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?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.