Wednesday Night Racing – August 7, 2013

Wednesday Night Racing – August 7, 2013

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This Wednesday night saw lighter winds and an in harbour race that saw Ganges Shoal as the weather mark followed by a return to the line then a dash to the five mile marker with a run home to finish. The wind was further South favouring the outer end of the line but the wind angles were uncertain as major shifts seemed to be inhabiting the shoreline while gaping holes had taken up residence in the middle. The fleet was strung out on the line with Final Dash leading the charge to Goat Island. Sprite captured the Flying Fifteen start forcing the Kay D to tack off right after the gun. A short hitch towards the Saltspring shore was rewarded by a header and a gust that allowed Kay D to tack over into the lead. The larger yachts that had gone left to Goat found a series of lifts that kept them pinned to the island as it was just to painful to come out on such a bad angle. On the right Kay D, Imp Kaitoa and Sprite crossed tacks until a window of stronger wind allowed them to make a break for Deadman on a great Starboard lift. Then the wind went completely crazy, changing faster than the sails could be adjusted or the helm applied. Tigger J and Kay D worked over to Deadman, sometimes on a beam reach towards a new wind and Tigger J got it first and strongest, working out a good lead. Kay D, who had been battling neck and neck with Sprite got it next and romped of upwind at four knots watching the wind remaining elusive for the rest of the fleet. Tigger J had a five minute lead at the Ganges Shoal mark but as she headed back into the harbour and its lighter wind Final Dash and Kay D closed in, rounding the lee mark lass than a minute behind. The beat to the five mile marker was also full of holes and chances for disaster. Tigger J played the Saltspring side and looked to be in trouble as the wind started to fade but was saved by a starboard lifting breeze. Final Dash played the middle and found the holes and lighter wind and this combined with those shifts that always seemed to be on the nose cost her, letting Kay D reclaim second place. The final run to the finish was also full of challenges. Tigger J held on to her lead while Final Dash called her gybing angles perfectly and rolled back into second less than a minute behind the leader. The Kay D finished just over a minute later with Kaitoa and the “Rocket” gaining fast. The dying wind increased the time of the remaining boats not truly reflecting how close a race it was.

A jolly gathering at the end of the dock rounded out an excellent evening of sailing. Not quite the excitement of last week but very pleasant nun the less.

Martin Herbert
aboard the Kay D

Official Results (courtesy Philippe Erdmer – ‘Kaitoa’)

Course: See Above

Scoring with SISC Club ratings:

Scoring with PHRF ratings: