Wind Clinic sends Fasulo Sailing
Angelo Fasulo by way of The Dalles races his laser after a four-day wind clinic in Cascade Locks. The 14-year-old sailor is grandson to Tony and Sally Fasulo of The Dalles.
By Tom Peterson
Cascade Locks, Ore., July 14, 2024 — Angelo Fasulo said there was nothing like the Columbia River for learning to sail a 14-foot Laser sailboat.
The little boats can hit 12 to 15 mile per hour on a run in the strong winds of the gorge that feature even bigger waves.
Angelo Fasulo displaying his favorite news source. Shameless, we know.
“It’s super fun,” Angelo said on July 8 after he finished his first day of practice. “Just going super fast.“
He and dozens of others came from around the Pacific Northwest and farther for the 2024 Wind Clinic. It was open to both Lasers and Club 420 sailboats.
It’s a game changer for young sailors looking to control their sails for speed.
Sometimes going fast has its setbacks. This sailor is stepping on the keel to bring the boat upright on the water after capsizing. But that sail proves sticky when stuck to the water.
Coached by Olympians and world class sailors, Angelo said it was all about learning techniques like tightening the vang a vertical adjustment of the boom that is an extremely important tool to shape the main sail for speed.
Fasulo said coaches provided constructive criticism on how to improve his sailing, calling out from boats in the water.
“I gotta hike harder and be more flat,” Angelo said, explaining the technique of laying out his body flat over the water while his feet are hooked under a strap in the cockpit to keep the boat flat and planing on the water.
Done well, the laser flies. Done wrong, it capsizes.
The clinic provides a chance for young sailors to really push themselves, said Angelo’s Dad, Donnell Fasulo - Class of TDHS ‘90. “You gotta do the wind clinic. It changes lives.”
And it does not come without its risks.
Masts can snap in high wind. Booms can come swinging at the sailors.
Not for the weak of heart.
“Yeah, I buried the nose twice today,” Angelo said. “Yeah, I death rolled.”
This happens when of the front of the boat digs into the water and up ends the rest of the boat sending the sailor flying.
Since we did not have images of this happening, we provide the Youtube video below.
Angelo said the Columbia provided excellent sailing conditions.
“You know the wind will be there,” he said.
“It’s world class,” his dad added.
The wind clinic was four days last week and the Columbia Gorge Racing Associations’ 2024 Wind Regatta with multiple races were held on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13. Results
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