Nice light air and no waves. Nick Gilmore was volunteered to drive today on the Tri-Again. Downwind start with a skewed line which favored the pin and also made it possible to start on Startboard tack even though port was favored to Turtle Island. The scenario and the possible outcomes left us scratching our heads as to how this would play out. We stuck to our plan, missing the anchor line with just under a minute to go and gunned for the pin, jibing right before the gun and in reasonably clear air. Somehow our heavy, fat, short-rigged boat seemed to keep its nose in front of everyone (except of course the light air speed-demon "Sea Turtle" who didnt get ahead until right before turtle island. We had a beat to the RM3 mark keeping a wary eye on "Bad Idea" whom I was certain might begin to overtake us, forcing us to consider covering them. A deep reach back to Turtle Island had us wing and wing for the first half of the leg. "Sea-Turtle" was now getting smaller. We didnt want to give up hope, but this was going to be their night. Nicks dinghy sailing experience allowed him to guide "Tri-Again" around the island and back to finish. We couldnt quite make the line on one tack as we first thought we might. But a header and lighter winds inshore insured that we would finish 9 minutes behind "Sea Turtle" who pulled a horizon job on us all. "Bad Idea" was a minute behind us, which was the first time this year we have been able to beat them boat-for-boat. "Blurr" seemed to be in the race for the first leg, despite lots of jibes, backwinded wing-on-wing maneuvers, and fighting with "Nautilus" for precious breeze. But alas they just didnt quite have the sail area to get going in the light stuff.
This was the final race of the Summer Series! Congrats to "Sea-Turtle" on their fine performance. Congrats to Leslie, Flip, and the Girls on "Delilah" on their second place finish! They beat out "Bad Idea" in a tie-breaker by doing race committee in the last race! So dont forget to sign up for your race-committee duties! It really does make a difference in your scoring!
Remember next week will be no race (but feel free to come out and practice anyway!) Deepwater race is held that day and Senior Bay Weekend to follow. This regatta is big fun and because there are more boats, you get to race against boats closer to your abilities. PHRF (Spinnaker), JAM, and Cruising classes are all available. The regatta runs Friday through Monday. Google: "I-LYA Bay week" if interested!
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