Good breeze. Whitecaps on the river. Large swells. Discussed starting with a reef, but dismissed it and started with all plain sail.
Course A2. Pin favored. TC started well, sailing fast on port to the pin end, favored end, of the line, and then falling off a bit to keep from crossing early. LinGin started about two boat lenghts to windward and one boat length behind. TC drove well, coming up to LinGin's line and pulling ahead. Tim moved from the windward rail down into the cockpit and to the leeward side to see the relation bbetween LinGin and Argo. The distance had closed to less than half a boat length. In doing so, LinGin lost substantial ground and point, falling behind and below Argo. Lead the fleet to the turning mark.
Rounded the turning mark and started under main and jib. Speed was less than 6kts. Not fast enough. set the spinnaker on starboard tack well ahead of LinGin, about a quarter mile. Drag race to R "8". Held of LinGin well. Dropped the chute at R "8". LinGin carried their chute to the finish. By "1SC", LinGin had closed to within two boat lengths, with a Cal 25, Whitecap, between us. Stayed high, close to SSA and the boat slips along the southeast side of Spa Creek to prevent LinGin attempt to get to windward. Used Whitecap it impede LinGin, something that Whitecap tends to in any event. Finished two boat lengths ahead. Finishing order: Argo, LinGin, Second-2-Nun, Laughing Gull(DNC), Skybird (DNC).