Anderson Family Purchase an Opti!

Martha and Oscar Anderson are new boat owners. They purchased an Opti from Deephaven Mn last week. The boat is race quality and will be a great addition to the fleet. Name suggestions include..... "Little Blue Chip"

Plans for 2010 Madison Opti Racing

Listed below is a tentative plan for next years Madison Opti Racing.

Friday Night Fun Series.  June 11, 18, 25 July 2, 9, 16  at the Maple Bluff boat launch.

Mendota Yacht Club/Payton Regatta.   June 19th during the pig roast party.  Regatta chairman Jamie Hanson

Lake Monona Regatta.  One day event on a Sunday afternoon in July.   Regatta chairman Greg McCormick.

Lake Waubesa Regatta.   One day event on a Sunday in early August.  Sailed out of the Waubesa sailing center.  Regatta chairman Ron Rosten.

USODA Opti National Championship in Wisconsin!

The Opti National Champs were sailed Oct. 9-11th at the Milwaukee Yacht Club.  The Simon family went to watch the nations best Opti sailors compete in freezing conditions.  Sunday mornings temperature was 34 degrees with ice being scraped out of boats.  The sailors were dressed in full winter gear.  Dry suits, dry gloves and wild ski hats were the norm. 

The sailors left the harbor at 9:00am and did not return untill 3:30pm (lunch and port-a-potties on the water).  Most of the kids looked cold, but happy upon returning.   It should also be noted most of the kids were not from the midwest.  The poor sailors from Miami, Houston, So. Cal and S. America were greated to conditions more suited to iceboating.

170 sailors competed.  Most flew in and rented boats.  The sailors would bring there own blade, rudder, mast and sail.  A couple of powerhouse teams from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Annapolis sent trailers with 8-10 optis on them including a coaching rib.   Professional coaches were present.  Seems like the hottest coaches were from Argentina or Europe.   There were also several Danish sailors taking part even though it was a US Team qualifier.   This gave the Milw. YC  and the event an international flare.

Local sailor Malcolm Lamphere from Lake Geneva placed 7th, Ben Garber from L. Minnetonka finished 28th and Augie Dale from Pewaukee placed 76th.

Award Party and Fleet Meeting

Madison Opti Racers attended a party and trophy ceremony at the Simon house on Saturday, September 26, 2009. All sailors received participation awards. Parents conducted a fleet meeting to discuss planning for 2010. Highlights of the afternoon included

• homemade icecream courtesy of Kyle Metzloff
• water balloon fight
• swim noodle battle
• boat rigging tips
• plans for ice optis

Thanks to all who could attend and looking forward to next year!

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Fall Sailing at Burrows Park

While it seemed like there was no wind in all of Dane County on Sunday morning, the determined Madison Opti sailors headed down to Burrows Park around noon and surprisingly found a nice west breeze around 5 mph.

Oscar and Martha Anderson sailed optis for the first time today. Even though they are used to sailing on their father's A-scow (H-13), they both thought the opti was pretty exciting. Other sailors out today included Tyler and Cayley Metzloff, Bryn Ostby, Thor Rosten, and Meta and Fritz Simon.

All of the kids participated in tip-over drills which was a good excuse to go swimming. The fleet also sailed a couple of fun races and Tyler won his first race.

The sailors took a break at mid-day for some hotdogs on the grill and Oscar led the charge to head back out for some more sailing.  Once the boats were put away, the group stayed on the water for one last swim and were treated to a visit from Rhonda Aries and her dog Rico who loves to swim as much as the kids do.



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A few more photos have been added to the picasa site courtesy of Barb and Ron Rosten. Thanks! (updated 9/15/09)

Grandpa Hanson joins the Opti Fleet!

Bill Hanson sailed an Opti for the first time today.   He tested the family Opti and declared it safe and fast for Billy, Mica and Cora.  Winds were light and the Hanson kids joined the Simon family for some late season sailing.  At one point, Jerrry and Greg Simon along with Bill were standing in waist high water in front of Burrows Park coaching the kids.   Hope Simon enjoyed taking her turns sailing the Opti and clicking photos.  

Highlights of the day included watching Billy and Meta both sitting out/hiking and using their tiller extensions.  Fritz Simon (4 yrs old) and Mica (5 yrs old) each took turns rounding the mini-race course and showed great boat handling skills.

Tyler and Cayley Metzloff made a late day visit to say hello after taking a ride on an A boat.

Hopefully the weather and wind cooperate for some fall sailing for the optis.

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Pewaukee Lake Sailing School General Info

The Pewaukee Lake Sailing School holds classes from mid-June through July 2009. The beginner class lasts 2.5 hours with one to two hours of time on the water with on shore instruction. Cost is approximately $350 for the summer. They have trained instructors and about 100 kids participated in '09. It can be a great option for Madison sailing kids to receive formal instruction. It's a short hour drive down I-94.




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Pewaukee Lake Sailing School Pirate Night, August 10, 2009

Meta Simon attended Pewaukee Lake Sailing School in summer 09. On the last night of beginner races, all the kids decorate their boats and dress like pirates to celebrate the end of the summer.

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Opti's Go in a Blow

Friday July 17 was an unusually cold and windy night -- temps in the mid-60's and winds pushing 20mph. But that didn't stop the Madison Opti racers. Billy Hanson braved the conditions on his own but almost capsized. His father Jamie, a bit more of a sailor than an opti needs, almost swamped his yacht. The Metzloff's each sailed with a child (Kyle with Cayley and Liz with Tyler). Lon Schoor and grandson Bryn came out for a ride too. Thor Rosten and his father Ron went for a sail and Greg Simon took turns piloting the 213 with Meta and then Fritz. After an hour or so of crazy sailing we all enjoyed burgers and hotdogs on the grill. Bill Hanson watched the action from his motorboat and took some great photos.

