NOT A SNOOZER: June 3rd Race Report

Photos courtesy of Beth Auld, Cindy Bartlett and Lisa Duret

Fast gusty winds made for an exciting race for sailors and spectators. Better than our relatively sleep-inducing race of two weeks ago.  Laser capsizes were frequent, but not as many as the famous race of nearly a year ago.  Our eventful protest meeting was extremely well attended (see two separate posts that follow) with

• a fond farewell to the Jennings clan followed by 
• a celebration of “barefoot season” with a sock burning.

Matt Bartlett set up the race with visiting nephew Trey.  Trey’s been around racing before and was very helpful, knowing just what to do.  

 

Trey readies the race equipment

 He was also a welcome helper on the Committee Boat.  Other Committee Boat volunteers were Beth Auld, Cindy Bartlett, Bernice Rains and Mimi Riffle. They did a remarkable job of anchoring in the heavy winds and did a fine job of directing the race.  

Cindy, Bernice and Trey prepare to anchor the Committee Boat.

Jim Riffle blessed us with the comforting presence of a “safety boat” and Bob Orben kept us in his sights in newly reconditioned, clean as a whistle “At Last”. Arlene Truex hosted us for the protest meeting.  And Kevin Preuss and Beth Auld organized the race/committee boat.  Thanks everyone!

Bob in a sparkling "At Last"

Sailors will choose a race with the description that follows over a race of the more genteel variety any day:  The unpredictably gusty winds made the start a challenge since start strategies, timing and spacing between boats requires some precision.   And numerous capsizes occurred near the turn markers causing time-consuming course changes.   The second mark was at the convergence of channeled wind from two different inlets making for gusts from several directions within seconds of each other – a formula for capsize.  Tom Jennings experienced an equipment failure and abandoned the race.   The heavy winds revealed a worn jib shackle that gave out a few times on Hale and Schroeder.  This required quickly crawling out on the pointed bow of the tippy JY-15 and a tug of war with the wind to regain the jib.  Sailors were regularly drenched from the spray and/or capsize.   

 It was an hour of tiring, perilous, glorious fun!

Hale and Schroeder pass by the Committee Boat before the start.

Followed by Andy

A minute or so before the start the racers start to approach the starting line

a few seconds after the start Bartlett (foreground) and Auld/Hass, followed by....

Hale/Schroeder (right)

LOOK!

The Truex dock (above) is the 2nd best place to watch the race (the best place is the Committee Boat. Arlene (with binoculars) observes the race with Debbie (middle) and Julia (left). Lisa is the photographer.  Here is what they saw:

The first mark is behind Sasse's point in foreground.  Some of the boats are on their way to it, others have rounded it and are headed to the second mark.

5 boats approach 2nd mark.  Bob in "At last" motors along following the action

Oops.  A capsize as the boats approach the 2nd mark.

3 boats, healed over, on their way to the finish line.  The Committee boat (foreground) forms one end of the start/finish line.

See separate posts about

• Jennings farewell and 
• The sock burning.

 Sailors coming in 1st 

(either by class or via handicap) included

 Jim Voelz, John Auld/Paul Hass,  and Matt Bartlett

The next race is June 17th. And yes, of course you can join us.  How? See the  "All Are Welcome" section of the Port Column.

Complete Race Results:

FIRST RACE (“MEMORIAL DAY”TROPHY RACE):

Laser Class:  Jim Voelz 1^st, Laura Garrett 2^nd, Matt Bartlett 3^rd, Andy Jennings 4^th, Kevin Preuss 5^th.

International Class:  John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Catey Hale/Tom Schroeder 2nd

Overall results on handicapped basis (not for scoring purposes):  Jim Voelz 1^st, John Auld/Paul Hass 2^nd, Laura Garrett 3^rd Matt Bartlett 4^th Andy Jennings 5^th, Catey Hale/Tom Schroeder 6^th, Kevin Preuss 7^th.

SECOND  RACE:

Laser Class:  Matt Bartlett 1^st, Andy Jennings 2^nd, Jim Voelz 3^rd, Laura Garrett 4^th, Kevin Preuss 5th

International Class:  John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Catey Hale/Tom Schroeder 2nd

Overall results on handicapped basis (not for scoring purposes):  John Auld/Paul Hass 1^st, Matt Bartlett 2^nd, Andy Jennings 3^rd, Jim Voelz 4^th, Catey Hale/Tom Schroeder 5^th, Laura Garrett 6^th, Kevin Preuss 7^th.