The SW breeze was sporty and gusty — very high risk of capsize — the water temperature chilly (47F) but the air was warm (70F). The current was strong going out. Most sailors broke out their radial rigs.
LaserFrostbite2122_14 (races 47-50)
Nabeel Alsalam and Lloyd Leonard ran the races.
Some tips on how to avoid capsizing downwind:
When approach the windward mark, first release the cunningham to close the top of the sail and then release the vang most but not all the way so that the leech is closed a bit. Then raise your arm with the mainsheet high and above you to make sure it is at least not completely knotted at your feet.
At the windward mark, gain speed first and then smoothly bear off and then raise the daggerboard 8″ or so. Don’t let the sail out past 90 degrees. It is a good idea to have a knot in the mainsheet to prevent the sail going out too far. Letting the sail out beyond 90 degrees whether on purpose or not is a sure way to capsize when it is breezy.
NEVER sail dead downwind. Preferably sail by the lee and if that doesn’t work, reach. You want pressure against the daggerboard for stability.
Gybing seems scary but it doesn’t have to be. Trim in the sail some so it will gybe sooner, bear off to get the sail to gybe and as it is going over bear back off. Also, keep the tiller extension low during the gybe so it doesn’t hook the mainsheet during the gybe.
Have fun surfing the waves! Steer toward the low spots.