The Fans Are On!
Today after last night’s drinking, we are back at the Harp for sailing. The wind is back on and it seems that it’s going to be good. I arrived early, I started rigging Bubble, but James came and I had to help me rig his Laser (a club Laser actually). By the time we sorted everything out, we were late for the start. I wanted to make sure that he had all his rigging sorted out. The water is colder in the Harp and when we launch from the beach I can feel my legs freezing! Today was even worse because I had to stand there holding my boat while giving instructions to James for his centreboard and rudder. Today I was trying for the first time my new dry-top. It’s a breathable top made out of a two-layer material and it has seals round the neck, cuffs and waist. It looks quite nice and it keeps me warm and dry without being hot and sweaty.
While I was sailing towards the startline I saw the rest of the Laser fleet beating towards the dam wall. The RS200s had started already, so I was really late. It turns out that by the time I reached the line the committee boat had left! I just followed the Merlin Rockets around the course and gave way to everyone because I wasn’t really racing. The race was finished and I went in. I had a coffee and flapjacks, that Lydia made, and everybody agreed that they were really tasty.
I went out for the second race, I went to the start line, the sequence started, I started my watch at the 6 minute gun and everything was fine until the 3 minute gun. At some point I check my watch and it had stopped. I asked Steve for the time and he said 1:20. I started counting Mississippis until I heard peoples watches beeping. I had left margin for error between me and the start line, so I started sailing towards it. I didn’t have the best of starts but it could be worse. I changed to port tack quite quickly and I kept going. Tom was behind me. On the first lap I kept in front of him. On the second lap, I lost time around the windward mark. The wind was very shifty there, Mark 1, so he caught up and sailed past me. I was hoping I would pass him on the downwind leg but my weight didn’t help. I managed to get close to him and as soon as we started beating, I was gaining on him. At the first tack I was in front of him. In the middle of the windward leg he capsized but he recovered very quickly. I was afraid that if I could not keep my speed as I was approaching Mark 1 and follow the shifts, he would sail past me.
Quickly I realised that I was panicking, so I stopped looking over my shoulder, focused on the wind in front of me and managed to keep my cool. I sailed steadily towards the line and finished before Tom. He hadn’t gained at all on me. It was the first time I beat him fair and square. And most important of all, I was consistent throughout the race. Sailing is about avoiding mistakes and you can say if I hadn’t done this or hadn’t done that I would finish higher. In the end it doesn’t matter though. I know Tom will come back with a vengeance. He has done it before, he can do it again. During early summer I got very close to him, but he leaped forward. I think it will happen again. We both enjoyed the “fight”. Close competition is exciting!
I was putting really quick tacks, I was fighting hard, I was focused. It was an amazing feeling. Knowing that I was doing, maybe, the best bit of sailing I have done so far, was great!
Oh, I almost forgot. James, during the second race capsized. I was close to him when it happened and I quickly told him to climb over the hull onto the centreboard. So, his first capsize was a dry one. Nice one mate! Later he told me that he capsized twice more, but he recovered quite quickly. He just needs more experience but I think he is going to be fine. Pero sailed today and he enjoyed it too. A couple of weeks ago he was overpowered under strong winds and he seemed like he was in a washing machine. I am afraid we might “loose” him to another class. He is a nice guy and I would like him to stay in the Lasers, at least for a while.
Earlier this evening Lydia expressed concerns about my Saturday sailing. I assured her that I am not going to be sailing both on Saturdays and Sundays. I will only sail on Saturdays if she is working or out because we don’t have much time to see each other during the week. Next Saturday she is working, so I will probably sail.
The DVD from the RS200 Open Meeting is looking good too.