May 12, 2001, Leschi
Corinthian Yacht Club’s first-ever Lake Washington Rookie Rally and One Design Clinic was a big success with 22 boats participating in sunny weather. The morning of the event started in the Leschi clubhouse with registration and a continental breakfast, followed by a presentation
from Ed Von Wolfersdorff on the racing rules of sailing. The next classroom session was a presentation on starting tactics from Chuck Skewes of Ullman Sails NW, followed by guest speaker and Lido guru John Popadopalis, who flew in from California for this event. John continued with a discussion of tactics on the rest of the course.
With blue skies and no wind, the race committee scheduled the first start of practice starts for 1:30. By about 2:00, the small carpet of wind that had formed near the middle of the lake had filled enough to get practice starts underway, even though the wind was a very fluky
south westerly. Chuck’s orange speedboat and the rescue whaler were used by our volunteer coaches to provide on the water feedback to the sailors. After about 90 minutes of practice, a series of three short races were held, with the wind holding until the end of the last race. Following the last race, the videotape of all of the starts, taken from the committee boat, was played at the club for review.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the volunteer coaches Mike Johnson, Chuck Skewes, Cliff Wright, Keith Whittemore, and John Popadopalis, special guest speaker Ed Von
Wolfersdorff, Colin Anderson for videotaping, Charlie Rathkopf for driving over from Shilshole after Vashon Island was canceled to drive the rescue whaler.
- Bruce Van Deventer, Rookie Rally chair.
Photos by Bruce Van Deventer - Click on a photo for a bigger one.