Regatta Reports
2010 Farr 40 World Championship
4/22/10
The event is being held at the Casa De Campo resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic. You definitely want to check this place out. Of the many amenities the resort has to offer, including three polo fields, I had the pleasure of playing golf on one of their four courses. The course we played “Teeth of the Dog” is ranked 43 in the world! And, aside from the warm temperatures and high humidity, this place is fabulous. The sailing conditions have been good. The only down-side to this venue are the steep drops in the ocean floor that sometimes make it difficult to anchor marks. Our first day on the water was practice on Friday followed by two days of racing for the Pre-World Championship. Monday we had the day off and that was when I enjoyed a round of golf and a massage on the beach… It was a rough day! And Tuesday we finished preparing with a brief speed tune session. This brings us to Wednesday – the first day of racing.
Day 1
Boat call was set at 8:45AM and dock-out at 9:30AM. This was altered when the race committee postponed the days 11:00AM start time to 12:50PM due to a lack of wind. This pushed our dock-out back about two hours too. A postponement means that everyone is on standby. What ends up happening is a bunch of people stand around and wait for something to happen. No one leaves the docks because when the postponement is over things happen at the drop of a hat. And, with the heat and humidity our team set up camp at the nearby air-conditioned race office.
Once the racing got underway the breeze had built to about 12 knots out of the SW (220). The first start didn’t go so well for us when we got sandwiched by Fiamma and Plenty. This forced us to do a few tacks to get our boat up to speed and in clear air. But once we got rumbling we were able to climb through the fleet rounding the first upwind mark in 6th and the second upwind mark in fourth. We held on to fourth all the way to the finish.
For the second race the wind shifted left ten degrees. And, this was our best start of the day. However, the boats were pretty even in speed and the course was somewhat one-sided, so we were only able to get to the first upwind mark again in 6th place. Again we sailed fast and passed a few boats on the second upwind beat. But, the Flash Gordon over-stood the layline and forced us to sail in bad air and lose position to another boat. This put us in fourth at the second upwind mark for a second time. Only this time, as we were racing downwind to the finish, we were able to pass one more boat for a third place finish!
The race committee decided to complete a third race in a fading breeze and as the wind continued to clock left to 200 degrees. This was an even start for the fleet, but we seemed to have a little something extra in boat speed department. The mighty Barking Mad rumbled to the first weather mark and rounded in second. We continued on downwind and back upwind to the second upwind mark to round second again. The leader, Goombay Smash, and us had separated from most of the fleet, but the breeze was dying and still clocking left and we knew that anything was still possible. But fortunately this worked to our advantage and in the last hundred yards we jibed past Goombay for the win.
At the end of day 1 we are in second place, just three points out of first. Go the Barking Mad!!!
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Miami Beach Race Week - Day 1 & 2
3/5/10
Two days in and we are in first place.
It has been a trying two days (three if you count the practice). And typically a new team and radical conditions are a perfect recipe for disaster, however, the team that is the Barking Mad, for this regatta, has done a tremendous job to come together and make it happen.
From day one, when the team first arrived Monday afternoon, it's been breeze on! So much so that our first practice day was called off due to bad weather. Day 2 wasn't much different, but seeing that this group had never sailed together we decided to dock out anyway. The first few hours of practice were tough as we were working through boat-handling manuveurs. But, after a few adjustments, many attempts, and eight hours we seemed to have it down. This extended practice was crucial and worth every second given our current position.
Both days have been similar in that there have been radical wind-shifts oscilating up to 30 degrees. There was also a variance in wind strength ranging from 12 to 25 knots. Needless to say, the unstable conditions have made for challenging racing. And, up till now, we seem to be the most consistent in these inconsistent conditions. But, there is still half a regatta to be sailed and anything can happen, so here is hoping for the best!
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Laser Midwinter's East - Day 3
2/20/10
Day three complete and it was a good day.
