2015 Fall Series Finale - Nov 14th

Fall Regatta Fifth Race Day, Nov. 14, 2015

A  Z-Cat Day

For the last Regatta of the Fall Regatta Series, 3 boats came to the starting line. Matsya with George Boger crewing, Z-Cat and the usual crew, and No Lizard with Tyler Nales (a student at Henderson) crewing.

The winds were light out of the SE. The start/finish line was set up at B near the Island, running SW to NE. Marks were set up at K and I in anticipation that the wind would shift toward the south.

The first race was B to K to B, port rounding. No Lizard and Z-Cat got off a good start. Matsya was a bit behind, and it got worse for her as the wind started dying at that end of the lake. Z-Cat got to the mark first with No Lizard close. No Lizard got the spinnaker up, and made it back first, then Z-Cat, and Matsya having a hard time making up for no wind on her first leg.

Matsya "looking" for wind

The course for the second race was moved to I as the wind indeed started shifting toward the south. The course was B to I to B, Port rounding. All boats got off to a good start. Z-Cat again made the mark first. All fought the wind, sometimes blowing at 4 to 6 (maybe!) or, barely 1 with the lake glassing over. Again, with the help of the spinnaker, No Lizard got home first, then Z-Cat 1 minute behind, followed by Matsya.

Eddie relives a scene from "Titanic"

Between races, the Assistant Committee moved I more NE in order to line up better to the wind, AND to shorten the course due to the unpredictable wind.

The third race was again B to I to B, port rounding. No Lizard started on the NE pin on port. Z-Cat started from down the line from the SW on starboard. Just after the start, No Lizard had to tack out of Z-Cats starboard line. Matsya started in better position. Z-Cat made it to the pin first, with No Lizard right there.

Teamwork

This was the theme of the day; Z-Cat, with her Baby Butt Bottom and light weight, making good time upwind, No lizard making up time downwind with her spinnaker.

Matsya was having a better race staying much closer to the others.

Now, it gets interesting. Coming to the finish line, Z-Cat decided to have some fun, and force No Lizard away from the finish line and possibly into third place behind Matsya. No Lizard was on a port run coming to the SW end of the finish line. Z-Cat, closer to No Lizard at the finish than previously, also on a port run and leeward of No Lizard, claimed her leeward rights and started forcing No Lizard into the SW pin (allowed under the pre-2013 rules. More later). The boats were drifting in close quarters to each other and the buoy. With the buoy just feet away, and Z-Cat just inches away, No lizard’s captain, being just a bit irritated, ordered the crew to grab Z-Cat’s shroud (yes, she was that close) and pull Z-Cat into the buoy causing her to foul the buoy!!! (yes, the buoy was that close).  Fortunately for No Lizard her crew mutinied and did not follow through.  Because of Z-Cat’s mischief No Lizard had no choice but to bear off to the west, drop her spinnaker, and circle around to get back to the finish line.  In the slight winds and close quarters, Z-Cat tapped No Lizard.  No Lizard protested the contact and Z-Cat took a 360 penalty turn.

Now, it is possible that Matsya will correct on No Lizard for second place. No Lizard will be P’O’ed if his “friends” on Z-Cat were successful!!!  We shall see when the Race Committee calculates the results.

Thanks to Ron for providing that colorful narrative and the race photos.  I have felt his pain many times.

Before I get to the results though, this is an excellent example to help understand the rules.  IMYC is definitely not a Blood-and –Guts racing club.  But thinking through various scenarios is a great way for us all to get more comfortable with the rules and less intimidated by them.  So how did Ron come to his conclusion... and is he right?

First let’s look at some of the definitions:

Mark - An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side, and a race committee boat surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends. An anchor line or an object attached accidentally to a mark is not part of it.

Zone - The area around a mark within a distance of three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it. A boat is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.

