CREW
Kathleen, Nansi - Fore Deck
Pam - Main sheet and timing
Jay & Steve - Genoa winches
Ron - Steering
WIND
5 to 8 knots out of the west
COURSE
Windward Leeward 3 X around
THE RACE
We made an early decision to rig the light #1 but kept it on deck until the 2nd start sequence. The final decision was complicated by the wind indicator working now but not showing wind strength as the cups were seized by spider webs until just before our start. But it turned out to be a good call on the jib.
Our Division was out in force with Blue Streak, Abracadabra, Alpha Omega, Veloce, and Amelia. We got a good start by running the line for a couple of boat lengths near the committee boat and hardening on at the gun. Everyone was to leeward except Alpha and Veloce who were slightly late and a little to weather but behind. Amelia was immediately to leeward and we dropped down a little on them with the light #1 but with good speed. Blue Streak and Abra tacked and crossed ahead and we tacked soon after. We crossed Alpha and even more comfortably crossed Veloce. Amelia had tacked behind us but had to duck Alpha. Alpha carried on another 10 boat lengths before tacking on to port with us. We tacked for the mark on starboard and Alpha had to duck us but carried on well past us and the lay line. We layed the mark and rounded not far behind BS and Abra and about 2 boat lengths ahead of Alpha.
The leeward leg was a broad port tack reach and we managed to carry the light #2 to leeward on the pole making adequate speed. Abra and BS got into a luffing match ahead which helped us a bit. Alph was falling back a bit. We stayed high of the mark until we could lay off for it wing and wing by gybing the main.
The next buck was uneventful but we kept BS and Abra in site and opened up some more space on Alpha. The rest of the fleet were not a factor.
The race was shortened to 2X around and we sailed the last leg in a lightning breeze wing and wing on a starboard tack but this time below the mark. We then gybed the main about 10 lengths from the committee boat headed up to the finish line at a good 3 knot speed with the jib poled out to leeward on a port tack broad reach to finish. Alpha and Amelia were comfortably behind.
POST RACE
The engine started in its usually reliable manner but then died and would not restart. We sailed into the mooring under main alone quite comfortable. There was just enough wind to do that..
RESULTS
Circe won both the jug and the race!! Blue Streak was second (we beat her by about a minute on corrected time), Alpha was third, Amelia 4th, Abra 5th and Veloce 6th.
Congratulations Circe Crew!!!
POST SCRIPT
The gas gauge was reading full but when we exposed the tank and tapped on it it sounded empty. I got some more gas the next day and filled 5 gallons into our 10 gallon tank and over flowed the filling spout. Very strange. Was the tank half full? But I started the engine and it soon caught and ran smoothly. Very odd. But it works.
Skipper Ron