Today was another light day of 4 to 7 knots. The two previous days were a qualifying series to determine the Gold and Silver fleets. For today’s races, and for the remainder of the regatta, I am racing in the Silver fleet. In the first race of the day, I really struggled getting off the line. This was frustrating as I was looking to improve in this area during the regatta. And, this continued to put me in the back of the fleet. At the first top mark I rounded second to last, but I had a nice downwind run, passing a handful of boats. And, I had a nice leeward mark rounding which set me up for a great second upwind beat. I played the right-side of the course and rounded the second upwind mark in 13th place. From there I was able to maintain my position for the finish, and this set the tone for the remainder of the day.
In race two it was another difficult start. I was able to clear myself early, go right, and get into the top twenty. From here, knowing that I had good boat speed downwind; I took the opportunity to experiment and learn a few things. I worked on different angles and gybes to see if there was any advantage, and in the end I learned that the boat speed was most important. I look forward to revisiting this with my coach at a later time because I feel that there are some more gains to be made. But, as for the remainder of the race, I had another good upwind beat, passing a few more boats, remained conservative for the final downwind leg to hold my position, and finished the race in 16th place.
It was good to see the progress from yesterday to today in the same conditions. One major reason for the improved results was being more aggressive with my steering through the chop. This came as a result of being “fired up” after not being able to get off the line. And, it worked putting a smile on my face when the day ended.
Right now, with one more day of racing left, I am 19th in the Silver fleet and 64th overall. Tomorrow the breeze is supposed to pick up a bit, and my goal is to GET A GOOD START, or two!
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Laser Midwinter's East - Day 2
2/19/10
Today we were only able to get two races off. The LIGHT shifty breeze made for two long and challenging races. The first race I had a poor start and the passing lanes were hard to come by, so it was back to the basics: sail fast, stay close. This worked well enough, and I passed a pack of boats on the first downwind run. However, both upwind beats were tough and the second was no different. My focus was to keep a lane with clear air and power through the chop. My weakness was hitting the wind shifts to stay on the favored tack. It was frustrating to put boats behind me only to see them climb back later. Regardless, I am making tangible progress.
The second race I was able to get a better start at the pin-end of the line, but this forced me to the left corner. And hitting corners in light and shifty conditions is dangerous. Aside from the tactical aspect, I found myself struggling to balance height and speed. This is something to add to the practice list.
All said and done, there were lots of exchanges on the racecourse, but I ended the day where I started. It was a mentally tough day and now I am drained. Till tomorrow!
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2/18/10
Today was the first day of the Laser Midwinter’s East, and it was a great day of sailing. Three races were completed. The first two were in 18 to 15 knots of pressure, but the name of the game today was current. There was about a 2 knot current flowing down the course today, which played a major role in most of the competitors' tactical approaches. It was important to have a long Port tack sailing directly into the current and that is what I was able to do for most of the day.
In the first race, I had a decent pin-end start and quickly tacked onto port. Tacks were costly and in most cases out-weighed the shifts on the up-wind beats. But learning this cost me a few boats on the first leg of the day. I was able to get to the first mark in the middle of the fleet, and on the downwind, I was able to pick off a few boats. This was a particular goal of mine for the regatta, being able to maintain position on the downwind runs. For the most part I was able to not only hold, but even pass a few boats!
The second race of the day was rough. After a terrible start at a crowded pin, I was behind from the beginning. To top it off, I had a knot in my mainsheet, so I wasn’t able to ease my sail all the way out at the weather mark. By the time I got this sorted, I lost a pack of boats and had to once again fight my way back into the pack. This was definitely my worst race of the day and hopefully the regatta!
But, in the third and final race of the day, I more than made up for it. After a GREAT start (another highlight of the day!) near the race committee boat, the majority of the fleet quickly tacked to port. This set up my first beat perfectly. I was on the favored tack with clear air all the way to the first weather mark. This put me in the top third, but it got tricky and shifty at the weather mark and I lost a few boats before the rounding. I was still in the top half, but there was a good takeaway from this for the remainder of the regatta. I now know to set up my approach better as I approach the weather mark. It seems the ones who did it best took their less costly losses early and gained it back with interest at the mark. But now I know!
All said, it was one of my better days on the water up to now. It was rewarding to see some payoff for my training and good to be climbing in the fleet. I was able to pick-off the boats I targeted, and more importantly, sail my boat better upwind in breeze. I am in 69th place, out of 90, with three more days of racing. Here we go!
