Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Log - Race Night - Aug 3, 2015

Forecast: Winds from W, ~11 gusting to 17
Observed: Quite strong initially (steady 12-15) although not particularity gusty.  As the night went on, base wind slowed, but gusts continued to the mid-high teens

One of the bigger turnouts so far this year.  Mike T, Ken S and I in Lasers, Ken E and Corrine (and Leopold) in an Albacore, Tony and Annie in a H16.  Emily and her boyfriend Kyle were gogint to take a Tasar to do a rabbit start, but ended up doing RC instead.  Course was set a bit askew, and starboard tack was favoured.

First race: Won the start convincingly, with Mike behind me and to lee, and with Ken E behind to windward in the Albacore.  The Albacore unfortunately had me trapped a bit, as he was a bit faster upwind, and could point higher, meaning I couldn't tack onto port, as I'd smack into him.  Eventually, he tacked, and I tacked immediately, leaving Mike and Ken S to continue along on starboard.

Rounded 1st, with the Kens behind.  Was able to defend quite well while they went high on the reach, I was able to point a bit lower.  Was passed by the H16 absolutely flying on the second reaching leg but it got stuck in irons as it rounded leeward mark.

Upwind went fine, although Ken S caught some lifts and caught up.  I was able to ride a good gust near the leeward mark which pushed me ahead of Ken, but then the badness happened.

The traveller got stuck on the gybe.  I was able to round the mark but got caught with no way to turn the boat.  I fouled Ken S as he came around and we both capsized.  We got up, and I sailed away a bit to do my turns.  Got stuck again after the 1st tack and fouled him a second time (although he didn't capsize at that point, I did).  Apparently Ken E fell out of his boat, and Mike T fouled the mark watching and laughing at us.  I finished 4th behind Ken S, Mike T and Ken E (I'm not sure what order) but beat the cat.

Second race: Good start, clear of the Albacore this time.  Mike T was on my tail for a bit, but I tacked and he didn't.  Later on he apparently had to retire to fix his boat (he kept getting caught in the sheet as the fairlead was broken).  Ken S capsized on the 1st reaching leg, and I was able to keep distance between myself and Ken E on all legs, for the win.

Third race:  Bad start.  I thought Mike T had it, but apparently he was OCS.  Ken S, Ken E and I all started poorly, with Ken S doing the best.  I was behind Ken S all through the race, when (on the downwind leg) the race was called on account of lightning.  Would likely have finished 2nd behind him.

Lessons learned: Gybes were the tough part today.  Work on those, especially getting traveller unstuck.  I taped up the traveller a bit after I got on shore, so hopefully that works better now.  Also, I could have done a better job playing the shifts.

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