By Greg Romano
The competition at Lake Pleasant often involves a battle with Mother Nature. That was certainly the case on AYC’s Spring Series Opening Weekend January 14-15.
Saturday’s racing was a complete bust with zero wind, forcing cancellation of all races. Sunday’s weather forecast promised brisk breezes under rainy and cold conditions. While that forecast didn’t fully pan out, the four racers who showed up Sunday morning were able to get in four races before heading home to watch the NFL’s Wild Card playoff games.
Cold, gray skies (with no rain, fortunately) and light winds from the northeast were in order for race one, where Paul Liszewski’s Hobie 33 “Rolling in the Deep” took line honors. For race two, the wind clocked to the south and filled to around 4-5 knots. The RC called a brief postponement to reset the marks for a true W/L course. Mike Ferring’s J-70 “Melissa Kay” took line honors for that race, as well as races three and four. Greg Woodcock’s Santana 20 “Sockeye” was always in the hunt, as was Grant Harless’ J-29 “Bay Loon” skippered by Marshall Williamson.
The breeze waned to nearly nothing again during race four, so the RC elected to finish the race at the leeward (north) mark, giving all the opportunity to head home for a warm shower and a hot toddy.
Thanks to all who came out and to the Thistle/Portsmouth fleets on Race Committee duty: Dan Schott (PRO), Wes Hatcher, Katelyn Schroll, Mark Powell and Steve Juraszek on Saturday; Kurt Finney (PRO), Cindy Pillote, Katelyn Schroll, Mark Powell and Greg Romano on Sunday.
Lake Pleasant racing resumes the weekend of January 28 and 29.
Photos: Greg Romano
See more photos in the AYC SmugMug gallery.
