Sally, Pete, et al,
Here's our story, and we're sticking to it! Leah and I rounded the
Light-bucket just behind Sally, who immediately sailed off to the
North. We had set up for a starboard pole, so followed a mix of IYC
and OYRA boats in on a Southern route. Most of the sail behind us
also continued along the Southern path. We thought we were doing
okay. It's always nice to look back and see lots of colorful chutes
behind you.
We kept working to the North and by the time we cleared Mile Rock we
were several hundred yards North of it. I thought the Flood would
push us in and we'd clear the South Tower, but the wind clocked
North as we got further in the Gate and we ended up sailing South of
Ft. Point just enough that we needed to jibe to clear the tower. By
this time the wind had piped up, the water was a little rough, and we
decided to douse the chute and finish under white sails.
The take down included some shrimping with the kite - although we
didn't bring any small crustaceans back onboard with the wringing wet
sail. After we got that under control, we jibed, cleared the S.
Tower, and set the class lapper out wing on wing. By this time Sally
had slid by us and was clearly ahead. Then the 40-footer with huge
sails appeared to windward. Oh, well, we were clearly going to be
3rd among the Tunas anyway, so we just sailed along toward the Finish
Line. How come large boats with dodgers, biminis, and a skipper
yelling, "Where's the Finish Line?" sail at the same speed as a wung
out Tuna?
I think Sally and Jean played it very smart by going North. This
allowed her to jibe where the wind was comfortable and then sail all
the way in on Starboard, with the current assisting her. Very nice,
Sally! It also allowed F
I think Pete and Tim sailed a nearly perfect race!
I was pleased with "Elaine's" 3rd Place in Division D finish, but the
"glass half full, half empty" thing does haunt me a little. What if
I hadn't encouraged other Santanas to join this year's race????? I
want all you other Santana folks to understand how miserable the race
was, how impossible it is in our small boats, and how uncomfortable
it is sitting on bare fiberglass for 5 hours! Good idea to stay home
next year and watch some of those March Madness basketball games on TV!
To end on a positive note, we had already experienced our "Spinnaker
Moment" so didn't lose someone over the side or take a knife to the
wrap around the forestay after the Finish.
Congrats to Pete and Tim for winning Division D and Overall, and to
Sally and Jean for 2nd in Division.
Pat
"Elaine" #38000
