I'd like to start off by noting that this is the first regatta in which I have satisfied all of my pre-regatta goals. As I stated in one of my posts from last week, "I believe in setting goals, so my goal is to win the Radial fleet, and finish within the top 5 overall." I am very happy to say that I did in fact finish 5th overall (30pts) and I was top Radial (finishing 23pts in front of the next best Radial).
Although my face is raw from the salt spray and wind burn, my muscles are aching, and my ankle is swollen and stiff; this has been my favorite and the best local regatta that I have ever participated in here in Nassau. I loved the trapezoid courses, and they were great fun in the solid 15-20kts of easterly wind we had over the weekend.
Chris Sands (full rig) came out on top this weekend, and won with a mere 6pts. Theron Maillis won the 4.7 division.
3 races today in beautiful conditions of 18kts and 2' (close to 3' at some times) waves. I finished 4th, 5th, and 6th.
So yea, I'm contempt with my results- not happy, but definitely not aggravated or anything like that. This is the first time I really feel like I put my all into the regatta, and I am satisfied with my sailing (given the ankle issue).
Today was a lot better than yesterday. In all of the races I was a lot closer to the top guys in the full rigs, and I had a tremendous gap on the next best radial sailors. I didn't make as many stupid mistakes today; but my ankle problems still bothered me throughout the racing.
The stronger and more easterly winds today brought on some better wave action that was a blast on the reaches and my best weapon on the downwinds. My transitions were very smooth and on target today which allowed me to keep up with the full rigs on the runs; it was as if I was visualizing the waves better and picking the perfect spot to enter and exit each wave.
The stronger and more easterly winds today brought on some better wave action that was a blast on the reaches and my best weapon on the downwinds. My transitions were very smooth and on target today which allowed me to keep up with the full rigs on the runs; it was as if I was visualizing the waves better and picking the perfect spot to enter and exit each wave.
Racing was great today because there were some legs where I really had to battle it out for positions, such as the final leg of races 5 and 6- I was in a heated tacking duel with #197588 (Which I thought I'd loose as I was in a Radial and this guy was a full rig, but I still managed to come out ahead)- those tacking duels on the final leg of a race, late on in the series is what sailing is all about.
Today I learned a lot in terms of racing maneuvers in heavier air. One of those things I learned that helped me twice today was that when you are forced to give room to someone at a leeward mark, try to go extremely wide so that when the person you are giving room to slips up a bit during the rounding and ends up getting blown to leeward you can go super tight and squeeze between them and the mark... by going extremely wide you give yourself the option of either ducking or going above the guy- risky but beneficial.
I'm glad I decided to sail the Radial rig (despite the disadvantage in speed on the downwind legs) as it proved a great match in these conditions for my 145lb self.
I cannot wait for the next Laser regatta (I have no clue when that will be). I can only hope that it will be as good as this one was. Many of you readers may think that 19 boats isn't a lot- but coming from a country where a great turnout in the Laser class used to be 8, this regatta with it's 19 boats was an amazing success- especially considering we had 3 islands represented this year. I'm also really hoping that the local RC's elect to utilize the trapezoid course in other events in the future as the trapezoid course is really a great test of skill and fitness; plus it's super fun and internationally recognized.
I would also like to give a big thanks to Adam Russell for donating a beautiful floating trophy to be kept in the clubhouse and to be used for the Laser Nationals from now onwards, and I also want to thank our Commodore Brent Burrows for re-dedicating the McKinney trophy (1949) to be kept in the Yacht Club trophy case and to also be used as a floating trophy for this event- this silver cup is truly beautiful.
This regatta was the last one I will be organizing for quite a while as after December 8th I will no longer be Laser Fleet Captain. I've decided to step down from that position within the BSA for a number of reasons; reasons which I really wish to blog about- but I'm concerned they will stir up too much controversy.
Great regatta! Great sailing! Great conditions!
Next event: Snipe King's Cup
One last thing, to all my readers- Do you guys think I should blog more about my personal thoughts and opinions on certain issues, or continue to stay balanced and not take sides? (answer in the comments).
SailFast, Live Slow!
It's your blog, so if you wish to express your opinions, I see no reason not to.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what blogs are all about, expressing one's opinion?
Yes. Tell us what you really think. The best blogs are the ones where the author lets his personal feelings and thoughts illuminate his writings. Let it all hang out!
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