Summer Series Week #1 – July 9, 2024

Greetings!

Who’s ready to start the summer racing series?  I am!  I am!  Let’s see what the weather gods have in store for us!  Forecast calls for temperatures in the high 70s, with SW winds at 5 mph, and a 60% chance of rain…….BOOOOOO ( but my boat IS ready!). Our Race Chair is Michael Kucharski on John Hayward’s pontoon, with Sydney completing the race team.  Remember to check in at the start finish line so the RC can mark you down on the attendance sheet!  We go to Jac’s afterwards (or instead of, if racing is cancelled).  If you don’t see marks in the lake, check your emails and Facebook for cancellation information.  

Also, our webmaster and statistician, Andy Lenczycki, has gotten the website up once more, here is the link:  

We still need a Race Chair with a pontoon boat for the last two weeks – the sign up sheet can be found here:

See you tomorrow either on the water, or at Jac’s!

– Kathy 

ALCA Secretary 

We’re Baaaaack!

After 2 months of down time for our website, it has FINALLY been restored. NOT a big fan of our website provider, JustHost.com. After spending several hours with the JustHost support tech people several times from May 6 on, then several hours July 4, 5, 6, & 7th, the website was restored. Even the tech I was texting with today was not aware that their support team had been able to restore the site (I only found out by accident while I was online with him).

Sorry for the lapse in service – let’s get back to SAILING!

Spring Series Week #8 – June 25, 2024

Hi Everyone!

I decided to send this a bit earlier since we have something slightly different going on this week.  Julie and Andy Lenczycki are hosting the gathering at their house (instead of going to Jac’s).  Their address is 9833 Woodlawn Dr., Portage (down the street from the landing).  The event is planned to go on rain or shine, so come even if sailing is cancelled due to weather.  Pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and baked beans will be provided.  We ask that you BYOB (alcohol or non).   A snack or dish to pass is always welcome, but not necessary.  

Next: on to sailing!  Dave Dunlap using Jeff Daanes’ pontoon is the Race Chair.  We are expecting temps to be hot again, near 90 degrees, with a 60% chance of storms, some of which may be severe.  Winds are forecasted to be WSW at 10-15 mph.  Watch your weather apps for the current radar, watches and warnings.  We will stay in touch via email and Facebook.  

Below is a link to our current Race Chair Sign up.  The last two weeks are open and as a reminder, if we don’t have a Race Chair with a boat to run races from, races will be cancelled.  Tuesday at Lenczycki’s is a great time to show up and discuss the possibilities of working out Race Chair sign-ups as well as pontoon boat availabilities.  We will have the “RC Tote Bag” (thanks, Julie!) that will have the race watches, tablet, and binder with all the information one would need to run Tuesday night races.  Any Race Chair sign-ups are encouraged to familiarize yourselves with these materials and ask questions.  Afterwards, they will be in the hands of each weeks’ Race Chair.  

Also, if you have raced and not joined, but plan to race again, you will need to join the fleet.  Membership forms will be available Tuesday.

The link to the sign-up page is here

Cheers and hope to see you Tuesday!

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

Spring Series Week #7 – June 18, 2024

Greetings!

Well, you guessed it, tomorrow’s forecast is for extremely hot weather, with heat indices around 100 degrees F.  Winds are predicted to be 10-12 mph out of the SSW, with a slight chance of pop up thunderstorms.  Stay watch at your radar apps for these developing storms!  RC is Dave Dunlap on Jeff Daane’s pontoon with yours truly assisting.  Remember to hydrate and try to keep cool!  We go to Jac’s afterwards for results.  

Next week, we will be going to Andy and Julie Lenczycki’s for results.  Pulled pork sandwiches will be served, BYOB and a snack or dish to pass.

Also, here is the link for the race chair sign up, the last week of the Summer series is completely open.  There is at least one Race Chair signed up looking for a pontoon to use;  this can be discussed at the after sailing get together next week.

– Kathy Rubino

Fleet 519 Secretary

Spring Series Week #1 – 5/7/24

UPDATED Tuesday, 5/7/2024 @ 5:07 PM

Racing is cancelled due to impending weather- we’re under a tornado watch and a big ugly storm is headed our way that is producing tornadoes currently.  Once the worst is past, we’ll be headed to Jac’s around 6:30, and as long as we’re not under a warning ourselves. 

Better to be safe than sorry! – Kathy 

Good Evening ALCA!

Tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/7/24) kicks off our 2024 sailing season – I know, it’s come up REAL fast!  Race Chairman is John Hayward with his pontoon – thanks John!  The forecast is calling for at least a 70% chance of thunderstorms, some possibly severe, starting at noon and continuing until after 7pm.  Airtemps are mild, in the upper 60s with winds 10-15mph.  Water temperature at Austin Lake is reported to be around 64 degrees only, so it’s wetsuit weather if the storms do part and allow us to sail.  The race committee will be keeping an eye on the weather and make the decision accordingly.  If we do sail, remember to sail by the committee boat as soon as you hit the water to check in.  We plan to go to Jac’s after we sail or in the event we are cancelled.  Stay tuned to your email and Facebook for any announcements of a cancellation.  

A special thanks to all who attended yesterday’s race committee information session.  It was great to gather as a group and see everyone’s enthusiasm – former PRO Dave Dunlap displayed everything that is available in the Race Committee binder on our widescreen TV, along with diagrams, flags, etc.  This is now available on the fleet website and the officers highly encourage all, especially those signing up for Race Chair, or to be part of the Race Committee to review it before your Tuesday comes up.  