Regarding being forced beyond the end of the finish line:

There are four basic right-of way rules, and several limitations.  I usually approach a rules question on the water or after the fact by first applying these four in their order of priority (Not tacking, Starboard, Leeward, Ahead (NtSLA)), then looking for limitations.   

(1)   Nt – Not Tacking does not apply because neither is tacking.

(2)   S – Starboard does not apply because both are on the same tack.

(3)   L – Leeward DOES apply because one is leeward.  The fourth basic rule (ahead vs astern) is not material since the higher priority “Leeward” rule applies, and if they are overlapped then one cannot be ahead.

What does the basic “Leeward” rule say?

a.     Rule 11    ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

Based on this rule it appears Z-Cat can luff No Lizard up and away from the finish.

But are there any other limitations?  Two come to mind.

One common limitation that applies when one boat is passing another is found in Rule 17   ON THE SAME TACK; 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.

In essence this rule says that if you are a leeward boat that is passing then you cannot sail above your proper course while overlapped.  But if you are being passed it does not prohibit you from exercising your leeward rights. 

 

 

Maybe that could apply here, but there is another limitation that definitely does.  It is found in Rule 18 Mark Room (pertinent parts below)

18.2    Giving Mark-Room

 (b) If boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone, the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat mark-room. If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone, the boat clear astern at that moment shall thereafter give her mark-room.

 

Either end of the finish line certainly qualifies as a mark since the sailing instructions require a boat to leave it on a specified side. So it is clear that IF No Lizard and Z-Cat were overlapped when the first one reached the Zone (3 of her boat lengths from the mark), THEN the outside boat (Z-Cat) must give the inside boat (No Lizard) room at the mark.

From the race narrative it appears likely that there was such an overlap at the zone, and that technically Z-Cat fouled No Lizard by forcing her to the wrong side of the mark. 

There is no rule that explicitly prohibits a crew member from grabbing another boat to alter her course.  If this had actually happened, two rules immediately come to mind. 

Rule 4   AVOIDING CONTACT

A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room or mark-room

(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room, and

(b) shall be exonerated if she breaks this rule and the contact does not cause damage or injury.

So even if No Lizard had violated Rule 4 and initiated contact, she “shall be exonerated if she breaks this rule and the contact does not cause damage or injury”.

The more important rule is

Rule 2    FAIR SAILING

A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated. A disqualification under this rule shall not be excluded from the boat’s series score.

Grabbing a competitor’s shroud and pulling her into the mark would clearly violate the principles of sportsmanship and fair play, and may result in being scored as a DSQ for that race.

I hope this rules discussion has helped clarify a few issues.  Now on to the results…

Last Fall Regatta, Nov. 14, 2015

Z-Cat does it again with three bullets!  Congrats Eddie.  Its starting to sound like a broken record.  Good work guys.  In case you are wondering, her near three minute margin in the last race was enough that even if she had thrown in another penalty turn she’d still have won.  See the numbers right below.

 

 

Now that we have the last races behind us we can proceed to the 2015 Fall Series standings.  Team Zeiler Wins again!  Eddie and Frank pulled off another series win.  But this time the scores are much closer than in the spring.  Only 2.5 points separate Z-Cat from No Lizard.  Just a total of 58 seconds strategically placed would have changed the series winner.  If on Nov 7 in the first race No Lizard had been only 2 seconds faster and Matsya 35 seconds faster,  and on Oct 3 in race 2 No Lizard had been 21 seconds faster, the positions would have changed enough that No Lizard would have won the series.

 

I continue to be impressed with how competitive our racing has become.  I don't mean competitive in the cut throat sense.  I mean competitive in that on any given day you don't know who will come out on top, and probably by a small margin.

I want to close by thanking all of the people who have helped me this year.  Without Ron Nash agreeing to fill in for me during my absences I could not have agreed be the "Race Guy".  Over the year many of you saved me literally hours by picking up the marks after the races.  And I especially appreciate the lack of complaints when I goofed up running the races.  I'm looking forward to racing in 2016.

