2012 Seattle Turkey Bowl - Angus Brackett

Before I report on our regatta I wanted to give a big thanks to Bruce Van Deventer for organizing the chase boat and to Brian Watkins and CYC Seattle for opening the club for us. Also a welcome and Thanks to Krysia Pohl for joining the fleet and taking on the roll of fleet Captain.

Now onto the sailing, this year’s Turkey Bowl was attended by ten 505’s, with Port Townsend sending two boats and eight from Seattle.  The forecast was for strong southerlies and this came true with winds in averaging 20 knots, and some gusts around 30 in the late afternoon.  Four races were held with rabbit starts with the good fun had by all and a few capsizes.  After racing we held a debrief and annual meeting at CYC, with Fish and Chips supplied by the Watery Tart’s (Annie and Chris). Sadly a few boats had some rigging issues that kept them off the water on Sunday.

Sunday’s forecast was for building breeze and rain; however this was delayed enough for six boats to get out on the water and have four more races with Buchans and Fritz & Scott trading firsts in the 8-12 knot Southeast breeze, before the wind shifted farther to the East, signaling it was time to head in.

Thanks to everyone that turned out for the weekend, and again to Bruce and CYC.  The 2013 Schedule was discussed and will be finalized soon.  A reminder to those west coast boats planning on racing in the Barbados worlds, please contact Paul Von Grey get your deposit in to secure a spot in the container.

Thank you and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Photos courtesy of Bruce Van Deventer:

St. Francis Fall Dinghy Report - Reeve Dunne

10 505's showed up for 6 races for great San Francisco racing at the St Francis fall dinghy Oct 20-21

It was cool and foggy Saturday morning so after spending fall dinghy last year in sunny 80+ weather an no wind.

At first it looked like the wind might not cooperated with my hopes as we started the first race right in front of Alcatraz around 12:30 in a fickle light breeze coming right over the city.  We got off to a start but after 2.5 laps the race committee cancelled (much to Holt and I's dismay as the current race leaders) as the breeze was lightning and flood was increasing.

After 30 minutes of sailing hard upwind to maintain position against the current the breeze increased to marginal trapping and more importantly enough wind to get upwind against the current.  AJ/Ben won it followed by Pierre and Mike Holt once again up in the front of the boat, and Ted Conrad's also up front  in 3rd.  Holt and I decided to try the right and paid the price finishing 6th

For the second race the breeze was up. we chased Jeff and Mike Smith to the left all the way around the course with Tim Murphy/Geoff Gales right behind us, up until the top mark where Jeff/Mike got pulled into the mark (did I mention it was flooding) and lost Holt/me and Tim/Geoff trying to get back to the offset.

Third race was the same idea go left and prosper we rounded the first followed closely by Jeff/Mike and Pierre/Holtie as the breeze increased the the flood subsided and managed to stay that way 3 laps to the finish

We were greeted on shore with the usual St Francis hospitality and warm food very welcome for all.

Sunday morning was colder but once on the water it was windier.

True to their word the race committee got the first start for another 3 legger off at 12, the flood was less intense but like the previous day the left still paid.  We chased Jeff/Mike around the course again, but were never able to get around them with Aaron Ross/? and Eben Russel/Pat Diola next

Second race the breeze was really up and the course was much more even but with big holes.  Jeff/Mike determined not to let the young guys beat them got off to another fast start with Eben/Pat next and a tight pack behind them.  We became the first of many casualties in this race deciding to test the water on the first downwind.  Mike and Jeff held on to win with Holtie and Pierre next Pat and Eben were primed for third until a broken guy ejected Pat from the boat and we stole the third spot.

Last race Jeff/Mike put on the jets once again to take a commanding lead followed by a close race between Eb/Pat, Steve Kleha/Matthias, Pierre/Mike and us. Eb and Pat took second us third with Steve/Matthias right behind.

St Francis as always put on a great regatta, and SF bay delivered perfect conditions for 6 great races to end the summer season

Final Results:


Pos, Crew, Skipper, Yacht Club, Results, Total Points 
1. Mike Smith, Jeff Miller, SCYC, [4]-3-2-1-1-1- ; 8  
2. Reeve Dunne, Holt Condon, St Francis YC, [6]-1-1-2-3-3- ; 10  
3. Mike Holt, Pierre Jeangirard, Bishop yacht club, 2-4-3-[5]-2-5- ; 16  
4. Geoff Gales, Tim Murphy, Tim Murphy, 5-2-8-6-[10]-6- ; 27  
5. Robert Park, Aaron Ross, Santa Cruz YC, 9-6-6-3-4-[12/DNS]- ; 28  
6. Matthias Kennerknecht, Steve Kleha, SCYC, [8]-7-5-8-5-4- ; 29  
7. Unknown, Edward Conrads, St Francis, 3-8-4-9-7-[12/DNS]- ; 31  
8. Glass/Pedlow, AJ Crane, StFYC, 1-5-[12/DNF]-7-8-12/DNS- ; 33  
9. Pat Diola, Eben Russell, none, [12/DNF]-12/DNF-12/DNF-4-6-2- ; 36  
10. Matt Kroystad, Christopher O'Leary, BYC, 7-9-7-10-9-[12/DNS]- ; 42