06/29/08

Race Five (Bud Wiser Cup)

This is the kind of day we all think about when we are looking forward to the next race. Sunny, but not too sunny, windy but not too windy, lots of competition (15 boats out today)and lots of fun.

It appeared during the practice runs that the best winds were up the left side of the course. The right was much less steady. It seemed the wind coming down from the west end of the lake was more concentrated and then when it got into the open part of the lake was less strong and more shifty. Anyway I thought I would go up the left side. Everyone started out on Starboard headed for Doug’s then Dave C went right as did Rob. Both looked strong going. Curt was leading the group on the left with Joe right on his hip. Five of us started at the two minute handicap, Skip, Dave, Peter, Jim and Scott. Mike and Jack were back at 5 minutes. The second group got a clear start and we were all in the hunt. I went up right just as far as I thought I needed to go to then go left and get that stronger wind. It worked ok but at the weather mark I was behind the 4 boats I started with. Curt was first to the mark with the Subaru man just seconds behind, Joe was next. On the first downwind I asked myself if I were properly focused. How could I be so far back after one leg, I mean there were so many boats ahead. Well, I got more focused and caught some good gusts ( the wind was building from the original 10mph to 15 by the end of the race) and I was gaining on some boats. Second time up I thought I would try to catch up the old fashioned way, I would follow Skip. He went right so I followed. Most of the fleet went left following Curt and Rob who were still strongly in the lead. Then it happened, the shift that makes all the difference. We were only about 25% up the leg when it came, lifted Skip and I right at the mark and gave the rest of the fleet a big header. Curt was far enough ahead to recover and hold the lead, but Rob and everyone behind him were sailing off in all directions trying to recover. So it became a totally different race for Skip and I. We were now chasing Curt and staying ahead of the fleet. Next time down and back didn’t change much, it was Curt in the lead with Skip and I crossing as we chased him. The last time up I felt I had finally put some distance between Skip and I and could possibly catch Curt. He could hear us breathing down his back but he was smart and tacked to cover each time I tacked. I wanted to catch him but I didn’t want to lose that second position to Skip or to Scott who was not to far back. Next thing I know is that Skip gets a lift and a puff and he is ahead going for the pin end of the finish line, forget Curt I got to get Skip. I tack over and stay with him until I get to the point I think I can make the boat end. The wind shifts and Skip can’t make the mark and must tack, I tack first and head for the boat finishing second s ahead. First I’d like to congratulate Curt on his Flag to Flag Bud Wiser Cup win, then I want to thank the wind gods for the shift on the second windward leg, it made all the difference. Skip is pretty amazing with that 30 year old modified M16, he is pointing and moving as fast as the newer boats in out fleet. Great to see him in the thick of it. The official finish results are:

Curt

Peter

Skip

Scott

Rob, don’t be discouraged, you sailed a very good race

Jim, don’t be discouraged, you’ll catch a shift one of these times

Joe, Sailed very competently today

Walker

Dave

Des

Jack, 5 minutes is a long way back when the wind is this good

Mike,

Dave C, had a great start, but needs to sail higher into the wind, keep and eye on the mark and make sure you are not more than 45 degrees off of it, if you are tack, and trim the main more and use a lot of vang to compensate for your lighter weight in these heavier winds

Ray, Still learning the ropes but kept it upright, he won’t be following for long. Need to trim the main more, get your weight out over the edge and use the vang to keep the boat from heeling too much.

Rex. His first race, his first time to windward and his first turtle, welcome to scow racing. It only gets better from here.

Thanks Judi, John and Michelle for a smartly run race.

We missed Bill, Jeff and Bruce(annual fishing trip) and Doug(working the fairgrounds) today. But very pleased with the 15 boats that sailed today.

After 5 races and using one drop race, the top places are:

Jack 13

Peter 14

Mike 15

Tided at 17: Jim Scott andJohn

Check web page for all results

See you next week.

peter