 

Keith Sugg

 

 

 

2015 Fall Series Fourth Race Day - Nov 7th

2015 Fall Series Fourth Race Day - Nov 7th

The wind gods made up for the slick-as-glass conditions on Oct 24th that resulted in cancelled races.  We had steady 8 - 12 knot ENE winds the entire day, with a few gusts up around 15.  Plus, the rain dissipated just in time, making for delightful racing conditions.

Ron Nash was single-handing No Lizard (again).  Bob and Julie Rhodey aboard Matsya got a little help from George Boger who decided to crew with them rather than take his own boat out.  The Zeiler boys were on Zcat.  And I had our sailmaker Dave Sample with me aboard Rendezvous.

The windward/leeward course was set as I-A-I-A-I, up and back twice.  The legs were short, but with what the wind gave us that was about the only way to get a good course orientation that required us to make decisions about when and where to tack and gybe.  The wind direction was steady enough that we used the same course for all three races.

Unfortunately I do not have a race narrative.  With the fresh breeze and the intensity of the racing I did not have time to make notes.  And I know better that to rely upon my memory.  The boats were closely packed on the starting line, and maneuvering at close quarters and at full speed.  One of eth challenges was to be able to shift gears to maintain control in the gusts while still having enough power in the lulls.  Suffice it to say that the racing was exhilarating.

With Dave Sample's considerable help, Rendezvous captured three first place finishes.  That man certainly knows how to make a boat move.  The hard part for the skipper is that sometimes the correct thing to do goes against what your gut tells you is right.

Looking at the results, I am certain that in race #1  Ron Nash can identify at least a dozen instances in the first race where he gave up more than one second.  One measly second is all that separated his third place finish from the Rhodey's well-sailed second place finish.  Congrats Bob, Julie and George for a heck of a race.  Team Zeiler should thank the Rhodeys.  That second place that Matsya earned pushed No Lizard to third place overall, and Zcat second overall.  Not too bad for using the "beater" sails.

The racing was close.  Notice that only one point separates second from third, and third from fourth.  Most of all it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to improve boat handling skills.

2015 Fall Series Third Race Day - Oct 17

IMYC Fall Series Racing – 3^rd Regatta

It was another Fair-Dinkum, great-sailing-day on Lake DeGray for the third regatta in the IMYC Fall Racing Series.  With a high pressure dome to the North, the winds were again out of the East/Northeast, occasionally clocking a bit further South, coming in at a steady 8-10 knots, gusting at times to near 15.  Low humidity, sunshine with mixed clouds, and temperatures in the mid 60’s made for a near perfect Fall race, with the fleet having the lake all to themselves.    

Five boats were on the line; Rendezvous, with race-committee-chairman Keith and his wife Barbara on board, a Catalina 40’; No Lizard with Ron Nash driving and sailmaker David Sample running the lines, a Hunter 26’; Matsya  with Bob Rhody driving and wife Julie running the lines, a Hunter 23’; Bogey with George Boger driving and Matt from Texarkana running the lines, a Hunter 22’; and ZCat with Eddie Zeiler driving and his father Frank trimming, a Catalina 22’. 

The starting line was square to the two in-line windward buoys stretching out from Iron Mountain towards the west corner of the 7 South causeway.    Just before the start the wind shifted to the south, heavily favoring a starboard approach to the line.  Adding a bit of intrigue and challenge to the course, a long, low-water-island was sticking out directly windward of the start line.  So boats had to choose to go left or right of this obstruction.  The course was called out over the radio and everyone confirmed it as one long windward leg, then shorter leeward – windward legs, then a long leeward leg back to the start line, four legs in all. 

