The 40th annual Whale of a Sail regatta almost ended up a no-blow. Fourteen Flying Scots registered for the multi-class regatta and we spent all day Saturday enjoying one another's company and whistling for the wind.
Unfortunately the whistling did not pay off and by about 3:30 pm the race committee canceled racing for the day. Of course, it will not surprise any sailors that about 45 minutes later a lovely light breeze came in, but by then many of us were a few sheets to the wind and the rest of us were happy to stay on shore and enjoy watching the 11 Mutineers race in their nationals in the light and spotty wind.
Alas Sunday morning dawned with heavy rain and thunder. But we were not deterred and neither was the race committee! After waiting around for almost two hours the race committee decided to send everyone out and we had one of the odder races in the history of the Whale.
Just at the start the wind died. Some boats were far enough away it took them several minutes to cross the line. Then a fresh wind came in from behind us and for a few minutes Flying Scots enjoyed some lively sailing, though we were not going up wind. After the fleet rounded the "windward" mark the wind died again and shifted so again we were on a beam reach. As we ghosted to the "leeward" mark we were thrilled to see a crash boat tooting its horn and flying the "shorten course" flag. And so we sailed the last leg, kind of up wind.
Everyone, from the race committee to the participants, was relieved to have gotten a race in and spirits were high. Hopefully next weekend's Glow in the Dark II regatta will have a bit more wind but this weekend goes to show, you just never know!
Fourth place Robb Preston and Hannah Preston
Third place Emilio and Sue Tellini
Second place Ben Williams and Deb Aronson
First place Frank and Marianne Gerry
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