AYC Roadrunner Sailing Team

Nice article in sailmagazine.com highlighting five clubs that “represent some of the best sailing instruction in metropolitan areas.”

Summer Sailing for Kids
By MacDuff Stewart Posted June 2, 2010

Texas
Texan sailors are lucky enough to have youth sailing programs available year-round, but the number of sailing programs doubles in the summer. At the Austin Yacht Club, sailors as young as four start their sailing careers in Optis and Picos, while older children experience Lasers and FJs, all in preparation for events associated with the Texas Sailing Association. A key perk for parents: Wednesday and Thursday nights feature informal racing programs for those sailors who hope to race with their children.

We’re adding two more PBJ classes in August. Registration will open up Wed May 19 on the AYC site, so stay tuned.

Here are the dates:

PBJ August Class 5 (9:30a-11:00a) Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
PBJ August Class 6 (11:00a-12:30p) Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
[school starts Mon Aug 23, AISD, LTISD]
[labor day is Sept 6]

We had a great weekend of Laser sailing at Lake Travis this weekend, with 47 boats, a full lake and enough breeze to overlook the onslaught of motorboat wakes.

Congrats to Fred & Sally for yet another classic event.

And three cheers to the winners:

Howdy Hughes (Laser 4.7)

Chase Shaw (Laser Radials)

Scott Young (Laser Full Rigs)

Results: 2010 Easter Laser Regatta (Austin Yacht Club)

source: www.schrothfiberglass.com

Abby Sunderland can’t drive a car yet, but is currently sailing solo past Cape Horn on her Open 40-footer.

Source: grindtv.com

Track the 16-year-old’s progress as she tries to become the youngest person to solo around the world.

Here’s the latest article from grindtv.com.

Abby is one of two sixteen year-olds currently doing a solo sail around the world.  Australia’s Jessica Watson began her sail from Sydney in October 2009 and rounded Cape Horn on Jan. 13, and soon hit 70-knot winds that almost capsized her 34-foot pink sailboat.

Congrats to the 101 sailors and everyone who supported the event.   The regatta was a huge success, thanks to all the sailors, volunteers, great weather and full lake.

AYC RR Team 2010

Here are the regatta results from the Texas Sailing Assoc site.

Next up?  Check out the rest of the TSA junior circuit schedule.

Number of boats:

26 Opti RWB
18 Opti Green
6 Laser 4.7
12 Laser Radial
3 Laser Full

18 FJ

83 total

AYC RR Green Fleet 2010

Sailing in the Roadrunner Regatta this weekend? Or another junior sailing event down the road?

Check out these great tips from Scott Young’s blog.

AYC Road Runner Regatta—This Weekend!

Here are a few things to think about in preparation for the regatta.

Boat Preparation:  How are your control lines?  Any worn or frayed lines?  Are they the right size, length, stretch?  No need to have a lot of excess line laying in the bottom of the boat soaking up water.  Have you tightened down all of your fittings?  Are all ring-dings taped and secure?

How is your boat bottom?  All scratches sanded smooth and the hull polished?  No road grime or grung!  Make sure your hull is clean and smooth!!

You can register online for the March 6-7 Roadrunner Regatta at AYC.

Here’s a great list of 15 tips from Tom Coleman (aka @optiguytom) at the NSPS last week, covering everything from courses and lunch to sportsmanship and trophies.

GreenFleet Regatta Dos Donts.pdf

Here are two calendars for Austin Yacht Club junior sailing events.  They work great for gmail users — just click on the Google Calendar icon in the bottom right of the screen to add to your personal Google Calendar page.

Austin Yacht Club Junior Sailing Calendar – includes AYC Roadrunner practice dates and events.

Texas Youth Sailing (TSA) Calendar – includes TSA events.

[update: practice cancelled for Feb 7 due to (get this) too much water.  The dock is now floating is the middle of the cove]

There will be a Green Fleet practice session on Sunday, February 7, 2010, from 2 to 4 pm. Please read the attached attached notice notice for all the details and for the Green Fleet 2010 Spring Schedule. Please contact Yolanda (Ymares@earthlink.net) before Sunday if you would like to reserve an Opti. If you don’t need to reserve an Opti, but plan to bring your own, please also let me know.

Even if your skipper is not planning to sail on Sunday, you are welcome to join us at 4:30 for a brief Green Fleet meeting. We’ll be discussing many important items.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!  Have a great day,
Yolanda