TUESDAY APRIL 19: WHALE OF A SAIL

Tuesday April 19:  A WHALE OF A SAIL

As we exited the harbor, it did not look good for sailing.  It looked like the easterly was making a feeble attempt at building.  There was enough wind to at least start the race.  We settled on the short course: start, Blacks, Start, Blacks finish and gave a 5 minute horn for the count down.

It is one thing to start a race when there is plenty of wind to play with.  It is a real challenge when the wind is so light, everyone is ghosting along at 1.5knots.  To make matters more critical, clear wind is much more important in light wind than in heavier wind.  The wind shadows have much more impact on boats that did not get off the line in the front row.

Once again, Pair A Dice was challenged with two or three boats around sailing close to us.  Pacific Spirit nailed the start perfectly, but could not fend off Sagitarius coming in on their lee and passing them.  It was a short course as the wind continued to build.  To add to the excitement, whales seemed to be everywhere. You could see them off in the distance and then practically right under our boats.

In the end Sagitarius won with Pacific Spirit right behind and Kicks and Pair a Dice. 

Starting tactics:

I should not be the one lecturing on this with the starts we have had recently.  There are several things to consider when starting.  Which end of the line is favored? (the one closest to the wind).  Is starboard or port tack favored?  Sometimes the answer to this one is easy, but when you get in larger fleets, it can be nerve racking to have a bunch of SB tackers coming down on you.  If given enough time, for starting, I like to find what the tacking angles are for each end of the line. This can come in handy as you are sailing parallel to the line 2-3 boat lengths away.  You know it is time to tack when the mark is on the compass bearing of the tacking angle.

REGATTAS:

This Sunday (April24) will be the first race day of the Score series.  Check the SCYC website for information.  Keep in mind also the Leukemia cup coming 6/4.

NEXT TUESDAY IS BARBECUE NIGHT AT SCYC AFTER THE RACE. BRING YOUR FAVORITE GRILLING FOOD.

Fair winds,

Barry Keeler