The Dark & Stormy Series, now in its second year, proved very popular in 2024, with 12-15 boats joining the fun each Thursday night, for the last round-the-buoys racing of the year.
NSC launched the “Dark & Stormy” series in 2023 (then called the Moonlit Frostbite series), inviting all keelboats from NSC, BYC and CVGR, to participate in three Thursday nights of racing in October. This series extends the sailing season and attracts skippers and crews eager to embrace the diverse weather the river offers at this time of year. With such early sunsets, races are almost guaranteed to finish after sunset, allowing for some action-packed night races under the stars. This year on October 10, sailors were treated to a very special display of the Northern Lights, aka aurora borealis. Check out this collection of photos!
Without any Race Committee support, the courses are decided at a skippers meeting on shore, and rabbit starts are used. Except for those who have raced 505s, and those who have participated in BYC’s RUST Series, rabbit starts were unfamiliar to most, and presented both some learning opportunities and entertainment.
For Race #1 on October 3, sailors enjoyed mild temperatures with winds out of the SSW to S, at 10-18 knots. Course was set as Q-K3-Q-K3-Q-K3 (2.5 sausages, with finish to windward). Unfortunately, the wind backed ~20° just before the start, which meant the course was rather one-sided.
Race #2 was sailed in similar conditions, with winds out of the west at 7-12 knots. Course was set as P-C-P-C-P-C-P (3 sausages), and again, the wind backed ~20° just before the start. But the highlight of this evening was the incredible display of the Northern lights, as boats finished the race. Given the mild temperatures, more than a few boats didn’t return to the dock until an hour and a half, or more, after sunset.
For Race #3, it didn’t look like there would be enough wind for a race, but it was again a gorgeous evening as 12 boats, representing all 3 clubs, headed out. Course was set as S-KNB-S-P-S-P (2.5 sausages, with finish to windward), with an option to shorten after 3 legs, and a different windward mark for the second and third windward legs, given the forecast of another backing wind. To the surprise of many, we started in 3-4 knots and got about half way down the run before the wind completely died, and the decision was made to abandon. Nevertheless, many boats lingered on the water for another hour or more, enjoying drifting under the stars in very mild conditions for October.
For more, check out the Dark & Stormy Series Overview and SIs and Results.
So while this year’s series wasn’t overly “stormy”, it was a great end to the season, and we’ll definitely repeat it next year!