Weds Night Series 1 Race 4

Wind was West Northwest at 12kts the current was once again going with the breeze making easy to be late for the line. We had a good start at the weather end. The breeze was in a right phase but current relief was off to the left. We rolled Stryker and Poppy. They tacked out to the right and died. The J/30 (Meanie) was fast to leeward and Jim was working up under our bow. We held starboard as long as we could, eventually Jim pinched us off.

We rounded the weather mark second, the Cow and Kung Fuie close behind. We had a little trouble getting sails up and down tonight, but that was more of a distraction than anything else. By the Second upwind leg it was a two boat race, us and Jim, or so I thought. Leg 4 the wind went light. The mastheads are coming. Mad Cow passes us on the run and pulls away. We have a good mark rounding, but linger too far on the right side of the course. That and I can't seem to find the boat speed. I think we were over trimmed and stalled.

Almost to the finish, we can see Meanie and the Santana charging from the left corner. We try to head that way but have to tack for the barge. In hindsight, we should have ducked it. This is where we fold like a cheap suit. Stuck on the outside of a lift in bad current. Mayhem and Meanie pass us on the left.

We end the night in 5th. That hurts. The good news is we're only 2 points out of first in the series. The final race is this Weds. Two boat ahead of us are out. We have a real chance next week.

Crew:

Jack Buzzi
Chris
Neil
Laura
Jon Eberly (from SF)
Eric O
Charlotte
me