January 22, 2010 -
Industry Partner's Day
1440H: As
always, the reason why this is a great regatta is due to the
competitors. They came out every day and worked hard to do
well. And I love working with our great RC crew and boat
ensemble who make Division 3 races so much fun for everyone.
Signing out and see you at the tent!
1417H:
All boats have finished. Thanks to Alan for taking photos
when I could not. The final finish photos are uploading
1403H:
NoJoe did a 720 here in front of the signal boat. Not sure
why, but would like to hear the story.
1353H:
Chick Magnet hit the mark at windward and has done circles
and re-rounded.
All boats are on their way to finish or to home.
1346H:
Finishes have been in groups of two to four, so many may be
racing their handicap. Results will tell...
1344H:
Class Act hit the windward mark and has done it's turns. It
has been a challenge for everyone at that mark. There are
wind shifts and current, so there have been last minute
tacks and more than a few taps.
We have 11 boats finished.
1330H:
At the windward mark, Bluto did a bear away set followed
down by a quick jib takedown and a gybe; Tampa Girl hit the
mark and is doing circle.
1323H:
Rounding photos are up and we are setting up for a finish.
Bad Dog is the first boat for phrf 3 around the windward
mark.
1320H:
Our wind continues to shift right a little at a time. The
velocity is lightening.
1314H:
Class Act is the last boat in phrf 3 around the gate. For
those who do not know, Class Act has a helmsman that is part
of the Shake-A-Leg organization. He is legally blind, but
has a terrific crew telling him to head up or head down. It
still takes a steady hand and extreme focus and
concentration to get the job done.
Class Act's
helmsman name is Juan Carlos Gil. I know he is a better
driver than me, cause if I drove I would have to name my
boat "Ooop, Sorry!"
1300H:
Bad dog is around the gate. Rush is going around the gate
for the second time. Will he have enough time on Bluto who
is coming up fast behind him.
1249H:
There is a course change is to 210 for all classes.
1240H:
This is the tightest grouping of Phrf 1 boats around the
windward mark this regatta.
1237H:
Finish and final start photos are uploading.
Stark Raving Mad is tacking between the corsairs at the
upper mark and doing a gybe set.
Seeing some 220 wind readings. 9.5 knots; 215 degrees
1231H:
We have been seeing 210- 215
There is a slight trend right over the last hour.
1228H:
Phrf 3: Best start for this group of the entire regatta. All
boats on the line. NoJoe was playing the line, a little
over, a little back, with perfect timing to not be over
early. Nice!
1223H:
Phrf 1: Stark Raving Mad took off. MarinersCove was very
late.
Phrf 2: Tangent over early and returned.
1212H:
The multhulls are off and running. Good start by all.
1204H:
Starting sequence at 12:05. All but phrf 3, 4 legs, 1.5 and
for phrf 3, 4 legs, 1.1 legs, all 205 degrees
1200H:
Setting up for next race.
1150H:
Revolution had an accidental gybe at the finish. A man was
hit and is down. A spectator boat transferred a first aid
kit they had close. We stand by and hope for the best.
1142H:
Wind is freshening to about 7. The last Phrf 1 is now ahead
of the last multihull. See a little over 10k.
All boats around the upper mark. 5 boats have finished and
none are multihulls. Not a multihull day.
1135H:
Rounding photos are uploading. Preparing for the finish.
1131H:
Just as a side note, our upper windward boat has been the
same boat and the same personnel for the last 10 years of
Key West Race Week. This explains why they can drop marks at
exact locations; experience matters.
1127H:
NoJoe is the next phrf 3 through the gate followed by Class
act and chick magnet.
Stark Raving Mad is around the windward mark and heading for
the finish. They are ahead of Merlin. Again, this shows the
difference of the high versus the lower wind level.
1125H:
There is a 7 minute spread between Merlin and the last
multihull. There is a 1 min 10 sec spread between the second
boat and the last multihull. Seems like two races are
occurring.
Bad Dog was the first phrf 3 boat around the gate. Multiple
minutes passed before Blah, Blah, Blah went around.
1119H:
Our gate is clear; everyone for phrf 1 and phrf2 are around.
All multihulls are around.
The port side of the course is getting some headers and the
wind is lightening. A lot of little left and rights, wind
velocity is more higher up, so those with taller masts are
seeing more breeze than the smaller boats.
1117H:
Bluto is the first phrf 2 boat through the gate followed
closely by Rush.
