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August 8, 1999

Dear Friends in Sailing,

Heavy rains forced the postponement of race number 6. The rain began in earnest about noon and showed no sign of letting up. The race committee hung in there until 2 P.M. when it was apparent that the conditions were unsuitable for racing. By 2:30 P.M. the wind died completely, but the rains didn’t. Had the race been attempted, there would have been little if any wind for the next hour, but plenty of drought appeasing water. What was good for our lawns and gardens, was not good for sailing.

We will attempt two races on the 15th of August with the first, race 6, beginning at 1 P.M. and the second, race 7, immediately after. I will attempt to call as many of you as possible this week. Please help by spreading the word.

In the future, if conditions warrant, look for a cancellation flag either on the committee boat or on the point in front of the beach club if we can secure permission to do so. The flag will be red with two white stripes or white with three red stripes, whichever you prefer. Remember that the race committee has the sole responsibility for postponing races and not the commodore, though input is usually asked for by the committee from members of the club at large before a decision is reached.

After the cancellation of the race a few of us, wet already, went for a sail. After we finished and drifted back to the mooring, the most unusual thing happened. The wind started up again, but was accompanied by very little if any wave; almost as though a down draft had started in the middle of the lake and spread to all the surrounding shore.

See you for two this Sunday,

Mike

Tip of the week: The trick to good helmsmanship is to avoid turbulence and drag and keep the boat moving through the water, with the nicest, smoothest flow of water possible---turning in an arc rather than jerking the rudder around at an angle. Ideally, let your rudder "follow" the boat through a turn by inducing the turn with a change in body weight and sail setting.