Light and Sloppy

Friday was cool again with partly cloudy skies and light winds from 4 to 7 knots. We were only able to get off two races today, and to be quite honest this was not a good day for the Dancing Bear. However, a bad day sailing is still better than almost any good day doing almost anything else!

We started late today, after the Radials, and after a postponement to reset the course for the continuing left shift. Set myself up for a start at the pin, and got away well second from the pin and with good speed, only to find out it was a general recall. Second try, went for the pin end again, and this time set myself up on the pin, but pulled the trigger a hair early, I could have sworn I was over early and black flagged, but for some reason I dodged the flag. I still got set into the pin by the current, and after sliding down the pin, had to duck under the transom of the pin boat tack, clear their anchor, do my 360 and then finally get under way. Worked hard to get back in touch with the fleet and passed a few boats, on the upwind by working the shifts. Solid reach and downwind to pass another couple boats, and held the upwin, actually passing one more boat. Then tried to work the left on the run to protect at the left turn to onto a reach and lost one boat. Passed a group of boats that went high on the reach and tried to work the middle on the last short upwind, big mistake, lost all the boats I passed on the last three legs in about 200 yards. Some went right and some went left and all passed me.

The last race I would just as soon forget, the RC went into sequence as I was taking a nature break. Had to gear back up, and make it to the line in time for the start, and never could set up right. The rest of the race went just like that, from bad to worse, every tack was onto a header, and every wave seemed to stop the boat dead. I guess those kinds of races happen.

Tomorrow promises more light wind and slightly warmer temperatures. I could use the warmer temperatures, but light winds are abundant back home, it would be nice for some fun wind and waves. I think the water will be flatter tomorrow, as today I think we saw a lot of residual wave action.

Long Day on the Water

Long day today, with the skippers meeting, getting fleet assignments, and then three long races, it was quite the day. Cold too, only in the low 50s with water temperatures not much warmer than that. Appropriate cold weather gear was essential to making it through the day. Wind was out of the north and went left through the day, starting around 15 knots for the first beat of the first race, and generally declining from there. Good size waves, but a very confused sea state, which made downwind surfing challenging and an opportunity to make big gains.

Race 1, got a good start toward the pin which I wanted since I wanted to protect the left. The first beat made it clear I had not been in a Laser much this winter as I was rusty and not up to speed. Started loosening up a little on the downwind, and passed a couple of boats, was able to hold this position through the race, and was able to pass a couple more boats on the reach leg and the short upwind to the finish. Not a great finish overall, but felt good to be back in the boat.

Race 2, OCS, ouch, had to go back and restart. It was much lighter and shiftier and I was able to work back into the fleet on the first upwind by working the middle and the shifts. Had excellent downwind speed, and good reaching speed today, and managed to pass boats on upwind, downwind and reach legs. That felt good, it really was good to be back, but this fleet is so deep with international talent at the open level and few masters, it is hard to hang, but a great challenge for us older folk.

Race 3, big lefty before the start and best option was to tack on port in the boat third and take off with clear air. I could not lay the start line on starboard. Was able to work well into the fleet again on this upwind by working the shifts. The current was ripping and I misjudged the layline to the weather mark and ended up hitting it. Had to do a penalty turn, and was happy to be able to catch and pass everyone that passed me when I did my turn. Worked the next upwind well, and lost one boat on the reach leg, but both of us separated from the boats behind us. I launched on the downwind on a good surf in the puff, but in my excitement forgot to ease vang. Was really slow downwind and lost one boat. Once I realized my mistake, eased the vang, and then was able to get a little separation on the way to the leeward mark. Worked the reach and upwind well.

Long day, last race did not end until 5 p.m., so with leaving the beach at around 10 a.m., and getting back around 6 p.m., that was a long 8 hours on the water in cold weather. Tomorrow looks to be light and a little warmer.

Florida Finally!!!

Well after two large snow storms that threatened to delay my departure for Florida for the Laser Midwinters East, I was able to get out of Annapolis after much digging and piling of snow. The drive to Atlanta started well, but deteriorated once I got to South Carolina where it was snowing quite heavily and traffic was horrendous. Atlanta had about 3 inches of snow when I got there, I really just could not get away from the cold white stuff! My plan was to spend the weekend with family in Atlanta, and then drive ot St. Pete on Monday. Of course once again snow got in the way, with the predicted snow for Sunday night in Atlanta, I left on Sunday and got to St. Pete on Sunday night. Got a bit of a bike ride in on Monday and helped to put a J80 away after St. Pete NOODs.

A good day all in all. Some nice blues tonight with dinner, and finally some time to relax and not freeze! Weather is quite chilly here in Florida with temps in the 60s today and not expected to get out of the 50s for the next couple of days, still streets better than what Annapolis is getting right now. Tomorrow will be another light day, with a bike ride and some fun around town, then Wednesday off to Clearwater for a day of practice on the water and register for the regatta. I will be updating this blog as often as I can, so please keep checking back.

Cheers,

Dave

Packed Up and Ready to Go

All packed up and ready to go. Vehicle loaded up and trailer hooked up. Worst part of the trip will probably be getting out of my neighborhood. The streets still have not been plowed, but everyone has been driving, so it is well stamped down. I'll be stopping in Atlanta to spend some time with family for the weekend, and then off to St. Pete. Look back, I will be posting.

Snow, Snow and More Snow

The plan was to leave Annapolis on Friday (February 12) but Mother Nature has chosen to conspire against me leaving. Last Friday and Saturday, we had 32 inches of snow, we had to cancel frostbite racing on Sunday. With the forecasts, I decided to pack the boat up and bring it home on Friday before the storm hit, good move it would seem. I am dug out from the first storm, got the boat and trailer dug out and ready to go, and last night and today we are getting hit again. 10 to 20 inches this time, so hopefully not as bad, but it is blowing around 40 today, so snow is going everywhere. I will have a lot of shoveling to do tomorrow, and hopefully the city will get the roads plowed. Explorer has been doing well getting through snow and streets the plows had not touched, but I don't think dragging a trailer through the snow is a good idea. Still hope to get out on Friday.

Been hitting the gym whenever I can (weather permitting), I'm really starting to like these spin bikes, great cardio workout. It will be great to feel the difference at the midwinters. I will keep blogging as I make the trip to Atlanta and then St. Pete. Stay warm and dry everyone!