the
2005 CanAm CL16 Regatta Hilton Beach, August 6-7 Race 1, part 1 photos by Jake Cormier (commentary by Uncle Al) 2005 Regatta Photography is available to purchase! Please view the gallery and note the image names, then contact jake@hiltonbeach.com to order digital versions ($20 each) or professionally printed 8x10s ($35 each, includes postage). ... |
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A lovely little breeze has
come up from the NE as the countdown to the start of race 1 has begun. ... |
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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.
... |
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Here, we got off to
successful start after only one general recall. ... |
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Early in the race, Alfred
Gawthrop and Craig Bouck (2767) move into the lead by going left into
better breeze and more advantageous current. The numberless wonder (l)
also going to the better side of the course is Charles Marquardt. ... |
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Also doing well by going
left early are (l to r) Becky Sylvester (2756) who was among
the first to round the windward mark, Conrad Peters (1755) and Peter
Foster (1979). ... |
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As the main body of the
fleet approaches the windward mark, early leader Al Schonborn (5th from
left) is closely ... ... |
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... followed by Kipp and Ann Sylvester, Steve Macklin and
Jim and Alice Hill
down the first run of a windward-leeward course. ... |
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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.
... |
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John Kupers (1236) in a
close battle with upwind leader, Alfred Gawthrop (2767) who is wisely
sailing his boat with a slight windward heel to lessen weather helm on
the run. ... |
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Beat #2 begins with Al
holding ... ... |
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... a slight lead over Kipp
(1336) while Steve (523) will round 3rd, just ahead of ... ... |
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... Jim Hill (1236). ... |
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Mac (1142) will lead the
next closely-bunched group around the mark. Among his nearest pursuers
are: (l to r) Colin Junkin with Heather Wood (929), Richard
Warren (2762) , Alfred (2767) and ... ... |
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... John and Laura Kupers
(2136). ... |
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Eric Kirby (2469, left) has
played the right side of the run, a strategy that can backfire if you
meet lots of boats coming from the left who will (a) be on starboard,
and (b) have buoy room on a buoys-to-port course. ... |
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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).
... |
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Becky Sylvester (2756)
leads Bill Hibbard (1186), Jesse Dann (1143) and Winnipeg's Glenn
Penner around the mark. ... |
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Second-place Kipp Sylvester
(2nd from right) goes left while the going is good as does ... ... |
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... Uncle Al (far left). |
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