A brief introduction to what beginning racers want to know before heading out on the course.
IUP Sailing
iblog.iup.edu/iupsailing
Category: Racing
IUP sailors have the opportunity to participate in up to six regattas in Spring and Fall of 2024, as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Check us out this Spring … learn to sail and (if you like) learn to race!
Sailing practice fun in sunny, warm Oriental North Carolina. March 2022.
Congratulations to Sam, Ben, Sam and Archive, who competed in their first every college sailing regatta at the Erie Yacht Club this weekend. The sailors had great wind conditions and had the chance to fully immerse themselves in college racing, with competition from some very seasoned competitors out of Syracuse and RIT, as well as nearer clubs like Penn State, Pitt, and Gannon. Already we are talking strategy for our October race at Penn State / Prince Gallitzin.
https://scores.collegesailing.org/f21/battle-lake-erie/
Saturday, September 18:
It was a beautiful day for a regatta at the Erie Yacht Club on Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie. By the start of racing the wind filled in at NE 8-12 knots and was consistent through most of the day. The RIT Tigers got off to a great start in the early going and sailed strongly through the whole day, holding down the number one slot. Syracuse and Pitt battled for second place, trading leads a couple times, but by the end of the day the Syracuse Orange began to settle into second. At 12:30 we broke for a catered lunch generously provided by the Erie Yacht Club foundation. After lunch the wind built to 12-15 but then started back down to 8-10. We finished 14 races, the last two in dying air. The race committee, comprised of many Erie Yacht Club volunteers, kept the course square through the day. All races were W2s because the wind is expected to be light tomorrow, and we wanted to get through as much of the rotation as possible today. Racing will reconvene at 10AM tomorrow with four more races to complete the rotation.
Sunday, September 19:
Another beautiful day on Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie. Racing started at 10:00 AM with four more races to go to finish the rotations. The first race went off in 5-10 kts from the NE, and a couple holes scattered through the course. By the second race the breeze was up to 8-12 and pretty much a repeat of yesterday. We finished two B Fleet races and then each fleet finished off the day with a W4. Even though there were only four races today there were a couple close rivalries to watch. The battle for first place tightened and went down to the last race with the RIT Tigers holding onto first place by one point over the Syracuse Orange. In another rivalry, the Penn State Nittany Lions did their best to catch the Rochester Yellowjackets, but Rochester was able to hold them off. Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without a capsize, which happened in the very last race of the regatta. All the teams were on the road home by 1:00 PM. Thanks to all the teams for their sportsmanship, and a big thanks to all the volunteers from the Erie Yacht Club who were on the water in every capacity both days. Thanks also to all the team members from the host schools — Gannon University, Mercyhurst University and Penn State Behrend — for their contributions to prepping the boats and keeping the regatta running smoothly.
On Sunday 9/27, sailors from IUP, Gannon University and the University of Pittsburgh converged on Yellow Creek Lake near campus to enjoy a day of racing and camaraderie. The Messabout took place at the Yellow Creek Sailing Base and was co-sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Yellow Creek.
Eleven sailors from IUP participated: Phil Dorn, Karl Richter, Joe Cristello, Ryan Sweeney, Kaleigh Gilmer, Karen Hill, Allie Jane, Will Brunner, Sean Horan, Denali Davis, and Ellie Kapp.
Gannon brought eight sailors from Erie, and Pitt also brought eight sailors. All three schools are members of the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Sailing Association, and so they are eligible to compete in formal regattas on the Great Lakes, Chesapeake, and Atlantic. None of the three teams is more than four years old however, so it was decided a less formal “Messabout” would be more appropriate than a strict regatta.
Six races were held, with boats visiting the committee boat in order to substitute crew members, so that as many sailors as possible could enjoy the fun experience. Winds were perfect for an exciting race day, with sustained speeds of 10-11 mph and gusts up to 19 mph!
While the racing was not a “sanctioned” regatta, a standard “T-1” course was set up and the teams raced very competitively. Typical of college racing, the host team provides the boats; so IUP provided its six sailboats for the teams to share. So each school had two boats on the water, and each boat has on sailor who is the “skipper” and is accompanied by the “crew.” Scores are calculated on a low point system, with the winner of a given race receiving one point and the last place finish 6 points.
Final results were: Pitt Boat 03, First Place; IUP Boat 02 and Gannon Boat 05 tied for Second Place, with Pitt Boat 04 in third place.
Since some sailors had never participated in a formal race, and one or two crew were totally new to sailing, one could see improvement as the races progressed. There were several close finishes, one equipment breakdown (fixed on the water), and one capsize!
The racing was followed by a BBQ and campfire to warm back up after the “refreshing” sailing. IUP Sailing is a community affair with alumni members and faculty eligible to join.
Like Pitt and Gannon, the IUP sailing club welcomes new members. Experienced members can become involved in racing, but the focus of the club is on welcoming new sailors to the sport. The club “captain” Karl Richter and club advisor, Prof. Ken Sherwood, are both certified US Sailing instructors. Finance Prof. Dan Lawson and experienced student sailors also help teach the novices. As part of the club membership, interested students can learn and then achieve official US Sailing certification. IUP Sailing meets in Leonard 118 on Thursday evenings at 8pm. Look them up on Crimson Connect, http://iblog.iup.edu/
College sailing season for Fall is August – Nov 1, and Spring sailing begins when the lake thaws in April.
Yellow Creek Messabout
(a fall, sailing festival)
Noon, Sunday 9/27
You are invited to a fall sailing festival at Yellow Creek State Park. Come join us for sailing, socializing and food. Beginning at noon, we expect sailors from University of Pittsburgh and Gannon University to join IUP for informal racing. We’ll have social sailing on FOYC boats and SUPs (stand-up paddle boards) for Friends members. But if you’re not a member, come join the festivities and find out about our sailing lessons and growing community sailing opportunities.
The Messabout is a relaxed alternative to the formal regatta. Bring your boat, if you have one … or hitch a ride with the friendly sailors at Yellow Creek. We’ll provide hotdogs, BBQ supplies and drinks. You’re welcome to bring your own favorite food to grill and share.
Yellow Creek Messabout is co-sponsored by Friends of Yellow Creek (FOYC.org) and the IUP Sailing Club (https://iblog.iup.edu/iupsailing/).
The Yellow Creek sailing base is accessible via College Lodge Road off of Rt. 422. (Beach launching only at the sailing base; if you are bringing a trailerable boat, please launch from one of the park launch ramps on the north shore.) Email FriendsOfYellowCreek@gmail.com for more information.