Monday, May 07, 2007


Pre Worlds May 5/6
Saturday conditions were wild. Two wind patterns where competing over the race course for the entire day. 15-20 knots from the NW and same from the SE. The stagnation zone was more or less over the starting line. We started on the right segment near the right boat. Then it shut down. At one point we had boats on full plane downwind approaching us from boat directions. Unusual to say the least. We set the chute and were planing into the swell for practice after the first race was abandoned. Planing into a 4-6 ft swell was interesting and wet. One shock parted the sheath on the spin halyard so we were done for the day. We did hang out and start the first race. Breeze was 10-15 and we were at base. Had a very nice start just to windward of Joe Fly, Full Throttle and I think Shark. Kept pace with most of the leaders and rounded the windward mark in the top 20. Then peeled off and watched the carnage downwind as it built to 18ish. It's too bad it will be light this week, I think some of the light air teams would explode if we had 15-20 knot and we're pretty used to those conditions. Oh well!




Sunday we left the dock super early, due to our chronic tardiness. Chris was onboard for Norm and Jim for Blake, Jen trimmed jib and Chris spin. Jim and Chris were great to have onboard, both fit the vibe of the boat. Given their backgrounds in small keel boats and dingies they stepped up to the big dingy M24 well. Hope to sail with them again.

First race was light 6-8 knots. Stupidly we didn't rake the rig forward like we knew we should and paid dearly. We also caught some kelp and both mistakes were apparent by the first windward mark. DFL. Ouch. Reeled a couple of boats back downwind and took 12 turns off the forestay, second windward leg we were back on pace with at least the C-B fleet. Managed to work out of the basement on that one.

Second race start was weak, late and slow. We peeled off to the far right looking for the geographic righty that Jim (the local) said pays off most days. We were mostly on pace the wind had built to 12-14. Downwind was displacement mode still. Second leg wind built up to 15+ and second downwind leg was a hoot. Finally planing (really surfing) down the Santa Cruz swell of 3-4ft. Kept it hot to ride the waves and reeled in at least two boats. Kept in front of our Tahoe housemates and competion the Personal Puff crew. Didn't quite have enough distance to complete the passing of Sailing Anarchy famous "Gybeset" aka Gary on Cool Beans. next time. If it's windy I think we'll be at the top of the C fleet for sure, if it's light and we can't get the light air grove back on we'll be plodding along.

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