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1/27/10
Another tough day.
The past six races were a qualifying series to determine the gold and silver fleets. With four races remaining, I will be in the sailing in the silver fleet and poised to move up the scoreboard.
Today, it was tough getting off the starting line and that made clean air and lanes hard to come by. So, that is where I will focus my attention tomorrow and the next day. The forecast for tomorrow is calling for the lightest day of the regatta. If there was a day for me to do well, tomorrow is it. With not much to lose, and everything to gain, I will be much more aggressive. Here we go!!!
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Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta
1/26/10
What can I say, besides it was a tough day.
Sometime last year I read an article by a fellow competitor Clay Johnson. He wrote about his sailing settings and style. For each wind range, light 0-7, medium 7-14, heavy 14+, he described how much he sheeted and how hard he hiked. Clay described the medium wind range as being the most difficult hiking conditions because the sail is at full power and requires the most demanding and dynamic hiking. In light air not much hiking is required, and in heavy air the sail is de-powered and the hiking is more static. The fitness required to hike is a critical weakness of mine. The good news, this is something I can control.
Last year, I realized I was underweight and didn't have the physical fitness demanded specifically for the Laser. That was highlighted by my performance. My thought after last year's OCR was to gain weight and spend more time in the boat, and that I would make noticeable improvement. And, that is exactly what I did. In the regattas that followed, I raced in several light to moderate air regattas and finished in the top of them all. For this year’s OCR, I am 10 lbs heavier and have spent several months in the boat training (this year's OCR marks the start of my second year sailing this boat). But, what I am realizing, yet again, is that I still have a long way to go with respect to my fitness. Looking forward I have scheduled to work with a fitness trainer starting in February. For now all I can do is take this regatta for what it is. I can take advantage of the lessons that sailing in a large fleet offer, put together a game plan of what to work on over the next year, and keep my head up, give 200 percent, and make the best of the six races left.
Looking back on the day I am humbled. That being said, being at the bottom, looking at the top I am MOTIVATED!
Hoping for a day or two of light air...
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Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta
1/25/10
After a week of racing Farr 40s in Key West, a 9 to 10 person boat, I am now in Miami racing Lasers, a single-handed boat. 10 races are scheduled over the five day regatta that is being sailed on Biscayne Bay. I am staying 20 minutes away with six 49er sailors in Hollywood, FL. The days are long, waking up at 6AM to eat breakfast, make lunch, and beat the morning traffic. I didn’t get home to make dinner tonight till after 7PM.
Today, racing was postponed while the race committee waited for a front of heavy rain and thunderstorms to pass. We were able to get one race completed after a general recall and an abandoned race. For the race that was abandoned, I was at the pin end of the line and lifted with the bulk of the fleet tacking away. When we came together, about ¾ of the way up the beat, I was looking good, but that is when the race committee abandoned the race. For the third start I chose the pin end again and had a clean start and a nice lane. Unfortunately, the right side paid and I found myself pretty deep in the fleet. But, I sailed hard to get back in it and finished 45th. Going in to tomorrow's racing, I am tied for 89th and have my work cut out for me. It is a pretty tough fleet, with only 18 of the 105 boats from the US. The biggest difference I have seen is in my upwind boat speed. A direct reflection of my fitness level. Regardless, this should even out a bit as the breeze lightens through the week.
But, now I am off to bed for some much needed rest.
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Key West Race Week
1/21/10
Moving day! We were just waiting for the opportunity to strike. Today's racing saw the breeze pick up to the 14 - 18 knot range, and we took advantage. Playing the right side of the course all day , the mighty "Barking Mad" finished the day with five points; a 2nd in the first race and a 3rd in the second. We missed 2nd place in the second race by less then 10 feet. None the less, today's consistent performance moved us into second place overall. Only one day and two races left...
Below is a picture of our boat trucking upwind!
