Monday, September 3, 2007

Labor Day Racing

Here is a report of the action from Saturday as reported by our Fleet Captain: Andy Hayward. I tried to get a few photos but they are before or between races, the planing reaches were a bit much for picture taking, while skippering.
Getting ready for the first start, breeze about 15, thunder head to the NW


Our Labor Day fleet race quite interesting, wacky in fact. we had a nice turnout of Ten boats, a few less than anticipated, the iffy forecast and a sick spouse thinned the ranks a bit.
At noon the wind was a solid 12k from the South west and the area was peppered with thunderstorms.
Race #1 started in bumpy waves and bumper boats at the start,

Bumper boat fall-out to PIG PEN'S port rail, more like a crash than a bump...

Rod Koch and Suzy Reichner #5296, slid thru the mess to win wire to wire, and the wind went right quite a bit, (the theme of the day). Race #2 required a sizeable adjustment and started in less breeze, say 8-10k but quickly ramped up to max depower mode as a thunder cell scraped the course. Andy and Lisa Hayward #38, allegedly jumped the gun, (hey cut me a break it's my birthday!) and blast reached away in oh sh__ we have to jibe conditions. But alas, Dave Clement got the gun.So much for the nice sunny day

Race #3 required yet another course change, Thank You Tom Taylor, Joe Linton,
Craig, and Mark Taylor for your hard work chasing the wind! The wind was back down for #3, around 6k and was now from the North West. The wind faded even more and saw Rod Koch lead Dave and Kim Thinel around for the first two legs. Andy and Lisa slipped by the Thinels on the second beat, and the final run got really weird as one last thunder cell swept in from the South. Spinnakers where dropped and Rod and Suzy beat #38 to the finish in the pouring rain. The poor Race committee finally said enough and sent the fleet in. The race was actually refreshing as it rinsed some of the salt off.

Results:
R1 R2 R3 Tot
Rod Koch and Suzy #5296 1 2 1 4
Dave Clement and Jeff Kinsinger #4318 3 1 6 10
Dave and Kim Thinel #812 5 5 3 13
Nate and Melissa Velardebo and Josh #4321 7 3 5 15
Jeff Linton, Robert and Grinder Hobbs #2456 4 4 7 15
Paul and Leslie Silvernail #5026 2 dnf10 4 16
Dean Bell and Penny Ruark #4281 6 6 8 20
Andy and Lisa Hayward #38 ocs10 ocs10 2 22
Bill and Gail Meyer #2069 8 dns10 dns10 28

Once the boats where tucked away we sent OUR Flying Scot National Champ to fire up the grill for burgers and brauts, Thanks Jeff! And the fleet proceeded to partake in all of the delectable dishes, Thanks everyone! Extra Kudos to Kim Thinel and Dave bell for their help with preparations.
Special thanks to Masthead Sailing Gear for some sweeet door prizes and for Summer Series gift certificates!! (If you have not been to Masthead you are missing the best Sailing gear shop in Florida!)
The consensus among the participants seemed favorable for this Labor Day event, free racing, food, and fun, such a deal, we will try for the same next year.

The fleet's newest addition: "Animal House" owned by Robert Hobbs, before leaving the dock