Disappointing Results

We raced this past Saturday in the third race of the Winter 6 Pac series hosted by Pacific Sailing and Yacht Club. Although we sailed good, we finished a disappointing fifth out of five boats. Nonetheless, thanks to the crew of Liz Roberts, David Harper and my co-captain Risa K.

We got a good start, hitting the line less than 15 seconds after the gun and in the middle of the pack. The first leg was a close reach out to the #2 Buoy (aka Red Seal Buoy) in which we were able to pass Black Pearl and close in on Platform. We rounded the mark in second place for the mostly downwind run to Island White. While it doesn't seem like you are moving fast while going downwind, Mille likes that point of sail and we were able to pass Platform and round Island White in the lead. We had to dodge the boats anchored in the lee of White but managed to hold onto the lead.

The final leg to the finish was close-hauled but was going to require a few tacks as the finish line was above the line we could sail. As the navigator I didn't want to get caught in behind Island Grissom and chose to tack out into the wider part of Long Beach Harbor. Platform continued deep behind Grissom and got a favorable wind shift which allowed them to turn towards the finish line without a tack. Out in the harbor we did not get the same shift which forced us to tack several times to make the finish. Races are often won or lost on the basis of picking wind shifts and this time I called it wrong and we finished last.

Next race - SCYA Midwinters hosted by Seal Beach Yacht Club. Saturday, February 20th and Sunday, February 21st.