We got more than normal news coverage for the event this year including interviews, videos, newspaper articles, etc.  Must indicate not a lot happening this New Years in the Tri-Cities.  However, I think it is useful in attracting new members.

Ed and Sue Lockett mailed me the following article from the newspaper:

Content:  Weather, Captains Participating, Winners, News Links, Horn Failure’

We had great wind (>10 mph) and temperatures in the mid 40’s yesterday for the race.  Probably some of the best conditions that we have experienced in the 20 year history of the race.  The following link shows the weather profile.

https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/tn/blountville/KTRI/date/2020-1-1

I was worried that not many people would participate, but was pleasantly surprised!  12 boats started and finished the race.  Captains participating were Mike Johnson, Bob Hebner, Jeff Arnfield, Billy Becker, Brandon Bragg, Carter Quillen, Skip Green, Bill Murdoch, Warren Lamb, G. Weber, Wayne Catoe, Bill Smith.

Congratulations to all who participated and their hearty crew!  For the first time, we split the race into two classes:  the “A-racers” and the “PC-Cruisers.”  These same classifications are used in our Spring/Fall Race series.  The winners were:

“A-Racers”: 1st Skip Greene, 2nd Billy Becker, 3rd Wayne Catoe

“PC-Cruisers”:  1st Carter Quillen, 2nd Bill Murdoch, 3rd Brandon Bragg

We had excellent TV and newspaper coverage the week preceding and the day of the race.  I have included a small sampling in the links below.  The first shows video coverage by Angelique Arintok from WCYB from Dennis Anthony’s boat with some commentary by Alex Lindsay.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/setting-sail-watauga-lake-sailing-club-starts-the-new-decade-with-frostbite-race

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/annual-frostbite-race-held-on-watauga-lake/

https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/sports-sailing/2020/01/01/Frostbite-Sailboat-Race-had-perfect-wind

https://www.elizabethton.com/2019/12/31/sailing-club-to-celebrate-new-year-with-race/

Unfortunately, when I tried to blow the start horn, the temperature of the gas was too low and no useful signal was heard by captains.  Very Sad..  Next time a whistle and flag backup will be used.  We were able to pass the time on by haling, but I know it did cause some of you to start late and please accept my apologies.  Thanks for your patience.

Great way to start the Fall race series. Billy and Sue Becker along with Paul Rovegno cooked up a mess of pancakes and sausage very tasty. John Rice held a race clinic on overlaps and strategic mark roundings, great information thanks.

Race started at 2:06 winds variable, and John Rice was committee boat with 7 boats racing.

A Racers
1^st Skip Greene
2^nd Wayne Catoe
3^rd David Wolons
4^th Billy Becker

Performance
1^st George Brown
2^nd Scott Fagley
3^rd John Middaugh

Next race Sept 21^st come join in the fun

WLSC Race Captain
Rob Remme

Ahoy WLSC sailors!

The sunny weather could not have been nicer for the weekend events.  We had a fantastic turnout of 49 people for the delicious salmon dinner on Saturday evening!  Many thanks to Dennis Anthony and Alex Lindsay for cooking the salmon to perfection, Billy and Sue Becker for the preparing the baked potatoes and potatoe salad, Patti Gurysh for bringing the cole slaw and salad, and the W. Catoe’s, Lockett’s, Remme’s, Rice’s, and Frensley’s for providing the delicious desserts.  And thanks to all those who helped set-up and clean-up the deck after the dinner.

During the afternoon prior to the dinner, it was white-capping on the lake and several members were out cruising.  Monika Boggs even had her Laser out for 3 hours enjoying the ideal sailing conditions.

On Sunday at noon, Bill Murdoch, Billy Becker, Clarke Lucas, and Brandon Bragg set-up the buoy line near the dam for the afternoon raft-up.  Members hiked up to the top of the dam for a picnic dinner and to take in the beautiful views in the early evening.  They later retired to their boats for an overnight raft-up.  All in all, ~17 people participated in the raft-up and/or the picnic on the dam.  Many thanks to Bill for organizing this event.

Sail On My Friends!
Commodore Dave
commodorewlsc2019@gmail.com

Spring Race Results

A Racers

1st Skip Greene Batting Average 1,000
2nd Rob Remme Batting Average 571
No other qualifiers 3 race minimum to qualify.

PC Class

1st Place Clark Lucas Batting Average 1,000
2nd Bob Hebner Batting Average 600
3rd Place Scott Fagley Batting Average 455

Rob Remme
WLSC Race Captain

Ahoy WLSC Sailors!

The following events are planned for Labor Day weekend as follows:

Saturday August 31:

• Laser racing, Skipper’s meeting at 1:00pm on the docks.  Member’s children who have been to a WLSC Youth Sailing Camp are invited to participate, as are interested adult members.  Start of the races at 2:00pm, off-shore from the Captains Table restaurant.
• Dennis Anthony will be cooking his famous and delicious Salmon Dinner with baked potatoes, salads, desserts, and refreshments at ~5:30pm.  Cost is $5/person. Please RSVP to me by 8 PM Weds August 28 latest on how many in your party will attend the salmon dinner on Saturday evening August 31.

Sunday Sept 1:

• Picnic on the Dam and Overnight Raft Up, organized by Bill Murdoch, as follows: 
• Buoy line to be set-up by 1-2pm Sunday afternoon near the shoreline at west side of dam.
• Anytime after that come over, raft up, and chill out.  We need a few dinghies so let me know If you can bring a dinghy or small motor boat.
• At 5:30pm we will use the dinghies to shuttle over to a spot on the shore near the Appalachian Trail.  From there we’ll walk the quarter mile trail to the top of the dam.  You’ll need to bring a picnic blanket and something to eat and drink (no alcoholic beverages allowed on the dam since it is TVA property).  There is no shade on the dam, so you will need sunscreen and a hat.  The views from the top of the dam are great.  On one side you can see the river disappear into the power tunnel only to emerge from the two turbines at the power house on the headwaters of Wilbur Lake.  On the other side you have Watauga Lake spread out before you.  Bill will provide some interesting facts about the dam construction, etc to spur your interest.
• We will keep the buoy line up for an Overnight Raft Up for those who choose to stay. Pack something for breakfast and spend the night with us.  It’s a place few people get to see.

