JUNE 11, 2019: LOW SPEED DRAG RACE

JUNE 11, 2019

LOW SPEED DRAG RACE

We showed up early at the harbor around 4pm and casually started getting the boat ready for sail. We were observing the wind as it changed slowly to every direction of the compass.  A good northwest wind showed on the Crow’s nest flag, then a strong South wind followed by a strong North wind and occasionally an East wind would show.  This was going to be an interesting night for a sail!

As we left the harbor at about 5:30 the wind looked to be pretty much from the south, which was confirmed when we got to the start mark and checked the wind direction.  Not knowing if the wind would hold, we decided on course M2: Start, Mile, Finish, with the option of shortening the course to M3 if it turned into a float fest.  We gave the 5 minute horn and found we were a long distance from the start line with only 5 minutes to the start and waves slowing us down as much as the dying wind.

Amazingly all of the boats seemed to nail the start at the same time. 

With the light wind, now changing to an Easterly, being completely disturbed by boats up the line, it was a struggle just to get clear air.  With the Easterly building, the left side of the course was definitely favored. Ultimately every boat had their slower times as the holes (areas with no wind) could not be avoided. Before the first boat got to Mile, we shortened course to M3 (finishing at mile). On Pair A Dice we watched enviously as each of the boats on the left side surged ahead as they each caught their own Private Puff.  One can never predict these things, but kudos to the boats that were there to take advantage of that stronger Easterly.

I do not think Pair A Dice ever reached a speed of 1.5 knots the whole way to Mile. The night was truly  a Low Speed Drag Race. Basically no tactics involved, just sail slowly to the mark praying for wind.

At the finish it was Tusitala 32:40, Perfect 36 34:00, Pacific Spirit 47:30, Makani 52:02, Aeolian 54:20, Toad 54:52, Pair a dice 57:40 and Kicks 1:06:20.  All times are elapsed and the distance was 1.06 miles.

RACE QS:

I keep reminding people, the only way to be counted is to run this app on your phone.  I believe Patricia J was the first at the finish, but they had no track so cannot be counted!  This is a free app that can really help you improve your sailing as well as get recognition for your efforts.

To see the track for this night’s sail, click on this link: https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=59480&updatedAt=2019-06-12T04:34:39Z&dt=2019-06-11T17:45:03-07:00..2019-06-11T21:34:33-07:00&boat=Pair%20a%20dice&time=1560300462313&focus=Pair%20a%20dice&rival=Makani&tab=fleet&view=auto

COMPETITIVE SPIRIT:

Let’s face it, competitive spirit is what drives all of us to improve our abilities.  What is EXCESSIVE competitive spirit?  Excessive competitive spirit is what can kill a growing fleet.  Excessive competitive spirit is exemplified by how you win and how you lose.  As a loser you can congratulate the winner and express admiration for their skill and how they and their team handled the boat.  As a winner, you can accept the admiration of the other boat crews and answer any questions they may have about your success.

Excessive competitive spirit is exemplified by someone boasting about their win.  It is also exemplified by not observing the racing rules.  As an example, you are far away from other boats and tap a mark as you are rounding.  There are no other boats close enough to witness the infraction: Do you take a penalty turn?  In a starboard/port crossing, as a port tack boat do you duck or barge on through?  These are just examples of excessive competitive spirit that can kill enthusiasm in a fleet.

Whenever I write something like this, multiple “boats” will approach me asking if I was referring to them?  I am not implicating any boat with these comments. I am proud of our fleet and how everyone is trying to observe the rules and play fair. I do not perceive excessive competitive spirit in our fleet at this point.

I am proud to be part of the sailing community.  Sailors are known for having a competitive spirit, yet tempered with incredible sportsmanship.

See you next Tuesday.

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice