The morning started with cold miserable drizzle. We took the motorboat to the club, had the skippers meeting and came back to the cottage to set sail.
The wind was light at 6-8 with maybe a 10 here and there. Northwest with lots of shifts meant a real head game, not a speed race.
I started very badly and rounded mark 1 38th. I stayed about there for three legs with all kinds of bad air. On the last downwind I picked up 8, and on the last upwind another 10 and finished 21.
Race 2 was more of the same. I won the pin, really winning it, taking it with me. When I rerounded I dragged it downwind to let others by. They owe me beer. At the top mark I was about 15th. I picked up boats throughout the race getting to 10th at the last mark, and 8th or so mid final leg. I lost three at the line to finish 11th. I was in 15th overall at the break at lunch.
The wind picked up for race three. I was second to the pin at the start and soon took over the left most position. I was 5th at the top mark, 3rd at mark 2, 4th at mark 3, 2nd at the last mark and held that to the finish.
Overall it was a good first day. I'm not as high in the standings as I hoped but not bad.
Not much more time to post. I have to go drink now.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Noreasterns Day 2
First place through fourth place all had 3 to 5 points. I had 11 in fifth place going into the day. To get to where I wanted to be I needed to have three solid races.
The day started hung over with an early start. We had an 8:00 harbor gun, and a 9:00 warning. The wind was light but building from the South, typical of Keuka's thermal.
Before the start of the first race of the day, I checked out the sides and conditions. It was fine. There were shifts to play and puffs to find. Any good start would allow me to do well. started mid-line, miscounted my own countdown (the last 15 seconds I count to myself so I don't look at my watch) and was about 3 seconds late to accelerate. I was lee-bowed and ended up second row. I cleared my air and ended up something like 8-10 at the top mark. I went west on each and every leg and made up good distance and time. By the downwind leg 4 I was within striking distance of the top 5. I made good decisions going upwind and at one point I thought second place was mine. But hitting every shift correctly put me out of position for the last couple. I had to get off cycle to get back to the line. I lost my gains and ended up sixth.
Bob Cole led that race wire to wire and looked very comfortable. Chris Craig who was in fourth had a bad race and dropped well back. So I think I was now in fourth overall.
The second race of the day was still in nice clean south air. This time I decided to be very aggressive on the start, even risking OCS. I timed it perfectly with speed, jumped out of the crowd, and within a minute I was able to freely tack and go wherever I wanted. I worked the west side of center and arrived at the top mark with the inside overlap on Scott Tillema. He fell in behind me toward the offset. We both jibed the mark to head west again. He drove high and hot off to the west and I briefly followed, maybe 5 seconds. It was enough though that Dan Fink in third closed the gap. At the bottom mark I still had the inside on Dan, and Scott was further back in third.
Dan was in my bad air off the bottom mark. He tacked to clear leaving me going west alone as I hoped. When I though he was coming back he stayed left. I could not better air in the center than I had on the right so I stayed right. We each sailed up good air closing at the top mark. Dan won the contest pulling out about 5-6 boat lengths on that mile leg. I was still in a solid second.
Downwind i held position, tried to close up on Dan but he had escaped to clear air ahead and I was struggling to keep my air clear. So the last leg just became a cover play, me covering 3rd and Dan covering me. We finished that way with me about 45 seconds behind first and about 45 seconds ahead of third.
On that last leg the wind was really starting to drop off, which Keuka does about 11:00. It also started showing right shots, southwest wind, which was forecast. During the break it dropped and shifted even more. Many boats were sailing up the center line of the lake on starboard.
In the last race the line was square, and the mark pretty well set. So I decided local knowledge says go west to catch the shifts and building west puffs (in this case a puff was 7 mph). With maybe 45 seconds to go something showed on the water way left. I was outside the boat to the right with no way to get there. I tried to penetrate the crowd at the boat only to get rebuffed. I started 2nd row 10 seconds late right at the boat. I was buried so I tacked to clear my air. 30 seconds later when I was ready to go back, I looked over my shoulder and saw my regatta go away. My heart sank. There was a massive left shift with wind coming off the East shore. Those on the pin were laying the mark on port.
