Lake St. Louis Race Week.

Race Week, 2009ed. This year we experienced the full gamut of weather, from storms and high winds to being becalmed. As usual the PCYC and the BYC regattas “bookended” the week. This week is was PCYC's turn to kick off the events. The day dawned with dismal forecasts of storm and heavy wind and rain conditions. However the morning was not so bad, and a large number of boats turned out for this 2009 event. The PCYC race committee, probably after reading the weather reports, and looking at the alarming radar pictures decided to get off their three races as fast as possible. The RC did an impressive job of doing just that, and setting good courses along with the fast timing. And, as the last race was getting under way, the threatened storms were in fact approaching fast. The wind was rising and the sailing was more and more exciting. Great regatta, and great sailing. And very soon after we were off the course, the rain came down in torrential quantities. Great timing, PCYC.

The week was quieter with the other end of the spectrum of wind conditions. Quiet Tuesday, very light air sailing on the Wednesday, becalmed on Thursday, and then the BYC Regatta Saturday.

Again, the BYC regatta threatened heavy rain all morning, with the prospect of storms to go with it. Even the radar images were worrying. Sadly this seems to have discouraged many sailors from coming out for the regatta, with only 4 PHRF 1's and 2's, and three White Sail entrants. The PHRF 3's were better attended, but still with only some 10 competitors.

The day started with rain, but this quickly changed to sunshine causing some sunburns for those that were not expecting the sun! After a false start with the wind dying to zero from the South East, the wind veered to the South West, and picked up to a very respectable velocity, steadily over 15 knots.

A great week of sailing, sadly over now for another year.

All the results can be found here.