Kiwi at the Helm
Wind: 8 knots steady W
Course: 14-3-12-14
Weather:Â Â Partially Cloudy 18Â C
Crew: StarPort, Squirrel, Nonsuch, Lazy Sheet, Afterguy and Kiwi
Video playlist at:Â https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBkmML78o97kbdjSbWYGDnctOSoMPfVi2
Well no matter how you slice, Kiwi lead us through an awesome race! Start was perfectly timed and even pushed SandPiper away from the committee boat so they had to tack around before starting. Upwind we held our own against three J-boats that only gradually pulled away.
Our hoist at the windward mark was flawless, but perhaps a wee bit early (who was that guy on the Halyard, anyway?). We nearly brushed the mark with the sail as it was filling, but no harm – no foul and we put in a quick jibe to head into better air.
Great moment along the Hamilton wall on the run to mark 12 as we caught up to Christephanie and a few others. Once we got into their bad air we couldn’t overtake, so we jibed away, sailed hotter for a minute and then jibed back. By then we were well ahead of them all — great tactical lesson for all of us.
The douse was nice and quick, and just before the leeward mark, where we jibed around for the straight line to the finish overtaking Misty-C and Chewan before the line.
Thanks for a great night guys, it was the perfect tonic after a lousy day in the office!