Etchells Fleet 13

Due to an unusual weather system bringing in warm air from the desert, sailors arrived to the starting line on Saturday morning of the September One Design Weekend to find the wind coming from a very unusual NNE direction. This meant that the weather mark was tucked in the NW corner off of Coronado Island and while the entire course was shielded from ocean swells, the wind was shifty due to the effects of the Point Loma headlands.

            “Bruce Nelson Secures WCSS & Orca Bowl Wins on Final Upwind Leg of the Series” 

After 4 events and 26 races, Bruce Nelson secured wins in the WCSS (West Coast Spring Series) and the Orca Bowl in dramatic fashion on the last windward leg of the final race of the 4 regatta WCSS.

The third event of the Etchells West Coast Spring Series (WCSS) was the Etchells Pacific Coast Championship (PCC) which was sailed the weekend of April 9_10.  The weekend forecast called for intermittent rain squalls with winds of 15 to 20 knots and gusts up to 25+ knots so as competitors prepared for the weekend they very concerned that they might be in for some brutal weather conditions. On Saturday morning Etchells arrived to the start line on Coronado Roads and were surprised to find a mild south breeze and semi cloudy skies.

The Saturday of the February ODW turned out to be a very long and challenging day on the race course for Etchells sailors who witnessed one of the most outstanding performances that has occurred in recent years.  

By:  Mike Terry

        USA 1263

        Fleet 13 Secretary

Weather reports for Saturday morning for the January 2016 ODW called for high winds and rain. Sailors arrived to the start area for the 1st race of the New Year only to find no wind and calm seas. A strong storm front sitting off the coast to the north was stalled, preventing the sea breeze from filling in. Numerous small puffs worked their way down the course and finally after 45 minutes the wind filled in steady enough for the PRO to get a race off in 6 knots from 268 degrees.