Monday, June 6, 2017

6 Ensigns participated in the Niantic Bay Early Bird regatta which had a very Norse theme meaning helmets with horns, Scandinavian beer and glass trophies in the shape of horns to drink the beer from.

The Race committee got the on the water action started on time with Ensigns being the first class off on a windward Leeward twice around course.  With the wind initially out of the south south west and an ebb tide the smart money was on taking a port tack hitch to the western shoreline of the bay and riding a righty shift to the inflatable mark.  Rick Conley in Friendly Spirit executed this strategy more cleanly than the other 5 Ensigns in the first two races.  With Tailgunner and Magic trading 2nd and 3rds at the finish line in those races.  Magic was later disqualified from race two for an infraction in tight pre starting line maneuvers. 

The third race of the day was a short windward and leeward to finish course to get us in before the predicted rain, as well as before the PHRF'ers drank all the beer!  This race featured Ken Shluger in Summer Breeze with his best upwind speed and pointing of the year and who, as a result, was first at the windward mark.  At the finish line four boats all finished within just a few seconds of each other with Magic out dueling Friendly Spirit for first and Tailgunner just getting by Summer Breeze.

We all got in in time for the party and awards.  When the scoring was done places 4 - 6 were decided by tie breaker which just goes to show that no matter where you are on the course every boat length matters in every race.

Results:

1. Friendly Spirit, 2. Tailgunner, 3. Magic, 4. Summer Breeze, 5. Firebird, 6. Bonanza

Next Racing for Fleet 34 is the Cal Brower Race hosted by Thames YC on June 24th.  Fleet 73 will be racing on Sunday June 25.

A continuing reminder to send in your entries for the regionals in July.

See you out on the water

Robin

Saturday, June 3, 2017

The Fleet 34 season is underway with a good turnout of 6 Ensigns in Niantic Bay on a chilly and somewhat rainy Memorial day.  There were two races sailed, the first a windward, Leeward and short windward finish and the second a windward and leeward finish in a dying breeze.

The wind was a cold northeaster with shifts predominately to the north.  The ebb tide tends to go around the bay flowing from Black Point north past the club and then east to the Niantic railroad bridge before finally heading south to Millstone point.  So between the shifts and the tide there was a lot to keep track of.

At the start of the first race the fleet split almost immediately with Magic and Firebird heading north and the rest of the fleet heading east.  Magic was the last boat to tack to the east and found a better breeze with a northerly shift.  Firebird, Bonanza and Nightwind were relatively close together at the top mark with Magic extending in front.  I did not see what happened to Tailgunner and Swoose but assume they got hung up in a light patch. Surprisingly, George Bates went with a #2 and finished 2nd in the first race even though the wind was no better than ten knots. 

For the second race there was less wind and what there was from the north.  A pin end start was required along with a tack to cross the line and head on a fetch to the windward mark.  Ward Woodruff in Nightiwnd got the best start followed by Gary in Tailgunner and were 1 and 2 at the top mark as well as at the finish.

Unofficial finishes for the day were