Ben and I made it to Ephraim by 1 pm, instead of 5 pm which is when we typically arrive. We discovered that arriving just a few hours early makes a huge difference. We felt a lot more relaxed and had a lot of fun visiting with people.
It was very, very windy; probably about 15 with gusts higher. Lots of white caps. Ryan Malmgren and Larry Taggart ran a great racing clinic, even though the wind was a bit higher than desirable for a clinic. First they held a chalk talk and 20-30 people attended. They had a very thorough handout that Larry's crew, Carrie Berger, created, that touched on everything from jib trim to "be nice to your crew." I definitely learned, or was reminded, of a few things I'd forgotten, including the importance of windward sheeting.
Then about eight or 10 boats went out for some on-the-water coaching. I decided, instead of helping Ben rig the boat (sorry Ben!) I'd go out in one of the motor boats to see if I could watch and learn. I started out on a pretty big boat with Ryan and Mike Faugust (and Ryan's daughter Chloe and her friend Julia). Then Larry and Jennifer Faugust came out in the dinkiest dinghy you've ever seen! They were so low in the water they were almost swimming! Boy, was I glad not to be in that boat...but then Jennifer needed to switch with me because she was video-ing and couldn't do that in the little boat! Ack! I had to clamber into that little boat, that was rocking in all the waves, but it all worked out okay in the end....
It was very instructive to watch the boats as they adjusted their sails according to Larry's pointers. Especially to watch how the main sail changed shape when they pulled on more vang or let it off, for example.
After a little more than an hour we all came back in. Meanwhile, Ben, with help from Mark and Maria Benner, had rigged the whole boat, including putting up the mast, so it was all good. The coaches held a second chalk talk highlighting the things they saw on the water and then spent a good hour answering questions from the sailors. All in all, a very productive afternoon.
Tomorrow, it looks like the wind will come down a bit to about 10-12. Skippers meeting is at 9:30. Stay tuned!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Time to Head North to Ephraim!
Okay, well, Midwest sailing has been a little quiet the last few months, at least as far as district-wide events are considered. So now we head to Ephraim, WI, for the second regatta in the Midwest Travel Series. I know we have at least four boats coming up from Clinton and I know that Carlyle sailors have really been traveling a ton too, so I expect to see many familiar faces!
Tomorrow starting at 1 pm Ryan Malmgren and Larry Taggart will be running an on-the-water sailing clinic. Boy, do I wish we could make it for that! But we have an 8-hour drive in front of us and we did not budget enough time to get there that early. BUMMER!!
Weather looks good so far, with plenty of wind. We've been having great, relatively mild July weather in Urbana, and it looks about the same in Ephraim: highs in the mid 80s, low in the high 60s. Good weather to enjoy the great outdoors!
I'm packing my camera, so stay tuned for a few photos and news....
Tomorrow starting at 1 pm Ryan Malmgren and Larry Taggart will be running an on-the-water sailing clinic. Boy, do I wish we could make it for that! But we have an 8-hour drive in front of us and we did not budget enough time to get there that early. BUMMER!!
Weather looks good so far, with plenty of wind. We've been having great, relatively mild July weather in Urbana, and it looks about the same in Ephraim: highs in the mid 80s, low in the high 60s. Good weather to enjoy the great outdoors!
I'm packing my camera, so stay tuned for a few photos and news....
Monday, July 20, 2015
Ephraim RegattaJuly 31-August 2 Features Racing Clinic
Please join us in beautiful Eagle Harbor, Door County, WI for the 110th Ephraim Regatta. The regatta typically draws ~30 boats, including some of the best sailors in the Midwest. Registration is now open, with early registration ending July 26, 2015. To register, go to http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=1473. You will also find information at the Ephraim Yacht Club website: www.eyc.org/racing.
New this year is an off- and on-the-water racing seminar/ tune-up starting at 1:00 PM on Friday August 31, featuring Ryan Malmgren and Larry Taggart, fresh off their 6th and 7th place finishes in the highly competitive 2015 NAC. Details are below. This pre-regatta event is free to Ephraim Regatta registrants who are members of the Flying Scot Sailing Association; other registrants may participate with a $25 donation per boat to the Flying Scot Foundation.
Contacts:
Nancy Claypool (Regatta Co-chair): nclaypool@stonepigman.com
Bjorn Hooper (Regatta Co-chair): bjorn@thehoopers.net
Pre-Ephraim Regatta Flying Scot Racing Clinic
Date: Friday, July 31, 2015
Time: Dockside presentation begins at 1:00 p.m. (PLEASE have boats launched prior to this time). The clinic will conclude by 5:00 PM
Fee: Free to Flying Scot Sailing Association Members; all others, $25.00 donation per boat to the Flying Scot Foundation.
Please join us in a pre-regatta, off-and-on-the-water racing clinic and Ephraim Regatta warm-up, featuring Ryan Malmgren and Larry Taggart. The clinic will begin with a brief dockside presentation on boat set-up. Ryan and Larry will then be on power boats, observing and videoing racers on short W / L courses. If conditions allow, they will provide immediate feedback, summarizing in a post-race, on-shore debriefing. Topics that will be addressed may include:
- Boat setup
- Sail trim
- Boat handling
- Boat balance
- Starts
- Mark rounding
- Racing as a team
If you have any questions, please contact the regatta co chairs listed above! See you there!!
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