Postponement, Damn!

Great Day of Racing!

But, while there isn’t much going on in Valencia, we certainly can comment on this past weekend’s 1064 Regatta hosted by LLSC. There certainly were no postponements there. Slight rain with plenty of breeze made for a sporty day. Great fun!

There was a bit of controversy. What fun is sailboat racing without a bit of that from time to time? The fleets were sent off in search of “C” buoy as the first weather mark. However, once the lead boats arrived at the scene of the crime, it became apparent that there was something wrong. The mark was gone!

Suspicions immediately surrounded John Martin as being involved. But, after an extended period of water-boarding, interrogators were satisfied he knew nothing of the circumstances surrounding the marks disappearance.

The first race had to be abandoned and all boats headed back to the starting area to be set off again. With new course in hand; off we went again for another leg of great big breeze racing. Race committee reported only seeing 18 knots of breeze, but out on the course, the boats saw a good bit more. We had plenty of puffs well into the twenties. All and all it made for a great day of cold ass February racing. It certainly was more fun than sitting here watching an America’s Cup postponement on the Internet.

Kirk Out!

StrictlySailing.com, the mothership of SailLanier, is again a credentialed Media Center for the 33rd running of the America’s Cup which is set to start this coming Monday, February 8th. We will not be able to attend the event in Valencia, Spain, but as it turns out, that will be OK. The courses are so long and large the media boats will be given very limited access for coverage. And besides, I ended up spending my airfare on a Root Canal and a new hot-water heater. But that is another story for another time. Well, maybe not (lucky for you). At any rate, you’ll be able to return to Strictly Sailing and here for daily for updates and press releases.

Anyway, you’ll be able to follow the action from your computer at AmericasCup.Com, a variety of other Euro Cable channels, and even more recently, ESPN. The huge sports media provider will have live coverage from its virtual sports channel ESPN360.Com. Gary Jobson will be providing commentary for the two day event (not expecting to need a third day- I WANT MY CUP BACK!), and I’m sure Gary and the boys will provide a great more substance than just the cup coverage. That is if you like dumb commercials. You can learn more at ESPN360.Com, but I think I’ll stay with coverage at AmericasCup.Com.

The Warnings Signals for each of the events are scheduled for 10:00 am Valencia time. Set your alarms (and your coffee pots) to adjustment for local time if you want to watch the event live.

The first race is set to be a Windward-Leeward course with 20 mile legs.
The second race will be an Equilateral Triangle course with 39 mile legs (Hey Ernesto, corner cutting).
And if needed, the third race will be a carbon copy of the first. Windward-Leeward, 20 mile legs.

Kirk Out!

Last Call on the 1064!

Good Morning folks, the LLSC 1064 Open Regatta is just around the corner-this coming Saturday really. And if you have not yet registered, there is still time. Why not start out the year on a good sailing note with a little racing action. It will be a good warm-up for the UYC Hot Ruddered Bum! And it's a great value as well, only $15.00. So plan on coming out! Get all your details from the Banner Link above, or just CLICK HERE!

Kirk Out!

America's Cup on the Internet

Finally! Terms on broadcast coverage of the 33rd America's Cup has been reached! In addition to the several television broadcast companies that will be hosting coverage, for the first time ever, live coverage will be available on the Internet at the official cup website. For full details on available coverage, go to there at AmericasCup.Com.

I wish I had found this site earlier, but another great place on the web for America’s Cup news is, well, believe it or not, CupInfo.Com. They provide great insight to what is going on, such as comments from James Spithill’s comments after getting caught sailing BOR in 40 knot winds. Check it out at CupInfo.Com!

Kirk Out!

So long January

Happy Friday Folks. . .This weekend brings but another bout of cold ass weather going into Saturday. Southern Sailing Icebreaker action may actually be the real thing, but you know what? We can’t always rely upon the forecasters to give us the real skinny. They have been wrong on more than an occasion or two. However, it does look as if some crap will be moving in. Keeping my fingers crossed.

And as we say good-bye to January this weekend (good riddance) we welcome February and all the fabulous weather I expect we will see. Plus, we get to look forward to the season’s first set of Open Regattas. Coming up this weekend is the LLSC 1064 Regatta. Then, on the following weekend, we have UYC’s Hot Ruddered Bum (HRB) Regatta. Click the above regatta banners for more information.

These are both great events and everyone should come out and play. That includes you cruisers as well. Yes, that’s right you cruisers. While you could always fly your JAM boat at the 1064, the folks at UYC have made special provisions to include an actual Cruising Fleet at the HRB. So why don’t some of you cruisers crawl out of your gunk-holes, scrape that red mud off your anchor, and add a little of excitement to your sailing resume. GO RACING! It’s pretty simple really. If you like sailing, chances are, you’re gonna love racing—as you should.

