2018 Bruce Rankin Memorial Regatta on the Magothy River directly west of Gibson Island. One race with eight boats: Argo, Laughing Gull, Latika, LinGin, Prudence, Skybird, Soltice, Windswept. Course was Magothy River Sailing Association marks "G", "C", "G", all to be left to port.
Poor start on starboard tack at the pin end of the line, not the favored boat end, made worse by the possibility of being able to fetch the weather mark with only a short port tack board from the boat end vs a longer port tack board from the pin end. In the end, it did not matter, we rounded fourth well behind Windswept and Laughing Gull, a bit behind LinGin. Lost distance during the first half of the downwind leg as LinGin and the others walked away from us. Took over flying the spinnaker and recouped some of the loss.
On the second beat to windward, took the ground hard southeast of Dobbins Island and southwest of the green mark, a bit to the east of the marked wreck. Reported by others that the bow of Argo surged upward sharply as we grounded. Immediately lay out hanging from the starboard rigging while standing on the toe rail or just inboard. Joined by John and Tyler. To no avail, Argo remained fixed in place. After suggestion to back the jib were not heaeeded, let go the rig and backed the jib myself, then returned to lay out again. Slowly the head of the boat paid off and we were able to sail away on port tack.
Finished last.