race report
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 Hawkeye, Zenya and Chinook attempt to escape from Alcatraz. ©2011 norcalsailing.com |
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Racers Temporarily Imprisoned at Alcatraz January 9, 2011 For the third Golden Gate Yacht Club midwinter race of the 2010-2011 season, a new course was invented and the race committee sent all divisions on the new course. It had only one mark, Alcatraz Island (including its pet rock, Little Alcatraz, and the bell buoy warning of same). Racers could choose to round the mark in either direction, making the day's competition a game of strategy more than tactics. The first two divisions (the fastest PHRF boats) which headed off the GGYC start line toward the east split directions. The third division to start was over-early en masse due to a flooding current and suffered a general recall. By the time Division 3 were off and running toward the island, Divisions 1 and 2 were committed to their choice.
The light breeze blew out of the northeast, becoming more northerly, and giving port tack boats a lift toward the island. The lift made it tempting to stay on port and round the island counter-clockwise. But once in the wind shadow and current cone of the island, the conditions for port rounders became less favorable, and they found themselves imprisoned by Alcatraz, necessitating many time-wasting tacks to escape.
The competitors who took the island to starboard generally fared better, and those were the boats you'd find tied up closest to the docks at the post-race raft-up. As friendly and unassuming as ever, the new holders and now hosts of the America's Cup welcomed the sailing proletariat with their usual hot food, cold drinks, and warm hospitality.
See results and series standings at www.ggyc.org/raceresults.php.
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