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SanDiego505 - Midwinters Regatta Report
Saturday, Feb 17 2001
SCYA Midwinter's 2001 - Host Club ABYC
Day one of the SCYA Midwinter's in the Harbor found the 505 fleet fourth in the starting order:A Class Cats (single handers) - light & fast - about 10
Hobie 20's - about 8 entries
I -14's - a wide variety of high tech stuff on what appears to be a small boat - about 15 entries.
505's - 4 that made it to the start, 8 entered.
Snipes - about 30
The race committee waited for the wind and 505 Team Kitty. As Kitty finished up almost unfowling her rig and tried to hustle out to the start when the wind died. Finally getting there she sailed by the committee and announced her intention to race, she also mentioned that the wind was up and it was a good time to start a race. About 15 seconds later, the warning gun went off.
The wind started to build to about 6 knots and the boats started to move about the line.
Race 1
Race one started in about 6 knots of breeze. It was a very good thing that the huge Snipe fleet started after the 505's considering the mess it made in the first MBYC series earlier this month. All starting 505's found clear air and the beat was very even to the first mark. Although the finishes did not reflect how close the races were, the first leg was typically very competitive. Weasel led around the first mark and never looked back. As Kitty was sufficiently relieved to get to the line on time, that she forgot all about the ram and sailed with a very flat foil for the entire day, races 1 though 4.
Race 2
The wind began to build a bit as the second race started. This time Kitty was very fast but didn't know which weather mark to go to. Weasel, realizing Kitty's error spoofed the fleet which was following Kitty. Pretending to sail on to the wrong mark, Weasel cut away to the correct weather mark and lead the way around the course again!
Race 3
Race three was similar to race one. The wind dropped off and light air sailing ruled.
Race 4
Weasel lead the way around the course with Team Roadkill falling back behind Team Chatham in Roadkills final race of the series. Team Chatham, getting used to a very new, and very fast boat was able to round the first mark behind Weasel. Kitty almost caught Roadkill on the final weather leg, as Rob was probably thinking more about taking his boat up to get fixed at Waterat, Inc. than racing. Once he saw Kitty closing in, he slipped in ahead for a third place.Sunday, Day Two Feb 18, 2001
SCYA Midwinter's 2001 - Host Club ABYC
The day stared with little or no wind. Glass. The race committee set and re-set the course. Finally getting things going about 12:50.
Race 5
The fleet split off the line, with Team Thompson and Team Kitty taking the right side of the course while Team World Champion, Team Weasel and Team Chatham took the left side. The right side was slightly faster and Team Weasel decided to join Thompson and Kitty. Team Kitty had figured out the ram and did achieve some vital draft. It did help, but not enough. Team World champion found his own wind regardless of where he went . Team Kitty and Team Thompson overstood the weather mark while Weasel snuck inside of Kitty. Thompson rounded first, then World Champion, Weasel, Kitty and Team Chatham. Team Chatham had stayed to the left and found such a solid hole that even Dave could not overcome the lack of wind.The fleet followed Team Thompson, while Team Kitty and Team Chatham battled for last place. On the final beat, Team Chatham put on a burst of speed and nipped Team Kitty on the line. The Race Committee first called Kitty then Chatham. They then reversed themselves. Very close.
Race 6
Light air dominated this short course. Team Thompson lead the fleet again, with Team World Champion, Team Weasel, Team Chatham and finally Team Kitty.
Post Race Observations:
Team Thompson's 505 was right out of the container from SA. It was covered with a tenuous sandy muck that refused to wash off. Team Kitty believes that this muck must be the reason for the two wins. What was that stuff?Team World Champion's launch was more like tossing a surf board into the bay than hosting the boat and placing it in the water. Howie & a large guy (not clear on his name) picked up the fully rigged 505 and ran it down the dingy ramp, tossed it in the water, turned the pointy end towards the bay and in one fluid motion jumped in. The boat has just gotta be way underweight!
Team Roadkill was, as usual, very fast. However, they may have been a bit big for this wind.
Team Dave Chatham looked fast and was. With a new boat and sails, they were right there all the time.
Team Weasel smoked. With consistent starts, strong weather legs, knowing which course to sail and not getting distracted by matrimonial ritual they ruled the weekend.
Team Kitty found out that Kitty is the only 505 know to have rolled 6 times at about 90 miles an hour on an Interstate with only a major number of dings to show. Kevlar is strong stuff. Team Kitty's consistent dead last showing in every race enabled her to protect her standing without the worry of being caught by Team Thompson or Team World Champion.
John