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Key West Race Week
1/20/10
It took all we had to keep our wits and hang on to our position. And that is exactly what we did. There were lots of changes on the score sheet today, but somehow we managed to end up in the same place. Tied for fourth. Really, the only loss we saw was to the overall leader, Joe Fly. They sailed well and doubled their lead from 5 to 10 points, ahead of us. The second place boat, Nerone, is just five points ahead, and the third place boat, Plenty, is only two points ahead. With four races left, the breeze picking up, and the Barking Mad in striking distance, you can't help but get excited!
Some of the days excitement included a port/starboard crossing with Goombay Smash. Shortly after the start of today's first race we tacked onto port to go right. After crossing most of the fleet with ease we approached Goombay Smash, the starboard right-of-way-boat. After hailing for permission to cross the bow of Goombay Smash, we realized that we could make it across regardless of their reaction. Then it got interesting. Their reaction was to try and prevent us from crossing, by turning up at us. And, then to fly a protest flag that indicates a penalty. In this situation we can do a 360 to exonerate ourselves, or have a hearing at the end of the day. Our boat felt strongly enough about the situation to choose the ladder. Fortunately, the issue was dropped and the hearing was never heard.
Speaking of dropping. Here is a picture of our winch after the drum popped off on the last beat of the last race. Oops!
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Key West Race Week
1/19/10
A cool day two.
Walking down to the boat this morning it was a bit cooler than yesterday. Unfortunately, the temperature was not the only thing dropping. After two challenging races, which included rounding a top mark in last place and losing a signal to the on-board computer, team Barking Mad fell from having a share of the overall lead to a share of fourth place. However, we are just five points out of first, with six races to go. It is still anyone's race to win or lose.
Below is a picture from the start of yesterday's first race.
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Key West Race Week
1/18/10
Today was the first day of racing for Key West Race Week (KWRW) and my first day of racing in 2010. Two races are scheduled for each of the five days of racing, for a ten race regatta. With an oscillating 7-10 knot breeze clocking from 40 degrees to 20 degrees, the race committee was able to get both of the day's races completed. The theme echoed on the boat today was, "We can't win the regatta on day one, but we don't want to lose it." In the first race, we nailed the start and sailed to a smart 2nd place finish. This was a nice way to start off the regatta and the year. But in the second race of the day, we were a little anxious and started on the course side (OCS), forcing us to turn down and restart. This put us behind the entire 13 boat fleet. But after fighting hard for five legs, the mighty Barking Mad and her crew finished in a respectable 5th place. All said and done, it was a good first day, and we are excited for the rest of the week's racing.
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Melges 32 Gold Cup
1/13/10
Well, it has been over a month since the end of the Gold Cup and it has taken this long for me to come to terms with the end result. As I had written previously, we went into the last day of the regatta with a two point lead. We had a shocking first race, mostly due to the marginal wind conditions. There was a 40 degree windshift and the race committee allowed racing to continue. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the shift.
But, in the second race of the day, tactician Andy Horton was sharp and guided our boat to convincing win. This put us back in the lead. All we had to do was have a top ten finish. Ask any competitor in any sport, all you could ever hope for is to be going into the last race with a chance to win it all. That is where it went bad.
The third race was tough. We were up and down, but managed to just be in the top ten at the last windward mark. There was alot of traffic and excitment and when keeping composure mattered most the ball dropped. Actually it was the spinaker. We managed to swamp our spinaker in the hoist and watched our competitors and our chance of winning the regatta sail around us.
Needless to say, this was a tough loss to swollow. All said and done, the team sailed a hell of a regatta and I know that I can't wait to get back on the water to do it again.
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Melges 32 Gold Cup
12/5/09
Day two and a five point lead.
Our goal for the day was to stay consistent and avoid making big mistakes. We used our time on the water, before the start, wisely working on our approach and speed build to the starting line. This paid dividends in both of today's races. In both races we were able to accelerate, launch, and extend after the start leaving us with clear air and options. Our tactician, Andy Horton, did a fantastic job keeping us fast and out of trouble. With a fleet of 23 boats in planing conditions, it is easy to find yourself sailing into a pack of boats and slowed by the tighter lanes and disturbed air. Especially at mark rounding's. Racing was called off after completing only two races due to a looming storm cell. But, the on the water action carried over to the protest room as Dark N' Stormy had hit three boats. One of the boat's was yesterdays second place boat Ramrod. In the end they were awarded redress which moved them back into second.