So I have a decision to make. Tack over and chase that wind consolidating 15th place or so, or stay right and wait for the oscillation to come to me with the west. Factors running through my head include who is with me on the bad side, who is streaking away, and what the overall impact will be on the score. Regatta second was with me, as well as three other good sailors. The people streaking away were well behind me in the scores. Scott Tillema was leading that charge and he was about 7 or 8 points back from me. I decided if I went back I'd consolidate to about 13-15 place and have to work to get 10th. That might drop me 2 places in the standings. If I stayed put I might get the shift and consolidate to 10th or so and work back to 5th or 6th. If I didn't get the shift I'd still be able to catch 6 or 8 boats.
I stayed put, worked the right, and never got the shift. I had to work back against the SSE breeze to get the the mark. I beat only 2 boats there, and both the boat behind and in front of me were as fast as I am in this wind.
Now I had been 15th or so before, and picked up boats bunches at a time. But this time there was a big problem. I was MINUTES behind the leaders. And then the race committee shortened the course due to the lighter breeze. The leaders rounded the bottom mark shortly after I rounded the top mark. They picked up a nice South breeze with some volume while I was still going downwind. Picking up boats one at a time was going to take time, and I was out.
Besides working harder than in any other race that weekend, I had to roll the dice, risk a flier.
On the next upwind I hit the left corner, almost to the east shore, and closed the gap to the tail of the pack. Downwind I could do no better in a dying breeze than holding my position. Around the last mark I had to make a choice to hit the left or right corner. I needed to pick up 6-8 boats. The pack went right so I had to go left. I played the east shifts with good angles. But on the west side they had more air. When I converged with the pack I was close, very close, but still behind. I ended up picking up 2 boats on that leg and losing 1 that I had previously picked up. I finished 17th, but only 30 seconds out of 10th.
I lost 2 overall places in that race finishing 5th. Scott Tillema won the race and jumped past me to third overall. Bob Cole also did well enough to jump to fourth.
Years ago this would have been tragedy. I blew it. Age mellows. Yes I was disappointed, and a bit frustrated. But I know after the first tragic mistake I made, I made the best decisions I could. I took minutes off the gap, gained huge amounts, and balanced the risks with the reward. It didn't pay off. And sometimes that is just the way the cookie crumbles.
I now have three days off before Nationals. My repair punch list is very short. But I also need to find a way to make the new sail faster. I simply am not seeing the shape I like nor feeling the speed I expected. Nationals will be in very different wind, lots more, and cold. Let's hope I got out of the way all the bad starts and bad calls now.
The day started hung over with an early start. We had an 8:00 harbor gun, and a 9:00 warning. The wind was light but building from the South, typical of Keuka's thermal.
Before the start of the first race of the day, I checked out the sides and conditions. It was fine. There were shifts to play and puffs to find. Any good start would allow me to do well. started mid-line, miscounted my own countdown (the last 15 seconds I count to myself so I don't look at my watch) and was about 3 seconds late to accelerate. I was lee-bowed and ended up second row. I cleared my air and ended up something like 8-10 at the top mark. I went west on each and every leg and made up good distance and time. By the downwind leg 4 I was within striking distance of the top 5. I made good decisions going upwind and at one point I thought second place was mine. But hitting every shift correctly put me out of position for the last couple. I had to get off cycle to get back to the line. I lost my gains and ended up sixth.
Bob Cole led that race wire to wire and looked very comfortable. Chris Craig who was in fourth had a bad race and dropped well back. So I think I was now in fourth overall.
The second race of the day was still in nice clean south air. This time I decided to be very aggressive on the start, even risking OCS. I timed it perfectly with speed, jumped out of the crowd, and within a minute I was able to freely tack and go wherever I wanted. I worked the west side of center and arrived at the top mark with the inside overlap on Scott Tillema. He fell in behind me toward the offset. We both jibed the mark to head west again. He drove high and hot off to the west and I briefly followed, maybe 5 seconds. It was enough though that Dan Fink in third closed the gap. At the bottom mark I still had the inside on Dan, and Scott was further back in third.
