| Sunday, March 18 1400 Start
Breeze: NNW, 0-12kts, SHIFTY!
Weather: 35F and crisp
35 Boats
5 races,3 capsizes The breeze was more or less perfect as we rigged and those conditions held through the end of the first race, a W3. As PRO Horst Tebbe and his RC crew set up a triangle course for Race 2, the breeze went far left and then shut off. The fleet got stretched over the course and a number of D2 sailors managed a top 10 finish. In race 3, a lengthy W4, the shifts were even more pronounced and during the first ‘downwind’ leg, skippers were at times reaching and at times close-hauled. Once again, a number of D2 sailors did exceedingly well. For the final two races, a fresh breeze filled in from the north and less shifty racing conditions prevailed. Daily Results: |
| Division I | Division II | | First | Michael Shaus (17 pts) | Rob Pruett (10th overall) | | Second | Ty Anderson (21 pts) | Jeff Sahrbeck (11th) | | Third | John Schinto (29 pts | Francois Mazaud (12th) | Guest Commentary from Michael Schaus, winner on the day: The hourly Sailflow forecast I checked Sunday morning showed a steady NW direction at 10-15 knots…not quite what we saw! Big shifts (I saw SW all the way to NE during the day), big velocity changes (0 to 15+), and a long starting line meant strategy planning was the top priority before each race.Before the sequence I like to get to windward of the line and stand up for a better view of the course.First question is simple – more velocity left or right?Second question and ideally something to know at all times during the race, is the wind direction left or right?This tells you the critical piece: assume the next shift will be opposite so head in that direction, on the lifted tack. Once you get headed, tack! You’ll go less distance than the boats going the other way.
In the second race I saw more breeze left as the SW seemed to be filling in.I started at the pin for velocity and Ty started at the boat and went right betting correctly the wind would shift back right.In this unusual case we rounded the windward mark #1 and #2.I gained from velocity, he gained from the shift.On the downwind leg we were becalmed then run over by the fleet riding a new breeze.Ty hung on to 1st, I dropped to 9th.With wind velocity up and down, it’s critical to watch behind you for velocity and position yourself for it. On boat speed with such big shifts I watched my tell tails closely upwind.Headers are obvious but noticing lifts early can deliver big gains when you head up 20 degrees before others around you.I was constantly trimming the mainsail – for lifts ease the sail immediately then head up and trim in.If you get knocked over by a puff, ease, hike, trim.A flat boat is fast. Upcoming Events: Match Racing Clinic – Friday, March 23 at 1830hrs in the Ticonderoga Room – Hosted by Sailing Director Nicky Souter. Last chance for a rules refresher before the Single Handed Championship Annual Awards Dinner – Saturday, April 21st at 1830hrs – we moved this event to Saturday in the hopes that you will bring your spouse or significant other. Tell the babysitter you’ll be home by 1AM. Here’s hoping we set an attendance record! Upcoming Sailing: Sunday, March 25 at 1500 hrs: Week 11 of Fleet Racing with PRO Andree Pruett Saturday, April 7 at 1500 hrs: Day 1 of the Single Handed Championship with PRO Tom Broadhurst.Please stick around for FREE BEER AFTER RACING courtesy of your fleet captains. Sunday, April 8 at 1500 hrs: Match Racing Day of the SHC with PRO Tom Broadhurst. Spectators are welcome to view racing from the gas dock. Your Fleet Captains, Xi and Putin |