Lots of gate activity today. Boats crossing and dividing
pretty evenly. This shows the course is holding pretty
steady or at least making an obvious choice not be obvious.
Last of phrf 3 is around the windward work.
1108H:
Current is toward the east at .02k. Not much, but enough.
Merlin is here rounding the leward mark.
Stark Raving Mad is through the gate.
Bad Dog is around the windward mark
1105H:
Island Flyer is the last Phrf 2 boat around the windward
mark.
1104H:
L'Outrage hit the windward mark and is doing their turns.
There is a current out here and needs to be respected.
1101H:
Stark Raving Mad around the windward mark.
Seeing 205 - 210 at the windward end. We are starting to see
a trend.
Flight Simulator, a Corsair, hit the upwind mark and did
their proper turns.Bluto is first Phrf 2 boat around the
windward mark. They had two bullets yesterday and are going
for a triple...All Phrf 1 boats are around the windward
mark.
1058H:
Phrf 1: All perfect on the line at the pin end for 6 boats.
The other 3 at signal boat were a little late and two of
them were Act One and Rhumb Punch.
Phrf 2: Another all line up start starting more at the pin
end. Phrf 3: Blah, blah, blah getting a jump on Bad Girl,
but probably not enough.
1056H:
All starts are off. We are seeing winds 200-205. Start
highlights: multihulls were all even on the line except for
Merlin who was at the pin end alone. Their upwind time was
25 minutes up to the upper mark.
1028H:
The bearing is 205 for all courses. We will start on time.
1011H:
Setting up for a 210 bearing, 4 laps for everyone.
1008H:
Wind is light. 1.3 mile legs for multihull, phrf 1 and 1.0
for phrf 2 and phrf 3
1005H:
We do not expect to see Soap Opera in Phrf 2 today. They
broke a chain plate and that is harder to fix.
1002H:
There was a discussion with the crew of Merlin about whether
they were racing today or sailing home early to Sarasota to
avoid a possible evening storm. The storm potential has
dissipated and Merlin has checked in.
0947H:
Triumphant, one of the Corsair 28R's, was not out yesterday.
A crew member's illness turned into pneumonia and more
medical attention was required. We hope they can come out
with spare crew.
0931H:
NoJoe is from MA and shows that sailing experience counts.
They are all over 50 and are sailing the J24 competitively
for the first time. We all know J24's can be bruiser boats
in heavier wind, but these guys are rockin it without a
missing a beat!
0927H:
I talked with Wild Ride this morning. Yesterday's main is in
the truck to go home. But they have another main and will be
out today ready to go!
We are anchored at N24 31.657, W081 44.770.
The axis will be about 15 degrees right of yesterday:
190-220 degrees
Winds are 205 to 210 degrees.
I received a nice note from the fans of NoJoe, a J24 in the
Phrf 3 class. NoJoe is named for the two owners Norm LeBlanc
and Joe Naroski. I had assumed they allowed no one named Joe
on the boat.
0917H:
I have been corrected - Commander's Weather is based in New
Hampshire, but George lives in MA. Looking at the northern
weather, I can understand why he is here.
0913H:
210 wind direction are being seen. Winds are light at 7k. It
should build a little. George from Commander's Weather of MA
is here with us again today. I would not call him a weather
guesser; he is a weather Master.
0904H:
Looking at this list, just imagine what a wild boat they
could build if we put them all together!
0901H:
And we can't forget Atlantic Yacht Rigging, Commander's
Weather, Contender Sailcloth, Gill, Harken, New England
Boatworks, NKE Marine Electronics, Quantum Sail Design
Group, Rig Pro Southern Spars, telltale Websites for
Sailors, Samson the strongest name in rope, Summit Yachts,
Ulman Sails, and West Marine.
0859H:
But other sponsors are the Farr 40's, Navetec Rigging
Solutions, Bainbridge Sailcloth, DP sailcloth technology,
Hall, Hayn Marine, Holmatro Marine Equipment, J Boates,
Melges Performance Sailboats, New England Ropes, Nort Sails,
SAIL magazine, Sailing World, Seahorse International
Sailing, and US Sailing.
0857H:
The day we here recognize all of the contributions of all of
our sponsors. I am looking at a page containing the names of
our 34 sponsors. Most of you know the big names of Lewmar,
Sperry Top-sider, Slam, Marlow, and B&G.
0855H:
It is another beautiful day here. More humidity. 74 degrees
already, not a cloud in the sky. |