Kirk Out!

LARC #3 not Freezing

A healthy number of boats made it out on the water this past Saturday to partake in the third race of the Lanier Auxiliary Racing Committee (LARC) Series. This race was hosted by AISC and with a good stand of pressure the boats were sent off for a good ride. Luckily, the temps stayed in the mid-forties and away from the temps of more recent events. The PHRF boats were handed a nine plus miler and the Cruisers worked a line just shy of seven miles. Results are available on the LARC Website.

I should have been out there, damn it! Had other things to do, damn it!

I might not have been out there, but Photo Mike (Powell) was with Stevo on Dixie Chic. He grabbed this and some other happy snaps during the race. They look to be having way too much fun for a boat that is leading their fleet. They make winning look so damn easy. It’s enough to even piss off the Pope. See what I’m talking about with Mike’s Animoto short from Saturday. Check it out here!

Kirk Out!

Air Ventures PDK Joins Sail Lanier

It is great pleasure to announce the addition of Air Ventures PDK to the family of Sail Lanier advertisers. They are an instruction flight facility operating locally from Peachtree-Dekalb Airport. In addition to their exceptional private and commercial flight training programs, they provide a host of other services to include, Aircraft Rental, Instrument ratings, Flight reviews, Complex aircraft and high-performance endorsements, A top-notch fleet of planes, FAA-approved flight simulation, and more. And as a bonus, it's run by sailors. So, if you are even thinking about learning to fly, you need to visit their website to learn more. Go to AirVenturePDK.Com or Call Joe or Nick Tito for your key to an adventure 770-458-0001.

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Jessica Watson Rounds the Horn
sees Mum and Dad too

This little gal just continues to impress me as she continues her voyage to be the youngest to circumnavigate the world at age 16. Just last week she rounded Cape Horn. As an additional gift and moral booster, she got a visit from her mom and Dad from the air. Pretty cool stuff. To be 16 and shoulder such responsibility is tough enough to imagine, but to be the parent with a kid out at sea like that is nothing short of incredible. They must be incredibly proud and a bit crazy at the same time. But at least they are letting her live the dream. There aren't many parental units that would do that. So, my hat is off to both Jessica and her parents! See the report and video of the reunion and follow along with the adventure at JessicaWatson.com.au.

Kirk Out!

In Three More Weeks
The Cup Comes Home (fingers crossed)

We are now three week out before BMW Oracle (BMO) and Alinghi face off in Valencia to see who will take home my America's Cup. Both boats are now in Spain set up in different locations and tweaking the final adjustments before they face off on Febrauary 8th. Hopefully, it will be all over soon and we can bring the cup home, where it belongs.

We're not there yet, though. With the likes of Ernesto Bertarelli running around, BMO's legal team will have to put in overtime as there is still plenty of time for the Alinghi camp to pull some kind of last minute shenanigans. Till then, Sail.TV has some good footage of both boats and worth seeing. The footage of BMO is pre-wing but impressive never the less. Check it out at www.Sail.TV.

Sunday Laser Action

And we have some great Happy Snaps coming from David Jackson again covering this past Sunday's LLSC Laser Frostbite Series. I think I know where I will be getting next weeks banner. You can also see pic 2, pic 3, and pic 4. Thanks David for sharing!

Kirk Out!

Happy Monday!

Skipper Paul Swanson has posted a request looking for crew. Interested?
Find him on the eCrew Board.

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And we have a new Smok'n boat for sale on the lake--an Olson 29-- Check it out.

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This past weekend was just as they (Kirk Mellish and his gang) had predicted; a wet one. At least it wasn’t 28 degrees. Saturday’s balmy 50 degrees coupled with the rain and the 8-10 knots of breeze made for a wet and chilly afternoon on the water. We’ve all seen better days.

Now, if you remove just the rain, the day improves immensely. It would have been, say a seven on the Jok-O-Meter (I just made that up. Can you tell?) The sailing part was great. I mean crap, the low fifties and 8-10, that’s damn near perfect. That's why God invented the crewneck sweater. But, throw in just a little bit of rain and the day will go to shit! It will take a pleasurable seven and makes it a four every time.

So, all things considered, if the rain pushed a possible seven down to a four, what does that say for Saturday’s day on the water? It nearly sucked.

Kirk Out!

Sail Lanier is now on Facebook

The last thing I need is another website to keep track of and maintain; however, after doing some extensive research I have been convinced that it's a smart business move for Sail Lanier. I established the account to help reach more folks and to communicate news and issues with those which decide to become friends of Sail Lanier. I won't be using it as a personal communicator to broadcast my daily bowel movements (usually in the morning following the consumption a half a pot of coffee) or personal rants about politics.

