2009 News Archive 

 

As many of you know, VSC will be holding our annual meeting at 5:30 pm November 20, 2009 at The Barracks just before the fall banquet. You do not have to attend the banquet to attend the meeting. Only full members and associate members holding office, have voting rights. There will be a number of items for the membership to vote on as well as our slate of officers for the coming season. Andy Sajor will have the list of proposals ready before the meeting so you will have time to think about them. Some proposals will be amendments to the bylaws and others will be about club operations. As of now, the current club officers have indicated that they will serve another term (except Justin who has moved) individual officers are willing to step down however if  there are others who want to volunteer to hold an office. Now is the time to email Andy Sajor (andy_sajor@hotmail.com) with your nominations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last Sunday Series race will be the Naked Turtle Cup.  Due to scheduling conflicts and yes, a wedding, we ran out of weekends. Since the Sunday series consists of 9 races, the last one will be held on September 20.  That said, if we do have a trophy for the "Fall Classic" and want to run it, we could run two races that day, the point totals for both races would count for one Sunday series.  If someone knows more about the Fall Classic, please email Andy Sajor.

 

Soling 12 - A warm breeze and fortunately warm water, greeted the soling fleet tonight. Yes folks, once again the forecasters had it wrong, and instead of little or nothing from the west, we got a good south wind  with enough velocity and wave height to teabag the droopers for the two races. Peter Hall, with Mike and Tuge aboard CAN 225, collected a pair of bullets. John Trombley, driving USA 833 with a Commodore over the side, collected a second in the first race, and was so eager to improve upon that finish, he suffered a premature start in the second, forcing him to dip down to restart behind everyone. John recovered enough however, to score a third in that race taking a second place for the evening. Brian White, scoring a 4th and 2nd was third, with the Ultra light Sherman/ State machine, taking a 3rd and 4th was 4th. Finally,  Brian Dowling, valiantly filling in for the expectant Papa to be on USA 850, Shanghaied two, new to soling sailors as crew, filled out the fleet.  

 

Barbequed chicken parts were enjoyed by all after the race.  Full results here.

 

Gorman Cup Results here.

 

 

Soling 11 - With a big hot south wind pumping all day we were all anticipating a wild night of racing, however when we launched, there was hardly enough air to make ripples on the water. Then, at 18:00 hours, right on cue, a nice west wind began to build. It seems even mother nature got the memo that our start had moved up a half hour. So with a bit of scurrying around we were able to set a course and get two races in the bank before the sun sank behind Dannemora mountain with Brian White trading 1st and 2nd place with Peter Hall.  Full results here.

 

LOBSTER/SEAFOOD BAKE in conjunction with Clinton Community College Regatta:  The Champlain Valley Business and Professional Women’s group ("CVBPW") is hosting a LOBSTER/SEAFOOD BAKE ON SAT., AUG 22 at the Clinton Community College Regatta. The event is being held in conjunction with the Clinton Community College ("CCC") Foundation and the Valcour Sailing Club.  All the proceeds benefit higher education and go to endowments at both CCC and Plattsburgh State University.  Each year CVBPW gives over $2,500 in scholarships to non-traditional aged women students returning to college to better themselves and their careers. The event will be held on the bluff behind CCC, overlooking the lake, which will give fantastic views of the regatta.  The  regatta starts at 10 a.m. with coffee and pastries available.   From noon to 3 p.m. will be the Lobster/Seafood Bake.  There is a choice of Lobster or a Fisherman’s Platter with all the sides and dessert.  A cash bar will be available. There are ala carte items for landlubbers & children.  The event will be held rain (inside CCC's beautiful dining room) or shine (outside on the CCC terrace).  Tickets must be pre-ordered to ensure enough lobster.  Contact Jennifer Meschinelli
 at: meschinj75@yahoo.com, 593-2780 or stop in the Press-Republican and ask for Jennifer.

 

Soling N.A.:  For those of you who do not sail solings (and those who do but didn't), you missed a great regatta.  Brian White, and all who helped him, did a magnificent job organizing the event which drew 16 competitors resulting in close competition and great rivalries'. He also arranged for good winds which allowed a full seven race series despite the forecast for anything but.  Lake Champlain will no longer be just another bass fishing lake!

 

    As many of you now know, Peter Hall, who sails here (but is not a club member if our membership list is up to date) won the event by half a boat length in the seventh race, getting revenge on Hans Fogh, who beat Peter for the Canadian Championship just two weeks prior. Stuart Walker finished third.  The highest finish by a complete Valcour boat was turned in by Ed Trombley, who placed 6th followed by Brian White in 7th. Roland Sherman reminded us about the unpredictability of spectra, and the need for constant maintenance. Full results here.

 

PHRF B4 - Abandoned after starting due to lack of wind

 

Soling 10 - Abandoned due to storms

 

Congratulations to VSC's Dan Inhelder & Katie Konstanty (now Inhelder) on their wedding Sunday August 9.  In keeping with their love and initial meeting on the water, the ceremony and reception were held on Burlington's tour boat Ethan Allen III.  Brian Larkin performed the ceremony.  Great time, great food, great drink and great people!

 

PHRF B3 Results Here

 

Soling 9 - Small craft warnings did not keep three solings from toeing the line for Soling  race # 9. However the real hero of this story was Don Duley, who braved the wild waves and 20 plus knots of true wind to set a race course in our intrepid committee boat (those of us who have operated it in good conditions knows what Don and Crew went through). Droop hiking was more like a dunking booth, yet Brian White driving Solstice, won the night despite a broach and a man overboard. Ed Trombley was second in USA 833, and Roland Sherman with Mark Stata and Laurie Gagliardi were third. It must have been quite a show, because when the boats returned to the lift, there were several spectators from Clair and Carls' all remarking that those sailors must have had a screw or two loose to go for a boat ride on a night like that! Other hard core sailors were envious not to be out to enjoy the fun. Results Here

 

McDowell Cup                                                                                                

Well for a change of pace we thought it would be fun to race in the rain.  As our suntans changed to rust Craig, Kathy and Alain's daughter Christina sent the PHRF fleet on the "Tour de Islands". Beating South in 20+ kts true, JP Turgeon's, Galilee, was able to grab an early lead and hang on due to his boat raiding skills.  Snaring Gene, Alain and Guy, which were invaluable crew to add to his already worn out regulars just back from a third place finish at the LCYC Ladies Cup.

 

Second place went to Kjell Dahlen and Frøya, Third to Soundwave and fourth to Don Duley's J100.  

            Full Results here.