January 7, 2013

A lot of happy sailors raced in the 6 and under winds with the usual oddball currents at Sunday's Small Boat Midwinters hosted by Richmond Yacht Club. El Toro sailor Gordie Nash observed that, "It was shifting 90° at times, which is real hard on the competitor." Thanks to one of those shifts Gordie did a worst to first in the 19-boat Senior fleet. He'd gotten pinched off at the start by Vaughn Siefers and intercollegiate/Youth America's Cup hotshot David Liebenberg. He went right and that’s where the new breeze (if you can call it that) filled from. Said Gordie, "That’s nuts! Pure unadulterated should not happen." Nephew Nick Nash said, “The Junior program is like this every Sunday." Matriarch Jocelyn Nash was PRO, with her great-grandaughter recording. Three generations of Nashes were racing: Gordie, Chris, Nick and Sam.

Understanding the shifts and the current were also crucial out on the Southampton deep water course. In one start were the unlikely dinghies: Wylie Wabbits, Ultimate 20s, Melges 20s and Open 5.70s. The all raced one design against themselves, but were grouped at the start to save shotgun shells. In the thick of it was Ultimate 20 winner Tom Burdon, who said, "It tended to be crowded at the pin. There were some gnarly pileups out there." He couldn’t help but put a dig in at the expense of the Melges. "In the third race we just killed the Melges. Considering the dollars per knot, we’re really getting our money’s worth."

In one of those aggressive pileups were Wabbiteers Bill and Melinda Erkelens. They had a horrible third tier start at the pin, which forced them right for clear air. They found the new, better air and less current. Just like the Toros they pulled a worst to first and are leading the Wabbits.

Both kinds of Lasers also raced. 2011 Norht American singlehanded champ Christine Neville ran a 'clinic' in the standard rig (1-2-1-1) besting Mark "Sails his Laser right here every day" Halman, whose 4-5-3-4 was consistent more than perfect. In the Radials it was Kyle Larson over Emma Drejes.

Mark Halman on his home waters. ©2013 Richmond YC

In another ammunition saving start Thistles, 5o5s and assorted other venerable one designs (FD, Contender, Musto Skiff, Vanguard) all hit the line together – an odd matchup till you find out who got the gun in the once around sausage courses – those nice long waterline Thistles, of course. According to Ron Smith, "In that light air there isn’t anything that can keep up with a Thistle. It is very light, three onboard, no traps and 180 square feet of sail.” Still one Thistle sailor not in first said, “I’d rather be ahead of a Thistle than a 5o5.”

Gil Wooley on his vintage Contender. ©2013 Richmond YC

Darrell Sorensen’s home-built wooden Windmill. ©2013 Richmond YC

The Point Potrero Reach Course, not too far from the Ferry docks, had its regular suspects and actually a pretty regular breeze. Most popular were the ten Bytes. Gail Yando hustled up a bunch of racers, all of whom had fun. Michele Logan ran her usual 'clinic' (4 out of 5 bullets). Karin Knowles noticed Michele's less than perfect moment. “I loved it that coming in Michele does this great roll tack and rolls herself right in. She got all wet.” Michele said it was where she had the most fun.

"Byte Babe" Michele Logan. ©2013 Richmond YC

Snipe Shot of the Day: Michelle Sumpton and Shawn Grassman alongside Andy Pontious. ©2013 Richmond YC

See www.richmondyc.org to read the race results and get more info. The next midwinters race weekend is February 2-3.