Canadians

The Bruce Rankin Memorial Regatta 2005
(A.K.A. The Canadian Race)

Crew: Glen, Brian P., Tim
Competitors: 247, 57, 484, 550, and others for a total of 13!

Saturday turned out to be very breezy, with steady winds in the high teens and 25kts+ at times. I can't tell you how happy Glen and I were to see Brian show up at the dock that morning. Scott had to spend the day at work, and Brian had signaled he might not make it either. That would have been disastrous given the conditions.

The first race we had came in 4th. We actually caught a bunch of boats coming down wind, but with a poor
rounding, and poor upwind performance fell from 2nd to 4th.

The second race was very frustrating. As we were starting, coming to the pin end of the line on spinnaker, with a bunch of boats to windward of us and 247 to leeward, 247 tacked onto port directly in front of us. I went nuts because the only option at that point was to bear off and do a gybe, crossing on port behind the whole fleet. TC (247) was very apologetic and did his circles, but it still put us in a very bad spot.

After duking it out around the course, we caught all the way up to second again (Towney was way ahead) at the leeward mark. As we made our way to the finish line, the wind went to 25kts+. With the no. 1 up and no reef, Brian and Glen did some quick work to reef the main. I didn't do a good job dealing with the excess wind, and not only did we fall to 5th, we lost by a hair to TC. I was pretty frustrated.

One thing I think we need to figure out is how to reduce upwind power. Other boats are pointing better, and are carrying their sails more fully than we are. I think there are two things we need to consider:

1. We need to consider ways to better flatten the new jib. I think we need to throw out some of our old thinking it how to set it up. It's a different cut than our old sail.

2. We need the boom vang installed. I think flattening the main a much as we can will make a big difference.

Even with the poor performance, it was a good time. Brian caught up on some much needed sleep on the way home, and Glen and I enjoyed the afternoon, tired, but satisfied.

Sundays race was cancelled due to access wind. It was blowing steady 25kts+ and with borrowed boats on the course, the RC decided to send us in. A definite bummer, but the right call.

--Tim