The long distance race started today at Crissy field around 1pm for both Silver and Gold fleets. A short upwind, then down to treasure Island which is about 6 miles, then back up to the Yacht club to finish.
Winds were around 15 knots at the start, but they were expected to increase as the sailors moved downwind. McGain got a flying start and rounded the weather mark in first place, but close behind was Buzianis, Ireland and Diaz. With a gate at the Yacht club not far from the weather mark, sailors continued to head inshore, but it soon became clear the wind was dropping in shore and it wasn’t the place to be. Diaz jibed out first as saw McGain and Buzianis becalmed. Finally Micah and Phil got moving but gave up a lot of ground. Diaz was first to go through the gate with McGain and Buzianis close behind.
Sailors continued downwind, with Buzianis taking over the lead from Diaz, McGain, Ireland and Boulon all close together heading to the downwind mark. Buzianis rounded in first well clear, with Diaz in second and close behind McGain, followed by Boulon and Ireland.
Buzianis who was in control now was covering Diaz, with McGain attempting to get passed him Jimmy, but Diaz had a good cover on McGain. Finally McGain decided to take a flyer back into Alcatraz, while Micah and Jimmy continued back into Fisherman’s wharf. It paid off for McGain, who crossed in front of Diaz and was closing the gap on the flying Buzianis. Finally Buzianis got inside and looked towards the finish, with McGain coming from the outside again and working against the flood tied, Buzianis caught the inside shift and got the lift he was looking for to take him over the finish line in first, McGain came in second with Diaz third, Boulon in fourth and Ireland in fifth.
One course race was held after the long distance in the increasing winds, which was now back up to 25 knots. Buzianis got a great start at the boat along with Ireland and Boulon. Ireland rounded in first followed by Buzianis and Boulon in third. McGain who started further down the line didn’t fair well at the weather mark, rounded in 4th with Diaz close behind in 5th.
Buzianis rounded the bottom mark in first place with Ireland now in second, and Boulon in third, Micah held his lead to the top mark and bottom mark and was able to close out the deal in first place, with Ireland in second, Boulon in third, Diaz passed McGain at the finish line to finish in fourth place.
After 10 races.
Buzianis
McGain
Boulon
Ireland
Diaz
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
it was very foggy and very cold this morning when i arrived at the race site. with the wind coming up I could feel it starting to blow through my sweatshirt. They decided that they would start off with the long distance race which would be a short upwind and then down the bay quite a ways passing through two gates to a mark set off of Treasure Island which was East towards Oakland city. Then back up through a gate, passing by famous Alcatraz island where a big prison was located. And then finishing just off of the St. Francis Yacht Club. At about 1:30 they sent out the Gold and Silver fleets to start together. The long distance race counted as two course races.
Long Distance Race. I had a great start about halfway down the line on starboard just on top of Mike Z and below Phil. Sam started much farther down the line but got confused thinking that the Juniors downwind mark was the pin end and was well over early. Which wasnt such a great thing to hear after finishing such a long race. Micah and Jimmy started up at the boat. Phil tacked about halfway to the beach and Micah and Jimmy went just past him before tacking as well. i went much farther in towards the beach and tacked on the layline. Phil had good upwind speed and caught a good lift which took him to first around the mark. Micah rounded behind him with Me and Jimmy following. they all jibed to the outside to keep in the current but had to jibe back pretty quick to get to the first gate. I continued it to the beach hoping to catch a couple of gusts but it didnt pay off as i passed through the first gate in 4th a little behind. Micah used his speed to pass over phil and take a good lead on the downwind. i jibed and went inside again thinking that it was a bit windier but that didnt work out again as i lost alot more ground on them. I had good downwind speed and finally caught and passed over Phil just as we went through the second gate. I was gaining on Jimmy as well but then they jibed for the outside and once again i made the mistake of staying with them as i went for the flatter water hoping it would be faster. i was force to go around a big tugboat but the damage was done. I rounded the leeward mark in 4th but well behind the leaders with Mik Z, Rob and Sam catching up to me and rounding right behind me. I passed through the upwind gate still in 4th and headed out towards Alcatraz as I saw Micah getting lifted out there as well as Phil and Jimmy who were having quite an exciting duel all the way upwind just behind. Mike and Rob went in against the Pier and gained alot and passed me. once again i was forced to tack off because of a Ferry coming downwind and it just kept going wrong as Sam went all the way out and got me just before the finish. So after probably the worst tactical race that i have sailed in a long time Micah won with Phil just getting Jimmy before the finish for 2nd. Rob was sailing fast and pulled off 4th with Mike Z finishing in 5th. Since Sam was overearly I took 6th. A little ways behind was Steve S, Seth, Bill Weir and Mike Percy duking it out to the finish.
Then as the wind continued to build they chose to run course racing over slalom. Gold Fleet was sent out to the water as it really started to get windy.
Gold Race #6. I was just about to do a port tack start with the line very heavily port favored and the Race Director decided that he didnt like that and wanted to move the pin down quite a bit to make the boat end favored again. The current was headed up a little so i went port anyway but at the boat underneath the whole starboard tack fleet. I raced out to the layline and tacked for the mark. The other guys came up from the inside and Sam just beat me around the mark in 1st with Micah, Jimmy and Phil close behind me. I passed over Sam before we got to the layline and then jibed for the mark as Sam and Micah jibed at the same time on top. I was just making the mark but we ran into a big whole which i almost stalled in as i was pumping my 9.8 downwind. As that happened Sam and Micah passed over the top of me and then we all double jibed for the mark. I rounded in 3rd just behind Micah and Sam. Phil and Jimmy rounded a little ways behind. at the windward Sam just got inside of Micah but was quickly passed again on the downwind. they both jibed for the mark but i went crossed in front of Sam and went farther because it was looking light there again. but then a very strong gust came through especially saving micah as he was able to now easily make the mark. And that was how it finished with Micah 1st, Sam 2nd, Me 3rd, Jimmy 4th and Phil 5th.
so now the results are.
Micah 1st
Phil 2nd
Devon and Jimmy very close
and Sam just behind.
tomorrow they are hoping to do maybe one more course race and then run slalom.
Regards
devon
www.devonboulon.com
