Key Takeaways:
Sailors must always watch the weather
Reefing early is fast, too much heel and flogging main just slow you down
Take note of windshifts and stay on the lifted tack
Reefing underway is a skill every sailor needs
As the sailors were pulling into the parking lot a thunderstorm popped up near Waldorf and was aimed right at the school. We had an hour weather delay while we waited for the storm to pass. Carrie was nice enough to do a lecture on docking while we waited. This also gave Mel time to pop up and do Race Committee. It’s always great to have a hand on the committee boat.
Once the storm passed we had a building breeze and shifty conditions. The first race went well, being won by Diablo. The second race the breeze built so that it was gusting over 12 knots. Only Diablo reefed and Diablo won the race. Most of the fleet missed a dramatic wind shift as they rounded the leeward mark and had to sail on a reach to get to the finish line. Take note of windshifts, if you are headed on one tack away from the mark, that means you’re lifted on the other tack.
The Race Committee took note of increasing breeze and flew Carrie’s new “Reef” flag. All the boats put the reef in quickly and efficiently. Good job sailors! The last race was won by Mistral even though they had a second row start.
Full photo gallery https://photos.app.goo.gl/Coy4qSaTRSeEd6by5
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