OCTOBER 10, 2017: SHORT AND SWEET

October 10, 2017

SHORT AND SWEET

After last week’s fiasco with the wind dying and only a few boats able to finish the race, I was determined to not have a replay this week.  As we left the harbor the wind seemed adequate but there was no clue whether it would hold.  We set a mark about 150 yards directly to windward of the start mark.  We announced the course: Start to the windward mark, Blacks and finish.  We gave the normal 5 minute horn at 5:55 and held our breath as the wind seemed to be dying.  Normally, it seems nature takes the 5 minute horn as a signal to start backing off on the wind.  On this night, we were fortunate to have the wind actually build in the 5 minute period to the start.

On Pair A Dice and with about 15 boats on the line, we felt it prudent to start on Starboard tack.  Our problem was that with the increasing wind, our timing for the line was wrong.  More wind creates more boat speed causing a potential over early situation.  As the time was expiring I thought we were possibly over, but checking the range I  had observed with the lighthouse and the trees behind showed we were well behind the line. Nobody was over early so we had a fair race! It is amazing that such a short distance to the windward mark developed into so many different tactics to get there.  Pair A Dice was fortunate to round the mark first with Equinimity and Pacific Spirit following close behind.  On Pair A Dice we set the pole trying to go dead down wind while Equinimity and Pacific Spirit sailed further toward the beach.   As we converged toward Blacks, Equinimity was in the lead and Pacific Spirit had an inside overlap on us so we gave them room at the mark.  As we rounded both Pacific Spirit and Equinimity sailed straight outside again while we sailed further along the beach.

As we tacked back out toward the finish mark, we were feeling pretty good about our chances.  As we got closer to the finish mark and both Equinimity and Pacific Spirit tacked over for the mark, we were amazed to find Equinimity ranging on us and was clearly going to cross in front of us!  We crossed in front of Pacific Spirit and tacked on their wind.  First over the line was Equinimity, Pair a dice less than a boat length ahead of Pacific Spirit then Kicks, Sea bird, a Saber 34, Toad, Freya, Aila (Beneteau 34), Tara and Sea Quake.

It was a beautiful night with great wind and a beautiful sunset. It was a short and sweet race.

OTHER REGATTAS:

Keep in mind that the midwinters regatta will start on November 18.  This series is held on Saturdays rather than Sunday.  For this series, if three Jib and Main boats enter, we will have our own class.  If not enough of us enter, we will sail against the spinnaker class.  If sailing jib and main, you will be given a 12 second PHRF adjustment.  My PHRF is normally 180, but will be 192 for this series.  This will level the playing field for us sailing against the spinnakers.  If you want to enter this series, be certain you have a valid PHRF certificate on file.

I will see you out there next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice