[Public-List] Second last Wednesday Race of the Season...

[Dominic Amann via Public-List]

Nice work, Gordon. I love to come in under sail myself.

On 20 September 2017 at 20:46, Gordon Laco via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> It’s over, the second last Wednesday race of the year.
>
>
>
> Caroline and I had lunch aboard SURPRISE... a very pleasant indungence we
> enjoy during the season.  The wind was snapping from the southeast... the
> very northernmost swipe of the terrible hurricanes south of us.  Oh boy, I
> thought, 15-18 knots of wind on a wednseday at last... great.
>
>
>
> Well as usual, by 1730, when I hustled down to the club from my office,
> the wind had softened to 8-10.  Out we went to the start... on the way the
> wind softened further to the point where it was only 5-8knots by the time
> we were in the cut and thrust of the prestart.  When the time was down to 3
> minutes to go, the wind got lighter yet, and veered so the line was badly
> skewed.
>
>
>
> I resolved to charge onto the start area on starboard... brush aside all
> the hopeful port starters then tack onto port at the last moment.  It
> worked perfectly and we had a good start.
>
>
>
> We split tacks with SUNDANCE and MAID MARION, our arch rivals who are both
> faster than us upwind in light air.  I figured there was no percentage in
> chasing (or trying to keep ahead of) boats we knew are faster... so we
> rolled the dice.  It paid off.  We reached the windward mark gliding in on
> starboard with all our foes coming up on port... oh the satisfaction.  I
> think I was chuckling, I hope nobody heard.
>
>
>
> So, round we went... up went the ‘chute.  We began stretching out our
> lead, actually overtaking some A fleet boats who’d overtaken us during the
> beat.
>
>
>
> And then someone turned off the fan.  We were still gliding along at .8
> knots (that’s point eight) and holding our position.   However I was
> dreading the next beat during which I was certain we’d be left behind by
> the whole herd.
>
>
>
> Then... what did he say?  LOOK AT THE COMMITTEE BOAT!  Oh yes... the
> committee had shortened the course... the first leeward mark was the
> finish.  We were spared the misery of watching everyone climb over us on
> the upcoming beat.  We were fourth in B fleet over the finish... third on
> PHRF.  Not bad.
>
>
>
> We eased the pole to near the forestay and reached back to the club in a
> refreshed breeze, whispering along at a joyous 2.7 knots.  Nearing the
> Club’s breakwater, an idea began to form.  Bear in mind I was pretty
> chipper; we’d finished well, it was a lovely evening tonight, and well it
> was really nice.
>
>
>
> I decided we’d sail right into the club under our spinnaker. Crazy.  At
> the end of the spit we bore away to run down the channel between the sterns
> of the boats.  We carried the ‘chute half way down, doused it lickety-split
> and turned to port up into our slip, backing the main to slow us down.  No
> problem.
>
>
>
> I was almost disappointed that nobody complained about our bravado...
>
>
>
> What a wonderful evening.
>
>
>
> Gord
>
> #426 Surprise
>
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-- 



It is not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It is
because we dare not venture that they are difficult - Seneca.

Dominic Amann
M 416-270-4587