20 + knots and a few big cold Santa Cruz waves in the face welcomed us to our pre start practice on Saturday, these are the conditions the Moore 24 was built for. It had been awhile since we had last sailed in this stuff so the call was made to put the beer down and pay attention. Race one began after the start was moved closer to the beach. We rounded the top mark right on the heels of first few boats not sure who it was but someone up front went down hard as a puff came through. We were able to set clean, find a big wave get up on a plane and gybe first, this turned out to be the key to the first two races for us. Race three saw boats going right off the start line make out huge Lowly Worm stretched out to a big lead in this race. Exciting sailing, spectacular wipeouts made for a great day, hats off to all those willing to go forward of the mast in that stuff.
Sunday presented us with a spectacular Santa Cruz day, a few boats were visited by a whale before a light southerly breeze filled in. Race 4 was a starboard tack lay to the top mark, gybe set and back to the finish. We started well but were between Pegasus and Wave Ohs eventually we got squeezed out the back and rounded 3rd, no passing lanes on the way to finish. Race 5 saw the breeze fill in from the usual direction at about 8-12 knots. Paramour got out to good lead banging left on the first beat, they were eventually ground down by Ruby, Wavos posted a 4th along with a 2nd in race 4 was the mover of the day. Race 6 saw most boats changing down to #2's and #3's, we went with the 2. First beat gains in this race were again made on the left, ( I guess the 'go right' in Santa Cruz rule is only valid when it works) we rounded the top mark third with Ruby and wave Ohs ahead, managed to sneak past Ruby and follow in Wave Ohs wake to the finish.
Thanks to Sydney Moore and Dave Jocelyn for putting, all this together and cheers to
Matt for the beer.
Hope to see you all in Whiskeytown.
Banditos
