Summer Race #10

Wednesday 9/21/2011

Light SW breeze. Current was flooding. C course was from H to 22 to H, A&B added K after 22. Sky was overcast.

This last race was almost a repeat of the week before, except the current was opposite. There was a light SW breeze, but we had a little more punch this week at the start. After starting, the wind faded a bit, but it was enough for us to go around 22 and be able to go with the current back to the finish.

During the prestart, we tried to setup near the starboard (boat) end. With the flood pulling boats away from the line, we thought there may be a nice opening to get off to a good start. Coming at the fleet on port with 90 seconds to go, I realized I was going to have trouble finding a good spot. I had to tack a little late and was in a bad position to make the boat. We were 10-15 seconds late to the start and were in the bad air of Telepathy. They won the start.

After the gun, we stayed pinched and were able to slowly clear our air and begin rolling. Soon A-Train, Zoom and Jazz were racing to the left. A-Train and Jazz had to tack back right since Zoom pulled ahead and got on our air. This turned out to be a good move and we held a nice lead over Zoom at the next crossing. We then stayed on starboard tack for a long time to take advantage of less current and what seemed to be more wind.

We were heading 20 degrees high of the mark when we tacked onto port, but over the ground, we were barely high of it. We ended up missing the layline by a few boat-lengths after ducking for a starboard tack boat. We led around 22, but in short order A-Train made up close to two minutes and we exchanged places before getting enough of an advantage at the finish to correct over them. A four boat-length lead translated into 75 seconds due to the lack of breeze.

With the wind dying, we headed in to the marina right away. It was a nice end to the season. For two weeks in a row, the Race Marshalls did a great job to get a race in.

With the season over, I would like to thank John Nonenmacher, John Edwards and John Beck for their hard work putting this whole series together. Many boats and their crew also deserve praise for doing their turn as Race Marshall. It was a great season and I look forward to next year.