2010 WBRA Race #13 & #14
September 25, 2010 Mid-Bay, BVBC
By: Tom Reed Jr. (USA 111)
Posted: September 30, 2010
September 25 was the last day of racing for the 2010 Season Championship Series. The morning brought the start of our recent heat wave, and the light winds that usually accompany such an act. 8 boats drifted to the race course, after a long lounging party down on the docks; full of local sailors curious if the wind would ever fill, and the racing getting underway. BVBC was running the races, and had set a starting line just North of Anita Rock. Around 11:30 the wind had filled in, just enough to get these great old boats moving forward through the water. 2 knots out of the East, with a 2.7 Flood has the makings of a long day of racing. After the last 3 boats were towed to the starting area, the race committee went into sequence. The Bear fleet started first, followed by us a few minutes later.
Staying close to the line and keeping boat speed up was the secret to this one. No last minute, sudden tactics for this start. Five minutes of battling for position, and maneuvering around stalled starters, and USA 111 pulled away the clear leader. (Short lived may I add) USA 107, 74 and 106 were over early and needed to clear and start again. Peter, Mark, Brock and Chris had a bit of a limp, but quickly got boat speed up and made tracks towards the first mark. Tom Jr. had reached the flood first and was putting distance on the fleet. Reaching the lay line and tacking was the beginning of his demise. Chris, Fred and Don followed a little later; Peter, Brock, Mark and Richard stayed out in the flood a little longer; eventually tacking to the mark. With 200 yards to reach the first mark, the wind died and it became a race of drifting. Not the Tokyo version in fast import cars, turning circles, while barley staying in control; but that of the Danish style in 5,000 lb full keel sailboats with no wind. (Not something that we are accustomed to here in San Francisco).
The “two” fleets bunched together in their perspective locations. Tom, Chris, Don and Fred all had a difference of opinion as to what was the fastest point of sail, Tom on starboard sailing downwind, Don on port close hauled, Chris and Fred on starboard, close hauled. Well, we were all wrong. Peter, Brock and the rest of their group showed us all up, using the current wind for a bit of an advantage and rounded the mark ahead. The second group was Tom Jr., Chris, Don and Fred.
The wind had turned around, and now was coming from the west at about 5 knots. There was once again a split decision as too the fastest way up the course. Peter played the middle; Brock, Mark and Tom went out; while Richard, Chris, Don and Fred stayed towards shore for the current relief. Peter and Brock battled for 1st and 2nd; Richard, Mark and Tom battled for 3rd thru 5th; while Chris, Don and Fred followed.
It was a slow downwind run for our fleet, Peter and Brock were quite a bit ahead of the rest of us, Richard and Tom had a good fight on their hands; Mark slipped back to a strong 5th position. Richard wanted the outside, giving him an advantage at the mark, but giving Tom a better wind position. The race committee had anchored a chase boat off the leeward mark, and shortened the course to finish. The boat end of the line was quite favored and now Tom had the advantage on the line. Overlapped, and within five feet of one another they sailed across the finish line. Richard was ahead, but Tom was able to turn up around the boat; clenching 3rd, by only six inches according to the RC. Richard’s crew, Al Jolly was not all that happy with the call, but I am sure after looking at how favored the boat end was, he could see the outcome. Richard placed 4th, Mark 5th, Chris 6th, Don 7th and Fred 8th.
The second race brought an early arrival of the outgoing current, and a tad bit more wind. 10 knots max of our world famous westerly. Not so impressive, however it is not every weekend that we can sail in shorts, T-shirts and of course our PFD's. The fleet lined up at the start fighting for what seemed like the favored pin end. Brock got pined at the top of the line, unable to fall off and gain boat speed and tacked out, while the rest of us headed towards shore for stronger current. It turned out that the wind was a little stronger outside, and paid great gains for Brock as he crossed clear ahead of the fleet. Richard and the 107 crew showed the best gains, playing both wind pressure and current; allowing him top honors at the first mark. Brock followed 2nd, Peter 3rd, Fred 4th, Tom 5th, Chris 6th, Don 7th and Mark 8th.
Peter jibed in, looking for a passing lane and looked really good for a while and most of the fleet (okay, all of the fleet; except Tom Jr.) followed suit. Tom sailed the outside rhumb line, with clear air, which soon paid off, allowing him a spot in front at the leeward mark, and the finish line. Richard was 2nd, Brock 3rd, Peter 4th, Fred 5th, Chris 6th, Don 7th and Mark 8th. Worth a mention was that 2nd thru 5th finished within three boat lengths of each other.
After the race, at the new "Folkboat Hangout" (Down on the docks by Peter, Chris, Fred and Don's boats) Fred and Richard had a discussion about a port / starboard incident during the second race. Richard graciously dropped out giving him a RAF and leaving a three way tie for the weekend honors between Tom Jr., Peter and Brock with 4 points apiece. This weekend proves just how close our fleet is on and off the water.
This year the fleet has been plagued with crew issues, personal injuries and mechanical breakdowns, allowing very few races showing the true strength in numbers of our fleet. Peter Jeal has shown dominance on the course all season, leading from the first weekend. Peter takes top honors once again; winning his 6th Season Championship. Tom Reed Jr. takes 2nd and Chris Herrmann hangs onto 3rd. Mark Slichter in USA 56 grabs 6th overall, and brings home the Contenders' Cup.
Congratulations to the SFBFA on another successful season on San Francisco Bay.
The 2010 Season counters may be over and done with, but we still have the following regattas on the calendar:
Oct. 3rd - Leukemia Cup, SFYC
Oct. 30-31 - Encinal Fun Weekend
Nov.-Mar. - 2010/2011 GGYC Mid-Winter Series
Come on out and show your support....
FOLKBOATS FOREVER !!!!!!
