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!

 

 

 

 

IMYC Spring Series Race Day #3, April 18, 2015

Despite the gloom and doom weather forecast we were fortunate that the rain split and went around the lake, leaving us to deal with only a few sprinkles.  And winds were from the east again, but today they were much steadier than for the last races. 

Race 1    Course: BABDB   Wind: E 2-5

The six competitors got off to a relatively good start.  The slight southerly component of the wind angle favored a starboard tack start, and would all day.  Rama ran the line and turned up right at the gun to win the start with Zcat close behind and quickly tacking to port. That apparently did not work as hoped, and Zcat tacked back to find Bogy had pulled ahead.  Rendezvous graciously spotted everyone else a few boat lengths by starting last.

Bunched up at the start with Rama running the line and ready to pounce

 



Bogy enjoying a bit of a lead over Zcat early in race 1

 

Approaching the top mark Rendezvous had made up her starting deficit.  She and No Lizard were almost dead even heading for the mark.  Rama was behind but making very good speed.  Rendezvous rounded first.  No Lizard could not fetch and had to throw in a couple of extra tacks.  That helped Rama catch back up.

No Lizard cruising just to leeward of Rendezvous.  Rama turned out to be closer than she looks.

 

No Lizard and Rama begin to chase Rendezvous downwind

Meanwhile Bogy and Zcat were duking it out on the upwind leg.

Bogy and Zcat head south.  They make a lovely couple.

 

 Communion’s new North 150 made the rest of us look drab.
 



Rendezvous’ favorite view while racing.  Too bad we didn’t actually win.  But it still makes a good photo.

Again Rendezvous led the pack to the top mark.  This time she held a wider wind angle downwind, opting for boat speed over shorter distance. 

On the last downwind leg No Lizard flew a few acres of nylon, while Rama looked for some apparent wind.

No Lizard popped her chute again and accelerated. Here she comes…

 

Fortunately for Rendezvous there were a few windshifts that collapsed No Lizard’s chute, allowing Rendezvous to finish first.  No Lizard finished second and easily corrected over us to win first place.  Rama finished third but Zcat corrected over her to take away third place.  Had she been just six seconds faster, or Rendezvous six seconds slower Zcat would have taken second place.  Those six seconds will be important later…

 

 

Race 2    Course: BAB   Wind: E 1-5

With the radar showing rain approaching this course was set short – a simple up and back.  Another fairly tight start, but still a few gave up too much time.  Rendezvous and Rama ended up on the right side of the course on port tack heading for the top mark.  As Rama was closing the gap on Rendezvous we wondered aloud how a boat that is “supposed” to be slower (at least that’s what the ratings say) could be right next to us and sailing faster.  We checked and re-checked sail trim, but she kept gaining.



Rama in good form, making everyone nervous

 

The fleet works their way upwind as the wind lightens

Rama easily rolled over Rendezvous on the outside as they approached the mark, and turned in clear ahead, rounding a few feet ahead.  She then chose a wide gybe to the south looking for both real and apparent wind.  Rendezvous chose to go wide to the north looking for the same apparent wind.

The view from Rendezvous of No Lizard gaining and Rama making good progress with her southern route
 

 

No Lizard headed right down the middle and proceeded to pop the chute.  Well, it didn’t really pop.  It just kinda filled out and pulled gently.  But it was pulling better that Rendezvous mostly limp sails, letting No Lizard make up time and distance on both Rendezvous and Rama.

Zcat works her magic as she leads Communion and Bogy toward the finish
 

 

As the wind lightened No Lizard kept gaining.  Rendezvous headed up to increase speed and exert her leeward rights, but alas crossed in front of No Lizard.  So Rendezvous just headed straight for the finish line.  Rama had gybed onto starboard from her southerly position and sailed a fairly high wind angle toward the finish.  This gave her relatively good speed as she crossed behind Rendezvous and headed straight for No Lizard, who was on port. 



Rama has some fun at No Lizard’s expense as they finish race 2

 

No Lizard’s chute collapsed and she had to gybe since she did not have sufficient speed to avoid Rama.  Rendezvous somehow finished first with No Lizard and Rama finishing right behind and overlapped. 

No Lizard and Rama both easily corrected over Rendezvous. But to no avail.  The sneaky Zcat had been steadily working her way to the finish, and corrected over all three of them to nab first place.

 

Race 3    Course: BDBDB    Wind: E 3-7

I don’t know how the wind knows, but it does.  It always seems to be the best BETWEEN races.  It had strengthened, but by the time we started the third race it was back down a bit, though still the best of the day.  A short up and back twice course was set for the last race. 

Communion (hull visible under Zcat's boom), Zcat and Rendezvous get great starts in race 3, with No Lizard close behind

 

Again the fleet split between taking the right or left side approach for first upwind leg.




Rama seems to always be fast.  Here she is coming off the start and chomping at Rendezvous heels…. Again.

The shorter course kept the boats grouped a little closer, especially on the downwind legs.  The less-fickle-than-last-race-day winds made trimming and steering so much easier today.

Rendezvous leads the fleet to the first mark.

The first of two downwind leg parades.

 

I believe everyone had the same question – how deep or high do I sail to get the best downwind VMG?  Rendezvous tried winging it dead downwind, sailing so deep that the jib almost collapses, and sailing so high that we were on an apparent beam reach.  It was a good day to experiment.

Rounding the bottom mark, Rendezvous leads No Lizard, Rama and Zcat

 

 

Bogy and Communion ride the shifts to the north side of the course on leg two

 



Rendezvous and Rama on opposite laylines begin converging for the last windward mark rounding of the day

 

Zcat makes it look easy.

 

 

Again Rendezvous finished first.  And again she did not hold on.  After corrections it was ZCAT, then No Lizard, Rendezvous, Rama, Bogy, Communion.  For the day Zcat had a third, first, first - for a total of six points.  No Lizard had a first, second, second - for a total of 5.5 points, making No Lizard the winner for the day.  Congrats Joyce and Ron for a well sailed regatta.

 

Remember those six seconds that separated Zcat and Rendezvous in race 1?  Those six seconds would have given Zcat the victory for the day.  Its not over 'till its over.  So it pays to race hard every second of every race, and never give up time on the start.

Thanks to Carey Jones for contributing a few pics she took from the north launching ramp.
 

 

 Photo of the day



No Lizard looking good