Tag Archives: Spring Series

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #4 – May 27, 2025

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Temperatures are finally warming up, with Tuesday’s high being  in the low 70s, with mostly cloudy skies and 10-15 mph winds out of the east.  Yours truly is the race chair with Dave Dunlap assisting on Jeff Daane’s pontoon.  1st race start sequence will be at 6:30 pm sharp!  Hope to see many of you on the water – please remember to sail by the committee boat as soon as we are on station to check in.  Also, attached are the membership form and the race chair sign up sheet.  We are almost full for race chairs for the season, thanks to all who have signed up and/or provided their pontoon boats!  

After racing we go to Main St. Pub on Westnedge, if you do not race but still are coming out, please let us know that you are coming so that we get sufficient seating for everyone.  

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary 

Events, News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #3 – May 20, 2025

Hi All!

Mother Nature just won’t give us a break!  Tuesday we’re looking at a cloudy day with a high of 58 degrees and breezy conditions of 10-20 mph ENE winds and an 80% chance of rain, even into the evening.  I am the Race Chair (🥶❄️❄️) with Dave Dunlap assisting on Jeff Daane’s pontoon boat.  We typically do not cancel until after 5 because we all know how the weather can change from the original forecast. After sailing we will go to Main Street Pub on Westnedge.

Last Tuesday there was a discussion about mid summer social activities, and how much fun our float parties used to be.  So, the ALCA FLOAT PARTY IS BACK this year!  Save the date for Sunday July 20th.  Paid members will receive details on upcoming details for this event.  In the meantime, let me know if you are on the lake and will be joining us via pontoon.  We need at least 5 boats to accommodate the non-lake members who will be attending.  

Just a reminder, if you have a question or comment – just reply to this email (to me), not the entire mailing list (as in reply to all),  unless you really want the whole fleet to receive your comment!

– Kathy 

ALCA Secretary 

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #2 – May 13, 2025

Good afternoon ALCA!

Seems that we are in a great weather pattern with all this warm weather – gardens are getting planted and the lake is starting to warm up!  Tuesday is our 2nd week of Spring Series, and we are looking at highs in the mid 70s with a 40% of scattered thunderstorms.  Winds will be from the east/southeast  at 5-10 mph, decreasing into the evening.  Our race chair is once again Win Larsen. 

Afterwards we will go to Main St Pub on Westnedge, and be prepared to sit outside if the conditions permit.  Also, thanks to all who came out last week and were patient with the staff getting used to our big group!  

Stay tuned to your email and Facebook for changes in tomorrow’s schedule!  

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

Events, News, Series Racing

ALCA 2025 Kick-off Meeting – April 27, 2025

As we leave winter and the snow, it’s time to start thinking of sailing on Tuesday nights!  The ALCA Officers have scheduled the spring meeting for Sunday April 27th at our (Kathy & Dave’s) house on Long Lake in Portage.  The fleet will provide taco’s for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration, and it’s BYO adult beverage.  Dishes to pass are appreciated, and bring anything you’d want to go with tacos, toppings, snacks, slides or desserts.  Water, soft drinks and coffee will be available.  RSVP’s are appreciated, and if you can, let me know what you’ll be bringing. 

Where: Kathy and Dave’s on Long Lake:  5061 South Long Lake Dr.   Portage, MI

When:  Sunday April 27th

            2:30 pm – arrive, social time

            3:00 pm – meeting

            4:00 – 4:30 pm – dinner 

At the meeting we will discuss and decide our racing calendar, have committee boat and race chairmen sign-ups and will have membership forms available.  Please remember to bring cash or check for membership payments.  

We look forward to seeing you!

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

p.s. This email is going out to members from last year, previous members and friends from prior years, as well as some new faces.  If we don’t see you at the meeting, on the water or hear back from you, you will be deleted from the list and not spammed weekly.  

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Events, News

2024 Year End Awards Banquet Info & RSVP

Our year-end dinner/celebration is Sunday September 22 at 5:00pm at La Cantina in Paw Paw.  If you were at our last get together at Jac’s, you may have seen the limited menu that Julie L and I selected.  This menu is included below. We ask that you RSVP with either a yes or no – by replying to this email, along with your dinner selections and if you want to add a side salad.  We have the back of the restaurant to ourselves, and later, we will have our trophies/gifts/meeting in the room downstairs.  Fleet-provided appetizers will be provided soon after 5pm, so be sure to arrive on time!

Again, simply reply to this email by no later than Monday September 16th with your RSVP.  

Weather permitting, our commodore Wally Elsner has offered to host a bonfire not far away.  If you want to attend,  BYOB and your own chair.  

Let me know if you have any questions – 

Kathy  – ALCA Secretary 

ALCA Year End Banquet Meal RSVP
ALCA Year End Banquet Meal RSVP
News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #8 – June 25, 2024

Hi Everyone!

I decided to send this a bit earlier since we have something slightly different going on this week.  Julie and Andy Lenczycki are hosting the gathering at their house (instead of going to Jac’s).  Their address is 9833 Woodlawn Dr., Portage (down the street from the landing).  The event is planned to go on rain or shine, so come even if sailing is cancelled due to weather.  Pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and baked beans will be provided.  We ask that you BYOB (alcohol or non).   A snack or dish to pass is always welcome, but not necessary.  

Next: on to sailing!  Dave Dunlap using Jeff Daanes’ pontoon is the Race Chair.  We are expecting temps to be hot again, near 90 degrees, with a 60% chance of storms, some of which may be severe.  Winds are forecasted to be WSW at 10-15 mph.  Watch your weather apps for the current radar, watches and warnings.  We will stay in touch via email and Facebook.  

Below is a link to our current Race Chair Sign up.  The last two weeks are open and as a reminder, if we don’t have a Race Chair with a boat to run races from, races will be cancelled.  Tuesday at Lenczycki’s is a great time to show up and discuss the possibilities of working out Race Chair sign-ups as well as pontoon boat availabilities.  We will have the “RC Tote Bag” (thanks, Julie!) that will have the race watches, tablet, and binder with all the information one would need to run Tuesday night races.  Any Race Chair sign-ups are encouraged to familiarize yourselves with these materials and ask questions.  Afterwards, they will be in the hands of each weeks’ Race Chair.  

Also, if you have raced and not joined, but plan to race again, you will need to join the fleet.  Membership forms will be available Tuesday.

The link to the sign-up page is here: 

Cheers and hope to see you Tuesday!

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #7 – June 18, 2024

Greetings!

Well, you guessed it, tomorrow’s forecast is for extremely hot weather, with heat indices around 100 degrees F.  Winds are predicted to be 10-12 mph out of the SSW, with a slight chance of pop up thunderstorms.  Stay watch at your radar apps for these developing storms!  RC is Dave Dunlap on Jeff Daane’s pontoon with yours truly assisting.  Remember to hydrate and try to keep cool!  We go to Jac’s afterwards for results.  

Next week, we will be going to Andy and Julie Lenczycki’s for results.  Pulled pork sandwiches will be served, BYOB and a snack or dish to pass.

Also, here is the link for the race chair sign up, the last week of the Summer series is completely open.  There is at least one Race Chair signed up looking for a pontoon to use;  this can be discussed at the after sailing get together next week.

– Kathy Rubino

Fleet 519 Secretary

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #1 – 5/7/24

UPDATED Tuesday, 5/7/2024 @ 5:07 PM

Racing is cancelled due to impending weather- we’re under a tornado watch and a big ugly storm is headed our way that is producing tornadoes currently.  Once the worst is past, we’ll be headed to Jac’s around 6:30, and as long as we’re not under a warning ourselves. 

Better to be safe than sorry! – Kathy 

Good Evening ALCA!

Tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/7/24) kicks off our 2024 sailing season – I know, it’s come up REAL fast!  Race Chairman is John Hayward with his pontoon – thanks John!  The forecast is calling for at least a 70% chance of thunderstorms, some possibly severe, starting at noon and continuing until after 7pm.  Airtemps are mild, in the upper 60s with winds 10-15mph.  Water temperature at Austin Lake is reported to be around 64 degrees only, so it’s wetsuit weather if the storms do part and allow us to sail.  The race committee will be keeping an eye on the weather and make the decision accordingly.  If we do sail, remember to sail by the committee boat as soon as you hit the water to check in.  We plan to go to Jac’s after we sail or in the event we are cancelled.  Stay tuned to your email and Facebook for any announcements of a cancellation.  

