Last race of the season. Our start is 7:10p and the sun sets at 8:04pm tonight – not much time for 6~7 mile race. It was warm (70), perfect dark blue skies and the wind was tooting over 15+. There were even parasailors out.
Recap: Sailed with TG and MH on GJ. Set up to be completely overpowered again and we were for most of the race. Last Saturday’s practice paid off (thanks DS) because I chose to stall at the boat end until 18 seconds and then power up. Perfectly even start but I fell down into bad air and had to tack, DS covered so we tacked back and he chose not to cover and off we went hobbyhorsing out west in the waves with an overpowered jib and a bubbled main. Remarkably we passed them. Tacking back way west with the fairlead back 3 we ended up on the layline with a lift and gained even more. Rounded well up on the fleet and chose safety over speed on the spin set (twings in, everyone in the cockpit). With the big waves, strong wind and nice lead we were able to choose our own line and surf. Then things fell apart a little at the bottom, I went too far right as the wind went west and let DS back in. At the leeward mark we were fouled by a bigger boat (no protests and no recourse in this race) so, though we arrived first at that mark we rounded 3rd. When given lemons, make lemonade. We took the last minute west shift as an opportunity to sail low and we actually passed both boats again to leeward. That never happens. So neck and neck (or bow to bow) with DS for 2 miles to the finish. Crash rounded him up twice but did not tell my crew in advance so we did not get the advantage that we should have and 90 yards from the finish I conceded and finished 8 feet behind him. I had it but lost it so it is on me.
We finished in 1h6m which means that we probably averaged over 7mph but the theoretical max hull speed on these boats is less than that which means we were both sailing at a very high level. A jubilant call to my cell phone at 10pm from the race bar (I was in bed already) confirmed that we were the toast of the fleet for racing so entertainingly close and finishing 3 and 4 overall (given the ratings system that is a victory). What a fine night and a great way to end the season, wanting more.
