Post by flyingcloud on Jun 24, 2007 10:19:52 GMT -5
The Windjammers Sailing Club continued its tradition of outstanding racing at the WSC annual Commodore's Cup this past Saturday. Winds at the start of the race were NNW at a 13 knots, with gusts shifting to WNW to 17-22 knots; low humidity made the warm 79 degree weather comfortable on the water. Low humidity also made for crystal clear conditions, which helped sailors with a weather eye to spot the big 30 degree shifts. "It was like sailing with a High Definition camera," Rob said during the race, "you could see the wind patches coming from all different directions."
Race No. 1 was upwind/downwind to the harbor mark NSx1. A left shift at the start sent the fleet to the left side of the course. The old adage about sailing the long leg first was clearly in play. However, the left didn't pay any returns because Charles Island stole the lifted wind on the next port tack toward the upwind mark. The Spin Fleet looked like a sail maker's dream race, with chutes and sails snapping in the heavy breeze. Heavy air had the fore deck humping the sails up and down, while after guards were inpatiently grinding their teeth. In the non-spin division, Paikea sailed through the Charles Island lee and sunk the port-tack almost to the beach before tacking up and over to the mark -- Flying Cloud tried short-tacking up the middle right side of the course. It was all over by the rounding as Paikea banked those big gains on the right. Local knowledge?
Race No.1 NSx2 Not to be fooled, again. The Fleet started left, but banged the corner of the right side of the course -- hard -- in the next race. Winds shifts started to really pop along the point and the wind from the mouth of the harbor was blowing hard at the mark. The downwind leg was very lumpy and a little bumpy, with some boats able to make big gains. "You could see the big shifts -- if you looked and listened," Bruce said at the MYC after party. "I don't think local knowledge helped because that left side usually pays off in these types of conditions."
A big thank you to the Milford Yacht Club for making the after party such a pleasant event. NOW THAT WAS FUN!
Race No. 1 was upwind/downwind to the harbor mark NSx1. A left shift at the start sent the fleet to the left side of the course. The old adage about sailing the long leg first was clearly in play. However, the left didn't pay any returns because Charles Island stole the lifted wind on the next port tack toward the upwind mark. The Spin Fleet looked like a sail maker's dream race, with chutes and sails snapping in the heavy breeze. Heavy air had the fore deck humping the sails up and down, while after guards were inpatiently grinding their teeth. In the non-spin division, Paikea sailed through the Charles Island lee and sunk the port-tack almost to the beach before tacking up and over to the mark -- Flying Cloud tried short-tacking up the middle right side of the course. It was all over by the rounding as Paikea banked those big gains on the right. Local knowledge?
Race No.1 NSx2 Not to be fooled, again. The Fleet started left, but banged the corner of the right side of the course -- hard -- in the next race. Winds shifts started to really pop along the point and the wind from the mouth of the harbor was blowing hard at the mark. The downwind leg was very lumpy and a little bumpy, with some boats able to make big gains. "You could see the big shifts -- if you looked and listened," Bruce said at the MYC after party. "I don't think local knowledge helped because that left side usually pays off in these types of conditions."
A big thank you to the Milford Yacht Club for making the after party such a pleasant event. NOW THAT WAS FUN!
