IMYC 2014 Fall Series Final Results

IMYC 2014 Fall Series Final Standings

Ron Nash Does it again.

Ron's finely honed sailing skills and constant attention to sail trim propelled his Hunter 26.5 No Lizard to first place and earned Ron the title of 2014 Fall Champion.  

The way we usually see Ron Nash

Congratulations Ron on an excellent season with first place finishes in almost half of the races.  And we should note that he single-handed every race.  That’s quite an accomplishment!

Second place goes to the always swift Rama sailed beautifully by Bob and Julie Rhody. Congrats on a well-sailed series.  But it was not without a fight.  Bill and Roxanne Tull, the tenacious crew of Lil Girl, can never be counted out.

Several of the races were decided by the slimmest of margins.  Some were even ties.  We all know that a few seconds are easily lost in only a moment of inattention to sail trim, by over-standing the layline by just a few feet, or by not tacking on that header.  Then consider the amount of time given up to a less-than-pristine bottom, or by playing it safe at the start.  

Looking back at the second race in the series (race 2 on Sep 20) Lil Girl gave up third place to Pipistrelle by a mere 3 seconds.  That is the razor-thin margin that separates the fall series second place from third.  Just three seconds faster in that race and Lil Girl would have taken second place from Rama.  What a great racing season for Lil Girl.

The racing this year was the tightest I've seen in years.  It was fun to watch and fun to be a part of.  Its reminiscent of college football – there are a few perennial favorites, but anyone can be upset and you never know how any particular Saturday will turn out until it’s over. This fall every boat had at least one second place finish, and half of them had a first place finish.  And those that didn't were the ones to beat last year.

Everyone has upped their game.  The Tulls keep sailing Lil Girl better and faster.  Bob and Julie continue to amaze with Rama.  Eddie and Frank Zeiler aboard Pipistrelle turned in a very respectable performance on a boat they had never raced or sailed or flew a spinnaker on before.  John Bomar has breathed new life into Celerity and made her a potential contender.  And everyone knows from past experience that if you let up for an instant Communion and Bogy will make you pay.  Plus we now have a method of race timing that allows the committee boat to race too.  It has been a year of great progress.

The final point totals are reproduced below.  We should all be proud of the way we competed, not just against each other, but with each other, in the Corinthian spirit of camaraderie among friends.  I think that is what makes sailboat racing the wonderful sport that it is.  I am already excited about next year…

Keith Sugg

2014 Race Guy

2014 Fall Series Finale - Regatta 5 - 11/08/14

2014 Fall Series - Regatta 5 - 11/08/14

Race Summary - 11/08/14

2014 Racing at IMYC ended on a high note. The last two race days this fall have been some of the most fun in quite a while. Eight boats sailing together, maneuvering in close quarters and chasing each other around the course is hard to beat. The skill levels keep improving and everyone sailed well. You can't have a bad day racing with this bunch.

The last day was a day of challenges. The starting line was set at “C” to give the option of using either “F” or “B” islands as windward marks. The main shoal just north and east of the starting line provided a bit of a challenge because it closed off an area on the right side of the course a few hundred yards from the start. That coupled with the slight westerly component to the wind may be one of the reasons so many chose to start at the pin end on port tack. Also, a mark buoy was set near the north shore, north of island “B”. For this race we referred to the buoy as mark “A”.

North/south courses result in short legs.  "A" was set to help extend the course.

In retrospect temporary mark “A” should have probably been set further from shore.   As it turned out though, the short course legs, shifty wind and tight maneuvering room at “A” provided ample opportunity for practicing boat handling and rules knowledge.  The weather was perfect, and the racing was nearly as good.

Another challenge is trying to put together this race description.  I have tried to get the descriptions as accurate as possible, and cover as much of the action as I could, but I can only report on what I saw from my vantage point aboard Rendezvous.  I apologize for any errors or omissions.

Race 1, Course: C-B-C-B-C (up and back twice), Wind N@ 5

Celerity led most of the fleet on a port tack start, except for Rendezvous, who saw everyone else lining up on the port end and chose starboard to have right of way passing through the crowd.  

The view from Rendezvous' stern as she separates from the fleet. Is that really a good idea?

Rendezvous did not time the start well and soon realized that right of way is not nearly as important when most of the fleet crosses in front of you.  She continued to the west on starboard hoping that if better breeze appeared on that side of the course it would make up for the poor start.  It did not.

Celerity and Lil Girl lined up to round "B"

Rama drives for "B

Those who started on port tack and could clear the main shoal had could tack only once if they continued all the way to the layline.  

Those of us who started on starboard (OK, only me) soon realized that we would have to tack at least twice.  

Celerity, No Lizard, Lil Girl and Rama were in the group that rounded “B” first.  Rendezvous and Communion followed.  Pipistrelle had to luff up into irons to avoid parking, but made it around OK.  

