Sunday June 28
A fleet of 15 boats made it out to the starting line this past Sunday. The following is a write-up of racing by Ed Sweeney:
The wind did not look good from the patio at noon. RC Chair Scott MacLeod sent mark boat Tim Sickinger out to sample the wind on the Sound and at 12:30 we postponed ashore. At 1pm there was a light 3-6 kn southeast wind yet Sailflow still predicted 10-12 kn at 3 pm so the RC decided to head out with a 1:07 pm harbor start. The RC chair was heard to comment “…don’t blame me if this doesn’t work out” as he headed for Volunteer.
Race 1 was a D-1(normal upwind start with port roundings!) and we started in the light southeasterly. Knowing there was a long port tack with the mark a bit to the right, we wanted to sail in clean air in the light breeze so we started 1/3 from the boat and tacked early. (yea!-not over early!) On the way upwind there were a number of holes in the 6 kn breeze. To the south we could see cruising boats sailing in a southerly. All the more reason to stay right. It was a slow drag race with 701 and 605 to the first mark with 701 rounding first in front of us as the wind shifted right slowly. Legs 2 and 3 proved to be tight reaches in the new wind with a parade to the finish.
The wind came in strong from the southwest at 12 kn for Race 2. The RC set a D-2 course. At this point we adjusted things for the increased wind and we were glad to have an experienced 4 man team including Alan DeSantis, Leo Schlinkert and Alec Wiggin. The goal was to start in an open spot near the boat end betting that the boat would open up with the now outgoing tide and increased wind and associated boat speed. Instead what happened was the early boats piled up primarily near the boat. We got to the line with some momentum and found a lane to live in before tacking fairly early into an open port tack lane. It was a drag race to the 1st mark on port tack. Our weight helped to maintain height. I believe we rounded 5th. Downwind we tried to stay in a clear lane and we managed to catch a few waves. The next upwind leg was a slog into the waves on starboard with port being smoother allowing for better height. We rounded the top mark and last leeward mark I believe 5th, with everyone very close. We went for a clean fast rounding and paid attention to the better end of the finish line allow us to pick up 1 boat to finish 4th.
Race 3 was a D-1 in the same 12 kn souwesterly. We started midline with speed in very similar race conditions to Race 2. Again the boats were grouped tightly (surprise?) and we rounded marks 1 and 2 5th. With good boat handling and limited tacks we edged out 2 competitors on the final leg to finish 3rd. Consistency paid off. Thanks to the RC team and fellow competitors for a fun day.
Ed
The top three finishers were:
Team 454: 2, 4, 3 = 9
Team 654: 3, 6, 1 = 10
Fast Forward: 1, 1, 10 = 12
Full results here: http://www.fleet1.org/
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| Team 454: Ed Sweeney, Alec Wiggin, Alan DeSantis and Leo Schlinkert Photo: © Randy Tankoos |
Here are some rules questions we can appreciate... and should know.
Assume the mark is to be passed to port. Yellow and Blue are overlapped at the
zone. Blue owes Yellow mark-room
and as port-tack must keep clear.
At position 4 Blue is rounding the mark correctly and Yellow is not
rounding on the required side.
1.
Is Blue breaking rule 10 (p/s) but exonerated
because she is sailing within her entitled mark-room?
2.
Is Yellow breaking rule 24.2, while not sailing
her proper course, interfering with a boat sailing on another leg?
Assume the mark is to be passed to starboard. At position 4 Yellow is rounding the
mark correctly and Blue is not rounding on the required side.
1.
Is Yellow breaking any rules?
Now assume that there are 6 boats on starboard, some
overlapped outside Yellow and some behind her, and the same numbers/positions
on Blue’s side of the mark.
1.
What is the most important rule at play?
2. How the hell do you ever sort this out?
2014 SONAR NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP:
Saturday June 27 - Sunday June 28
The New England Championship, hosted by Falmouth Yacht Club, took place this past weekend.
13 boats representing five clubs raced in this year's New England Championship.
Saturday started slow with a postponement on-shore until about 10:45 am when enough breeze came in from the SE to start a race.
After the first race, the breeze clocked to the SW and built to 12-14. Once things settled in, the RC was able to get an additional four races in. Tired but happy, the fleet sailed in for pizza and beer on the FYC deck overlooking Vineyard Sound.
Day two began with enough breeze to get going at the scheduled harbor start time of 9:00am. A steady 7-9 knots out of the SW allowed the RC to run three more races and have the fleet in by 1:00pm.
The challenge for the second day was the flood tide which can run 2+ knots towards the middle of the sound.
***Heads-up*** For those of you interested in sailing in the Worlds next year... SW breeze, flood tide... in Falmouth that means the current is running with the wind... Stay right. Overstand. Seriously.
Eight races, one discard, and the winner was Alex Meleney out of Vineyard Haven (and Noroton) with 18 points. Second place went to Noroton's Rick Doerr with 20 points while third went to Falmouth YC's Ryan Richards with 21 points.
Full results: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/7844#_newsroom+results
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| Channel to Vineyard Sound |
SONAR REGATTAS:
Marblehead NOOD, July 25-27, Eastern YC, Marblehead, MA
North American Championship, August 8-10, Lunenburg YC, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Coast Championship, September 27-28, Noroton YC
DUES:
***Last call*** If you want to be scored, and participate in the fleet cook-outs, Fleet 1 dues is $50. If you have not already done so, please send a check made out to "Sonar Fleet 1" (include your name, boat number and partner's names.) to:
Jean Galloway
26 Friendlee La.
Wilton, CT 06897
Just a reminder, fleet 1 dues is separate from SCA membership. SCA membership is required to race in sanctioned regattas like the Atlantic Coast Championship this fall.
FLEET 1 CALENDAR:
July 4th Series: Fri July 4, Sun July 6
Fleet barbecue: July 20 after racing
Marblehead NOOD: Eastern YC, July 25-27
North American Championship: Lunenburg YC, Lunenburg Nova Scotia Aug. 8-10
Opti Championship: Nototon YC, August 10 (no fleet racing)
Fleet Barbecue: August 17 after racing
Labor Day Series: Sun-Mon, Aug 31-Sep 1
Fleet Barbecue: September 7 after racing
Kirby Cup: Noroton YC, Sat-Sun, Sep 13-14 (no fleet racing)
Atlantic Coast Championship: Noroton YC, September 27-28
Last day of racing: Sunday October 5
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