Here is your post game third place writeup from sailing today!
Today was definitely one of those days where you needed to show up to see what was happening on the river. While the forecast was for really light and rain all day, it turned out to be a really nice day. The wind stayed all day between 5 and 8 knots out of slightly east of north. Thanks to Chris and Logan for running 6 races for us! And it really only rained for 2 races which also had the best wind.
As for the racing, there were no over early boats due to a strong out flowing current. This meant that there was also considerable line sag that needed to be watched out for. It also meant that you needed to be smart about your tacks. I felt like each time I tacked I slid back a little on the course. This was most evident if you missed the ley line at the windward mark and had to do a quick double tack.
I felt like starts were the most important part of the day. Chris and Logan did a really good job adjusting the start line each race. As mentioned, I think there was likely considerable sag in the line each start which mean some people would start “on the line” and be a boat length behind at the beginning. With a well set line, the pin should be slightly favored and it was each race, but the wind shifts and the length of the line made me think the boat might be a good starting spot. I was wrong every time I did this and ended up playing catchup attempting to catch Steen and Laura. My better races were definitely the ones where I started at the pin. I think this was due to the line sag and wind direction at or shortly after each start that allowed the pin starting boats to tack and cross the fleet.
Other important thoughts all day were:
- Keep clear air going down wind. This was relatively easy since you were automatically by the lee when rounding the windward mark on starboard and it was difficult for people to get on top of you if you just stayed a little bit inside of boat behind you.
- Do not pinch upwind.
- Watch for the shifts.
And unlike two other similar days this season with heavy current and light wind, the wind was a little more than those and you did not need to foot as much to make headway up river against the current. You could sail a little more “normal”.
It is also very interesting that we had a 4 way tie for places 5-8! There was a lot of really close sailing today!
Hope to see everyone out next week!
Farley