Now we are only two points ahead with three critical races left. Go the mighty Roxanne!
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Melges 32 Gold Cup
12/4/09
Today was the first day of racing for 23 Melges 32s in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The 11:00AM start for race one of this year's Gold Cup was postponed due to lack of wind. At first, it looked as though there would be no racing on this calm, overcast, and humid Friday. But, fortunately the breeze filled in nicely in time for the fleet to complete 3 of the scheduled 8 races. The conditons proved to be very trying with light conditions and a very steep chop on starboard tack. Today it paid to find the pressure more than shift largely because of the chaotic sea state.
The mighty Roxanne is right in the thick of it in fourth place, six points off the lead. As promised, this competitive fleet is providing great one-design racing.
Sail Fit training clinic
Today was the last day of the Sail Fit clinic in Clearwater, FL. Yesterday was almost too light to sail and that made running the day's drills difficult at best. Fortunately, yesterday's drifter conditions were steeply contrasted by today's 20+ knots. A good indication of the wind strength is by the number of masts that break. Today there were two. Despite the extreme wind conditions, the clinic was extremely beneficial. I was glad that I was able to get some footage of me sailing upwind in heavy air. At the moment, that is my biggest weakness. It is still clear that I have a long way to go with regards to fitness. I knew working with a coach would be beneficial, but I didn't know just beneficial it would be. Particularly the video analysis. I now see that regular coaching is imperative to continue making progress.
I look forward to getting back down to Clearwater for more training and coaching. That is the obvious place to be this time of year as I ran into the Men’s US Sailing Laser, 49er, and Finn teams. As well as the Danish women’s Laser Radial team. The best part was that I was able to meet the head coach of the US Sailing team, Kenneth Andreasen. He indicated that there would be a chance that I would be able to participate in an upcoming US Sailing clinic!
All good things!
Sail Fit training clinic
11/19/09
Day one of the four day clinic began with a chalk talk at the Clearwater Yacht Club. Here, our coach Kurt Tualbee, told the nine participants what to expect during the clinic and outlined our on the water exercises. From there, we headed to the Clearwater Sailing Center, rigged up, and hit the water by 12:30PM. We started with a tacking drill between two reach marks focusing on basic tacking techniques. We continued this drill for roughly half an hour. By the time the whistle blew to end the drill, sweat was dripping down my face.
We continued the day being filmed tacking upwind and jibing downwind. Then a few short course tacking and jibing drills. And finally a few short races. I was ecstatic to win the second race and frustrated when I capsized just before the finish of the third. But, I had a huge smile on my face because I knew I was learning and pushing myself hard.
At the days end, around six o'clock we headed back to the yacht club for a comprehensive video debreif. It was very rewarding as this was the first time I have seen video of myself in the Laser or even had a coach. The improvements were instantaneous and dramatic. I can't wait to get back out on the water tomorrow!
Farr 40 Anniversary Regatta
11/15/09
It's a wrap! After three days of difficult racing the Barking Mad finished the regatta in third place. In the first race of the day we got off the line great at the boat end leaving ourselves the option to tack out. Being two points off the lead we were aggresive and chose the right side of the course as six of the eight boats went left. At the weather mark we found ourselves in the back of the pack. But, we managed to fight our way back into a fifth place finish leaving us in a tie for second with the Italian boat Nerone. It came down to the final race, the final beat to an upwind finish. It could have gone either way with five boats neck and neck. Unfortunately the shift went in favor of Nerone.
Overall, it was a great regatta with some spectacular weather and racing.
Farr 40 Anniversary Regatta
11/14/09
Day two – moving day. After three races we have moved into second place just two points out of second. Today’s racing got off to a great start, literally. Perfect positioning and timing at the boat end allowed us to shut out two boats and leave another two boats in our wake. We went on to finish second in that race and improved upon that result in race two with a first place finish.
