Race Report 8-8-2012

Conditions

Wind: South-southwest at 10kts (decreasing to 6kts)

Current: Ebb tide

 

Another great night for Shields racing. The wind was just a touch to the left of the sea breeze direction, and there was a full ebbing tide. Two current lines were in the Tp Vp course, one marking the deeper channel and the other marking the change in current velocity behind Rose Island.

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As we crossed into the middle, it was clear that this was the place to be. Not only did we have more current, we also had a touch more breeze. But as we crossed the middle of the channel, the breeze started to lighten, and it shifted left. In an effort to stay in the max pressure and current, we tacked into the slight header, which diminished whatever advantage we had from the current. So when the two sides converged, we were crossed by two boats from the left that had stayed more in the pressure. Still, by battling forward, we were able to round the top mark in first.

On the downwind leg, the fleet once again split. One side was going for the greater pressure in the middle of the channel despite the more adverse current there, while the other side saw an advantage in using the more favorable current on the War College side despite having less pressure. We opted for the more favorable current, and at first things were looking good. All of this changed, however, about halfway down the very light-air run. We had ignored the fact that when dealing with a near 2.5 ton boat the difference in pressure is far more important than a slight current advantage. As a result, the channel side made out, and at the bottom mark two boats passed us, leaving only the short beat back to the finish to remedy things.

The final beat looked as if it was going to be a parade out to the right, with the leader tacking on the starboard layline to the finish. To our advantage, when the second-place boat (254) tacked to port to clear their air, it freed up our lane to sail a little more to the right of them before we tacked, forcing the leader (107) to follow and cover. As we got closer to the finish, all three boats tightened up, and we were able to tack back to port to get clear, with no one covering us. Fortunately for us, 107 and 254 then became very interested in each with 107 forcing 254 over the port layline for the finish pin. Our clear lane, coupled with a small right shift, allowed us to get close enough to shoot the line for a three-boat-length, head-to-wind coast across the line in 1st place.

Thanks to the race committee for a great night, and thanks to the crew for a great race.

Envy (138)