Dan was in my bad air off the bottom mark. He tacked to clear leaving me going west alone as I hoped. When I though he was coming back he stayed left. I could not better air in the center than I had on the right so I stayed right. We each sailed up good air closing at the top mark. Dan won the contest pulling out about 5-6 boat lengths on that mile leg. I was still in a solid second.
Downwind i held position, tried to close up on Dan but he had escaped to clear air ahead and I was struggling to keep my air clear. So the last leg just became a cover play, me covering 3rd and Dan covering me. We finished that way with me about 45 seconds behind first and about 45 seconds ahead of third.
On that last leg the wind was really starting to drop off, which Keuka does about 11:00. It also started showing right shots, southwest wind, which was forecast. During the break it dropped and shifted even more. Many boats were sailing up the center line of the lake on starboard.
In the last race the line was square, and the mark pretty well set. So I decided local knowledge says go west to catch the shifts and building west puffs (in this case a puff was 7 mph). With maybe 45 seconds to go something showed on the water way left. I was outside the boat to the right with no way to get there. I tried to penetrate the crowd at the boat only to get rebuffed. I started 2nd row 10 seconds late right at the boat. I was buried so I tacked to clear my air. 30 seconds later when I was ready to go back, I looked over my shoulder and saw my regatta go away. My heart sank. There was a massive left shift with wind coming off the East shore. Those on the pin were laying the mark on port.
So I have a decision to make. Tack over and chase that wind consolidating 15th place or so, or stay right and wait for the oscillation to come to me with the west. Factors running through my head include who is with me on the bad side, who is streaking away, and what the overall impact will be on the score. Regatta second was with me, as well as three other good sailors. The people streaking away were well behind me in the scores. Scott Tillema was leading that charge and he was about 7 or 8 points back from me. I decided if I went back I'd consolidate to about 13-15 place and have to work to get 10th. That might drop me 2 places in the standings. If I stayed put I might get the shift and consolidate to 10th or so and work back to 5th or 6th. If I didn't get the shift I'd still be able to catch 6 or 8 boats.
I stayed put, worked the right, and never got the shift. I had to work back against the SSE breeze to get the the mark. I beat only 2 boats there, and both the boat behind and in front of me were as fast as I am in this wind.
Now I had been 15th or so before, and picked up boats bunches at a time. But this time there was a big problem. I was MINUTES behind the leaders. And then the race committee shortened the course due to the lighter breeze. The leaders rounded the bottom mark shortly after I rounded the top mark. They picked up a nice South breeze with some volume while I was still going downwind. Picking up boats one at a time was going to take time, and I was out.
Besides working harder than in any other race that weekend, I had to roll the dice, risk a flier.
On the next upwind I hit the left corner, almost to the east shore, and closed the gap to the tail of the pack. Downwind I could do no better in a dying breeze than holding my position. Around the last mark I had to make a choice to hit the left or right corner. I needed to pick up 6-8 boats. The pack went right so I had to go left. I played the east shifts with good angles. But on the west side they had more air. When I converged with the pack I was close, very close, but still behind. I ended up picking up 2 boats on that leg and losing 1 that I had previously picked up. I finished 17th, but only 30 seconds out of 10th.
I lost 2 overall places in that race finishing 5th. Scott Tillema won the race and jumped past me to third overall. Bob Cole also did well enough to jump to fourth.
Years ago this would have been tragedy. I blew it. Age mellows. Yes I was disappointed, and a bit frustrated. But I know after the first tragic mistake I made, I made the best decisions I could. I took minutes off the gap, gained huge amounts, and balanced the risks with the reward. It didn't pay off. And sometimes that is just the way the cookie crumbles.
