Madison Opti Racing Week Three

Cool temperatures greeted the sailors once again for the third week of sailing at Burrows Park. Will summer never really arrive? The lake was choppy from the higher winds earlier in the day and with the winds out of the northwest, the downwind landings at the beach left the parents scrambling! Eleven boats came out this week with a few new faces in the group.

The post-sailing cookout included a special treat -- birthday cake for Quinn Senke who turned 10 on June 24 -- Happy Birthday, Quinn. The sailors also were able to watch the catamaran sailors set up their boats for a regatta this weekend headquartered at Burrows.

More photos on the picasa page (blame the wavy conditions for the few blurry ones).

Payton Regatta Report

Unfortunately the Payton Regatta was not officially sailed by the Opti fleet. Many families had schedule conflicts with the date, but Will Sprinkman and Oscar Anderson used the afternoon wisely to get more time at the helm -- kudos to Will and Oscar!

Plan on next Friday, 6/24, for the third week of Madison Opti Racing.

Another fun Friday night

Fifteen boats and over 50 people descended on Burrows Park for the second Friday of Opti sailing. This week the sailors were split into two groups with Liz Metzloff leading the junior fleet. Coach Greg put the racing kids through several boat-handling drills and a few short races. Joining the group this week were the Sprinkman, Segersten, and Ostby families. Thor Rosten's aunt, Deb Whitehorse, joined us on the coach boat. A cookout followed the sailing and we're quite sure a record number of hotdogs were consumed this week!

See the rest of the photos on picasa.

Madison Opti Racing (MOR) 2011 begins!

Friday June 10 was the first night of Madison Opti sailing for the 2011 summer. We had an impressive turnout -- 14 boats and more than 30 participants with sailors and families -- this may even be a record! Luckily the weather cooperated with light/medium winds out of the northeast and no rain in spite of slightly cool temperatures.

Several sailors came out for their very first Opti sail and six-year-old Kylie McCormick sailed solo for the first time after two years of sailing with her dad and older sister, Kelsa. Way to go Kylie! And kudos to new sailor, Gus Wenning, who shortly after leaving the beach at Burrows, kicked his dad out of the Opti and sailed solo in his first night out - great job, Gus!

All would agree that the venue at Burrows worked out very well for this week. Hopefully a strong west breeze and bugs or geese won't change our opinion!

Specials thanks to Brian Anderson for making two dollies for the group to use in launching boats. Also, thanks to the moms for providing a great after-sailing meal -- everyone certainly had a hearty appetite by the end of the evening.

Next week we plan to differentiate the fleet into two groups with Liz Metzloff leading the beginning sailors and Coach Greg helping the more experienced work toward regatta sailing.

MOR photographer Hope was clicking away -- over 100 photos have been uploaded to the picasa page -- enjoy!

Senke family adds two boats

Quinn and Colin Senke are the lucky new owners of two racing Optis for the 2011 season. Sailboats now outnumber children 3-2. A sure sign of a true sailing family! The Senkes are also excited to be attending the Pewaukee Lake Sailing School this summer in addition to sailing with Madison Opti Racing on Fridays.

Casey Anderson's new boat

Casey, youngest member of Don and Beth Anderson's family, joined the Madison Opti fleet with her new boat complete with interior graphics courtesy of her older sister Carly. Welcome Casey!

Thank you Boathouse of Madison

Madison Opti Racing would like to express our gratitude to Don Anderson and the Boathouse of Madison for contributions and support in helping the Opti fleet grow by 10 boats this year. Thanks Don!

5345 West River Road, Waunakee, WI 53597, Phone: 608-849-9200, Fax: 608-849-9231,
Email: boats@madisonboathouse.com