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.