Laser South

The 2012 Laser South and Radial Open started out with some really great racing. The fleet of 18 full rigs and 18 radials left the dock by 10 AM and began racing in the mouth of the Severn River, just inside Greenberry Point by 1030. 6 races were completed in each fleet before lunch in a southerly breeze that started around 10 knots and built throughout the morning to around 15. After a lunch break the fleet headed out more into the center of the mouth of the river and began racing again in a 15-20 knot southerly. The racing was great and three Radial and four full rig races were complete before the sky started to turn dark to the West with a large approaching storm. We sent the fleet back in to hopefully get in before the storm hit, but we were just a bit too late as the wind shifted NW and increased to 40+ knots just as the sailors were about to pull into the basin. While some of the lucky ones made it in, the majority of the fleet capsized and had to ride out the storm with their boats turned turtle. All of the powerboats remained afloat and a huge thanks goes out to all of the Midshipmen, sailors and visiting coaches who helped ensure that everyone returned safely to shore. We will get started first thing tomorrow to finish the rest of the scheduled races for both events.

Sunday was a very different day in Annapolis and racing began under partly cloudy skies in a 5-10 knot northwesterly at 0930. The wind shifted right throughout the morning and began to get really spotty, so the fleet was sent in around noon for an extended lunch break. By 1330 the breeze filled back in from the NW and we were able to sail through race 16 in both events. Congratulations to the top 6 men who advanced on to the conference singlehanded championships.