Flying Scot Regatta at Leesylvania State Park May 1st & 2nd (Potomac River)
on Monday May 3, 2010 11:21AM
We hear Sunday was
rough for those who stayed home at FBYC. At Leesylvania State Park we
had early summer weather (sun with moderate winds and waves) and two
days of great racing in a fleet of 9 Flying Scots. 23 Lightnings raced
with a separate start. Plan to attend next year for a real
treat.
Five races were
sailed over windward leeward courses. Legs were 1 mile long with 3, 4
or 5 legs per race. Current flowed out the river against the wind,
causing several OCS's but no general recalls for Flying Scots. At
Leesylvania the river is wide and long. Marks were set well off the shore
and land did not affect the breeze. Courses and starting lines were square
to the wind. Winds smoothly cycled between 210 degrees to 240 degrees with
occasional light puffs. Racing was immediately in front of the launch
site. Stars for the fleets were David Neff for Flying Scots with three
wins, and Ed Adams for the Lightnings.
The site at
Leesylvania State Park (550 acres, 10 minutes east of I-95 on the south shore of
the Potomac River) is less than 90 minutes north of Richmond. The
park can easily hold a 100 boat NAC's. There are two well maintained
boat hoists; several launch ramps; a clean, dry and flat asphalt parking
area capable of holding several hundred boats; rest room facilities; large
picnic shelters with electric power, lights and water; and an adjacent area
with trees for camping. The park directs power boats to a separate remote
parking area that has it's own dedicated launch ramps. Consequently
there was no motor boat traffic to deal with in the parking lot or launching
operations. It was easy to push the boat & trailer around the asphalt
parking lot, and to and from the boat hoists. Parking spaces were a very
roomy 75 feet long and almost a boat length wide each. We easily
spread all our stuff out, did not feel cramped, and kept the car parked next to
the boat and all our stuff. The asphalt lot was so clean some Lightning
sailors laid their sails out on it and rolled them up (Flying Scot sailors
used the adjacent well mowed grassy areas). Many hotels and restaurants
are within a 10 minute drive. Saturday dinner and Sunday pre-awards lunch
were included in the regatta fee. There were many park rangers about so
security was not a concern while we were out on the water
racing.
For sailors thinking
about going to an away regatta for the first time - Leesylvania is a
great way to start off the regatta experience.
Mike & Amy Miller - FS 5861