08/31/08

Harry S Truman Race

It looked like we would not have a race today. In fact I received several calls asking if we were even going to try. I said sure, we were forecasted to get 6 mph by 10:00 although Curt showed me another forecast that said 1-2 by 10:00. But being the optimistic sort, we decided to go for it. We had great turnout of boats, 17 MC’s and a Hunter.

Winds were very light at the start coming over the trees from the south east. We stated by Jacobson’s and headed east. We had a very wide starting line and boats were covering most of it although more were clustered around the committee boat end. I decided to play it safe and stay to the left figuring the trees would have less effect out in the lake rather than close to shore. Off went the horn and we were moving. I had some breeze so I rode it, very loosely sheeted to keep it going, not heading up at all. Well to my right I could see Curt and Bill ahead of the pact going up the right size. Risky business I say, can get caught in hole there and die, but they kept moving. We were moving up the lake about even but they were on a much shorter path to the channel than I was. I needed them to get stuck in light or no wind or I was going to find myself way in the back. As Curt and Bill past Doug place, the continued to have decent wind, it was building out by me and I was faster by they kept going. Just before they reached the point, the wind died around them, now to make my move because I still had good wind but was several hundred yards you leeward. The other boats were catching Curt and Bill, specifically, Dave and Doug and Jim. Then I see a wind bending right around the corner and picking up all of them and carrying them to the channel. Curt went wide, Dave stayed to the shore and I’m out in the middle of the lake. Then I see this huge wake board boat throwing a wave any sailor would hate. I decided to make the best of it and tacked just as the wave hit, and boy did I get a ride, for two minutes I rode that wave right up into the thick of the boats. As the boat rides with the wave the wetted surface of the hull is reduced so less drag and more speed, what a ride. So now I’m moving toward the channel with Doug and Cindy and Jim and Judi crossing tacks with me. I got some good lifts in there and tacked a lot. I got ahead of J& J and was right on D&C’s transom. Curt and Dave had cleared the channel by now with Curt already past Flag Island. Dave went left and Doug went right. I didn’t like either and stayed to the center, I think each of them went too far on their respective tacks because as we cleared Jan ski’s island I was ahead but way behind Curt. I squeaked by the west shoreline to avoid and tack and said to Curt in my mind, there is still a lot of race here buddy. Curt went left around Goose Island and was headed back by the time I reached it, I went right. I had a good run downwind, but curt was still way out there. Dave was behind me and D&C behind him. J&J were still in the race as was Mike and Cathy. Coming up through Middle lake I could see Curt moving slowing into the channel, still have a chance. There was some frustrating light wind just before the channel but going through was a breeze. Coming out was ok but light. When I rounded the corner I could see Curt again and enjoyed the fact that this was making him nervous even though he was probably ¼ mile ahead, but not moving. I came up Doug’s shoreline and was visibly gaining when the wind did a 360. It came from the northwest, then the west then the northwest again. Must have been a swirl coming over the trees but for about 2 minutes I just kept turning in wind but not going anywhere. Then I see this dark water coming up from the west end of the lake, it’s dark, it covers the whole west end and it’s moving toward us. But Curt is going to get it first; he does and crosses the line in style, many minutes later I do the same. If only that wind would have filled in from the forecasted south east instead of the west…………..

Congratulations to Curt and to Doug and Cindy for the double handed win.

We met later at Des and Joan’s for some great food and fun. Trophies were presented. See the web page for picture of the winners. Note the Walker was not in attendance and Bill stood in to receive his first place Regatta Trophy.

We completed the day with Des singing Summer Wind on his karaoke machine. What a guy.

Thanks everyone for a great season

peter