Our third regatta of the season was again at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club in FJs. This fleet race had three more teams than a couple of weeks ago so there were 26 boats on the line (again 15 schools.) The day started with a very light westerly that fluctuated from 3-6 knots with big holes around the course. As the morning wore on there was a persistent veer as the front came closer. Our crews struggled in the light stuff. A one knot current flowing down the weather leg didn't help. The starting line was right off the pier so we had great 50-yard-line viewing. I captured a couple of starts from the pier. The first has Jake in boat red 1 starting at the committee just a bit late, but crossing the line in the top half of the fleet. This race ended up being one of his better finishes.
The second vid is Jake's race 4A when he was in red 3. He arrived too early, got tangled in the mass of boats and had a poor start. This race ended up being one of his worst finishes. I provided a running commentary as I was recording so I'll let that speak for itself.
The wind kept clocking and gradually built. RC rotated the course to the new wind but just as the second set of B races were in their starting sequence the cold front came through. The wind swung 90 degrees to the North and the whole course had to be reconfigured. The breeze built rapidly and was shifty and very gusty near the new weather mark. The degaussing tower aeronometer in the harbor recorded the frontal passage. While we didn't get wind near 30 mph in the lee of the clubhouse, there were gusts close to 25 out by the start.
Erynn managed to copy an incident I had a few years back that made it in Sailing World's Dr. Crash. When hiking out it's important to make sure you catch the hiking strap! Matt adroitly managed to get on the centerboard as they rolled and pretty much stayed dry. Yes, having a crew can be very useful...
At the end of the day we finished 22nd and 25th. Results are here.
Individually Jake finished 18, 19, 25, 24, 24.
Iggy finished 12, 19, 17, 24, 18.
Nick finished 24, 25, 26, 26, 22.
Erynn finished 25, 22, 16, 25, 17.
Many of the low finishes were the result of taking penalty turns -- especially detrimental in light and heavy air (not so much in moderate breezes.) I'm proud that we acknowledge when we are at fault and readily take the spins. As we become more aware of tactical situations in future regattas the rule violations will decrease. I saw fouls at the start (usually windward-leeward) and on the weather legs (usually port-starboard.) Both the skipper and crew need to increase their situational awareness and not get caught sleeping. Next week we're back at NYCC. Let's hope for steady and moderate breezes and not the feast or famine we experienced today.
Thanks to Mr. Segerblom for the pictures! I'll leave you with one of his artsy shots.
First season
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