Very hot for Toronto but we are still having good winds. Jazz reappeared after a long absence. We had two competitive boats in our start. The winds were from the south at between 5 to 7 knots. I was worried we might not have enough wind to complete a race. Winds from the south/southwest tend to get offset by an offshore breeze in late afternoon. Pre launch, I had loosened the rig to a very light wind condition setting.
Our start was good. We were on our own and in clear air on the left side of the course. The wind might have been a bit better and more consistent on the right. The problem with being the farthest on a side is that we have to wait for boats to tack over before we can tack. I eventually decided to tack and duck Jazz. Jazz continued to go left. Jack Rabbit was on the right side of the fleet and quickly tacked, so we took separate courses to the windward mark. Everyone arrived at the windward mark about the same time, Jack Rabbit just ahead of us. The rounding went well and we gybed shortly after rounding. We didn't have to gybe again and stayed on port gybe to the mark. Jazz stayed on starboard gybe and sailed hotter angles; a strategy that kept them in contention. Prior to the start I demonstrated a windward takedown. In light winds I thought it would be worth the risk. We did a windward takedown and it went well. Jack Rabbit took the other gate so we separated. They seemed to be more conservative on their takedown and were slower.
On the second upwind we crossed ahead of Jack Rabbit. However by the time we got back to the leeward gate we rounded at the same time. We went inside but were not able to hold and had to tack away. That was pretty well the race as Jack Rabbit then held their lead. Perhaps the foot was too loose on the main; I had deliberately bagged it out for the expected light wind conditions. We just followed them around the remaining part of the course. The winds were too variable and we did not want Jazz to beat us on time. In a strict match race we might have tried a different course even though it wouldn't have been the best course. I was pleased with the crew. The lead went back and forth between JR and us. We were able to do two windward takedowns without a problem at the leeward mark. Very well done!
After the race, John, Jazz's skipper, informed me that the RC screwed up when they shortened course. Apparently one of the third start's boats had rounded the leeward mark and was away from the RC boat when sierra was hoisted. Also, the shark was "finished" when they were a leg behind the rest of the fleet (!). The results on the website had the lead finisher marked DNF. Another NYC RC first? Later Chris reported that we got a second with (Jack Rabbit, first) on the bulletin board posted results.
No comments:
Post a Comment