Finally - More Sailing

It has been weeks since we sailed MC-Scows in races at the club. We finally got that chance yesterday afternoon. It was blowing SW 10-20 at lunch after the E-Scows had a thrilling ride or two in the morning. But by the time the 2:00 start time rolled around for the MC-Scows, the wind eased up significantly and got pretty shifty.

It is the end of July and I have a 1-point lead for the season. It was time to step it up. I put on my best sail, a mid-life crisis Melges Z-MAX. It is in its mid-life crisis, not me in mine. It has probably 30 regatta races on it and maybe another 10-15 local races. It wants to look good but knows it is sagging in all the wrong places, just like its mid-life crisis owner.

Four boats made it out in time for the 2:00 start. I had a clean start drag racing Sean Tracey off the line with little other pressure. He was ahead and below me so I drove down on him. He was driving down trying to tack behind me. He did, cleared, and we separated slightly with me to the left and him right. With 100 yards to go at the top mark it appeared he had me on Starboard. But then the wind Gods smiled on me with a big port lift, so much Sean could no longer make the mark. I rounded ahead and led the drag race to the finish.

Race 2 was our first 2-lap race of the year. The course was pretty good for a Keuka west wind. I had a clean start but got caught on the wrong side of a big right shift. I was overstood on Port on a long layline. I worked the traveller and reached as much as I could on a full hike. I was able to roll Brent Gillette and just lee bow another to get into touch with Sean as he rounded first. Down hill Sean extended as I fought hard to stay ahead of Brent. He is ridiculously fast downwind. I barely held the inside at the bottom for second place while Sean extended to about 15 lengths. Everyone split upwind chasing puffs and shifts. Half way up I caught up to Sean and spilt right again. RIght was hard to make work. I rounded second yet again but by only a length or two from the lead. Sean and I had pulled away from Brent.

Down wind Brent closed the gap but still remained 10 lengths behind. I had closed the gap on Sean to just round inside him. He split left and I let him go just a bit. When we crossed again I had to lee bow him, which was touch and go if it would work. It did and I led him to the line for the win.

Race three was a one-lap abreviated race with only four boats. The wind had dropped to 3-8 very shifty with plently of holes. The entire race was a search for breeze. I led the entire race. But every time I got comfortable, trailing boats would find that puff and close the gap. The race was much closer than the finish distance appeared.

After the race I had the biggest race of the day. I had a mile to sail home in light air while a storm bore down on me. My daughter showed up with the jet ski to tow me in just in time. I was putting the cover on the boat when the 20+ hit.

There were some new faces on borrowed boats out on the course yesterday, people I'd really like to see join us again. The fleet seems to get the afternoon sleepies. We need to keep the boat count up to keep the interest high.

It was a good way to end the week of vacation. I suspect the sailing will get tougher to fit in the schedule now. I know I will miss a week to take my daughter to school. But the September regatta season is right around the corner.