Race three proved to be a little more challenging. A late start, two lengths below the line, put us behind from the start. We fought hard and pushed our way to mid-fleet. By the last downwind leg we were neck and neck with the top four boats. We did everything we could in a dying breeze to create passing lanes, and at one point we felt that we sailed our way into second place. But in the end fate was in the hands of whomever got the next favorable wind shift. Unfortunately that wasn’t us this time, and we finished the final race of the day in fifth.
Overall, it was a good day on the water and we are feeling optimistic about our chances tomorrow with two final races remaining. We’ll see what happens!
Farr 40 Anniversary Regatta
11/13/09
Today was the first day of racing. Our team leader Terry Hutchinson
After the first day of racing we are sitting in fourth place just three points out of second. After an over-early in the first race we fought hard to come back within striking distance. Unfortunately, the short 1.5 mile legs did not give us enough track for a successful comeback and we finished last! Not the way anyone wants to start a regatta. But the Barking Mad team did not let that get the better of them. We managed two fourth place finishes and a first place finish in the third race. The competitive eight boat fleet, short courses, and shifting winds provided some really tight racing. This was illustrated in the finish of the last race of the day where second, third, and fourth place was decided by less than a boat length!
There is still a lot of racing left over the next two days and anything can happen.
SSA Summer Series #2
7/12/09
This was the first time racing my new boat and the first time since the Laser Midwinter's East that I have raced in a formal Laser regatta. There were over twenty boats and a fine race committee, but the competition was pretty diverse. The top eight boats were very quick and competitive, but if you got caught in the back of the fleet it was difficult to tiptoe through some of the novice sailors.
One mark rounding in particular comes to mind. A port-tack boat took out two starboard-tack boats – myself being one of them. I was pretty frustrated after being fouled, but the icing on the cake was having to do a penalty turn for hitting the mark. After assessing the situation, there was a valuable lesson to be learned: Know the rules, be aware of them, and don't be afraid to use them. The reality is that I was waiting for the three boat length circle to establish rights and call for room, but racing a Laser with a strong downwind current a lot happens quickly at mark roundings. What I should have done was verbally establish that there was an overlap early and put the burden upon the other sailors. A good lesson, but a costly one – had I held my position, I would have had another top five finish and would have been top five in the regatta.
TESOD
7/7/09
This is what I have been looking for! To arrange a practice session with other boats can be challenging. But, in Annapolis, Maryland at the Severn Sailing Association, thirty Lasers regularly show up Tuesday evenings for a few hours of short course racing. This is the perfect format to work on starts and mark roundings in traffic. The skill and experience of these Laser sailors is varied, but the short races keep the fleet togehter. It felt good to finish my first Tuesday night by rounding the last windward mark in third. Here is a picture of Annapolis from the Severn Sailing Association at sunset.
Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta
1/31/09
I knew there would be a big learning curve, but I didn’t expect the climb to be so slow.
Day 1: Too Windy. There were some first day struggles: couldn’t get off the line. Learned the true meaning of clear air and that physical mechanics are crucial. Realizations: I am 20 pounds too light, need more practice starting in a big fleet, and need to build boat speed at mark rounding’s and out of tacks.
Day 2: Windier. I started vang-sheeting before everyone else to compensate for the difference in weight. I also sacrificed fighting for the best position off the line in order to have a clean lane. After three long races and 7 hours on the water, I found my sprits lifted as I had completed the hardest day of sailing of my entire life. I learned just how hard the road ahead will be, but more importantly that I have the dedication and passion to persevere.
Day 3: Light. My prayers were finally answered. Unfortunately, I may have prayed a little too hard. Upon my arrival to the sailing center, I thought it was going to be more of the same overpowering wind. The reality was that it was almost too light to sail to the race course. After the start of the day’s first race, I finally found myself mixing things up with the fleet. And wouldn’t you know the race was cancelled due to the lack of wind. After waiting for the breeze to fill again, the race committee got another sequence off and this one they were determined to finish. In this race, which would be the only race of the day, the breeze fluctuated from 3 to 6 knots. I had a good start, hit the first shift, and was mid-fleet more than halfway through the race until I got stuck in a hole on the last down-wind leg. Frustrating, but that is a part of racing. At the end of the day, I was pleased to see an improvement in my performance in the lighter breeze. This only reaffirms my initial realizations that I am not heavy enough or in the best Laser sailing condition.
