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?