Fleet Race 4 -WQ

The fourth Fleet race of the year, opened with a morning showing very little wind. Sailflow was not auspicious, either.

Not to worry. We got a little bit of a late start, which is almost de rigeur for September racing. Think Big Boat Series.

Once the dependable bay breezes checked in, 196-204 range and steadily building. The first race was started in 10 knots maybe and LM2s came out all over the course. Ours was crispy and noticably newer than the GM we have been using most of the summer.

A building 3.5 flood, combined with an ebb that arrived early made mincemeat of the Berkeley Circle "book". The first race was a search for pressure and banging the left corner was the way to get it. Bear away and gybe late so you get to the mark a little hot. Calling laylines was difficult in the building flood, so a port tack approach at about the 4 boatlength circle was popular.

The second race featured a little more pressure and was a bit shiftier, so playing the shifts was the way to go. This race featured very close fleet racing, with a little more pressure the boats were more evenly matched. There was much jockeying to get inside at the leeward mark. Some early gybes for clear air down wind were made. Near the weather mark the ping pong action was remarkable with many ducks and close crossings. Staying clear of this activity was the real gainer. Max Flood was about now, so layline calls were critical.

The third race started with a bit more pressure and built, and those LM2s got a workout. By this time there was wind clear across the course and people started to go right in classic Berkeley Circle fashion. But playing the shifts still paid off, that and clear straight line speed. Drag racing across the course in broad strokes and keeping the speed up was paramount.

Those who did not sail change between 2 and 3, had to between 3 and 4.

The fourth race was started in 20 knots easy, compounded by a steep chop that developed almost immediately. If that did not tell you that the ebb had started ahead of schedule, you were not listening. The crews were getting a little tired at this point, and it was a pretty sloppy start for the boats remaining after several had retired. Getting the boat up to speeed with a new sail and totally new sea conditions was a challenge. Overbend wrinkles were suddenly prominent. The Berkeley Circle book says go right at this time, and we went that way, arguing about whether or not to bank the corner. Compound this with a quicker beat due to the ebb and more pressure and the layline came quick. Well we banged the corner, no actually we overstood even though we tacked 15 degrees early from the other races with a constant wind direction. Next time up, we saved another 10 degrees and still overstood.

A glorious day which started with crews in tshirts and shorts and sandals, and ended with spray tops and PFDs. We got back to the dock at 4:30, moving slowly. Great day!

Thanks to Bill Melbostad and Steve Fentress, team 897 for doing the RC work!