Relying on atomic clocks for their timed run at the start line, ZCat still did not have her headsail up with one minute left, all boats were bunched near the right side starting buoy, all coming in on starboard close-hauled.  Ron and Dave on No Lizard got the start, first over and in the windward position with Keith and Barbara on Rendezvous next down the line.  Eddie on ZCat, now fully rigged, was trailing and leeward of Ron.  Matsya and Bogey were on the port hip of Rendezvous.  It was a neck and neck start for the two lead boats but No Lizard seemed able to point a bit higher and Keith could not stay with her.  No Lizard soon tacked to port and went to the south side of the island; the other four boats chose to stay on starboard, going left up the course.  Once again ZCat dropped her headsail.  Rendezvous, now well ahead of the bunch going left, and gaining, drove all the way to the north shore near De Roche ridge before tacking over to port.  About the same time No Lizard, on the far side near Iron Mountain, tacked back to starboard after having cleared the long rocky island ridge.  As the two lead boats approached the mark, both now on port, Keith (with Barbara driving) had a good lead on Ron and Dave on No Lizard. Bogey was third, Matsya fourth and ZCat, still without a headsail, trailed the fleet.   Both Keith and Ron rounded pretty far ahead of the other boats and set off on a port broad reach.  Matsya overtook Bogey in the last tacking and she rounded third.   Rendezvous rounded downwind at the leeward mark, heading back upwind on port.  The three trailing boats split on the short downwind leg.  Still surging, Rendezvous rounded the windward mark again in first place with No Lizard chasing.  Off the wind, No Lizard soon broke out the big red monster (geniker) and had it flying.  Just then, behind the two leaders Matsya again rounded the windward mark third.  Bogey struggled at the last windward mark allowing ZCat to catch up a bit.  Downwind,  Rendezvous, No Lizard and ZCat went to the right side of the course (windward view), Matsya and Bogey went to the left side.  Keith and Barbara could not be caught, even by the well sailed No Lizard and finished first across for line honors, No Lizard second, Matsya third and ZCat came on strong at the very end of the last leg to cross just in front of Bogey.  After corrections No Lizard captured first place by a mere 5 seconds, followed by Rendezvous, ZCat, Matsya and Bogey. 

The second race was run on the same course and the fleet’s start maneuvers mirrored the first -- No Lizard closest to the pin and first across the line at the gun,  Rendezvous a bit downwind, and ZCat third down the line.  Then came Matsya and Bogey.  The wind had built to white-cap-strength and it was a truly picture perfect scene as the five boats, all close-hauled and parallel, marched up toward the windward mark on starboard tack.  Soon all tacked over to port and were quickly approaching the 7 South peninsula.  No Lizard, still ahead, was first to tack over on the hoped-for lay-line with Rendezvous following.   They rounded the mark in that order with Keith and Barbara on Rendezvous about 25 seconds behind Ron and Dave on No Lizard.  Further back Matsya and ZCat battled it out with upwind tacking duels and Bogey followed.  Now off the wind, unlike in the first race, No Lizard did not set her geniker for this short downwind leg.  Near the windward buoy, ZCat appeared ahead but Matsya  pinched up and established buoy room for herself and rounded ahead of ZCat.  ZCat then blanketed Matsya as they both reached off toward the leeward mark.  The two leading boats had split after the windward mark, but the two trailing boats seemed tied together with a line as they reached off downwind. 

Ron and Dave on No Lizard stayed ahead of Keith and Barbara on the next, short windward leg.  For the long downwind leg No Lizard, now well in the lead, chose to again use the geniker.   However, on raising it, a foul and hourglass formed in the sail allowing Keith and Barbara on Rendezvous to catch up a bit from behind.  Ron and Dave struggled with the lines but were finally able to set the sail, then flew downwind at great speed in the building breeze.  Meanwhile, still on the windward leg, Matsya was ahead of ZCat .  Bogey trailed. 