After rounding ”B” for the downwind run back to “C” Rendezvous set her sights on the leaders.  The wind seemed to have just a bit of westerly to it, so everyone sailed as broad a reach as possible while still keeping the jib filled and pulling.

These guys are really making me work!

By the bottom mark it was No Lizard, Rama then Celerity.  Rendezvous moved just in front of Lil Girl land made up some ground on the others. 

No Lizard leads the parade after rounding "C" on the way back up to "B"

Rendezvous was able to sail a little higher and faster, while Rama, Lil Girl and No Lizard went further east.  

No Lizard and Rama have tacked and head west for "B".  Lil Girl will soon.

Rendezvous was first to rounding “B” the second time with No Lizard bearing down on her.  Rama, Lil Girl and Celerity followed.

Again for the downwind leg a broad reach was the mode of choice.  

No Lizard uses her chute to pull away from Rama, Lil Girl and Celerity.

Rendezvous finished first, followed by No Lizard. Celerity just made it by Lil Girl at the line.  

Another close finish!

The always-colorful Pipistrelle tried to use her rainbow spinnaker to catch Bogy, but could not. At least it went up smoothly this time.

Bogy hangs on to his lead

Though Rendezvous finished first she could not save her time against No Lizard, Celerity and Lil Girl who all corrected over her.

Race 1 to No Lizard.

Race 2, Course: C-A-B-A-C, Wind N@ 5-12

It was another tight start for most of the fleet.  Celerity led the crowd approaching from the port end of the starting line again and got across first.  Rendezvous found herself all but becalmed just before the start while trying to tack.

Celerity powers upwind in leg one

On the other hand, Rama got off to a terrible start.  I was focused on sail trim and boat position when I heard the radio crackle “Ten minutes after the start and Rama has finally crossed the starting line”.  Sorry Bob, but I had to smile.  It made the endless procession of headers I was facing a little easier to take. 

The wind was erratic all day and all over the course.

Pipisterelle tacked back to starboard and stayed west of island "B" on her way up the first leg to the top mark.

The view from Celerity as she leads the fleet

No Lizard managed to get upwind of Rendezvous and Celerity as we headed to mark "A". Celerity rode the port tack out to the east layline and tacked toward the mark.  She crossed ahead of Rendezvous before Rendezvous tacked and followed. 

No Lizard gets surprised by Celerity's acceleration and has no where to go .

No Lizard was on port approaching the mark from the south. It appeared that No Lizard had plenty of time and distance to cross Celerity bow before making her tack to the mark.  Suddenly Celerity was accelerated by the gust funneling down the nearby inlet to the north with No Lizard in the way.  In the shifty conditions with the boats as close as they were Celerity had to head up to avoid No Lizard.  No Lizard promptly confessed to a foul and accepted the obligation for a 360 turn. Celerity, No Lizard and Rendezvous all rounded the mark overlapped.  No Lizard had lost all momentum in the mark rounding and fell behind.

Celerity leads Rendezvous on the short run down to "B".  In the background Rama fights her way upwind still suffering from her unfortunate start.

The next leg was a short downwind run to “B”.  Celerity was able to get her sails in shape quicker than Rendezvous and she slowly pulled into a slight lead. 

Celerity, Rendezvous and No Lizard all rounded very close together and very close to the shore.  Rendezvous’ anchor was less than two feet from Celerity’s transom. Celerity barely managed to keep the lead, forcing Rendezvous to swing out around her.  Celerity was not about to give up inside position. Rendezvous was getting nervous playing chicken with the shallow water anyway.  No Lizard had the advantage of a shoal draft and made up time covering less distance.

 The wakes show that No Lizard knew it was safe to stay in at least as close to shore as Celerity and Rendezvous.

Heading up the next leg back to “A” Rendezvous was a little higher and faster than Celerity and established a leeward overlap.  As the two boats slowly converged John asked “At what point do you have luffing rights?”  Hmmm... That’s a good rule quiz question.  So answer it.  As Rendezvous moves up from leeward on Celerity at what point will she have luffing rights?  I’ll answer it at the end of the blog.

Rendezvous reached "A" first.  Why was there always a header at that mark, and never a lift?  No Lizard rounded in good position.  Not showing favorites, the wind gave Celerity a header too and she also had a tough time drifting around the mark. 

No Lizard chose to take her penalty 360 at this time.   I think that may have cost her the race.  Note the light wind, plus it was quite shifty near "A".  I will explain later.

Celerity dances with the fickle wind too.

Pipistrelle and Communion decided to live life on the edge and headed toward Lizard Shoal

 Pipistrelle and Communion ready to tack for “A”

From "A" it was a run to the finish.  Rendezvous was in front, but not by much, broad reaching and trying to balance coming up for speed against leaving a hole for the fleet to pass through (like Rama did to her last time).  

Most of the fleet headed for home.

No Lizard flew her spinnaker and tried to take Celerity’s wind, then decided to just focus on boat speed.  Rendezvous was unhappy that the wind filled in and freshened behind her, closing the time gap.

