Sail Ripped (Again)

This past Saturday we raced in the fifth race in the Winter 6 Pac series hosted by Pacific Sailing. Thanks to the crew of David Harper, Liz Roberts, Risa K, Rachel Brown, Kelsey and Keith for their participation.

We got a very good start hitting the line just after the starting gun and forcing one of the competitors off the windward end of the line and into a DSQ position. The first leg was a close reach with about 12-14 knots of wind. We were the second boat around the first mark and in good position. The second leg was a close haul to Queens Gate with Mille pointing higher and being in good position. We overstood the mark on our last tack and lost a spot to Nauti-K-Hare as we made the Gate and turned for the downwind run to the other end of the Long Beach breakwater. We didn't make up as much ground as I expected on the downwind run but managed to pass Nauti-K-Hare before the final turn for home.

Nauti-K-Hare ducked inside us at the turn (good move on their part) and we had ourselves and two other boats running neck and neck on the final close hauled leg to the finish. Unfortunately, right in the middle of that leg the light #1 genoa decided to rip again. This is the same sail that ripped during the first race of the SCYA Midwinters a few weeks ago. I had just gotten it back from the North loft in Costa Mesa after being repaired earlier in the week. I must point out that it did not rip where North had repaired it but in another spot. It must be like this author, old and tired. Good thing we had already ordered a new #1!!!! The crew performed an unplanned sail change well but we lost enough time to drop us to last place in the fleet.

Congratulations to Warren Cranch, sailing as a stand-in for Jim Merk, on his victory. He pushed Nauti-K-Hare hard and would have beaten us even without the equipment failure!

Next race will be the sixth and final race in the Winter 6 Pac series on Saturday, March 27th.