Now, having made this announcement, I realize I've given the rest of you a strong ration of shit about your Facebook accounts. And as long as some of you continue to use it as a major form of communciation, I will still give you shit about it (the phone remains my favorite form of comms). Now, I know by throwing myself out there and starting this Facebook account for Sail Lanier that I'm opening up myself to my own ration of shit, but that's OK, because I'm full of shit anyway--at least until my first pot of coffee.

Kirk Out!

He's Cold, But Warmer Than We Are!

Right about the time I was about to send him an email asking for an update, Mike Krantz shot me one first. He's down in the Upper Keys, Islamorada, FL, racing his A-Cat this week. He say's the Iguanas are freezing and falling out of the trees, but given what we have been seeing around here, it's a bit hard to muster up a lot of sympathy. Anyway, he's provided us with a little You Tube clip. Enjoy!

Kirk Out!

Winter LARC #2

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Sunday's Winter LARC #2 was all smiles despite the cold temps. Results from the day are in and can be found at the LARC Website. Plus, as you probably know the Sail Lanier camera was out grabbing happy snaps as they became avaialble. Plus, as we were plowing through the LLSC Laser fleet starting line (Damn Little Boats), David Jackson was able to grab a few snaps himself. I collected the ones I took and those from David and posted them at Strictly Sailing Photos, ENJOY!

Lasers-LLSC Icebreaker Series

And, as mentioned above, the LLSC Lasers were out in force braving the damn near icebreaking conditions. Great shot from the committee boat thanks to Davis Jackson!

Kirk Out!

January on Lanier!

It was all smiles as boats came out Sunday to race in another cold LARC Series. The temps, that were barely above freezing, couldn't keep the fleet away. Thank goodness for all the sunshine which, at least, suggested the appearance of warmer times.

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No More Pig Boats!

It is no secret that I am a fan of pig-boat racing; those heavy displacement hulls that race around with only their jib and main. I have always affectionately referred to these boats as Pig-Boats. I will no longer do that. Because, while my Catalina 30 is a pig compared to, say, a Melges 24, or any other boat actually designed for performance, chances are most probably aren’t real crazy about having their boat referred to in such honest terms.

Several years ago I can remember getting an email from long time friend and sailor Bobby Roche. This was way back when I first started to spread my perfectly pointless commentary and sarcasm all over the Internet—the infant days of StrictlySailing.Com. He sent me a friendly email in a response to an article that essentially said, “Hey, Paco (that’s what he calls me), you might want to drop the pig-boat stuff, some might find that a bit offensive.” I kind of shrugged it off as it is what it is. I guess maybe he was right. Not that I have received tons of death threats or hate mail or anything, it’s just that I’m a slow learner, I guess.

At any rate, regardless of how comfortable I am in my own skin, no more references to pig-boats. We will try and refer them to what they really are Jib and Main—JAM—boats. So, there you have it, JAM Boats! And we should probably steer clears of the Non-Spin terminology too. The “Non” part, for me, has negative connotations that do not serve in the providing a positive picture. For example, think of “Non-Alcoholic.” See what I mean. It’s JAM boats for now on! This kind of racing sounds sexier already.

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AISC and BFSC each announce plans to improve race participation

Both the Atlanta Inland Sailing Club (AISC) and the Barefoot Sailing Club (BFSC) have each come up with plans that could improve the number of boats racing, which in turn, could improve JAM boat racing.

To attract new boats to Wednesday Nights, AISC has announced a half-priced promotion. If you have never raced your boat or participated in AISC racing for two years, the full price for Wednesday Nights is only $72.00. And to make a great deal even better, that also includes entry in their spring classic, the Dogwood Regatta. Now that is a great deal.

Plus, to make JAM boat racing more attractive, they are also looking at ways to improve fleet participation. For example, I know they are tossing ideas around to give JAM boats shorter more realistic courses. That could be good because quite often those new to racing, especially in JAM fleets, quite often find themselves still out on the water when many have already put their boats away for the evening.

BFSC has developed a Novice Racer Development Program to introduce sailors and crew members to sailboat racing. The course will consist of both classroom and on-the- water sessions and is designed for those who already have a basic knowledge of sailing, but would like to hone those skills by experience that is best learned through racing. We plan on having four morning classroom sessions followed by afternoon on-the-water training with a coach assigned to each boat. The curriculum will include all aspects of the starting sequence, windward leg and mark rounding, leeward leg and mark rounding, and finishing. Emphasis will be on rules, strategies, boat speed, sail shape and sail controls. We expect to cover the entire racing experience, from the NOR through the tall tails and excuses that always follow. The instructors will be recognized race experts.

The course is free to Barefoot Sailing Club members or $45.00 for non-members. The fee for new membership is $45.00. Do the math and the logic.

The schedule is January 23, 30, February 13 and 20 for classroom training followed by on-the-water sessions, and March 14 for novice practice races, and March 21 for the novice race. All classes will be held at Sunrise Cove clubhouse starting at 9:00 AM until noon, with the on-the-water session following.

Barefoot Sailing Club will continue the novice program throughout the racing season by including a novice class in each Barefoot Sailing Club initiated event. Specifics will be presented at the training sessions.

Find an example of the course curriculum here and questions can be directed to David Wright at dmwright@mindspring.com.

Kirk Out!

The first open regatta-the LLSC 1064-is just around the corner. Do you know where your PHRF Certificate is? Let me answer that for a damn good many of you. NOPE.

In addition to the scores of folks whom, each January, set their minds to loose all the extra weight they have gained over the past year, so does the LLPHRF Certificate Board. Except, for the PHRF Fat to fall off, it only takes a click of the clock. For everyone else, it will take some real sweat equity.

You can put some of that PHRF Fat back on, but you need to get that renewal application and check into the LLPHRF Committee. And folks, especially you regular racers, stop pissing around and get a three year certificate and be done with it.Remember, the next meeting is set for Tuesday 02 February 2010.

Get more details from the Lake Lanier PHRF Website.

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Mental Floss--OK, In Tennessee

Here she is resting peacefully in her new slip up on Percy Priest Lake in Tennesse. All parties, including past owners, doing well.
At least she's still in Dixie!

Kirk Out!

Happy New Year Everybody!

Last year was another great year for Sail Lanier and we are looking forward to an even better year in 2010. To begin with, I think I have completed the build for the eCrew Board. I now have a green button for it over on the left menu which will direct you there. If you will go there, you will see two different types of listings, one for individuals looking to crew on a boat and another for skippers looking for crew. That way we have all the bases covered.

And to start things off, the Winter LARC Series kicked things off last Saturday in some chilly ass weather. It was a beautiful day if you were observing it from the inside warmth of your vehicle. The JoyRide was a willing participant, but her skipper decided to sleep in—a good decision as far as the sleeping goes. But as it turned out, while cold, the forecast didn’t result in the kind of breeze that was predicted and I probably should have gone. Lord knows, I've been in a hell of a lot worse. But, on the other hand, had I gone sailing I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy some bonding time with the bride at Wally World.

So, right out of the gate, LLSC takes a jump on the lead with regard to the club scoring. There are four races left in the series, so you race commodores need to beat your drums. You can get the full results from Saturday’s LARC at the LARC Website.

Kirk Out!

A Great Boat!

I just received word that the Pearson 26 advertised as a featured boat on my other site Strictly Sailing has been sold. As the editor of Strictly Sailing I can tell you her new owner is a lucky one.

A side from the fact the P26 is well known for its bullet proof construction, fine sailing qualities, and overwhelming success as a production boat, this particular boat has qualities which, for whatever reason, exceed the normal expectations of its owner. I know, in another time, she used to be mine.

With many boats, the relationship that builds between the vessel and skipper is one of Love-Hate. That was never the case with me and Mental Floss. Of all the boats I've ever owned, she was my first love in sailing. The time we spent together was exceptional. This boat and I both had a common interest, we loved to sail and race. In light air she is a pleasure. If handled well, in the heavy stuff she is a well behaved animal and guardian angel--never once an anxious moment.

When it was time to let her go, finding the right new skipper wasn't easy. I turned away several potential buyers actually chasing one knucklehead off the dock because he was just an ass. Then it happened, Mental Floss found Sam and vice versa.

Selling Mental Floss to Sam was easy. I could tell early on he would care. Then during her sea trials in a solid 18-20 knot breeze, she was a perfect example of how a boat should behave with the proper sail plan. It was a great day of sailing, but with her that was always the case. But with him at the helm, the look in his eye was revealing. This was the guy.

Once Sam took possession, he made her even better. He took a great boat and cosmetically made her better than knew. The math is easy, but it is hard to believe she will soon be turning 37 years old. She is an old boat still in her prime.

Now, it was Sam's turn to find a new skipper, and he reports that he's been successful. He assures me that the boat is in good hands and on its way to Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee. She should be happy there.

So in closing I would say to those that have Mental Floss now, always be a skipper to her, never an owner--there is a difference. If you do that, she will take better care of you than you probably deserve.

Kirk Out!