Caspian Lake Sailing – 2024 Season Report
Caspian Lake Sailing ran another strong season of racing this summer. In the August Series 38 total sailors competed over the course of 8 races in 3 weeks. Counting July programs there were 43 participants over all. August races averaged 12 boats per race. On three occasions the fleet reached 16 boats. Sunfish comprised the majority. Also competing were Lasers, RS Class, a Flying Dutchman, a Voyager, an Hunter, a Hobie Cat, and a Rocket.
Throughout the series sailors raced with sportsmanship and real joy in typical Caspian wind that is predictable only in being unpredictable. Constant shifts in wind direction and speed made for classic Caspian races in which the back of the fleet caught up to the front, leads changed regularly, and the order of finish remained uncertain until the last moments. Often boats finished within seconds of each other. In short, loads of fun was had by all.
Series scoring works on a low point system with 1 point for a first place, 2 for 2nd, and so on. Sailors top four finishes were counted toward final scoring. Top finishers for series were:
Paul Brierre – 4 points
John Jacobs – 7 points
Peter Osterhout – 8 points
Rusty Newhouse – 14 points
There were numerous other strong finishers who may have only sailed in 3 or fewer races. Among them were Paul Landon, Scott Slater, Patrick Hewes, Cem Arcula, Blake Auchincloss, Chris King, Mark Wright, Doug McDonald, Phoebe Osterhout, Finn Osterhout, and Josie Marshall.
Very notable as well was seeing John Stone racing his Flying Dutchman crewed by multiple family members. This strategy paid off as the Stone/Slater family took home the prize for entering the most family members in the series over all.
Added note: a 2nd Dutchman sailed by Andy and Mateo Kehler took to Caspian waters for the first time in late August… Beautiful and fast these boats are. Hoping to see spinnakers out for a two boat Dutchman class next year.
Please see this attachment for complete results from each race.
Thanks to the efforts of Peter Osterhout CLS expanded its program into July with two scheduled races as well as regular practice and instructional races. Having marks set early in the season gave sailors the opportunity to run pick-up races whenever the wind called, which, of course, it often did. Basically, seeing two or more sails meeting up just north of the sunken island is an invitation to rig up and get out there. Using a slightly higher tech method, Peter built up a group text for sharing announcements, results, and photographs. This group ended up numbering 32 people, which apparently is the maximum for a group on iPhone messaging.
Caspian Lake Sailing is organized by a core group of advocates promoting love of sailing as a means for building community on the lake. All levels of experience, all ages, all boats are encouraged. We offer free and informal instruction. Basically, we see all races as opportunities for learning and teaching. Please come out and join in! See contacts at bottom for more information.
Next summer CLS plans to carry momentum forward with its same programs for July and August – informal/instructional races in July, race series in August. In addition, plans are in the works for a regatta on August 15/16: 5-7 races over two days. Mark your calendars now!
For more information on instruction, for general questions, or to volunteer to help with race committee, please contact:
Paul Landon @ [email protected]
John Jacobs @ [email protected] or 617-504-9203
Paul Brierre @ [email protected]
Peter Osterhout @ [email protected]
Caspian Lake Sailing can also be followed on Instagram
@ caspian_summer_sailing_series
