It was windy enough that while at the dock we discussed whether or not to use the jib. We sort of decided that it would be a good idea. Force of habit produced the gennie. Funny how routine took over from the rational discussion.
The RC went to "0" and set the windward mark at Dufferin. No offset. It was not a true windward/leeward. Port tack favoured? Once again it was a crowded start. The choppy seas and high winds (there was a lot of heel) made for sloppy tacks. I had to do fast tacks in order to keep clear and the crew's agility wasn't up to the required speed and conditions. The sloppy tacks meant that we were not able to hold our position relative to the fleet and we lost speed. We had an OK start but "Three" was well ahead; by mid leg, I was pleased to see the CS 30s were behind.
We had a good mark rounding at Dufferin. On our way back to "0" Flemming, the PRO, hailed the fleet with a plaintive: "Would someone please answer!". Grand National, while moving to the finish position, had dislodged a spinnaker from the depths of Humber Bay. The spinnaker rose to the surface and snagged the prop. It made for some amusing radio chat. Napadelus answered first; but Diva, who was withdrawing from the race due to an equipment problem, was the one to tow GN back to the club. Polaris asked "Are you abandoning the race?", an appropriate but as yet unanswered question. After the obvious response "yes" was received, we elected to proceed to "0" anyways. No use in wasting a "race"!
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