CATALINA SAILBOATS RACING MONTEREY BAY: AUGUST 11, 2015 THE WIND GODS

Tuesday August 11,2015

THE WIND GODS

The first sight of the ocean delivered a view that left no doubt there was plenty of wind for this night.  There were about 10 boats milling around, waiting for the start.  We called for course 3: Start, Wharf, Blacks finish and gave a 5 minute horn.

With this many boats, as bad as you want to start on port tack, it is way too risky.  Very risky when you consider how everyone is bringing their game up with excellent starts.  We fell in line with the rest of the starboard tackers and were fortunate enough to establish a position windward and behind most of the fleet, pinning most of them.  Finally Pacific Spirit tacked over onto port and we tacked to cover.  We all made our way toward Wharf with several crossings taking place and boats all ducking appropriately.  At Wharf, Pacific Spirit was just ahead of Diver Down and we followed them on Pair A Dice. 

The long parade to Blacks saw each boat attempting different tactics. Wing on wing pole on port or jibing to see if that worked better.  At one point one boat veered dramatically toward another.  From our perspective, it looked very close.  On  Pair a Dice we heated up and sailed outside looking for more wind deploying our jib and pole on starboard.  Though it appeared we were gaining on the two other boats, we still had to steer down toward the mark.  As we approached Blacks, the boat that had veered toward the other earlier did their 360 penalty turn. We still had a chance for second. We rounded blacks just in front of the penalty boat.  We sailed a little further inside to avoid the bad wind from Diver Down and sailed into lighter and lighter wind, while Pacific Spirit headed outside.  Ultimately, this smart move gained their lead again.  At the finish it was Diver Down, Pacific Spirit and Pair A Dice.  Behind us the transition set in and all of the boats were sailing wing on wing on an Easterly wind toward the start mark.  It was quite a photo finish with Aeolian squeaking ahead followed by Tres Santos, the Saber 34 the Catalina 27 and Sea Quake.  A great night for sailing.

Sportsmanship!

It is really exciting to see our fleet improving tactics, strategy and sportsmanship. Observing the rules of sailing, yielding right of way when appropriate and taking penalties when appropriate.  Of course when startling things happen while racing, inappropriate language may be used as a natural reflex.  As long as apologies are offered later, and appropriate penalties are taken and no damage or injuries occur, we all will continue racing and learning.  It is an honor to sail with and against such a classy group of sailors!

There were several crossing situations on the windward leg.  It is said that a duck performed correctly loses very little and if the lift from the other boat is taken, you can even gain.  Diver Down was performing text-book perfect ducks, coming close to the stern of the other boat and taking advantage of the lift.  It was a thing of beauty to witness and learn from.  Though ducking twice on this leg, they went on to win! Good job Diver Down!

A PHOTO FINISH

See you next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice