Sailboat Racing Adventures

We had a great day Saturday competing in Icicle Race #2. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and warming all day. There were 75 boats out for the race and we had wind in varying amounts and direction throughout the race (sometimes not as much as we might have wanted). It was a glorious day to be on the water!

Toccata got fifth in class! Special thanks to Barry, Sloan, Bridget, and Shannon for making it a great day to be in a sailboat race.

Some comments from our competitors and friends:

• We did a great first leg which was to windward (the boat that ended up in first place was worried when they saw we had almost caught up to them at the first mark
• On the second leg which was almost dead downwind we went too deep for the wind conditions, we should have sailed higher and jibed more to keep the boat moving. Until a the wind is above 13 the J/27 is slowest going dead down wind.
• On leg 3 which was a reach we had erfect jib trim but our main was in too tight (even though the telltales were streaming). Suggestion: Ease the main until the main telltales start to stall then bring them back. It’s true, were focused on the jib but did not pay much attention to or “work” the main’s performance. Let’s all try to remember that for next time!

Getting ready before the race.

Boats converging as we approach the finish, cauth up in a crowd with an Etchells, a J/70, and a J/80. Not bad company to hang around with…

The finish line!