Daily Reports
Day 2- Friday, August 18

The first day of racing for the U.S. Singlehanded Championships at Milwaukee Yacht Club was a bit of a challenge.  There was very little wind in the morning.  The sailors were able to get to the North Gap in the Milwaukee Harbor and there the wind shut off. 

Terry Bischoff’s Race Committee team decided to bring the sailors back in rather than towing and waiting on the water (read the forecast was not promising).  So, in they came to wait it out on short.  This allowed the sailors to have a short lunch which, comparatively speaking, was quite civilized. 

A bit before 1300 a light breeze began to fill in.  Terry pulled his team together and off they went shortly after 1300.  The sailors followed the RC boats out into the lake. The wind settled in at about 5 knots at about 60 degrees.  After one general recall, the boats started at about 1400.  Typically an east wind on Lake Michigan is a little fluky.  True to form, the RC had to Charlie at the leeward mark to 50 degrees.  They shortened the course a bit too.  The wind held pretty steady from then on. 

During the first race the RC did a bit of updating on the weather.  It was learned that there was some significant yellow on the radar as reported by the Milwaukee Yacht Club Dock Master.  The decision was made to not sail any more races and take the sailors in.  It was a wise call as the rain began and the wind lightened as well.

Tonight is a free night for the sailors so hopefully their housing hosts will show them a fun time in Milwaukee.  Please stay tuned, it’s supposed to blow tomorrow afternoon and we’ll give you another update from here in Milwaukee.