Thursday, February 25, 2010

Where are you Spring?

With March just around the corner and current balmy 24 degrees outside, we felt it was time to go looking for some good news.

Good News # 1: Tom Skilling predicts 30's for the next week!

News We Already Knew About # 1: A quick perusal of the WGN weather blog led us to the nifty fact that this season's snowfall is almost double a regular season's. Yikes! No wonder we started researching the spring.

Good News # 2: El Nino is back! According to the National Weather Service, El Nino is expected to impact the Northern Hemisphere through the spring. For the Great Lakes region, the expected impact is below-average precipitation (woo-hoo) and above-average temperatures (double woo-hoo) this spring.

Turning to the pinnacle of long range weather forecasts, we consulted the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Good News # 2 again: The almanac concurs with the NWS, below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for April and May. This is particularly good news for all those lucky people who are starting their lessons in April.

The prediction for summer is a little bit of the good with the bad. June - August temperatures are predicted to be below normal. If you like the hot weather, you're out of luck this year. However, we're also predicted to get slightly less precipitation than average. After last season's wet spring and summer, it's time to do a little dance. Or not, if you think that might bring some rain.

What's your 2010 weather prediction?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

What America's Cup?

To-date we have failed to see any race action in the 33rd America's Cup. Some of our newer sailors may be wondering what it is we're speaking of, so we're taking some down time as we wait for the action to give a brief history lesson.

The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. It earned its name in 1857 when the schooner America won the Cup and brought it to the New York Yacht Club (NYYC). For the next 126 years, the NYYC held the cup and managed the America's Cup regatta. The competition is held in a series of match races between two yachts competing for the Cup. The Deed of Gift serves as the governing document for the conducting of the regatta. Read a full history of winners, challengers and other facts here.

The most prestigious race in sailing, the America's Cup has influenced plots at times on the silver screen. In 1992, Jennifer Grey starred in Wind. While the movie has a very simple storyline, the on-the-water action is fun to watch on a cold winter day! In 1967 Sail to Glory was released, chronicling the story of America's win. We're searching the internet for a copy or more information!

This week marks the start of the 33rd America's Cup, which has been mired in a legal confrontation for some time. The race features two of the most technically advanced sailboats in the world, sponsored by some very wealthy gentlemen. Ironically, these super designed sailboats are too fragile for the ocean conditions they are racing in leading to two days of canceled races. Bob Fisher, an America's Cup historian, has an excellent commentary on the lack of action today. Read it here.


Click here for the larger pdf.

As we wait for the action to begin, our wait for the Chicago sailing season draws nigh. You can bet our keelboats will be ready for the conditions on Lake Michigan for our opening April 10th. We hope you're ready to come out and play with us.