I’m leaving for Bermuda today so this will be short . The title is “The Rich Got Richer-This was Good for 217″
We had the starting line square to 225 magnetic . We were getting wind readings at 210 to 206 minutes before the start . BIG incoming tide . Weather mark off the grave yard at Hammersmith . Not normal afternoon SW’trly . Wind is showing left with leftish puffs . All that considered ,plan boiled down to start near the pin go left get relief from tide , hook in to left puffs . We were the second boat up from the pin at the start , with 17 below us . We were able to live off their hip long enough to out of the current . When we got in behind Ft Adams and tacked on to port we were able to cross any starboard tackers . From there on it was a matter of staying ahead of the conga line tacking up the shore . With the breeze more left than normal the port tacks were much longer than the starboard ones . It also seemed as though with the breeze a bit left of usual , the corner bangers on the right , who looked ok for a short bit by Clingstone/Ft Wetherill, would be unlikely to send in a winner.
We set without the pole at the weather mark as we were in a right shift . Gybed straight away onto port and got out into the current as soon as possible .
From there not alot happened . It did help that we were able to stay clear of the PHRF fleet the 2nd time up . It was definitely a night where all the conditions were favorable to being in front , so the rich got richer.
We were a little tighter on our lowers . We had them set at 21 on the Loos gauge . Headstay was at max long setting , 49″ , I think. Cap shrouds at 29 on Loos gauge .
Thanks to Jeff Dionne, Tim Healy, Eric Hanson and Chris Greenman the crew on 217 last Wednesday .
Cheers
Jamie Hilton