In the blustery winds now Rendezvous chose a more direct course and went wing on wing at times toward the finish line while No Lizard, with Dave flying her chute, went toward the south of the long island. The wind stayed up.  Eddie and Frank on ZCat gained an advantage and passed Matsya in the last tacking of their upwind battle.  Having cleared the long island on the North side, Rendezvous swung to a port broad reach as both she and No Lizard, on the other side of the island, raced for the finish line.  No Lizard hung on to cross just ahead of Keith and Barbara and get line honors.  Matsya and ZCat also split on the last downwind leg as the breeze lightened.  It was nip and tuck all the way but ZCat, enjoying more pressure south of the island crossed ahead at the finish for third place.  Matsya came fourth, then Bogey.   After corrections No Lizard was the clear winner with Rendezvous second, Zcat third, Matsya fourth and Bogey fifth.

As the winds continued to blow steadily from the East, with gusts to above 15, the last race consisted of three windward-leeward legs to the nearest upwind buoy, six legs in all.  This time the fleet was spread out in approaching the start line.  Ron and Dave on No Lizard again had the right-side -position near the pin and luffed-up to avoid being over early,  ZCat was downwind from them on starboard, Rendezvous was in the middle of the line on starboard but further back.  Matsya, defying the others and with great daring-do,  tacked over to port and began  weaving her way  through the fleet, charging upwind on the disadvantaged, no-right-of-way tack.  Bogey was close hauled on starboard near the left pin.  With a significant clocking shift in the wind to go further East and South, heading the main fleet on starboard, all those boats had to tack over, and then played follow-the -leader to Matsya who was well ahead with her unorthodox but really great start.   This time in their first upwind leg, on port, the whole fleet went south of the island, out from Iron Mountain. 

As your reporter’s recorder malfunctioned the battle continued on the water.  Ron and Dave aboard No Lizard clawed their way to the lead with Bogey in second.  Barbara and Keith on Rendezvous, about half-way through the race found themselves in last place after some foul ups.  They then settled and began methodically working their way through the others.   Ron and Dave on No Lizard, in the lead, mistook the second downwind leg for the finish and ambled off on a leisurely beam reach.  In the spirit of the true Corinthian sailor that he is, race committee chairman Keith called up No Lizard on the radio to ask if they knew the race was not over.  We all had a good laugh on that one as Ron and Dave rejoined the racing, managing to complete another “horizon job” on the competition for line honors at the finish.  George and Matt on Bogey fought bravely the remainder of the race but could not hold off the fast charging Barbara and Keith on Rendezvous who crossed the line second.  George got third, Bob and Julie crossed fourth and in uncharacteristic fashion ZCat crossed behind everyone.  After six legs and an hour of intense racing, the last three boats crossed within 26 seconds of each other.   After corrections the relentless pressure from Zcat, Bogey and Matsya earned them second, third and fourth places, with Rendezvous finishing fifth.

The results for today show once again that you should never let up when racing.  Every second at any location on the course counts.  Even when the nearest boat is 1/4 mile away the corrected finish may still be decided by only a few seconds. 

The camaraderie on the dock was especially evident after the day’s racing with everyone having really enjoyed such a terrific day of sailing.  This Saturday the wind gods were really smiling, as was everyone else on the dock who got to race on this day.  

Thanks to John Bomar for this excellent commentary.

And check out the  Iron Mountain Yacht Club facebook page for some great video of the races.

 

 

2015 Fall Series Second Race Day - Oct 3

Thanks again Ron for stepping in during my absence.  And thanks to John Bomar for providing the race descriptions below.

Results are tabulated at the end.

Iron Mountain Yacht Club Race Report, 2^nd Fall Regatta, 2015

A deep low pressure in the Carolinas, causing misery, power loss and flooding created near perfect wind and weather conditions for sailors racing in the second regatta of the Iron Mountain Yacht Club’s Fall Racing Series.

In average 8-10 knot winds, gusting at times to above 15, under blue skies with cotton-ball clouds, three races were completed.  The course was set into the wind from the uth to the north shore of the lake’s main channel just out from the Iron Mountain camping area.  Each of the three races consisted of two windward-leeward legs.  The fleet was made up of only four boats but the lack of numbers did not minimize the excitement on the water as there were numerous position changes.

