Wednesday – June 19, 2013

Wednesday Night Racing – June 21, 2013

Return to 2013 Race Calendar

The skippers meeting set the course to Ganges Shoal Marker and back twice around. This was a good compromise as the legs were long but there was enough of them to force boats to have to do two hoists and one take down under race conditions, thus giving a chance for some crew training. While the turn out was low, once again, continuing its streak, the Flying Fifteens had 100% attendance.

Just before the start the wind dropped and shifted causing a General Recall. The wind returned for the second start and the fleet got off very well, tacking onto Port and clawing along Walter Spit. Soon Imp worked out into the lead but Sprite was right up there and being very well sailed. Eric in Second Wind had taken advantage of Philippe being away to poach his very good crew of Junior sailors. Sharp tacks and good tactical advice come with the Juniors as well as a very lively spirit and I am thinking that Eric will be encouraging more of them to come out. I had the pleasure of racing IOM’s with Eldon and Matti on Thursday and can attest to their skill.

Up by the Sisters the wind ran out, Imp stopped and it was so bad that Sprite did the “Slakov thing” and furled the jib. The Kay D was using an experimental tuning, and that combined with several errors by the captain had worked her into last place. This turned out to be the perfect place to pick up a new wind rolling down the Saltspring Mountains that let her spinnaker reach into the windward mark rounding right on the transom of Sprite. Fortunately luck is no match for skill and tuning and Sprite easily pulled away again. Second Wind also had a good beat to the mark at the club and was setting herself up for a podium finish. A glitch with her roller furling spinnaker cost her the top spot but all in all a very fine race for Eric and Crew. Sprite won the race with Imp, as the lowest handicap boat sailing, did well at third considering the fleet compression on the lull in the first leg. Electra had a very exciting close spinnaker reach on the first leg which must have had crew R.B. thinking hard about narrow boats. Wildfire and Kay D had a duel for the last three legs that saw them frequently overlapped and in close quarters. Apparently a rivalry between the two crew member who joined these yachts has some history and the calls of encouragement and praise between the two, on review, might have had some deeper meanings. Finally Wildfire surged ahead leaving the Kay D to claim last home honours.

Another great Wednesday Night Race was followed by snacks and beverages at the end of the dock.

Martin Herbert
aboard the Kay D

Official Results (courtesy Philippe Erdmer – ‘Kaitoa’)

Course: See Above

Scoring with SISC Club ratings:

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