Summary

Race week Day 1: Dogs-off-chains!

Race 1: W2 315 degrees
Angisina was out on the course early, and observed several gusts in the mid 20’s. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided not to race the first race. However, we used the time figuring out how to race in these conditions.

Race 2: W3. 315 degrees:
By the time of the second race the breeze was back in the high teens/low 20’s, but we were confident we could handle it. The sheered cotter pin at the gooseneck on the first upwind provided an unwelcome scare, but Gary’s excellent lashing job saved the day. Our decision not to fly the chute seemed vindicated, as we saw boats to leeward of us broaching, and the wind continued to build until we saw gusts in the high 20’s. On the last downwind, we saw a gust of 30 and boat speed of almost 10 knots, as Perry surfed down the waves.

All in all, an adventurous day on the water.

Race Week Day 2: cold and rainy.

Race 3: W2, 315 degrees, 2nm
Day two started with much lighter wind conditions, but much cooler, and with the sort of drizzle that gets through your foulies. We had a reasonable start. Some of the first leg maneuvers were a little ragged but they steadily improve through the day. We finished 8 out of 10.

Race 4: W2.5, 315 degrees, 2nm
We had a much better second race, with some crisp tacks, good gybes, excellent crew focus, and better tactical communication. (Although some were a little more surreal: Andy: Val, what’s in your head? What are you thinking? Val: ummmmm. Andy: what’s in your pocket? Val: my cigarettes!). We ended up with a solid 6th place finish.

Quote of the day from Katie as we’re heading back to the dock under main and motor: Perry: we’re going to tack. Katie: we can’t! The jib is not out!


Day 3: light and fluky

One hour or solid practice drills to work out the downwind kinks.

Race 5: W2, 5-to-10 knots, 020 degrees, 2nm (shortened to 0.75nm)
Good start, and picked the right side of the course, and were within 10 lengths of Chewy for the first 1.2 miles towards Basswood. Approached the first windward mark low of the layline, and get a miracle lift into the mark. We crossed the finish line ahead of White Red Hawk and Voyager.

Race 6: W2, possibly the most screwed up race of our collective racing careers: from Heaven to hell and then onto deeper hell. Val called an outstanding start, followed by a great upwind, and another miracle lift. The next downwind started OK, but the wind gods gave up on the fleet. As we approached the leeward mark, those with chutes dowsed them, while those on the “upwind” were flying theirs. Hero of the day was Bill “I can pack a chute faster than any of you young pups” Powers, with two spin packs in the space of a 0.5 mile UPWIND leg. All of us were glad to hear the RC whistle as we crossed the finish line.

Day 4:

The day started with bacon sandwiches (breakfast of champions) served on the dock. The forecast for the day again called for light winds and cool conditions.

Again, Angisina was the first boat to the race course, which provided another opportunity to practice some of the downwind drills we need to perfect. We also identified the two boats we needed to beat in order to move up in the regatta series.

Race 7: W2, 350 degrees, in 5-10 knots.
Another solid start on starboard from mid line. The upwind leg showed signs of our improvement throughout the week, with crisp clean tacks. The first downwind had us riding good pressure down the middle of the course, towards the mark. A miscommunication resulted in an early takedown, which allowed one of our target boats to sneak ahead of us at the rounding. After a smooth upwind in dieing breeze, the downwind proved to be a wind-god lottery, with a quick gybe at the mark, and then a fluky downwind with AWA anywhere from 160 degrees, to 60 degrees. We finished ahead of the two target boats with a very tight spin reach.

Race 8: wind continued to be light, so the RC abandoned racing the for rest of the day.

Day 5: warm and sunny!

The final day of race week dawned warm and sunny, but with a glassy calm on the water between Bayfield and the island. Andy fulfilled a promise to Jocelyn, with a ride in the convertible. The crew rigged the boat more in hope that expectation. After the brief postponement a cool fresh easterly breeze filled in to the east of the Grant’s point buoy.

Race 9. W3, 2nm, 070 degrees, 8-15 knots.
After a poor start, Val called an excellent first upwind, keeping us in the breeze, and on the left side of the course. We traded tacks (and positions on the course) with the two previously identified target boats. As we rounded the final windward mark, it became a flat-out-drag-race between us and the closest target boat. After more than 12 miles of racing, we crossed two feet ahead! Team Angisina enjoyed an outstanding spin reach back to Bayfield for clean-up and the awards.

While Angisina did not win hardware, two deserving members of the crew did. Bill Powers and Sam Trickey were jointly awarded the Doc Sam award. The award is made to “one who has demonstrated Doc Sam’s love of sailing, love of racing, and in particular his/her persistence and “never quit” attitude during races.” We salute their achievement

Ten Things Raceweek '09 Taught Me:
10. Quarterhorse racing is just as traumatizing when you're 19 as it is when you're 14
9. Even black coffee is good in the morning when you're cold.
8. Never trust the forecast.
7. Keeping your sportsmanlike reputation is far more important than an improved score.
6. Apparently you can't tack when the jib is not up.
5. Bob Carpenter is 45% Red/Green colorblind... and he was on the foredeck?
4. Michael Jackson's death is a perfect subject change from any awkward sexual comment.
3. There is something very special and unique about a sport where the age span of your team is 60 years.
2. Burning a hole in your glove in one race is no small feat.
1. And finally, fun and comradry on a boat is unsurpassable and irreplaceable.

Thanks for an awesome Raceweek and I'll see you all on the water soon enough!!!
Corry "Pipes" Hammett