I now have three days off before Nationals. My repair punch list is very short. But I also need to find a way to make the new sail faster. I simply am not seeing the shape I like nor feeling the speed I expected. Nationals will be in very different wind, lots more, and cold. Let's hope I got out of the way all the bad starts and bad calls now.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
You Can't Win a Regatta on Day One, But You Can Lose It
I wrote that at Hoovers in the SPring too. I ended up 2nd in that regatta.
Today I finished 5 and 6 in the first two races of the Nor'Easterns. I'm sitting 5th overall.
Race 1 started in 6-8 but the breeze quickly died. I had a second row start and split to nowhere to try to clear my air. I did and ended up 5th at the top mark going the long way. The air REALLY died. I found some streaks and made some money downwind to compete for the lead at the last bottom mark. I had an overlap on the inside but no speed. I got rolled by the leader and 3rd place rounded inside me. I was driven left on a right favored leg and finished 5th.
Race 2 was worse. I started mid-line on port on a heavily favored port shift. The top guys were all to my left. Farther left was the place to be. I could not get over there without losing my shirt so I went the bad way and rounded the top mark 15-17ish out of 22. I passed 4 boats downwind by jumping to the unfavored uncrowded side. The upwinds I banged the left corner and rounded the top mark about 8th. Downwind I made some moves and picked up 3 more. Then on the last leg I hit all the shifts right with clean air until the last few. I got to third, then lost 3 boats at the line to finish 6th.
The leader has 4 points, the next three have 5 and 6 points. I have 11 points in 5th place. To advance I need help from them in the form of bad results. I doubt it will happen. I'm quite disappointed. I will have to drink more gin tonight.
Today I finished 5 and 6 in the first two races of the Nor'Easterns. I'm sitting 5th overall.
Race 1 started in 6-8 but the breeze quickly died. I had a second row start and split to nowhere to try to clear my air. I did and ended up 5th at the top mark going the long way. The air REALLY died. I found some streaks and made some money downwind to compete for the lead at the last bottom mark. I had an overlap on the inside but no speed. I got rolled by the leader and 3rd place rounded inside me. I was driven left on a right favored leg and finished 5th.
Race 2 was worse. I started mid-line on port on a heavily favored port shift. The top guys were all to my left. Farther left was the place to be. I could not get over there without losing my shirt so I went the bad way and rounded the top mark 15-17ish out of 22. I passed 4 boats downwind by jumping to the unfavored uncrowded side. The upwinds I banged the left corner and rounded the top mark about 8th. Downwind I made some moves and picked up 3 more. Then on the last leg I hit all the shifts right with clean air until the last few. I got to third, then lost 3 boats at the line to finish 6th.
The leader has 4 points, the next three have 5 and 6 points. I have 11 points in 5th place. To advance I need help from them in the form of bad results. I doubt it will happen. I'm quite disappointed. I will have to drink more gin tonight.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Blue Chip
This week I received and accepted my second ever Blue Chip regatta invitation. In my years of E-Scow sailing I never received this invitation as a skipper, and never got to go as crew. On MC's I got the invitation when I borrowed a boat to sail the local regatta years ago and won that regatta.
The MC Blue Chip is a bit different than the E-Scow Blue Chip. It is larger with a deeper invite list. But it still will be the most competitive regatta I will sail this year. Of course it also makes the remaining schedule a challenge.
This weekend - Nor Eastern Championships
Next weekend - Nationals
The following weekend - Blue Chip
Lots of sailing over the next three weekends.
The MC Blue Chip is a bit different than the E-Scow Blue Chip. It is larger with a deeper invite list. But it still will be the most competitive regatta I will sail this year. Of course it also makes the remaining schedule a challenge.
This weekend - Nor Eastern Championships
Next weekend - Nationals
The following weekend - Blue Chip
Lots of sailing over the next three weekends.
Season Finale
Keuka's season was very short this year with a lot of windless weekends followed by hurricane Irene. There was no season racing between week 2 and Labor Day. The result was a lot of creaky bones and not much muscle memory on racing.