No Lizard could not squeeze enough power out of her asymmetric to catch Celerity

John really had Celerity cruising down wind and managed to stay out front of No Lizard’s assault.

Rama did a heck of a job making up that ten minute deficit  I'm glad she didn't start on time

A few whitecaps helped Pipistrelle make up some time on a wild ride at the end the last leg. 

 But conditions can change quickly

I wonder if Eddy was sore the next day.

Though Rendezvous finished almost two minutes ahead of the closest boat, Celerity, No Lizard and Pipistrelle all corrected over her.

About that penalty turn... If No Lizard had waited until very near the finish in much steadier (and as it turned out much fresher) breeze, she would have been able to complete the turn and accelerate back up to speed quicker than she did in the shifty calm near "A".  She only needed 81 seconds to take first place. 

Race 2 to Celerity.

Race 3, Course: C-A-C-A-C, Wind N@ 5-10

Celerity was too early to the line start, and had to tack over to starboard and like Rendezvous and head to the left.  At least that put Celerity on starboard to deal with the crowd on the line. One reason I chose starboard tack for Rendezvous for the start was to reduce my need to dodge while single-handing.  This was one of the most exciting starts we have had.  It seemed that all eight boats wanted to be in the same place at the same time.  And everyone handled their boats with complete control and confidence.  If they were panicked on the inside it did not show.

What a fun start!

Rama must have made an offering to the wind Gods because this time she had an excellent start, jumping out to a quick lead. 

Rama with a bone in her teeth leads the fleet

Bogy and Communion got their best starts of the day. 

Bogy crosses behind Rendezvous just after the start

P-256 - Pipistrelle nipping at No Lizard’s heels

These guys could have been posing for a photo for a sail trim textbook.

After clearing the crowd, Rendezvous and Celerity tacked and joined the parade to the right.  Most stayed on the favored port tack going upwind in most of the races.

Celerity and Rendezvous get back in sync with the rest of the fleet.  Now if they would just slow down....

No Lizard got bad wind from two big boats to her windward. She could not point as high and laid more East. One by one the fleet began to tack as they hit what they hoped would be the layline for “A”.  Tacking too soon exposed you to being too low and two additional tacks if hit by one of the frequent headers near “A”.  Tacking too late exposed you to being passed on a short race by someone who judged it right. 

I believe quite a bit if sailor’s language was used near the windward shore as the fleet tried to get around the far windward mark.  No Lizard experienced a funnel of wind coming from the north as she crossed the inlet on the shore above the mark.  The shift put her on a dead reach to the pin, making up good time on Celerity and Rendezvous. Rendezvous experienced the same thing, at first thinking she had just overstood the layline.  Now it was apparent why Celerity gained so much speed and surprised No Lizard in the second race – the wind was gusting faster through the inlet, producing a velocity lift.

Rendezvous rounded VERY close to “A” – drifting and coasting directly upwind into a header, missed the mark by only about six inches.   The for the next group of boats was a bit crowded, with No Lizard, Rama, Lil Girl and Celerity passing in close succession.

Rama makes waves as everyone else wallows.

The fleet followed their earlier approach to the downwind legs – broad reach heading up in the lulls and down in the puffs.

The last downhill run of the season.

Rendezvous had a lead, but could she save her time?

Pipistrelle tried the asymmetric chute this race, probably hoping to trade a little bit of speed for much less chaos.

Can Bogy hold the lead?

It was a bit crowded on the downwind run to the finish.  No Lizard took more time than she wanted putting the spinnaker up, but still had a great reach to the finish. 

Finally Rendezvous held on to her lead in the corrections, with Lil Girl snatching second.

Race 3 to Rendezvous.

The 2014 racing season comes to an end.

Talk about close finishes.... No Lizard and Celerity tied for fourth place in race three.  That gave both of them 7.5 points for the day, tying them for first place for the day. Tie are decided by lowest total corrected times.  Celerity beat out No Lizard by a mere 31 seconds! That is a great example why it is important to never let up even if you are out of the money in a particular race.  Just one second either way for either of them on a race where they both finished fourth, or 31 seconds in either of the other races would have determined the overall winner for the day.

Fall Race Day Five to Celerity.  Congrats to John and his crew!

RULES QUIZ:

So do you have an answer?  Rendezvous was pointing slightly higher and closing the leeward separation.  But she did not luff Celerity.  She could not.  She would never have luffing rights from that overlap.

RULE 17 - Proper Course:

If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule 13 to keep clear.

Since Rendezvous as leeward boat had right of way, Celerity had to avoid Rendezvous’ advance.  She did so by tacking away, careful to avoid swinging her stern out during the turn.  How many of you got it right?

The last two race days this fall have been some of the most fun.  It has been some of the most fun racing I can recall.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this racing season such a great success!

 

The Numbers: