2007 VSC News

Fall Banquet  You are cordially invited to the 2007 Fall Awards Banquet.  The banquet will again be held at the Barracks Golf Clubhouse.  The date is Saturday November 10th at 6:00 pm.  The menu will include:

* Carved Roast Turkey

* Pork Tenderloin stuffed w/ sautéed scallions, spinach and bleu cheese

* Homemade Stuffing

* Mashed Potatoes

* Buttered Baby Peas

* Fresh Cesar Salad

* Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce

* Homemade Bread Basket

* Chef's Choice for Dessert

To reserve your place please contact Amy Kretser. The price is $28 per person. We hope to see you then.  (posted 10/17/07)

PHRF Results Change  Because of a retroactive rating change for the boat Souvenir all of the PHRF race results for the season have been recalculated.  For the most part, corrected finish positions did not change with the exception of the McDowell Cup, Wednesday A2, A7, and B3, where Souvenir's position improved by one place.  The standings for Wednesday B series changed as a result. See appeal hearing decision from US PHRF. (posted 10/11/07)

US Soling Championship The 2007 edition of the US Soling Championship was competed on Lake Champlain again this year.  The 10 boat regatta included 6 members of the local fleet and 4 visiting boats.  At the beginning of the regatta the wind forecast did not look favorable.  The race committee did well to complete three race on the first day in light and variable winds.  Day two, brought sunny skies and a brisk northwest winds, in which four races were held to complete the championship.  The team of Peter Hall, Trevor Parekh, and Mike Parsons on CAN 225 captured the trophy easily by winning 4 of the 7 races.  The battle for second place was closely contested between USA 850 and USA 811.  By just one point Don Brush on USA 850 beat Peter Coleman who returned to Soling racing after a long absence.  See full results. Upon competition of the Regatta sailors gathered for awards and socializing at the home of Brian and Beth White.  See sailing photos. (posted 9/30/07)

Fall Classic  The PHRF Sunday series finished this weekend with the Fall Classic. JP Turgeon and crew aboard Gallilee won the final race of the year by nearly a minute on corrected time.  For the series, the crew of Soundwave made it a summer sweep by winning the Sunday Series. In the 9 race series Soundwave won 5 of the races and finished with a 7 point lead over the second place boat Freya. Craig Meyerson and crew on Souvenir finished the series in third place. See full  Sunday Series Standings.  (posted 9/25/07)

Wednesday B Series Complete  The Wednesday night series wrapped up on September 12 with the sixth and last race of the B series.  The boat Soundwave won easily with 6 point lead over the second place boat, Freya.  In third place was the J-100 owned by Don Duley.  See full Wednesday B series standings.  (posted 9/13/07)

Soling Series Complete  The 2007 Soling Tuesday series ended somewhat unceremoniously on September 11 when the race was cancelled because of high winds, storms, and committee boat problems. In the 19 race series Peter Hall and Mike Parsons on Obelix won every race they entered except two giving them a lead of more than 30 points on second place.  The battle for second place was much more closely contested with only two points separating second through fourth place. The best of the rest award was won by Brian White and crew on Solstice with a slim one point lead on the third place boat of Chris Duley.  Ed Trombley finished only one point further back to take fourth place for the series. See full Soling Tuesday Standings.  (posted 9/12/07)   

Start Time Change   Please take note that starting Tuesday August 21 all Tuesday Soling races and Wednesday PHRF races will now start at 6:00 pm instead of 6:30. Be sure to inform your crew of the time change so they can arrive at the boat in time. This change is necessitated by the earlier sunsets this time of year. (posted 8/16/07)

Soling Race Canceled  The Soling Weekend Race 3 scheduled for Sunday August 19 has been cancelled because of lack of participation. No make up race will be scheduled.  (posted 8/16/07)

In Memory of Dr. Gorman  The Valcour Sailing Club lost a long time and valued member this week with the passing of Dr. David Gorman.  After Tuesday's soling race, competitors and friends of Dr. Gorman gathered around his boat to toast farewell. Peter Hall gave a heart felt memorial to our lost friend. Dr. Gorman will be deeply missed, both on and off the water.  The club wishes to express its deepest condolences to Dr. Gorman's family. (posted 8/15/07)

