TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015 : A CLEAR NORTH WIND EVENING

TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015

A CLEAR NORTH WIND EVENING

As is typical for my Tuesdays, I was noticing the wind in the trees all day as I worked.  It was very breezy during the day, but what would it be like for the evening sail?  By the time I got to the harbor, it had backed off a bit but was still quite strong from the North, with a tiny bit of West in it.  We headed out of the harbor and were relieved to see that the Blacks buoy had been set.  We had about 10 boats milling around waiting for the fun.  Since it was a North wind we called for course 13: start (to port), Gov (P), Mile(P), Blacks (P) and finish/start (SB). We gave a 5 minute horn and all of the boats began their “starting dance”. 

On Pair a Dice, we determined that a starboard tack approach would be best with a start as close as possible to the start buoy.  As windy as it was; we sailed much faster than we anticipated and ran out of room at the pin.  We sailed beyond the buoy and did a quick 180 to pass the buoy on the correct side.  As awkward as this move was, it did not take long before we crossed the line and were in the race.  Kudos to Makani for an excellent start and Pacific Spirit for a great start also.  As we crossed the line, we had our work cut out for us, with Makani out in the distance and Pacific Spirit charging up on us to windward.  Makani was not able to point as high and had to tack over on the parade of starboard tackers.  I watched as Makani planted a perfect lee bow on a boat who’s skipper was screaming “STARBOARD!”  It did not take long for Makani to leave them in the dust.  On Pair A Dice, we were sailing just ahead and to leeward of Pacific Spirit close enough to have intimate conversation.  We were finally able to creep ahead enough to lee bow them and rounded Gov just ahead of Pacific Spirit after throwing in a quick tack to round the mark.  The wind was very fluky around Gov and many of the boats had quite an ordeal getting around in the crowded conditions.  It is so much easier when you are lucky enough to get clear wind! 

After Gov, we marched on out to Mile and watched as Pacific Spirit and Makani fought it out.  Makani got an inside position at Mile and pulled ahead of Pacific Spirit.  At the finish, Pair A Dice crossed first with Makani second, Pacific Spirit, Sea Quake, Toad and Kicks. 

The Lee-bow:

All sailors know that when you are behind and leeward of a boat, you are in their “shadow” and do not have clear air to sail in.  Though this is a horrible position to be in (we have all been their!), another bad position is when a boat sails just ahead of you but in a leeward rather than a windward position.  Yes, there is disturbed wind just off the windward stern of a boat sailing to weather!  Lee bowing  is a great tactical move if you can pull it off.  It is difficult to tack into this position without fouling the other boat, because in order to be effective you must be close.

 

The Corinthian Spirit:

Everyone talks about a Corinthian Spirit in sailing.  We are all competing to the best of our ability.  How do you handle defeat? How do you handle Victory?  I have been participating in the Santana 22 team racing and have been amazed to witness the degree of Corinthian spirit in the group.  These guys use the racing rules and tactics that many would consider mean spirited, then laugh about it together over beers afterwards.  It is a level of sportsmanship to be emulated.  The bottom line: use rules and tactics to compete aggressively and fairly.  If you foul someone, take your turn(s) and keep sailing.  Afterward, congratulate competitors on their great moves even if you suffered the brunt of those moves.  Congratulate and compliment the winners as a fellow sailor.  As a victor, graciously accept the compliment and offer tips to improve THEIR game.  Make them better, and you must improve in order to win.  This is what sailing is all about: fun and improving your skills.

 

 

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice