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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n