Sea Scouts Recruiting  The local chapter of the Sea Scouts is recruiting new members.  If you are interested in learning about the fun and adventure that can be had on the water contact Jason Rabideau 561-0360 for more information.  Also visit www.seascouts.org. Adult volunteer leaders are also needed for skippers, mates, and committee members. (posted 8/8/07)

US Soling Championship  The Valcour Sailing Club and the Lake Champlain Soling Fleet will once again host the US Soling Championship. The event will be held Friday through Sunday September 28-30. Seven races over three days are scheduled.  We will again welcome boat and crews from Annapolis, the Midwest, New England and Canada.  For more information read the Notice of Race, or contact Brian White with questions.  (posted 8/6/07)

Wednesday A Series Complete The first half of the Wednesday series was completed on July 18. In the six race series the boat Soundwave owned by Dave Bashaw and helmed by Ty Kretser won easily with three wins and three second place finishes.  Don Duley's J-100 finished the series in second and Craig Myerson's new boat Souvenir came in third.  Brad Dumas in his J-24 Innominatus takes the class B honors.  See Wednesday A series standings. (posted 7/20/07)

"Unofficial" Valcour Race  After the race was cancelled just before 10 am a poll of the boats that were on the water was taken to see who would be interested in a gentleman's start at the green can, up to the north, down to south and finish a green.  Four of the five boat agreed: The First, Gallillee, Endo, and J100.  The boat raced in good winds up to the north and set the spen, and averaged 4.6 knots downwind.  Upwind it was neck and neck between Endo, Gallillee and the J100.  An excellent tacking duel ensued on the way up to the green, reaching speeds of 8 plus knots in the gusts.  The finish order was Gallillee, Endo, J100 and The First with the white sails only class.  Afterwards, in a great spirit of sportsmanship, JP invited all over to his boat for wine and cheese.  The make up for the official Valcour race will be Sunday August 12. (posted 7/11/07)

Mayor's Cup  The 30th annual Mayor's Cup Regatta was held July 7 in both south and west winds under overcast skies.  VSC boat finished well as usual.  The boats Freya and Souvenir finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in racing A class. Eerie Mist finished 5th in racing B class. Brad Dumas' J-24 finished 4th in that class. The boat Polaris finished 3rd in Cruising A class and Aeolus finished first in the cruising D class.  See full results at mayorscup.org To see and order pictures of the race visit www.kevin-young.com  (posted 7/8/07)

Eisinger Cup   On July 4 the Eisinger Cup was the first race of the 2007 Lake Champlain Race Week. In winds that averaged more than 20 knots from the south there were people overboard, shrimped spinnakers, and exploding winches. By winning the second race by a mere one second the crew aboard Soundwave captured the cup in a tie-breaker.  See results and LCRW series standings.  (posted 7/4/07)

Lake Champlain Race Week  The second annual Lake Champlain Race Week is scheduled for July 4 through July 8. The race week will included 6 races over 4 days. Any racing or cruising boats on the lake are welcome to attend some or all the races that comprise the race week.  Click here for more information or download the Notice of Race and fill out the Entry Form. Contact Brian Dowling with questions.  (posted 6/20/07)

VSC Shirts  The club has shirts with the VSC burgee embroidered on them for sale.  There are two style available: a collared polo shirt and women's cut T-shirt, both in various colors and sizes.  Contact club secretary, Shirley Tedford if you are interested in buying one.  (posted 5/31/07)

Yearbooks Available  The printed version of the 2007 notice of race and sailing instruction book is now available.  If you did not get one at the spring banquet contact the club treasurer, Gwen Queguiner to receive your book. You can also read the book with the link to the left or NOR and Sailing Instructions. (posted 5/21/07)

