2007 Flying Dutchman National Championships

Coronado, CA

5-7 October 2007

The 2007 FD Nationals were a real lift to us. We experienced about the best weather you could hope for with unbelievably good courses. The conditions were ideal for an FD = wind + flat water. Most entrants expected light to medium winds, and pleasant weather. We got great weather, flat water and great breezes.  The winds varied from 8 to a constant 20 on Friday. The gusts were recorded up to 25+ mph with 20-30 degree wind shifts. The 16 racers were all close. 

We were told that the wind was really unusual and that we should expect the usual light winds on Saturday. They were wrong. It blew again. This day had less carnage but shiftier less predictable weather. Yet still the same folks were leading. The PRO started with the mother of all courses = triangle with a double windward leeward. 

Sunday was more like a windy “light weather” day, full trapezing and fully powered up. We were able to sail our preferred “Olympic” course = triangle + windward/leeward (shortened to ¾ mile legs). On the reaches we were sailing 3 sail reaches with crew and skipper hiking hard. It was a really fun day.

I came away from this weekend more infatuated with FD sailing characteristics. These large dinghies and very skiff-like yet with enough crew comfort and control that they can be sailed successfully in the higher winds of SF bay and the ocean. It was really a hoot to be blasting around the course on the edge of control and exhilarated from the speed and survival. The people were really helpful, and fun to be around. They all rallied around anyone who needed assistance, lent parts to those needing, replying to all that asked questions and wanted some answers. 

- Report from Zhenya Kirueshkin-Stepanoff (edited)

Here is Jim Algert rounding the windward mark out in front.     And here is a bit of crossing going upwind.   Very competitive racing all weekend!

Click here for full results. 

2007 US FD Nationals !!

Here it the Notice of Race and Entry Form  (here is a MS-Word version) for the US FD Nationals to be held October 5-7.  Coronado Yacht Club is hosting another major event - down San Diego way.  There are 5 boats heading west from the east coast and many boats coming from NorCal and farther.  Rumor has it this may be the biggest Nationals we have had in many years!!! Be there or you will be scored DNC.

Please note!! CYC is looking to have counts of participants along with desired shirt sizes by Friday, 14 September.  

So,  get that form emailed in to Jim Algert. (see NOR).  You can pay later!

How was your summer?

Well, so much has happened since we last spoke.  Many regattas on the east and west coast.  San Diego NOOD in March, North Americans at Canandaigua in May, boats were packed afterwards for Spain.  5 US teams had some good sailing and good times on the Mediterranean coast enjoying Spanish hospitality.  Here is Pete and Barbara Wells hanging with Nettie and Tanya from Holland.  

Here's a few more quick shots - 

Lisa having a great time and Lin with game face on   

Beach launch, but what a beach!   Beautiful Spanish coastline

Boats are back and you can read all about it in the upcoming Trapeze.   Oops! Not a member??? Then click here.  CORK was the next big event.  As usual they didn't disappoint.  Toward the end of day 2 Prez Tim tried to see what sailing a race with a broken rudder was all about.  Not much, he reports.  

Web site:
Since no one has felt like creating a new Bulletin board for us, I have changed the links to point at Sailing Anarchy forums and classifieds. This is a remarkable sailing free-speech zone, very rich in content, though salty as well.

Trapeze:

Issue 155 of Trapeze dated November is in process of being mailed currently. 156 is in preparation. 

Our associate Kevin McCabe has taken it on himself to render the trapeze back catalogue into PDF format. Here is his work so far. File sizes range from 2.4 to 8MB so be aware.

2007 news archive

2006 news archive