February 4, 2013

A promised 10-knot northwesterly never materialized in time for the multihulls and skiff racing on Southampton Shoals in Richmond Yacht Club Midwinters on Saturday. The race committee tried to get in four races but only just succeeded in pulling off three lazy windward/leewards in fickle dying winds. If they were mundane monohulls they wouldn't even have been able to move in the light whispers of breeze, but the slick hulls of the Hobie Cat 20s and A-Class cats, and the large sail area of the Aussie 18 were slowly making progress even though no wind was apparent on the water.

Katie Love's Aussie 18 Love Machine ghosted along on the lightest of breeze. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

The Hobie Cat 16s couldn't quite keep up with the others. They only managed two races before the fleet of three decided to head to the club and not attempt a third race.

Slow-mo Hobie 16 racing with Steven Klein and Eric Brown. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

A six-knot westerly filled in from the Gate at around 1430 tempting the racers, but it died by 1600. After shortening the course twice and looking out west to see nothing, the race committee packed it in. By the time the boats arrived at the RYC docks, the breeze finally filled in for good while the teams packed up their boats. But that's midwinter racing for you.

Rolf Jaeger and Frank Bartek, having a Hobie day. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Chasing catspaws with Mackenzie Cook on his A-Cat, Godspeed 2.0. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Michael Spitz's Hobie Miracle 20 nudged up to one of the marks. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

The Opti kids in Keller Cove had better breeze, at least in the morning. They were able to get in five races. This is Drake Cody. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

The rest of the small boat classes race on Sunday. For complete results from both days, see www.richmondyc.org.