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?

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMYC Spring Series Race Day #5, May 16, 2015

They say you should go with your gut.  Your first feeling about something is usually right, so you should not second guess, but go with it.  Your fearless Race Officer wasn’t going to race today.  I was tired and the day just didn’t “feel right”.  But I really wanted to sail.  At the last minute I decided to do it even though I’d be single-handing.

The winds were the best we’ve had all spring.  And they were finally NOT out of the east.  We had south winds at 5-12 all day.  The forecast was for increasing wind, and increasing chance of thunderstorms throughout the day.  So the sooner we could get under way the better.  Two buoys set the starting line at “D” near the north shore.

 

Race 1    Course: DKDKD, port rounding    Wind S 5-10

The entire fleet got off to a great start – the first time.    Soon there was radio traffic relating to confusion about how to exit the gate given that the course was stated as “port rounding”.  I had not gone into detail before the races to describe the procedure for using a gate.  Maybe that last minute decision to race had me in too much of a rush.  To avoid disadvantaging anyone I announced  a general recall and re-start of the race.  I also announced that the buoy on the east end of the start line would be the mark to round, discarding the gate approach.

Deja-vu: The entire fleet got off to a great start – the second time.    

Matsya and Communion charge off the line in race 1



Rendezvous quickly established a small lead, but the ever-swift Zcat and the rest of the fleet were in close pursuit. 


Rendezvous enjoys an early lead

Rendezvous rounded the top mark first, followed by Zcat , No Lizard, Communion and Matsya.

Zcat broad reaches around the top mark in a gust

Rendezvous bore off to a broad reach and sailed fairly deep due to the increasing breeze.  In the excitement of single-handing and having 1,000 sq ft of sail obstructing my view I headed for the buoy at the west end of the start line.  Not only was that the wrong mark (which I “fixed” by rounding the other mark too), I rounded them in the wrong direction. 

First a recall and restart, then I rounded wrong.

Go with your gut.

When I realized the mistake I corrected my problem.  I furled the sails and anchored.  Adding insult to injury, when I started writing this blog I discovered that my electronic notes on the races “went away”.

Go with your gut.


Meanwhile back on the course, the fleet was battling it out.  The 8-10 kt wind made the race a quick one.  By the time I got anchored Zcat was finishing, but just 25 seconds ahead of No Lizard.  Communion followed just 7 seconds ahead of Matsya.  The perfect conditions made for some really close racing.  After corrections it was Zcat , No Lizard, Matsya, Communion. 

 

Race 2   Course: DED   Wind S 5-12

This course had the fleet working their way upwind through the chute, followed by a long downwind run to the finish.  It turned out to be a perfect course for No Lizard.  She sails upwind very well, and flies a large asymmetric downwind.

The start of Race 2

It was another close start with No Lizard just beating Matsya across the line, both on port.  At the other end of the line, on starboard, Zcat and Communion were close behind with Zcat accelerating past Communion right at the line.

Communion chases No Lizard and Matsya up the windward leg

Communion soon tacked to port and followed No Lizard and Matsya to the right, while Zcat continued to the left. 

Zcat all alone on the left side of the upwind leg

No Lizard turned in an impressive performance, finishing well ahead of the rest of the fleet. 

It was the perfect course for a spinnaker, and for No Lizard

 

Matsya and Zcat fought it out downwind to the finish, with Matsya clipping Zcat by just 3 seconds! 

 

Photo finish between Matsya and Zcat

It was clear that the Rhodeys put some time and effort into cleaning Matsya’s bottom since the last regatta.  She was so much faster today, finishing ahead of Zcat in this race.

No Lizard's first place held after corrections, but Zcat did correct over Matsya’s 3 second lead.

 

Race 3    Course: DKDKD    Wind S 5-12

We had another great start with everyone hitting the line together. I don’t know if it’s the fact that the synchronized clock starts take away some confusion, or if it is just the skills of our racers improving.  But regardless of the reason our starts continue to be tight and close. 

