Many of us opted to get onto port tack as quickly as possible since the line was skewed so that it was nearly but not quite impossible to cross it on starboard, the latter option made even more difficult by the fact that the RC boat was at the "wrong" (port) end, and starboard tack starters had to clear its anchor line as well. This set-up may be entertaining to watch, since it promotes hairy action, but is also tougher on the RC boat which tends to get hit by boats a lot, and such extreme favouring of one end of the line tends to create general recalls.

On a run, it takes considerable mental toughness to not succumb to the temptation to sail higher than necessary. With luck, going up in the lulls and down with the puffs leaves you close to the rhumb line. Here, race leader, Al  (3854), is sticking to the rhumb line (straight line between the marks) while heeling slightly to windward to avoid weather helm. In these winds, it does not (usually) pay to tack downwind a boat like a CL. His main worry will be that Kipp (1336) and Steve (523) who are taking each other up will find a better streak of wind. The more likely outcome however, is that both of them will lose distance to Al since they will have to sail further to reach the leeward mark. Meanwhile, Jim Hill (1236) and Mac Thomas (1142) stand to benefit from sailing their more direct course to the next mark. In the end, Al lost some distance to Kipp who may have sailed into a better breeze and for sure had much lighter crew weight.

As the parade around the leeward mark continues, Al (4th from right) is taking a short starboard hitch to protect the apparently favoured left side against Kipp, Steve and Jim. He did not tack right at the mark so that he would avoid the disturbed wind and water of the mass of boats coming downwind (left).