In the first race Bogey got a good jump on the fleet while ZCat and No Lizard mixed it up, with No Lizard acknowledging a foul during maneuvering.  The wind backed to the North during the upwind leg, forcing all over onto port and No Lizard made it to the mark first where he performed his 360 penalty turn.  Bogey overstood the layline in the final tacking to the mark, allowing ZCat to round in second, Matsya trailed.  No Lizard  hoisted  their  Big Red Monster (geniker) and took off on starboard broad reach, Bogey and ZCat chose a deeper course, flying wing on wing and Matsya chose a port broad reach as the wind built.  The order stayed the same as they rounded the leeward mark.  ZCat in second and No Lizard leading split on the next upwind leg, Eddie going right on port and Ron headed left on starboard. The right side ended up being heavily favored with an increase in pressure and favorable shift, allowing ZCat to point higher and go faster, and take over the lead from No Lizard.  ZCat, however,  tacked short and had to pinch up severely at the windward mark to make the rounding.  Matsya overtook Bogey on the second upwind leg and rounded third.  In the last downwind leg ZCat managed to stay ahead most of the way, being attacked from behind with a cover by No Lizard.  In a very close finish for line honors,  No Lizard crossed just ahead of ZCat, the big red monster having gobbled up the distance.  Matsya finished  well ahead of Bogey. 

The second race in building winds saw No Lizard cross the start line first and upwind, all boats on the right-of- way starboard tack.  ZCat and Bogey stayed in Ron’s slop for a while as Matsya tacked over to port.  No Lizard and Bogey soon joined Matsya on port while ZCat stayed on starboard choosing the left side of the upwind course which seemed to have a slight advantage in angle  to the mark.    The split extended as each side legged it out, now working to the alternate buoy which had been set a bit farther East. The wind lightened considerably and got squirrely closer to the mark.  No Lizard managed to round first after having gained some insurance in overstanding the last layline, ZCat rounded second.  After this the wind filled in strongly from the east allowing Matsya to fly around in third, joining the other two in a port broad reach toward the leeward mark.  Those behind closed on No Lizard, attacking him and forcing him to jibe to starboard.  After a really fast leg in great pressure No Lizard crossed the finish line first, with ZCat nipping at his heels and Matsya right behind him.  The wind then lightened and shifted about 100 degrees to the North/North West.  On the next upwind leg ZCat took another flyer to the left as No Lizard and Matsya battled on the right side.  No Lizard, ahead, was forced into a double tack at the windward mark to round first.  ZCat and Matsya duked it out in the final tacking with ZCat rounding second.  The wind built again, approaching 15-18 knots as No Lizard, now going downwind,  struggled with her partially raised geniker, getting knocked on her ear in the puffs.   With the wind shifting again to the North/North West the last downwind leg became a parade with one long port broad reach.  ZCat could point higher than No Lizard with the geniker but Ron managed to again gain line honors.  ZCat second, Matsya third, Bogey fourth. 

All boats approached the start of the third race on starboard, the wind had steadied at 10-12 knots.  No Lizard was again upwind with ZCat, Matsya and Bogey in that order.  Ron and Eddie had to burn off some time to avoid crossing the line early, Bogey got caught too far down and could not make the buoy, having to tack over to port.  No Lizard soon joined him on port and the fleet split with those going right on port seeming to be on the favored tack.  Soon ZCat and Matsya tacked over as well.  Those furtherist upwind got headed while those further down got a lift.  Then all got headed as the wind swung to the East.  Bogey was forced to tack over because of the 7 South peninsula.  No Lizard continued on port approaching the lay line.  The right side had definitely been favored in this windward leg.  Bogey on starboard now crossed ahead of ZCat on port while Matsya trailed.  No Lizard finally tacked to starboard, gaining a good lift and rounded the windward mark well ahead of the fleetk, charging off on port broad reach under geniker, in building winds.  ZCat overtook Bogey in the final windward tacking duel but lost some of his advantage as they approached the mark, Matsya charged up from the East, also overtaking Bogey and followed ZCat around the mark.  With the wind now blowing near stink levels, No Lizard flew across the finish line in a classic “horizon job” finish.   ZCat stayed well ahead of the other two in the final leg as Bogey attacked Matsya from behind.  ZCat and Matsya swung to wing-on-wing in the final portion of the leg, crossing in that order, with Bogey not far behind. 