Close maneuvering just prior to the gun

The fleet was bunched closely as they started up the first leg.

Moving upwind in tight formation

The clouds were darkening and the showers were becoming more frequent.  About half way up the first leg the sound of thunder rumbled to the south.  Rain is an inconvenience, but lightning is dangerous.   I announced that the course was shortened to DKD.  Short course plus good wind resulted in a very quick race.

She may look all alone, but the others were close behind.  Too close as it turned out.

 

No Lizard finished the shortened race first.  But would her lead be enough?  With the good breeze the boats were moving fast today.

Zcat " wings it" and Communion and Matsya broad reach for the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zcat finished second, followed 32 seconds later by Communion, who was 32 seconds ahead of Matsya.  In the end Zcat corrected over No Lizard by just 7 seconds to win Race 3, and the day.

Congratulations to team Zeiler for their victory, and to everyone for a well sailed regatta.

 

 

 

IMYC Spring Series Race Day #4, May 2, 2015

Day Four of the 2015 Spring Series

We’re batting 1000 this year.  Every race day we have had easterly winds - but "wind" turned out to be a bit of an exaggeration today.  

 

Again we had our friend George Yerger from Greers Ferry Lake Yacht Club racing with us. He kept us on our toes again today.

 

Race 1    Course BKB    Wind ESE 0-2

The entire fleet started the first leg on port tack, angling to the southern right-hand side of the course.   Sirocco won the start, with Communion very close on her windward quarter. 

George and Daryl start the day off right

Matsya, Elizabeth Grace (formerly Magic Elixir) No Lizard and Bogy were right behind, forming a line about 3 boat lengths behind.



The rest of the fleet starts close behind

After a minute or so Sirocco slowly pulled ahead of Communion as they led the way to the first mark. 

 

Good, tight racing

 Zcat had a late start.  No Lizard, apparently feeling compassion for Zcat, touched the pin end of the starting line and re-started so Zcat wouldn’t be alone. 

Joyce must wonder why Ron always does things the hard way, as he heads back to re-start.  I'm sure Eddie is smiling.

All of the fleet except Elizabeth Grace continued to the right and south, passing over the main body shoal.  Elizabeth Grace tacked and headed back toward the north east.

 

The Race officer realized that when he set mark "K" it was set quite a bit south of the map location, potentially causing confusion about which mark (K or I) was intended.  An announcement was made to the fleet clarifying that the course was still BKB.

 

No Lizard went very far south before tacking for "K", but at least enjoyed some meager wind as she ghosted across the slot.  The water was as flat as glass near "K".  That had the interesting effect of allowing the fleet to converge. 



The rounding shot using super slow-motion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zcat rounded first, followed by Elizabeth Grace, Sirocco and Communion who were nearly overlapped.  Those who arrived early went from very slow down to a crawl as the others approached.

What a mess!

 

Sirocco hoisted her chute immediately after rounding just to watch it hang lifelessly. 

 

Meanwhile back on the committee boat there was some detectable wind.  It was not from ESE like at the start, but had now veered around to NNW at about 1.0 kts.  That’s pretty light, but much more than the fleet was working with around "K".  Of course it diminished before it reached the hungry sails.



Ready, Set, Go!!!!

No Lizard rounded next, and headed back toward the slot hoping for anything in the form of air movement.  The prospects were not very good though.  The entire lake had gone completely flat.

 

Sirocco and Zcat had doused their spinnakers given the new wind direction.  No Lizard kept hers up longest hoping for some boat speed, but finally doused hers too.  Once the wind line had passed the entire fleet was pointed at the finish line, trimmed for upwind sailing, and sitting nearly motionless.

 

An excruciating 30 minutes after the mass rounding a slight wind line finally filled in from the NW, but only briefly.  Zcat was in the best position and rode across it first.  Communion and Elizabeth Grace followed, with Sirocco close behind.

