Summary

Angisina left the dock shortly after 09:00 for the final racing weekend of the season. The early start provided an excellent opportunity to practice. We ran a drill of six tacks: one minute between each one. By the end, we were up to pre-tack speed in 12 seconds! We also had a series of great gybes, with good boat and sail handling.

During the practice, it became obvious the start had moved to 11:00, despite the SIs. A courtesy VHF call from Chewie encouraged us to get back to the start area. We arrived on-time, and with speed!

The beat to Grant’s point was smooth, with great boat speed in the light air. Chewbacca and Chippewa took off into the distance, with Angisina racing Voyager and Undaunted. Shortly after we rounded the mark at Grants Point, we set a course for Saxon, and raised Eduardo (aka the Flaming Flamingo). After 30 minutes trading moves with Voyager, we finally passed them, as they headed higher to take on Undaunted. The light and fluky air caused all three of us to trade places on the ladder. As we approached Saxon, they appeared to have the upper hand in the stronger breeze in-shore. However, as we approached the harbor, they slowed in the lee of the shore, as we picked up the slightly more breeze further off-shore. We eased across the line, cheered on by the Chippie crew, less than a minute ahead of Voyager (although they owed us about 3mins, 20 secs) and about two minutes ahead of Undaunted. Happy Days!

We enjoyed a wonderful evening in Saxon’s newly remodelled docks, with “church” at the Harbor Lights, a wonderful dinner from Frenchie, and a bonfire on the beach from Barnie.

Sunday: Course; Saxon-to-Bayfield. 15-30 knots from WSW-W

The talk of the weekend was about the potential for an UGLY return trip on Sunday. The forecast included gusts to 40, thunder storms with frequent lightning, damaging winds, a small craft advisory, and generally deteriorating conditions.

The owners decided an early departure would be prudent, and Perry arranged a pursuit start; Angisina and Undaunted started at 0930, followed by Voyager, then Chippewa, and finally Chewie about half an hour later. First boat back wins.

The early morning forecast seemed to be holding true, as we manoeuvred for the start in 20 knots, with a double reefed main, and no headsail. After the start, we unfurled the jib, and made good progress towards Bayfield as the skies darkened. In an unusual piece of good luck we got nicked by the back edge of one cell, and the front edge of another cell, but avoided a direct hit.

As the winds lightened we shook out the first reef, fully unfurled the jib, while maintaining boat speed above 8 knots. Shaking out the second reef left us a little overpowered and therefore slower until we could turn down as we rounded the Grants Point Buoy. As Chewie passed us on the way to the finish we registered 10 knots of boat speed as we surfed in their wake. We finished just 1 minute 13 seconds behind them. Although a 5th was not what we wanted; we sailed a conservative race, in deteriorating conditions, and Perry bought the boat and crew home safely.