It was great racing in super conditions on Lake Degray this Saturday, the only losers were the ones who wanted to be there but could not. 

 

2015 Fall Series First Race Day - Sep 26

A special thanks to Ron Nash for running the regatta in my absence.  I wish I had been there.  His summary follows.
Keith

The First of the Fall Regattas got off Saturday, Sept. 26.  Five boats entered: Pax, Z Cat, Matsya, Bogy, and No Lizard.  The starting line was set up at mark I, just south and east of the shallow islands.  In general the wind was from the NE. The course was I-D-I, port rounding. 

We had a good, close start for all boats.  Pax got to the pin first, sailing the upwind leg well in the shifting winds.  No Lizard got her spinnaker up after crossing a few lines in the process, but after sorting that out, made good time on the downwind leg.  The uncorrected finish was Pax, No Lizard, Bogy, Matsya, then Z Cat.

Second race was I-A-I, port rounding.  The wind appeared to be from the NE again, we had a close start.  Pax took a tack to the East, while the rest headed more north, before making the easterly tack to the pin.  Pax got it right getting to the pin well ahead of everyone else.  When the rest of the boats got to the pin, the wind became non-existent.  Pax caught the following wind and finished first way ahead of the pack, while everyone else was wondering where the wind was coming from.  No lizard was next with Z-Cat way too close behind not to correct over No Liz.  Matsya then Bogy finished the positions.

Third race was I-D-I, starboard rounding.  The start was fair, but No lizard was behind at the start. Matsya had single handed the first 2 races.  Her famous tactician (Julie) had to work Sat. morning. The pin D was set up not far from the boat ramp.  The famous tactician swam out to meet Matsya, and she finished the race with a full crew.  The wind was again dying at the pin (that did not hurt Matsya too much getting Julie aboard).  It was busy around the pin with Z-Cat, Bogy and No Lizard all close. Z-Cat made a good move, heading west and found better wind.  No Lizard had her spinnaker up, but found the wind shifting to the NNW and having to jib the chute. Pax as usual, finished first overall.  Z-Cat grabbed second, followed by No Lizard, Bogy, then Matsya.

It was a good Regatta, in spite of the crazy wind.  At one point in the second race, we actually got 20 plus knot bursts, lasting only a few seconds, but sure making one drop the main sheets fast.  At another point the wind rolled around about 300 plus degrees in direction.  But it was still great fun. 

 

 

I am looking forward to next Saturday, October 3, for the second Regatta of the Fall Series. 

Ron

 

IMYC 2015 Spring Series Regatta #6, May 23

Team Zeiler wins the IMYC 2015 Spring Series.

Eddie has certainly shown us how well a Catalina 22 can be sailed this spring with an amazing 10 first place finishes! Congratulations on a great season Eddie and Frank.

Team Zeiler - Eddie and Frank blowing us all away with their Catalina 22

 

 

 

 

We had great weather for the last regatta of the 2015 spring series.  Six racers turned out for one last shot at glory before the summer doldrums.  The winds were out of the east again.  Two buoys set the starting line on the south side of island “B”, with rounding marks set at locations “A” and “K”.

Race 1    Course: B-A-B,     Wind ESE 3-6

As you can see from the photo below we had another close start… except for Rendezvous.  I guess I should say “they” had a good start.  I would blame it on the two newbies we had aboard if I could, but it was skipper error.