Sunday I sailed 2 E-Scow races in the morning. I sailed the second race in the jib man position for the first time on an asymmetrical boat. It was different. It used to be that sitting in first seat was the second most involved person after the skipper. Upwind jib handling drove speed and handling (small rudder era). Downwind working the pole on jibes was physically challenging.
Nowadays, first seat does far less. Downwind was downright boring. I think I'll stick to middle man.
We lost the first race when we tacked away from a trawling fisherman on leg one. We had the right people covered until then. We slipped to second and never got around Bob Cole after that.
Race 2 we were over early but didn't know it was us until 1-2 minutes after the start. We started very far behind. We ended up third after significant catching up.
On shore after sailing we found out the start for MC Scows was moved to 1:30 rather than 2:00. It was tight but I got back to the cottage, ate, launched, and sailed to the course in time. Only 6 boats made the start, and the sequence was messed up. I led off the line and cruised to a 2-lap win.
Race 2 was the first competitive 2-lap race of the year. 10 boats started in 5-15 wind from the South. I started right next to Bob Cole, and simply was faster upwind leading at the top mark by about 5-6 boat lengths. I held that lead and extended a bit on the next 2 legs. The last downwind leg had the pack close up on a puff. I still led but not by as much. I extended a bit on the finish leg to win by about 20 seconds.
Race 3 was time pressured due to the annual meeting. We did a one-lap in lighter air. I led at the top mark again. But I lost that lead downwind when Brent Penwarden simply sailed past me. Around the bottom mark I was right on his transom. But upwind the air got real messy with holes and shifts. I didn't quite pick it right and lost to Brent by 5-6 boat lengths.
Finishes of 1-1-2 meant I ended the season losing 3 races and not sailing one when I took Emily to college. I won the season with half the score of second place.
Sunday I sailed 2 E-Scow races in the morning. I sailed the second race in the jib man position for the first time on an asymmetrical boat. It was different. It used to be that sitting in first seat was the second most involved person after the skipper. Upwind jib handling drove speed and handling (small rudder era). Downwind working the pole on jibes was physically challenging.
Nowadays, first seat does far less. Downwind was downright boring. I think I'll stick to middle man.
We lost the first race when we tacked away from a trawling fisherman on leg one. We had the right people covered until then. We slipped to second and never got around Bob Cole after that.
Race 2 we were over early but didn't know it was us until 1-2 minutes after the start. We started very far behind. We ended up third after significant catching up.
On shore after sailing we found out the start for MC Scows was moved to 1:30 rather than 2:00. It was tight but I got back to the cottage, ate, launched, and sailed to the course in time. Only 6 boats made the start, and the sequence was messed up. I led off the line and cruised to a 2-lap win.
Race 2 was the first competitive 2-lap race of the year. 10 boats started in 5-15 wind from the South. I started right next to Bob Cole, and simply was faster upwind leading at the top mark by about 5-6 boat lengths. I held that lead and extended a bit on the next 2 legs. The last downwind leg had the pack close up on a puff. I still led but not by as much. I extended a bit on the finish leg to win by about 20 seconds.
Race 3 was time pressured due to the annual meeting. We did a one-lap in lighter air. I led at the top mark again. But I lost that lead downwind when Brent Penwarden simply sailed past me. Around the bottom mark I was right on his transom. But upwind the air got real messy with holes and shifts. I didn't quite pick it right and lost to Brent by 5-6 boat lengths.
Finishes of 1-1-2 meant I ended the season losing 3 races and not sailing one when I took Emily to college. I won the season with half the score of second place.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Crewing
I'm a skipper at heart. I have a competitive streak on the water that is brutal. Not driving drives me crazy.
As many of you know I've sailed with others on E-Scows for the past 10 years or so. The reason is simple - money. To be successful in scows you need to be able to sail the race without concern for equipment, crew, or sails. Money is needed to deal with equipment and sails. I simply had to choose between the priorities of family and sailing.
