You can't render wind & water conditions accurately, most of the time, with still photography. Despite predictions of 15 knots, as we had Wednesday, today we were again gifted with 4-5 knots, as we had been Wednesday. Not too enjoyable, especially as the rollers were still with us. Crews work hard for their boats and their beers. At times. . .
At other times, they seem pretty laid back!
There was little drama for much of the four legs of the (beat, beat, reach, reach) course. Das Boot was in last place for most of this pursuit race. Expectedly so because of conditions. However, on the last rounding we caught four or five boats including the XY-45. But we couldn't hold off the latter when the final leg, promised as a broad reach, disintegrated into a beat.
One of the blessings of a large fleet with a wide span of PHRF performances is that each type of boat can have its day. Today was obviously a Harbor-20 day. I think they took four of the top five places. The leading H-20 for half the race mis-read their chart and still recovered for a fourth.
Our beloved Frenchman will leave us in a few days. Sailing weather better improve soon, or I'll have to email him some photos to convince him that this venue really does offer some spectacular sailing.
At other times, they seem pretty laid back!
There was little drama for much of the four legs of the (beat, beat, reach, reach) course. Das Boot was in last place for most of this pursuit race. Expectedly so because of conditions. However, on the last rounding we caught four or five boats including the XY-45. But we couldn't hold off the latter when the final leg, promised as a broad reach, disintegrated into a beat.
One of the blessings of a large fleet with a wide span of PHRF performances is that each type of boat can have its day. Today was obviously a Harbor-20 day. I think they took four of the top five places. The leading H-20 for half the race mis-read their chart and still recovered for a fourth.
Our beloved Frenchman will leave us in a few days. Sailing weather better improve soon, or I'll have to email him some photos to convince him that this venue really does offer some spectacular sailing.
Handicap racing sucks.
ReplyDeleteBack in the days of the 1970's on the lake, we might have three Lasers, two C-15's and a Geary 18 show up for a race. It was good to have a Portsmouth system to enable all of them race together. Performance Handicapping is not perfect, purebred racing, but it sure beats day- sailing. If people invest in sailing craft and only later discover the joys of racing, it's a plus if they can race without having to give up a boat they enjoy.
DeleteHandicap racing is the best thing since sliced bread.
DeleteRacing is the handicap. Sailing is the best thing since sliced bread.
ReplyDeleteProfound. I am coming more to this view every day.
Delete15th out of 18? I'd say you are evolving away from racing!
DeleteBeing landlocked IS the handicap. PHRF of ∞ .... Or so it seems, anyway.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait 'til you get down here, Melt! Saving room for you!
Delete