A special thanks to all who attended yesterday’s race committee information session.  It was great to gather as a group and see everyone’s enthusiasm – former PRO Dave Dunlap displayed everything that is available in the Race Committee binder on our widescreen TV, along with diagrams, flags, etc.  This is now available on the fleet website and the officers highly encourage all, especially those signing up for Race Chair, or to be part of the Race Committee to review it before your Tuesday comes up.  

Thanks all for now! Cya at Jac’s tomorrow, maybe sooner than later – I will have membership forms, so bring cash or your checkbooks if you haven’t joined!

ALCA Secretary,

– Kathy 

Events, News, Series Racing

Letter From the Commodore – 4/29/2024

Ahoy Hoy,

Dear ALCA Fleet 519 members,

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer weather and the gentle breezes that beckon us back to the water, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you as we embark on another exciting sailing season.

Since our humble beginnings in 1984 with just a dozen passionate sailors, our fleet has flourished into a vibrant community of over 30 individuals dedicated to the exhilarating sport of catamaran sailboat racing. From those who are just dipping their toes into the world of sailing to seasoned veterans who have navigated the waters of national and international competitions, our diverse membership truly reflects the breadth and depth of our shared passion.

As we prepare to hoist our sails and set course for adventure, I am reminded of the countless memories we have created together on the water. From the thrill of crossing the finish line in a closely contested race to the tranquil moments spent gliding across the lake at sunset, each experience serves as a testament to the joy and camaraderie that define our beloved sport.

Our sailing schedule for the upcoming season is brimming with excitement, with our Spring Series set to kick off on May 7th, followed by our much-anticipated Summer Series starting on July 9th. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a novice eager to learn, there is something for everyone to enjoy as we gather every Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM to share in the thrill of racing and the beauty of Austin Lake.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated officers who tirelessly work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of our club. Your commitment and passion are the wind in our sails, guiding us toward success both on and off the water.

Our current officers are:

– Commodore: Walter Elsner

– Vice-Commodore: Michael Kucharski

– Secretary: Kathy Rubino

– Treasurer: Faith Akert

– Race Chairman (Not an ALCA Officer position): Floating

– Statistician/Scoring/Webmaster: Andy Lenczycki

As we prepare to embark on this new season of adventure, let us remember the values that unite us – sportsmanship, camaraderie, and a shared love for the sea. Together, we will continue to promote the sport of catamaran racing and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Fair winds and following seas, Walter Elsner Commodore

Events, News, Series Racing

Spring Meeting (3/24/2024) Summary

Good Afternoon, Folks!

A big thanks to those of you who came to the meeting on March 24th – it was great to reconnect!  To summarized what happened:

  • The revised by-laws were adopted  (see attached)
  • Sailing seasons were voted upon and this is what the majority wanted: 

Spring May 7th through June 25th (8 weeks), 

July 2nd off 

Summer July 9th through August 27th (8 weeks) 

  • Format will be Portsmouth A and B, with 1 start for each race 
  • Race Chairman will be on a volunteer basis (see by-laws for responsibilities).  if there is no race chairman or committee boat for a given week, races for that week will be cancelled
  • Sign up for Race Chair can be found on the following link:  Sign Up Here.
    any questions, please let me know.  Also, once you sign up please let me know.  The officers ask that you only sign up, do not move the names that are entered already.  Everything is open for discussion, in the event of someone wanting a week that is filled.  Also, please see the PDF for the most recent sign-ups.  
  • Depending on the sign-ups, Dave Dunlap and myself will have an early season training session at our place on a Sunday afternoon before the start of the season (May 5).  
  • After sailing gatherings will be at Jacs again this year. 

    For now, I think that is it.  Thank you to all who have joined already!  

Kathy 

Fleet Secretary