackinac Race Q&A seminar – 11:45AM, January 31, 2009 – Strictly Sail Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

    Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race logo - www.sailfastchicago.com

    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.

    (more…)

  • 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.)

    Pink Pony Bar & Grill at Chippewa Hotel, Mackinac Island logo - www.sailfastchicago.com

    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.

    (more…)

  • New terms for monohull sailboats

    “half-boat”
    “monomaran”

  • Updates via Apple iPhone

    Apple’s innovative iPhone is another historic achievement from the company known for delivering technology solutions that work, bringing new capabilities far beyond competing platforms to handheld mobile phones.

    One of the many iPhone software applications now available is an open source app that directly supports updating and editing the content published on www.sailfastchicago.com via iPhone.

    Contact us if you have news you want to share quickly to promote more sailing interest, or if you would like further information or assistance to better use technology for your organization or sail racing team.