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Tuesday, 20 July 2010 08:40 |
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With dwindling numbers overall in the Alberta Fireball fleet this year and prior family commitments keeping the Tichkowsky clan at home, we were only 4 boats registered and so, consequently, we were lumped in with the x-class monohulls. Competitors included Frank Crawford and Sean Holmes-Smith, Debbie Kirkby and Gregg Ferguson, Hamish and Francis Ferguson and Chris Lemke. Chris had a friend new to sailing out with him for the first two races, and then came out with his young son Nathan, 7yrs old, at the helm in a 13 knot wind. Nathan frequently takes the helm on his father’s San Juan 21 for a Wednesday night sail but it was impressive to see him steering so steadily in so much wind. Regrettably, they did capsize and were forced to go ashore. Saturday morning, the winds were light and we managed only one race before the wind went through a 90 degree shift and the whole course needed repositioning so we adjourned for lunch. The afternoon brought a stronger breeze and 4 more races were had using a windward-leeward course with between 1 and 3 laps. Competition was close between the top three boats with each one capturing a first and also finding the 3rd spot. Sunday had slightly lighter wind and three more races were run. The lead boats were not always secure and more than once the trailing boat was able to pass for the win. In the end Debbie and Gregg found their new Winder to be fast and captured 5 firsts to win the event. Frank and Sean were very strong and won when the wind was up but Hamish and Francis (now both over 60 and still strong and competitive) could not be counted out as a threat at any time. The final results were Debbie and Gregg in 1st, Frank and Sean in 2nd and Hamish and Francis in 3rd with Chris and crews in 4th. |
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2010 Driftwood Regatta, Calgary |
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Monday, 28 June 2010 14:40 |
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The 2010 Driftwood Short Course Open Regatta was held this weekend at Glenmore Sailing Club (GSC) in Calgary and Alberta Fireballs enjoyed a great event. The format of the annual regatta which has run almost 40 times since its inception was changed three years ago to better accommodate low June Reservoir water levels experienced since Calgary experienced major flooding in 2005. The very short windward – leeward – finish courses put a premium on good starts and boat handling in a large and intense mixed fleet start. Winds ranging between 9 and 14 knots before finally evaporating late in the afternoon along with heat unfamiliar to Calgary this year provided 9 great races. Sunday looked to be much of the same, but the wind never materialized until the Race Committee finally called it a regatta. Still, Saturday’s conditions made it worthwhile. At the end of the weekend, 1st Place went to GSC’s Deb Kirkby and Gregg Ferguson, 2nd to Ken Tichkowsky and Bill Russell of WSC, and 3rd spot to Maddy Purves-Smith and Noah Purves-Smith. The next big event will be Prairie Winds Regatta at the incredible Lake Newell on July 10 and 11 |
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Calgary Boats Sweep Intercity |
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Monday, 14 June 2010 09:21 |
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After a week of cold and wet weather in Calgary we arrived at the Edmonton YC to sunny blue skies and the prospect of a great warm weekend. Three of the five boats in attendance could recall sailing the same Wabamun regattas from as early as 1971. Saturday morning the wind was light ans shifty so we spent the morning enjoying the sun, The afterrnoon brought more wind but with some very broad windshifts which caused the RC to abandon several races. In the end only one race was completed. The great food and the extended June daylight made for an entertaining and fun evening for all. Sunday morning the first race was postponed ashore for 1/2 hour until the lightish breeze began filling in. Four races were run in very shifty conditions and the lead changed several times. In the end Debbie and Gregg found their new Winder to be fast and captured three firsts and a second in the last race. Hamish and Frances Ferguson won that race. Overall results had Debbie and Gregg in first followed by Hamish and Frances. Frank Crawford and Sean Holmes-Smith were third. |
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Friday, 11 June 2010 10:38 |
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The results for the Wabamun Open have been added to the results section. A write-up from the winners has been requested. 
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Winder Wetted at Glenmore |
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Friday, 28 May 2010 09:42 |
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Debbie Kirkby and Gregg Ferguson made a little history on May 26th when their new-to-them Winder was launched for Wednesday night racing at Glenmore Sailing Club. It was the first time that a Winder had been wet in the reservoir. Debbie and Gregg acquired the ex- Peter Wirth boat last winter. It didn't take long for them to get up to speed as Wednesday also marked the first time a Winder had won a race at GSC. Glenmore SC also has a new look to their webpage. Check it out here |
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Fireball_Alberta