So I started crewing. First I crewed with someone who needed the help a lot, assuming I would get the satisfaction from helping him win. Driving from the crew spot doesn't work. We had fun but neither of us was satisfied.
Then I chose to crew with the rock star, George Welch, the guy that didn't need my help. I could learn from him. I did too. But I also think he benefited from my help. I got more trophies in the few years with him than all my years on my own. Now he is running into the family/sailing choice and our days are fewer.
Recently I sailed with William Hudson at Keuka for a race. I've sailed with him before. It's always fun. He has a new boat and sails taking that aspect out of the equation. So he can get to the top tier of sailing by building a crew and working on his own game. He's not natural on the sticks but a real hard worker, smart, and motivated. It's a family boat too with wife and kids sailing.
In the one race we sailed, the competition was limited and we did the horizon job on the fleet. It was close for 1 1/2 legs though. William is a typical sailor who over thinks the race. He seems to believe that when he gets close to another boat he has to out sail them. It is a common misconception. The race is not won through moves, but through perseverance. The guy who wins makes the fewest mistakes. Simply keep your eyes on the wind, make good calls and you will end up where you should. It really is as easy as that.
But to get there you need to practice, not tactics, but boat handling. Both the crew and skipper need to understand the skills and limits of the crew. You can't sail these thing anywhere you want. Only when skipper and crew are in synch can you succeed in getting down to the business of tactics.
William will do fine, with moments of glory. His boys will grow into the role. In fact, William, I suspect you will be kicked off your own boat by your boys in less than 5 years.
Crewing has its own rewards. I'm thinking of it as a coaching opportunity now. We'll see how that goes. I'm thinking of it as a caddie for a golf pro. I'm not hitting the shots but I like to think I have something to do with the win.
Of course in MC Scows there is no crew. It's all on my shoulders: boat, sails, and tactics are all on me.
As many of you know I've sailed with others on E-Scows for the past 10 years or so. The reason is simple - money. To be successful in scows you need to be able to sail the race without concern for equipment, crew, or sails. Money is needed to deal with equipment and sails. I simply had to choose between the priorities of family and sailing.
So I started crewing. First I crewed with someone who needed the help a lot, assuming I would get the satisfaction from helping him win. Driving from the crew spot doesn't work. We had fun but neither of us was satisfied.
Then I chose to crew with the rock star, George Welch, the guy that didn't need my help. I could learn from him. I did too. But I also think he benefited from my help. I got more trophies in the few years with him than all my years on my own. Now he is running into the family/sailing choice and our days are fewer.
Recently I sailed with William Hudson at Keuka for a race. I've sailed with him before. It's always fun. He has a new boat and sails taking that aspect out of the equation. So he can get to the top tier of sailing by building a crew and working on his own game. He's not natural on the sticks but a real hard worker, smart, and motivated. It's a family boat too with wife and kids sailing.
In the one race we sailed, the competition was limited and we did the horizon job on the fleet. It was close for 1 1/2 legs though. William is a typical sailor who over thinks the race. He seems to believe that when he gets close to another boat he has to out sail them. It is a common misconception. The race is not won through moves, but through perseverance. The guy who wins makes the fewest mistakes. Simply keep your eyes on the wind, make good calls and you will end up where you should. It really is as easy as that.
But to get there you need to practice, not tactics, but boat handling. Both the crew and skipper need to understand the skills and limits of the crew. You can't sail these thing anywhere you want. Only when skipper and crew are in synch can you succeed in getting down to the business of tactics.
William will do fine, with moments of glory. His boys will grow into the role. In fact, William, I suspect you will be kicked off your own boat by your boys in less than 5 years.
Crewing has its own rewards. I'm thinking of it as a coaching opportunity now. We'll see how that goes. I'm thinking of it as a caddie for a golf pro. I'm not hitting the shots but I like to think I have something to do with the win.
Of course in MC Scows there is no crew. It's all on my shoulders: boat, sails, and tactics are all on me.
Monday, August 1, 2011
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.
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.
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