Spring Series #4 Results

04/29/2001

Submitted by Martin Howell

Winds were light and fickle for Sunday's one-design racing on the Potomac - a condition we are all too familiar with. On the upside, it was bright and sunny, and not too hot - a very comfortable day to be on the water, save for the lack of wind. The RC picked an appropriate location for the starting line, set up a triangle course, and waited for the boats to arrive in the racing area. While waiting, the wind shifted through a range of about 180 degrees, with no consistency in direction or timing of the shifts. As the boats neared the racing area, our "windward" mark that we set looked more like an appropriate location for the leeward mark. A few adjustments were made to the marks, knowing that whatever we set would only be a "true" course with respect to the wind for a few brief minutes. Once the course was established, we shut off the RC boat, which proved to be a determining factor in future races.

Race 1 got underway in little to no wind. Catamarans started first, followed by Lightning's, and then a combination of Hampton's and Albacore's. Once all of the classes were started, it was evident to the RC that it was going to be a long race. As the first catamarans neared the leeward mark, we elected to shorten course for all classes.

As we prepared for Race 2, the wind had increased ever so slightly, and was a little steadier (a range of 30-50 degrees this time). The course needed some adjustment, but alas, the RC boat was dead. The starting area was set in stone for the rest of the day. For Race 2, a few Mobjack's came out to join in the fun. The breeze was better and this time around there was no need to shorten course. However, the fleets had all bunched up together near the end, with many boats finishing within seconds of each other. Writing down sail numbers and finish times fast enough was a big challenge.

Race 3 was much the same as Race 2. We were nearing the 3:30 time limit, but we decided to give it a go. A few boats decided enough was enough and headed in early, but most stayed out on the water. The pin end of the starting line was adjusted, as were the rest of the marks, as the result of a significant shift in the breeze and a little bit more steadiness (we're down to a 20-30 degree range now......you've got to love the Potomac!!!). Because the RC boat couldn't be moved, this caused a short first weather leg, with the first reach leg running down the edge of the channel. The wind was a bit more even in Race 3, and probably the most enjoyable for the sailors.

After all were finished, the chase boat picked up the marks and then towed in the RC boat, while the sailboats gently coasted back to the marina.

All in all, it was a good day of racing. Those who got good starts with the boat moving at full speed and could stay in the breeze did well. Those who gravitated towards the "holes" didn't do as well. It was a "connect-the-dot" kind of day.....try and sail from one patch of breeze to another in order to keep the boat moving. Those who got luckiest or were able to find the breeze patches most often were the ones to finish first. We watched several boats get out ahead and then sail into a hole while their fleet caught up or passed them. The conditions were very tactically challenging, which made it very difficult for us Interlake sailors trapped on the committee boats. The race committee was especially impressed with the performance of the Hampton fleet as a whole. They all seemed to be able to keep their boats moving in the light stuff, and powered through a good portion of the boats in the fleets that started ahead of them. Bravo Hampton sailors!!! You all looked very fast on Sunday! All of the practicing you do on the weeknights sure pays off.

Race Committee included: Martin Howell, Interlake 807; Ashley Howell, Interlake 807; Eddie Rozier, Interlake 700; Amy Plett, Interlake; 700 Tim Fawcett, Interlake 502.

Albacore Class Series Summary

Lightning Class Series Summary

Pl	Sail #	Skipper	Race 7	Race 8	Race 9	T
1	14019	Frank Gallagher	1	1	2	4
2	14627	Jim Dillard	7	2	1	10
3	12081	Ben Forman	3	3	4	10
4	13306	Jeff Storck	4	4	3	11
5	10814	Drew Hudson	2	8	5	15
6	14187	Pat McGee	5	7	6	18
7	14096	Nabeel Alsalam	8	9	7	24
8	13460	Rick Welch	6	11	9	26
9	14479	Stuart White	9	5	13\DNS	27
10	10215	Bob Wilbur	11	6	10	27
11	11792	Paul Maher	10	10	8	28
12	10745	David Thompson	13\DNS	12	11	36

Hampton Class Series Summary

Pl	S#	Skipper	# 7	# 8	# 9	T
1	712	Latane Montague	1	1	1	3
2	662	William Carnell	2	2	2	6
3	638	Stephen Propst	3	3	3	9
4	693	Steve Kistler	5	6	4	15
5	684	Tom Balantine	4	5	7\DNS	16
6	681	G. William Bavin	7\DNS	4	7\DNS	18

Open Cat Class Series Summary

Mobjack Class Series Summary