Today just one race was scheduled to finish off the
qualifying series. We did a five-leg race, finishing upwind. The wind had
shifted from yesterday’s easterly to a nice and steady south breeze. I never
saw the compass move more than about 10 or 15 degrees all day. Everyone has
been so well behaved, we hadn’t had a single general recall … until today’s
second group, when the dreaded blue and yellow flag went up. I think the gloves
will come off starting tomorrow.
From Ben’s and my perspective, we liked the right side of
the course. Given the time of day and the tide schedules, it seemed that the
ebbing tide would help us if we stayed in the channel, which we decided was
more on the right side of the course.
We were in the front pack at the first windward mark, with
John Luard (Monmouth Yacht Club in New Jersey) leading the group. As the race
continued we managed to grind through a few boats until we were just behind
John. He put a really tight cover on us, which was weird for me, I’m used to
doing the covering, rather than being covered and I didn’t like it!
Anyway, Ben and I needed to just have a solid finish to make
the championship fleet and at this point we were in second place, so we were
feeling pretty good. Right at the finish, Greiner and Robert Hobbs caught us,
but we were very, very pleased with our sailing.
Speaking of the Midwest District, Ryan and Adam also had a
good day and finished solidly in the championship fleet. Frank and Marianne had
a very good day but missed making the top fleet by TWO points. Hopefully they’ll
DOMINATE the challenger fleet!!
Tonight the rumor is we’ll have fish tacos or grill
something at the house. I want to go after dinner to the boardwalk in Seaside
Heights.
Right now we’re at a meeting about membership. Eric Bussell’s
efforts through Parkland College to promote sailing is being spotlighted right
now!! He’s a star!!!
Results are here: fssa.com
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