Five of the six hit the line together to begin the last spring regatta





 

Soon we all settled in to a starboard tack beat toward the mark.  The wind had gone a bit more southerly, making the left side heavily favored for the east/west course.  Zcat, Communion and No Lizard showed good speed in light air as they built a lead. Rendezvous made up a little of her starting deficit on the first leg, but could not completely close the gap. 



First leg windward progress – a little flat but steady as Rendezvous chases the leaders

Communion has new “fast rags in blue bags” from North, Zcat was sporting what appeared to be new sails, and No Lizard had Little Rock’s sail-making wizard Dave Sample aboard.  If it sounds like I’m making excuses you're right.

Zcat and Communion round ahead of No Lizard



 

On the downwind leg Zcat  went wider than Communion, then jibed back toward the center.  About two thirds of the way to the finish Zcat attempted to pass Communion to windward. Communion tried to stop her by heading up sharply, asserting her leeward rights.  Zcat was able to steer clear and sail over Communion and finish ahead of her.

Communion luffs Zcat trying to hold off her charge to the finish

No Lizard stayed out of the fray and sailed past them to finish first. But it was not enough.

Lil Girl breaks out “The Beast” to try to catch Bogy

After corrections Zcat got first, No Lizard second by just 40 seconds over Communion, and Rendezvous got fourth by just one second over Bogy.  Sorry George.

 

Race 2   Course: B-K-B-K-B   Wind E 3-6

The course for race 2 was more nearly aligned with the wind, requiring the racers to consider their tactics more carefully.

The fleet works its way up the first beat of the first leg.

Starboard tack was still favored, but only slightly.  About half way up the first leg the fleet split.



Bogy and Lil Girl tack away early looking for better wind to the south

After a while Rendezvous eked out a small lead and rounded the first mark first.

No Lizard rounds, chased by Communion and Zcat

 

 



Lil Girl drives for the top mark, Beast ready

 

Rendezvous held her lead and rounded the second mark first, but No Lizard was in hot pursuit.

No Lizard paid for all of her sails, so she might as well use them.  And Dave works his magic to get the most from them.

 



Zcat and Communion headed down with Bogy and Lil Girl about to track for the mark

 

Lil Girl flies her asymmetric down the course

How quickly fortunes can change.  No Lizard did an amazing job on legs 3 and 4.  In the sequence below Rendezvous is fetching the top mark on leg 3, obviously well ahead of No Lizard.   But by half way down the leg 4 No Lizard has closed the gap and is gaining.  A few minutes later she passes Rendezvous, finishing first by over a minute.

No Lizard gains on, and overtakes Rendezvous

After corrections, it was Zcat, then No Lizard, then Communion by just 4 seconds over Rendezvous, Bogy and Lil Girl.

 

Race 3    Course: B-K-B-K-B   Wind E 3-6

Given the wind and the marks already set, course for the last race was the same as for #2. 

The fleet works its way upwind on the first leg of the last race.

Communion and Zcat went their separate ways, but converged again as they approached “K”.

Communion tacks under Zcat near the top mark

 

Dave gives as sail trim clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bogy tacks for the mark just before Lil Girl

By the end of the day we were all really tired of seeing this sight



Communion chases Zcat to the last mark

On the last run for the finish line No Lizard was driving with her big chute.  Rendezvous crossed in front of her to establish a leeward position, then when she passed tried to luff her, hoping to collapse the chute.  No Lizard had too much speed and was able to just squeak by and went on to finish first.  This time her lead was big enough to hold on after corrections. 

Lil Girl had to drop out due to other commitments.  It was great to see her out and to see the Beast flying.

For the last race it was No Lizard, Zcat, Rendezvous, Communion, Bogy, Lil Girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not only did Zcat win the series, but she did so convincingly.  Her nearest competitor had almost two times as many points.

 

 

Boat speed quiz: 

Question #1: Which boat in the spring series had the cleanest bottom?

Question #2: Which boat won the most?

Question #3: What could each of us do to improve our odds?