Day 4: I am exhausted. Mentally and emotionally drained and physically tired. The effects of two back-to-back weeks of racing have set in, but that doesn’t matter as there is still a lot of racing left. Race 1 started out light and I was optimistic. But, it quickly filled in to a steady 11 knots - just enough wind so that I was overpowered. This again highlighted the fact that I could use a little extra body weight and physical conditioning, but more importantly that it was as finite as one or two knots of pressure. If you are a racer you know the difference between 15 knots and 20 knots. I have been racing competitively for 6 years and have never felt the subtle, yet critical change of 9 knots to 10 knots. As the day progressed, the breeze had a slow and gradual build to the low teens, and I struggled through both races to keep the boat flat, the bow down, and moving fast through the water. Another frustrating day, but I take comfort having identified the issues and knowing that I can fix them.
Day 5: A cold front came in last night. We saw a little of it towards the end of yesterday, but today brought the brunt of it. A cold overcast day and a new NW wind direction. The intensity was a little misleading as it was somewhat lighter than expected on the sail out to the race course. But, once the fleet arrived to the starting area, we sat in postponement for nearly an hour while the race committee waited for the direction of the breeze to settle. While waiting, there were several 20+ knot puffs that came down the course and at this point, I just wanted this regatta to end. But when the gun went off for the final race on the final day I pulled my centerboard up a few inches, cranked on the Boom-vang and Cunningham, and sailed hard to the finish.
In the end, I am really happy about the experience. It was a good reality check and an even better learning experience. I walked away with a better understanding of what it is going to require to realize my goals, and more importantly, that I am on my way.
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Key West Race Week
1/23/09
Key West Race Week has come to an end. The 13 to 20 knot oscillating conditions made for a challenging regatta that ended in a hard fought tie for second place overall (which we lost to Joe Fly). The last day provided an appropriate end to a regatta that seemed to have everything working against us – I should really only speak for myself. But when the J-lock shackle on the jib sheet broke free and we lost our Jib at a weather mark rounding, we were boat for boat with our closest competition, Mascalzone Latino and Joe Fly. This particular situation resulted in Terry running forward and physically using his body to trim the sail and was screaming “Press, Press!” in a successful effort to get Jim to continue to steer around the mark. This is a good example of how all week long we, as a team, were dealt a trying hand and worked very hard to make the best of each situation. The long hard week of racing only just reaffirmed my belief in the talent, determination, and resilience of the Barking Mad team and my reasons for being a part of it. That being said, perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to go and beat myself up the week before my first major Laser regatta.
1/21/09
With Obama officially sworn into office, change is in the air. Day three of KWRW '09 proved to be no exception. Wednesday morning brought a twenty degree drop in temperature, and racers saw 15 to 20 degree oscillating shifts and pulses of wind ranging from 13 to 20 knots. I am sailing with the Barking Mad, and perhaps the most notable and exciting change for our team was in the results. The Mascalzone Latino, which after the first two days of racing had a score sheet of 1,1,2,1, ended today's racing with a 9 and 10. Joe Fly and Barking Mad ended up swapping a 1st and a 3rd to tie for first on the day. This performance catapulted us from second overall and 6 points behind the leader, to first overall by 8 points. The biggest changes we made were to open up the groove of our rig and our sail setup. We were struggling to keep the boat going with the drastic changes in pressure, and it seems to have worked.
1/17/09
Warm, sunny, and windy. Key West is the place to be this time of year as some of the world's best yachties get ready to kick off, what is sure to be, a unique year in the sport of sailing. As the first major international race week, Key West Race Week is usually a good measure for what the year will bring to the sport of sailing. Last year we saw an impressive showing of participants and talent as the economy was booming and the America's Cup was in limbo. This year has quite a different feel. The Cup is still on hold, but the uncertainty of the economy lowered the number of entries significantly. Nonetheless, those fortunate enough to be here see that the talent still remains at the same high level, and early weather forecasts are promising great racing conditions.