Thanks all for now! Cya at Jac’s tomorrow, maybe sooner than later – I will have membership forms, so bring cash or your checkbooks if you haven’t joined!

ALCA Secretary,

– Kathy 

Letter From the Commodore – 4/29/2024

Ahoy Hoy,

Dear ALCA Fleet 519 members,

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer weather and the gentle breezes that beckon us back to the water, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you as we embark on another exciting sailing season.

Since our humble beginnings in 1984 with just a dozen passionate sailors, our fleet has flourished into a vibrant community of over 30 individuals dedicated to the exhilarating sport of catamaran sailboat racing. From those who are just dipping their toes into the world of sailing to seasoned veterans who have navigated the waters of national and international competitions, our diverse membership truly reflects the breadth and depth of our shared passion.

As we prepare to hoist our sails and set course for adventure, I am reminded of the countless memories we have created together on the water. From the thrill of crossing the finish line in a closely contested race to the tranquil moments spent gliding across the lake at sunset, each experience serves as a testament to the joy and camaraderie that define our beloved sport.

Our sailing schedule for the upcoming season is brimming with excitement, with our Spring Series set to kick off on May 7th, followed by our much-anticipated Summer Series starting on July 9th. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a novice eager to learn, there is something for everyone to enjoy as we gather every Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM to share in the thrill of racing and the beauty of Austin Lake.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated officers who tirelessly work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of our club. Your commitment and passion are the wind in our sails, guiding us toward success both on and off the water.

Our current officers are:

Commodore: Walter Elsner

Vice-Commodore: Michael Kucharski

Secretary: Kathy Rubino

Treasurer: Faith Akert

Race Chairman (Not an ALCA Officer position): Floating

Statistician/Scoring/Webmaster: Andy Lenczycki

As we prepare to embark on this new season of adventure, let us remember the values that unite us – sportsmanship, camaraderie, and a shared love for the sea. Together, we will continue to promote the sport of catamaran racing and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Fair winds and following seas, Walter Elsner Commodore

Spring Meeting (3/24/2024) Summary

Good Afternoon, Folks!

A big thanks to those of you who came to the meeting on March 24th – it was great to reconnect!  To summarized what happened:

  • The revised by-laws were adopted  (see attached)
  • Sailing seasons were voted upon and this is what the majority wanted: 

Spring May 7th through June 25th (8 weeks), 

July 2nd off 

Summer July 9th through August 27th (8 weeks) 

  • Format will be Portsmouth A and B, with 1 start for each race 
  • Race Chairman will be on a volunteer basis (see by-laws for responsibilities).  if there is no race chairman or committee boat for a given week, races for that week will be cancelled
  • Sign up for Race Chair can be found on the following link:  Sign Up Here.
    any questions, please let me know.  Also, once you sign up please let me know.  The officers ask that you only sign up, do not move the names that are entered already.  Everything is open for discussion, in the event of someone wanting a week that is filled.  Also, please see the PDF for the most recent sign-ups.  
  • Depending on the sign-ups, Dave Dunlap and myself will have an early season training session at our place on a Sunday afternoon before the start of the season (May 5).  
  • After sailing gatherings will be at Jacs again this year. 

    For now, I think that is it.  Thank you to all who have joined already!  

Kathy 

Fleet Secretary 

Race Committee Informational Session Sunday May 5th

Happy Spring!

The start of sailing season is quickly approaching with the first Tuesday night race scheduled for May 7th.  A big thanks to John Hayward for signing up to be race chair for the first two weeks of racing!  Thanks also to the others who have volunteered – I will include the link below so you can see where we are at with our sign ups.  Dave and I are planning to hold an informational training session for running our races at our place on Sunday May 5th at 1PM.   Dave will have the marks, flags, horns, etc available for demo,  and  we will go over the running of the program on the tablet for the start sequence as well as the mechanics of the stopwatches for timing the finishes.  We’ll also take a look at the forms and have the committee boat binder available so future race chair persons can become familiar with it. Our address is:  5061 South Long Lake Dr. Portage.  

Sign up for Race Chair can be found on the following link:  Sign Up.
Any questions, please let me know.  Also, once you sign up please let me know.  The officers ask that you only sign up, do not move the names that are entered already.  

Everything is open for discussion, in the event of someone wanting a week that is filled.

We are having it early so it won’t interfere with anyone’s dinner Cinco de Mayo plans!  Hope to see you here! 

Kathy

ALCA Secretary 

ALCA 2024 KICKOFF MEETING & PARTY

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Happy End of Winter Everyone!

As we say hello to spring this week, it’s also time to start thinking of getting back on the water!  Our spring kick-off meeting will be held Sunday March 24th at our place on Long Lake.  The fleet will provide  pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw; please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.  Water, soft drinks and coffee provided, BYO adult beverages.  

Where: Kathy Rubino and Dave Dunlap’s house on Long Lake

             5061 South Long Lake Drive, Portage

When:  March 24th Sunday 

             2:30 pm – arrive, social time

             3:00 pm – meeting starts

             4:00 – 4:30 pm – dinner

At the meeting, we will discuss and vote on the by-law changes; the updated by-laws were sent out 2 weeks ago to 2023 members.  These changes were necessary since no one has stepped up to be a PRO, and describes the operation of the fleet without a PRO as an officer.  The revised by-laws describe the best solution the officers were able to come up with. 

We will also vote on the usual: 

  • sailing format
  • fleets
  • racing schedule. 

It’s time to renew your membership – remember to bring your checkbooks or cash for joining!  See the membership form – I will have these available at the meeting.  

RSVPs appreciated –  Hope to see most of you!  

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary