April 7, 2026
CHALLENGING EASTERLY
Predictions were for 8 to 10 knot winds with gusts of 19
from the Northwest. This was confirmed by the flags early in the afternoon, but
as we approached 4pm, the flags showed a definite Easterly developing. Sure enough, as we exited the harbor at 5pm,
the wind was coming from 90 degrees. We
set the start line and called for course E3.
After three weeks of horrific incidents
on the start line in Fleet B, I opted to sail in Fleet A just for some safe sailing.
As Spinny Fleet and A fleet approached Gov,
the wind was getting very light so we called to shorten course for B Fleet for
them to finish at Gov.
For some reason Regatta Hero cut
out on some boats and did not recognize the shortened course for B Fleet. While RH did finish many B fleet boats at
GOV, the PHRF calculations used the length of the full E3 course. Corrected results are below.
PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:
PLACE BOAT PHRF ET CORRECTED
SPINNY FLEET: COURSE DISTANCE
2.668 NAUTICAL MILES
1 ZOOP 144 59:37 53:12
2 INTERLUDE 141 1:01:50 55:33
3 MAIN
SQUEEZE 72 1:03:46 1:00:09
4 ROSIE 162 1:09:15 1:02:02
FLEET A: COURSE DISTANCE 2.668 NAUTICAL MILES
1 WATTS
MOORE 150 58:10 51:29
2 ABORIGINAL 33 53:23 51:54
3 FLEXI
FLYER 96 59:12 54:55
4 WIND
II 213 1:05:10 55:41
5 SAILING
PAIR A DICE 180 1:07:25 59:24
FLEET B: COURSE DISTANCE 2.126 NAUTICAL MILES
1 MAKANI 147 40:55 35:42
2 ANIMAL
HOUSE 96 42:02 38:36
3 BIG
MAC 222 48:08 40:16
4 PACIFIC
SPIRIT 165 48:23 42:32
5 SIMPATICO 165 49:13 43:22
6 WIND
GODDESS 163 49:15 43:28
7 PERFECT
36 144 48:50 43:42
8 YES
DEAR 243 1:04:17 55:40
Spinny fleet track:
Fleet A track:
Fleet B track:
PAUL TARA’S
“ZOOP SCOOP”
AN INTERESTING
EASTERLY
Initially there was a
solid easterly, but there were some suspicious lulls and, for the first time,
we elected to sail in the spinnaker division. This turned out to be a
good guess. We were able to lay BP in one tack, but only by squeezing up,
and shooting the mark at the end. Boats astern were lifted more,
indicating a shift to the south. Even with the kite, the run was
painfully slow as the breeze gradually died and backed. But then, just
after we rounded Gov, a veering fill came in from the south, giving us a nice
beat to the finish. Heading in afterwards we were amazed to see the westerly
fill back in. Kinda’ made sense — building breezes veer — but weird
nonetheless, because it was so late, and there was no fog.
RISK MANAGEMENT
As we start this season
it’s apparent some of us need to revisit our relationship with the Racing RULES
of Sailing . A recent spate of crashes and near-misses has underscored the
importance of understanding the RULES. They provide a basic framework which
allows boats to maneuver safely in close proximity. Failure to sail by
the RULES not only spoils the game for everyone, but endangers your boat and
your crew. Boats should never touch; when they do, somebody’s committed a foul.
Racing sailboats is all
about anticipation and odds. Learning to recognize developing
situations that might place you on the wrong side of the rules, before they
unfold, is key. When I taught junior sailing, I would tell the kids,
“Sailboats have no brakes; you may never win the America’s Cup, but you will be
good drivers.” Maneuvering dinghies in tight quarters teaches recognition of
risky situations before they become critical. This is important,
because the recognition and management of risk afloat is the essence of
seamanship.
A way to anticipate risk
is to recognize that, while it’s always present, there are areas of increased
risk that are constants in every race; places where the
probability of ending up in a tight spot goes way up. These are the start,
the marks, and the finish. There can be others, but
these are the usual suspects, because it’s where boats are forced together, and
where results are often decided. In addition to these constants,
there are other factors, or variables, that can quickly alter
the odds against you. These might be the particular rules in
play in any given situation, the conditions, and other
boats. Whenever you’re in one of the high risk areas, your
anticipatory antennae should be on high alert. Watch out for right-of-way
boats: starboard tack and leeward are the most common threats. But also be
particularly aware of variables that can alter the odds
unfavorably against you. No matter how well you anticipate, the odds can shift.
Just like the wind.
The best way to tip the
odds in your favor is to LEARN THE RULES. Get a copy and read them.
Particularly new racers. Believe what you read, not what you hear, i.e., you
cannot learn them at the Club bar. They're available from US Sailing in both
digital and printed form. Every boat should have a copy. As for
anticipation, you can practice it by asking, “What if?” whenever near other
boats. Hey, it might just happen.
Remember Paul
Elvstrøm, “You have not won if, in so doing, you have lost the respect
of your competitors.”
Sailing
Pair A Dice