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New Opti for the Hanson Family!

Billy, Mica and Cora will be enjoy a new Opti racer! The Hanson family drove down to Lake Geneva last weekend to purchase the boat. The Opti #10181 was owned by Leslie Poole of Lake Delevan. She "aged" out of the fleet after her 13th placed finish at the Opti Blue Chip regatta held on Lac LaBelle. The boat is clean and fast with many sail to choose from.

The Hanson's are also looking for a second boat before winter. Parts are needed for the Ice Opti project underway at the Bill "seniors" boat works.

Suggestions for the name of the new boats? Orca... Hanson Brothers.... Slap Shot... or maybe Hansonized!

Opti Sailing First Night

"Forty years after 4LIYC legends Bill and Mike McCormick, David Rosten, Bill Hanson, and Jerry Simon set up their boats on Warner Bay for a cold winter's day of iceboating, their grandchildren gathered at the lake for Opti sailing. Friday evening, June 12, kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 came down to Warner Bay for the first night of Opti sailing. The very light winds were perfect for the novice sailors and it wasn't long before a water balloon and squirt gun battle ensued. In total there were about 35 kids and parents enjoying the lake which included Bill Sr., Jamie, Billy, and Micah Hanson; Kyle, Liz, Tyler, and Cayley Metzloff; Greg, Tami, Jenny, Kelsa, and Kylie McCormick; Tim, Aimee, Katie, and Molly McCormick; David, Tera, and Bryn Ostby; Ron and Thor Rosten; Lon and Donna Schoor; Bev, Kristin, Brian and Jacob Semmann; Greg, Hope, Meta and Fritz Simon; Rhonda Arries and Jeff Russell; Robert Krebs."
Greg Simon


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No Tears Regatta July 20th

Tyler, Cayley Metzloff and Meta Simon attended the ILYA's No Tears regatta on Lac LaBelle. The first race was sailed in light winds. All the Mendota kids sailed well and learned quickly how to get around the modified course they the saw for the first time. Candace Porter and Suzie Reese helped guide the kids around the course along with the help of the Pewaukee Sailing School instructors Lauren, Ally and Leif.

The afternoon sailing included three races in moderate to light conditions. The Mendota fleet all showed good boat handling skills. The kids competed against power house sailing schools from Beulah and Lake Geneva. Names like Melges, Navin, Porter and Frytag competed in the regatta.

Lac LaBelle did a great job hosting the event from a private home on the lake. The lunches were great and all of the kids enjoyed receiving a medal at the awards presentation. Regatta results can be found at the ILYA No Tears East results page.

Kyle and Liz Metzloff along with Liz's parents and the Simon family enjoyed attending the regatta.





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Opti Practice

Thor and Meta went out in high winds today Aug. 9th to practice before the Pram Power regatta. Thor sailed his new boat for the first time. The kids sailed around human bouys! Ron Rosten was the windward mark while Greg Simon was the leeward mark. Both kids learned quickly that hitting the bouys was more fun than rounding wide. Other highlights included a tip-over drill. Thor and Meta tipped over several times and learned how to right their boats. Each came proficiant on bailing an Opti dry.

Thor Rosten purchases an Opti!

Thor Rosten is a new owner of an Opti racer. The Rosten family found the boat on craigslist. It was purchased from a family that has a daughter that aged out of the fleet. She sailed the boat for several years on Lake Nagewicka. The boat is in great shape and has a crispy sail. The only thing needed is a boat name. How about Thorized! Please post suggestions for Thor to consider.

North Lake "Pram Power" Regatta Aug. 13th

Thor Rosten, Meta Simon and Kaylee Metzloff sailed in the Pram Power regatta on North Lake. They were joined by Barb Rosten, Liz and Tyler Metzloff and Fritz, Hope, Greg and Jerry Simon. The weather was perfect for this beginner regatta. 80 degrees and winds around 5mph. This regatta is famous for the give aways, the organized crafts and games between sailing. The crafts included face painting, tattoos, hat making, necklace making, drawing, painting and much more. A raffle was also set up and included Packer tickets, an Opti sail, and pony rides. The kids really enjoyed the off the water activities.

The sailing was spectacular. 34 boats competed in the Green fleet while 15 boat sailed in the Senior fleet. The on the water coaching from area sailing school instructors help "steer" the kids in the right direction. Results can be found at the North Lake Yacht Club's website. Meta, Kaylee and Thor each made their parents proud. Seeing so many kids on the lake enjoying opti racing was a thrill for all.

Special thanks to the NLYC for the great lunches and the ample supply of spectator boats. Honestly, there were more spectators than sailors!

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Location and Address

The Opti racing series will be sailed on Lake Mendota in Warner Bay.

The Madison Youth Sailing Foundation and the Madison Sailing Center is the location of your activities.

The address is 1201 Woodward Dr.

The Opti sailboats are kept inside the Maple Bluff boathouse at the Maple Bluff Marina.

The Warner Park boat launch has bathrooms and a spot to launch motor boats if necessary.

Parking is available in the Maple Bluff boat storage area.

Madison Opti Racing

Hello fellow Opti Racers.

Starting Friday June 12th at 5:30pm the Madison area will have an Opti sailboat racing series! The Madison Youth Sailing Foundation has allowed us to rent their Opti sailboats for a racing series. We ask that you contact Greg Simon (849-4605) to make a reservation to reserve a boat for your childs use.

Please come join the fun.