Course:A2. Mark "A" towards the south.
Sails: Elliott/Pattison Sailmakers
169LP genoa, Pandora main and EP Sails spinnaker. Backstay at 3.
Breeze blowing down the Severn River. Spinnaker start. Started about 15 seconds late on starboard tack with spinnaker up and pulling. Rinn Duin started ahead of us under genoa. Skybird started a bit later on starboard with spinnaker. Overtook Rinn Duin quickly. Started opening distance on Skybird, who tried to sail hotter angles and get above our line. Heated up a bit each time Skybird tried this manuever. Sailed part Mark "A". Wind veered northerly as we cleared Greenbury Point. Gybed. Well in the lead. Dropped spinnaker a bit early for two reasons: the wind veering to a beam reach, and an early, unrushed, drop should prevent mishaps.
Hardened up onto port tack at the leeward mark. Slowly getting headed till we are pointed at the western abutments of the Bay Bridge. Tacked onto starboard while Ronin, a Cal 25, continued up the bay. Better breeze on the southside of the river. As we sailed back towards Bembe Beach, we past well to leeward of boats closer to Greenbury Point: Where Egos Dare and Problem Child. Extended our lead over Skybird, Rinn Duin, and Ronin. Tried port tack again, but as we crossed the river the wind lessened and headed us...back onto starboard tack.
Wind continued to weaken. Race Committee abandoned race.
Excellent crew work this evening. Makes all the difference...no matter how well the bottom is prepared and the quality of the sails, its the crew that makes the boat go fast.
GPX formatted track . Distance: 4.23nm, estimated average speed: 3.0kts, estimated duration: 1:24