America's Cup Underway   In case you haven't noticed the 32nd edition of the America's Cup is underway in Valencia Spain. The Round Robins are compete where seven of the challengers were eliminated.  In the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals Luna Rossa eliminated the only American entry BMW Oracle.  The Louis Vuitton final between Luna Rossa and Emirates New Zealand will start June 1st. On board Luna Rossa is a Vermont native who some of us may have sailed with or against.  Andy Horton controls the main traveler on the Italian entry and can often be seen on TV.  The racing is being broadcast on the cable network VERSUS, (charter channel 30) live at 8:30 am EST and is being replayed at 4:30 pm. The racing at time can be very exciting to watch. See the full TV schedule or the America's Cup website. (posted 5/21/07)

Sailing Seminar DAY 3  The third installment of this year's sailing seminar will be held Wednesday May 9 at 7:00 pm at the Eye Care for the Adirondack community room.  This session will also be presented by Mike Parsons and will focus on racing strategy and tactics. This lesson will last about 2 hours and is for sailors of all classes and all abilities. For more information contact Brian White.  (posted 5/3/07)

Annapolis NOOD  Craig Meyerson's new boat Souvenir was one of seven C&C 115's that raced at the 2007 Annoplis NOOD Regatta April 27-29.  After two days of cancelled races due to lack of wind, two official races were run on Sunday. Unfortunately, many of the crew had already left for home. Even shorthanded, Souvenir proved to be a fast boat with lots of potential. The boat is now on its way to Lake Champlain and will be ready to compete here full time this summer. Read their travel log here: first edition, second edition, last edition. (posted 5/3/07)

Sail Trim Seminar DAY 2  Approximately 20 people attended the first night of Mike Parson's sail trim seminar last Wednesday.  The second session in his sail trim course will be held on Wednesday May 2 at 7:00 pm at the Eye Care for the Adirondacks. This session will continue the sail trim lesson with topics to include the spinnaker, rig tune and how to change gears.  For more information contact Brian White.  (posted 4/26/07)

Membership Applications  The 2007 membership application is available on the forms page of this website. You will be able to print the form and return it to the VSC PO Box 1362 Plattsburgh, NY 12901 with a check.  Remember, by paying your dues before May 15, 2007 you will save $25.  We are hoping that all long time crew members will support our club by joining with a $50 associate membership. See list of paid members.  (posted 4/19/07)

PHRF Ratings Forms  All PHRF boats are asked to fill out a new ratings form each year.  If no changes were made to your boat simply check no at the top of the form, sign and return to the club rater, Brian Dowling. The 2007 PHRF ratings can be found on this website in both .doc and .pdf format on the Forms page. (posted 4/19/07)

Spring Banquet  It's time again for VSC's annual Spring Banquet. Everyone is encouraged to join us for an evening of munchies, cocktails, and (at long last) good ole fashioned "boat talk." This sailing kickoff is scheduled for Friday May 18th -  6:30 pm at Olive Ridleys.  Tickets are $18 per person.  For a more casual feel, the buffet style menu includes bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms (vegetarian), cheese & pepperoni trays, hot sliced turkey and ham, twice baked potatoes, and assorted brownies and cookies for dessert. Something for everyone! Please RSVP to Amy Ketser as soon as possible. (posted 4/3/07)

Sail Trim Seminar  The club will host a sail trim seminar given by Mike Parsons. The seminar will be for both PHRF boats and the Soling. Topics to be discussed include terminology, physics, controls, changes for conditions, rig tune, and specifics of the Soling rig. The seminar will be held on Wednesday April 25 at 7:00 pm in the Eye Care for the Adirondack's community room.  This first seminar should last about an hour and a half or two hours.  Future seminars are being planned on tactics and strategy as well as the rules.  For more information contact Brian White.  (posted 4/3/07)

Midwinter Sailing Fiesta  The 3rd annual midwinter sailing fiesta will be held again at the Lake Placid Brewery on February 17 at 6:30 pm. There will be a pot luck dinner.  Tickets are $15, which includes a LP pint glass, all the beer you can drink, dinner, door prizes and exceptional company. Bring your friends and anyone interested in sailing.  The Lake Placid Brewery is in Plattsburgh on the Military Turnpike next to the Big Hank plaza.  If you need directions email the Rear Commodore Amy Kretser. (posted 2-8-07)