So come out to the lake and join us on Labor Day weekend for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 of these events!

Sail On My Friends!
Commodore Dave

Attention all Sailors!
Fun race Sat July, 20th at 2:00 PM skippers meeting at 1:00. This fun race will be a staggered start around the island and back to the start mark for hopefully a exciting finish. All sailors are welcome, hope for wind. Potluck after race, or if no wind a potluck instead of sailing. Hope to see you there.

WLSC Race Captain
Rob Remme

From Commodore Dave Gurysh:

Thought that you would like to hear about some of our recent activities:

The Upper Chesapeake Cruise Trip, June 17-22:
6 couples (W. Catoe’s, Gurysh’s, Lockett’s, Middaugh’s with son Doug and wife Connie, and Veldman’s) had a wonderful time chartering 3 sailboats out of Rock Hall, MD for 5-6 days.  We were joined by Rob and Minta Fannon who were cruising the Chesapeake in June.  We sailed to Annapolis and then on to St. Michaels for 2 nights, and back to Annapolis before returning to Rock Hall.  The Middaugh’s stayed longer in Annapolis to visit the Naval Academy and then cruised to Inner Harbor Baltimore.  All cruising went well except for one dinghy mishap, resulting in a change out of wet clothes for 2 folks.  We had nice weather for most of the trip and good wind, and of course we all enjoyed the delicious local seafood and the get-togethers on the boats and in town.

The Summer Sailstice, June 22-23:
Jeff Arnfield organized his annual celebration of the Summer Solstice with a Saturday night raft-up at the waterfall cove on the mountain side.  The Hinkle’s and Jack Woodside joined the Arnfield’s for the raft-up.

The WLSC Youth Sailing Camp, June 28-30:
7 children attended the 3-day sailing camp and had a great time.  They learned how to tie bowlines and figure-8’s and rig the Laser sailboats each morning, and spent 2 days out on the lake developing their sailing skills.  We accomplished the goal of the sailing camp for the children….To Have A Safe, Fun, and Learning Experience in the Sport of Sailing.  Many thanks to all members who helped put on this camp, including:

• Scott Fagley for his great job of being in charge of the camp
• Danielle Catoe for providing the tasty meals and drinks, and getting t-shirts and framed pictures for the kids.
• Wayne Catoe for showing the kids how to set-up rigging of the boats.
• Clarke Lucas and Skip Greene for their knot tying and sailing class presentations
• Billy Becker for assisting with boat rigging and offering use of his jet-ski.
• And to those members who offered use of their Lasers for the camp.

Summer FUN Race #1 and Cookout on July 6th:
Nine (9) boats participated in a pursuit race to and back from the island with new member Greg Henry single-handling his Hunter 18 to win the race.  John and Mary Jane Rice finished 2nd on the Ultimate 20, new member David Wolons and crew took 3rd, and Skip Greene and James Little took 4th place.  Light winds to the island were followed by a bit stronger winds back to the line.

Twenty-six (26) members turned out for the Hamburger/Hot Dog Cookout and Potluck Dinner on Saturday evening.  VC Billy Becker and Alex Lindsay did a great job on the grille and everyone brought delicious sides and desserts.  Thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up for the dinner.

Next WLSC Event:  Summer Fun Race #2 on Saturday July 20

10th Annual Watauga Lake Cleanup happens 9 AM – 2 PM on Saturday, August 24. Last year we collected about 4 tons of trash. Let’s have some WLSC volunteers help make a big difference keeping our beautiful lake clean.

Volunteers will meet at Fish Springs Marina, Sink Mountain Boat Ramp and Pioneer Landing to sign in and get oriented. Lakeshore Marina is providing a couple of boats, but you need to sign in at Fish Springs to get gear, snacks, swag and probably a water bottle. Wear work clothes you can get wet in. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

If you will be there let Jeff Arnfield know (text 423-647-2671, or email windward@lizards.net) so he can advise the team on what to plan for. Specific questions? Text or call the coordinator at 423-534-4785.

We all love this lake – Let’s chip in and polish this gem!

Ahoy WLSC Sailors!

A reminder for the July 4th and July events this week, as follows:

Thursday July 4th:

• At 2pm, Lakeshore Resort/Marina plans to have their Annual Boat Parade.  Sailboats are welcome to join the parade at the end of the line.  So dress up your sailboat and join the parade.
• Fireworks on the lake to begin after sunset.

Saturday July 6th:

• Summer Fun Race #1, with skippers meeting at 1pm and start of race at 2pm
• At 5:30pm, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs Dinner on the Deck .
• Members are asked to bring a potluck dish to share such as baked beans, potato salad, a vegetable, a dessert, or any side that goes with a burger or hot dog.
• Refreshments of iced tea, lemonade, and soft drink will be provided, as well as condiments and buns for the burgers & dogs.
• Price per person:  $3.00 , free for children 12 & under.
• Please Reply To Commodore Dave by Wednesday July 3 as to how many people in your family plan to attend the dinner on July 6.  So far, the Beckers, W. Catoes, Locketts, Rices, and Veldmans have said they will come.  We need more!

Dave Gurysh <commodorewlsc2019@gmail.com>