Wed Night Race 2.4 July 24

Wednesday Night Race 2.4, July 24, 2024

by Martin Herbert aboard the Kay D

The return of our fabulous Fleet Captain Racing saved the day as we were hopelessly milling about on the dock trying to think what to do. Paul had to summon us back to the kiosk to get us started. Ganges Shoal, one or two laps, was proclaimed, and we set off into an extremely fickle wind (trying to make up its mind but not trying very hard). After 47 wind changes (was that strength or direction?) we got to the start line in a bunch. Very respectable job done by almost everyone. It was a beam reach to the mark and gusty so there was no consensus on spinnakers. Some said yes and some said no and on the Kay D we said yes, no, maybe, and then yes again. We also hit 8 knots of speed during one of the yes moments. I was ably crewed by Steve Work from Point Roberts. It was his first race and his first time flying a spinnaker and he did a fabulous job.

There was some excitement in front of us as some boats rounded up in the gusts. Technically it is called a broach, but I was informed by our FCR that he did not broach (perhaps it was a more minor piece of jewelry, say a necklace or an earring). Whatever it was, it did not slow him down enough for us to gain. We did not broach but did manage to wait in a lull for the fleet to close in. Slippery When Wet kept us company, rounded inches in front of us with Evangeline hot on our tail. The other Flying Fifteens also closed in, with Jill just moments behind us. The reach back to the line was exciting except when it turned into a beat and back again without giving time to change the sheeting. Apparently there was some circumspect spinnaker work that went unnoticed by your reporter and no names are being attached to those reports. Russ decided it was too shifty to use the spinnaker and had his best result since joining our adventures.

Those who did the second lap were treated to more fun and some very edgy spinnaker work, sailing by the lee to the mark. Evangeline chose the left hand route on the way to the finish and did well. Steller J and Robyn Hood chose to do the one lap course and the results will tell if that paid off. Ogopogo was a dot on the horizon as we struggled up the last beat. All in all, it was ‘way more fun than mowing the lawn, and the post race celebration on the dock was very lively.

On the Kay D we had a crew with a watch and so we could forgo the usual “GPS gives the minutes and the toy watch gives the seconds” kind of math. Although we both said our finish time, we both were vague on it once the beers had been opened. Post race analysis of the watch by minds more fit than mine gives this as the Kay D’s time.

Numbers from my watch gizmo today are 4:50 start of event recording, seconds unknown; and 1:28:29 from then until I stopped recording, not long after we crossed the finish, as we were sailing back to the dock. So I stopped recording at 6:18:29 at the latest, and 6:17:30 at the earliest. Our finish time-of-day “rhymed” somehow, and I feel confident in the 48 seconds part. Check if 6:14:48 is consistent with others’ crossing times ahead and behind.

In my view, I think the latest time should be used (with a two minute penalty for trying to use technology beyond the brain power of the skipper.)

All in all a very fun night. Plus I sold my crew this boat, double bonus: