Feb 05
The forecast was for dead calm, and expectations were low, but those who showed were pleasantly surprised with consistent 10-12mph across the bay; plenty for all to charge upwind and fly back down.
My brother and I arrived at Bahia around 10:30. The water was glassy.
Dave Dombroski was already there and rigging up to beach test some repairs to his RS4. At the time it looked like we would wait for sailors to arrive and then cancel the Regatta, but by 11:00 the wind was puffing in at 5mph and the idea of getting some racing in looked more promising. We figured the wind might be filled in better at the North end of Sail-Bay, so Dave, already rigged, played “wind-dummy” and headed out to see if he could plane up. By 11:30, sailors were arriving and Dave was blasting around in a freshening breeze. Regatta on!
Our course was a large triangle using up most of Sail Bay and the start was on a timed line run by Mission Bay Yacht Club (thanks!). At about 12:45, eight sailors hit the line for the first race. Top Pro Devon Boulon http://www.devonboulon.com/ wasted little time roaring to the front and wasting the field. No surprise there. Lasse though, showed that persistent training pays off by keeping Devon in his sights and finishing a consistent second. His improvement over the last three years has been very impressive and he could well become a regional force over the next few years. The LA boys better keep on their toes!
The real racing was for the middle placings. In his first Race of the Season, Dave O’Connor finished a respectable third with Dave Dombroski just behind in fourth.
The second race saw only an exchange in placings between the Daves.
In the 3rd race, half the fleet was late for the start, with Devon, Lasse, and Robert all hitting the line on time and with speed. Once again Devon and Lasse pulled away, but emphasizing the importance of a good start, Robert was able to maintain third for his best finish of the regatta.
After a short rest on the beach, everyone agreed to one last race using Devon with a Rabbit start. The wind was starting to drop but most were planning upwind with spotty planning leeward to the finish. Once again it was Devon and Lasse. Dave D finished an easy third with Robert holding off Dave O for fourth, and Erik just behind in fifth.
Overall a surprisingly good day considering the forecast! You just never know.
Thanks to all for racing! See you at Bahia next month.
Robert
