Second day of the pre-Worlds, second practice day, and things went better. Not to say great. Here’s what happened…
Let’s set the stage. Here’s an aerial view of San Francisco Bay, showing the location of the St Francis Yacht Club, our home base. Yesterday we raced in Area A, North of the city between the Golden Gate and Alcatraz Island, known to the locals as “cityfront”. About a mile to sail out. Today we raced in Area B, way East, just off Berkeley, known as “Berkeley Circle”. About eight miles from the YC, so a long way just to get there, and even longer to get back (into the wind). And in between three long races, in 12-14 knots.
I may be too exhausted to blog. We’ll see 🙂
Heading out … looking West, St F YC in the background.
Yes again wore a full wetsuit and yes again was glad I did. 60 deg air and water and wind.
The view up of our new spinnaker, newly repaired (thanks, Dan of Quantum Sails) and looking good. We are the only boat in the fleet with dual blue stripes.
The long sail out gave me a chance to be a tourist…
Alcatraz! Pretty and also, pretty forbidding. Can you imagine swimming from there?
Stunning view of San Fran, “the city by the bay”.
This shot looking West toward the Golden Gate as we approached the race course shows how far away we were. No fog in sight, pretty rare.
Race Committee boat on station, boats milling around pre-start, Angel Island in the background.
Taken between races, wind is up (note boat wake), Bay Bridge in the background (connecting Oakland on the left to San Fran on the right).
So, how’d we do? Well… let’s say we did better, but we have a long way to go. Our speed to weather is just okay, our speed downwind a little better, and our boat handling remains a work in progress.
So, was it fun? YES!
Any day on the water is better than any other day, but flying around in a 505 in wind is pretty much the best. We broke 15 knots a couple of times, reaching downwind. And also, although we didn’t finish well, we are improving.
Tonight is the Opening Ceremony for the Worlds (and trophies for the pre-Worlds), tomorrow is registration / measurement, and then Tue the Worlds themselves begin. Stay tuned!
San Fran Five-Oh 