 

It appeared that Zcat, Communion and Elizabeth Grace were “leading the pack.   Somehow Zcat was stretching out her lead.  She was moving – not fast, but moving- in the almost non-existent breeze.  Communion was doing everything she could to make her new North 150 pull to hold off a “charge” by Sirocco.

 

Zcat finished first and won the race.  I think Eddie likes that new 150 jib he tried out today.  Communion finished second with Bogy fairly close behind.  Sirocco came in next, and took second place away from Bogy by just 37 seconds.  No Lizard finally got some breeze to fill the chute, but it was too little too late.  The two Catalina 22s took first and second place.  Racing in extremely light air is very frustrating.  This is one race that I am glad I chose to just run the committee boat.

 

It was great to see Elizabeth Grace (formerly Magic Elixir) out on the water again, and turning on a respectable performance.

 

 

Race 2   Course BIB   Wind ENE 1-3

Light air = short course.

 

Communion got to the left side of the line first but was early and turned to run the line.  Zcat was just behind her.  They had been battling for position for the previous several minutes on the extreme left (north) end of the line.  Zcat misjudged the run and was barely able to avoid being over early but turning to follow Communion down the line.  Meanwhile the rest of the fleet had timed their runs very well.  At the gun Communion and Zcat turned up and five boats started overlapped in what is probably the tightest start I have witnessed here.  Matsya made the magnanimous gesture of spotting the rest of the fleet a minute or two on the start.

 

All six hit the start together

 

Zcat wisely chose the windward end of the line and soon had pulled out ahead of the fleet with Bogy and Communion in close pursuit.  The gentle breeze that started the race began to fade a third of the way up the first leg.

 

The fearless fleet sails off into the DeGray triangle

 

 

Near the mark a slight wind line appeared.  The fleet was bunched fairly close as Zcat rounded followed by No Lizard and Sirocco.   Communion and Bogy were close behind.  Matsya was still working on making up the late start.

 Nearing the finish Zcat was still in the lead.  Communion was about 10 lengths dead astern with Sirocco and No Lizard for the to the south. 



Zcat did an amazing job of making time in light air.

 

Zcat finished first followed by Communion, then No Lizard with Sirocco overlapped and three seconds behind. 

A very close finish for such light wind.

 Corrected times have the order of finish Zcat, Sirocco and Bogy.

 

Race 3   Course BIB  Wind ENE 2-3

 

No lizard, Communion and Zcat all lined up on the start, with Sirocco staring equally well in clear air at the other end of the line.

Communion led No Lizard and Zcat to the left end of the line.  She burned off a little time and hit the line perfectly about 15 feet from the committee boat’s transom.  As No Lizard approached with better speed to pass Communion to windward, Communion threatened to force No Lizard up come up and make her tack away.  But in a moment of generosity Communion let No Lizard through the gap. 

Zcat stayed out of the fight and glided by a few lengths to leeward.  Sirocco got a great start at the other end of the line.  No Lizard carried her speed with less maneuvering and pulled slightly ahead. 

 

Zcat rounded first followed by Sirocco then Communion.  No Lizard popped her chute for the slow downwind run.  I’m sure it helped, but not as much as Ron had hoped. 

How does a Catalina 22 stay ahead of a Hunter 26 with a spinnaker on a light air day?  Good work George!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zcat lead the entire downwind leg, with Sirocco giving chase.  No Lizard, Communion and Bogy were about even in the second peloton.

No Lizard approaches the finish line, finally with some oomph, but Zcat is already headed home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cat 22s got first and second by a few minutes, but there was quite a battle for third, fourth and fifth.  The entire spread across the three boats was only six seconds!  Another example of how every second and every boat length counts, regardless of where you are on the course.

 

Zcat and Sirocco made it a sweep.  One and Two in all three races, with Zcat actually finishing first in every race, though she has the highest base PHRF.  Great work Team Zeiler!