2010 NASS Race to Oxford

From 2010 Oxford Race

For all you loyal LinGin blog followers, I posted a recap of the race to Oxford on the Alberg 30 Racing Blog:

http://racing.alberg30.org/2010/09/2010-nass-race-to-oxford.html

The race back was two gybes and other than the dinky first leg, all under spinnaker. A regular foot race, that we won. Damp and steady around 10 kts, it was fun, but worthy of a write up? Meh.

A Very Tight WNR

We had a really fun race last Wednesday.

A nice, light and variable breeze out of the west made for a downwind start. We envisioned starting at the pin end of the line on port tack, setting the chute just as the gun went off. It wasn't to be, though, as we came up to the pin on starboard and quickly became trapped between a number of boats from other classes.

We agonized on an action plan. We were blanketed by these other boats and we were unable to gybe and get going the way we planned. After trying to slow LinGin down for a bit we were able to make a large S turn and get out from behind these boats, gybe and set the spinnaker. The bummer was that we were at the end of the A30 fleet at this point.

We put Scott on the hook to help us catch up and by the first mark, we were chasing Laughing Gull and Argo.

After rounding the mark, we were heading upwind and back toward Annapolis. Laughing Gull went left--far left. We felt the wind was better to the right since it had the chance to funnel down the Severn. Argo went right a bit and then tacked left. We went a bit further and tacked before we could become entangled with the big boats coming back in.

The wind lightened up and became very shifty. Luckily we caught a break one shift and caught Argo on our next crossing by less than a boat length. Laughing Gull tacked out from the far left corner and went far right. Argo followed her.

It looked as though Laughing Gull lost almost all wind on the right side. Argo, it appeared, met the same fate. While we didn't have much wind to the left, we kept moving and coming into the next mark we tacked just inside of Laughing Gull and rounding the mark.

It was not clear whether we could carry a chute coming into the harbor and Argo, though behind, was moving as she took a very high course up near the Naval Academy sea wall. After watching Argo continue to move on us, we decided we had to put the chute up. (Much to Scott's delight!)

We slowly picked up speed and did our best to steer the rhumb line to the finish while avoiding being covered by non-Albergs that were steaming through.

We held off Argo. I think they went too high and had to come down to make the finish--very slow.

Coming into the finish we were right next to a Cal 25 that covered us not 3 boat lengths from the finish. Laughing Gull was on our tail and steaming comparatively--especially since they had clear air. Thankfully we found enough wind to hold them off, but only by the skin of our teeth.

It was a nail biter that at times seemed well out of our reach, but we had a great time fighting till the end. We're all bummed that next week is the last WNR of the season.

LinGin Crew Switches Up Positions

One thing I think we need to do on LinGin is to trade spots. Having me run tactics, or help with tacking brings new ideas and views of the boat. Letting others try out new positions helps us learn not only new jobs, but also gives us a new appreciation how the jobs fit together. It also creates backups for when people are out.

Last night we switched things up and Glen drove. Tim P. and Jake did a lot of learning--they're pretty new to the boat. I did some tactics and David continued to handle the main. Scott enjoyed every second of his foredeck role.

We had a less than stellar start, but made out pretty well going up the windward leg. In second and chasing down Laughing Gull on the downwind leg, Glen found a huge hole at the red nun as we rounded next to them and drove over them on the rounding. (Wide then tight really works!)

From there we were on pins and needles coming into the harbor in light air. Everyone worked together to keep LinGin going fast and we crossed in first.

Nice job, crew! Great driving, Glen.

LinGin Takes Gun at Miles River Race

From St. Michaels 2009

From St. Michaels 2009

LinGin was successful in taking the gun at the Miles River Race this year.  Thanks to Ryan, Scott and David for all their hard work.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day for a race.

I posted a race report at the A30 Racing Blog here.

Wednesday Night Races: No. 4

Another beautiful spring day here in Annapolis.  The Blue Angels flew for the graduating Mids today and we were on the water to watch the show.  Simply fabulous!

After that it was Wednesday Night Race #4.  5-10 kts out of the south made for a wonderful race.  Garrett was a victim of Commissioning Week traffic and was unable to make the race.  Glen was stuck in NYC for work.  That left Scott, David and me to take LinGin around the course.

We had a nice start; on the the line and in clear air.  We kept our speed up and headed left.  We had seen the previous classes start and there seemed to be more pressure and a lift to the left.

We made out well going left, although we were pinned down for a few minutes by some other boats that forced us to go a bit closer to the layline than we probably would have otherwise.  We found ourselves in a painful header coming back across, but managed to tack on the layline and get around mark A.  

LinGin was fast on the reach out to mark E and we opened up a bit of distance on Argo and L'Espirit.   Rounding E, we put the chute up with a fair amount of difficulty.  The after guy did not want to stay in place and I very luckily caught it was flying forward free of the turning block!

Once we settled down the spinnaker, Scott kept us going fast all the way into the red nun.  We stayed high on the reach to the green can to limit our exposure to big boat traffic and had a nice couple of tack through the harbor to take the gun.

A great time was had by all three of us.  We ate our sandwiches on the way home and marveled at how beautiful an Annapolis sunset can be.

Wednesday Night Races: No. 3

Rather than reiterate what's already been written, I recommend J's write-up of the 3rd WNR at the A30 Racing Blog.

I gave our side of the story in the comments. It was a really fun win right at the end.

Wednesday Night Races: No. 2

LinGin seems to have worked the kinks out a bit...at least we go to the line on time and went around the right set of marks. (It's the little things really...)

We had a good start in 5-10 kts., coming across the line in clear air. A beat out to the channel markers and up around Greenbury Point found us in first place. Argo wasn't too far behind--looking really good considering they were double handing last night.

We popped the chute and held it (the chute) and our lead all the way to the finish line. Scott was smiling ear-to-ear with all that spinnaker flying time! Everyone did a great job and David spent a good amount of time on the strings. I think he's got the playing foreguy just about down. Better watch out, Scott!

We were excited to see Brian Palmer sneak by Argo at the finish. Way to go L'Esprit!