2000 NAC race 2

Winds SSW about 8-12 knots at the start, diminishing to 3-6 knots during beat #2. Above - just after the start - from left to right: Ryan Mahaffey, Keith Haill, Peter Ayres, Dwight Aplevich (4606), Ivan Pedersen (behind 938, Hans Gottschling), Al Schönborn, John deBoer and George Blanchard.

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The RC surprised us with their speedy start of race #2. Several boats strayed too far from the start area between races and were late for the start. One of these would appear to have been W7227, Reg Bunt and Frances Almeida who are seen crossing the line above, well behind Kit Wallace (left), Fred Black, and Peter Rahn (right). Heider Funck was also almost caught short but ended up getting back just in time for a lovely RC boat end start. Most of the leaders held starboard for some time. Uncle Al, having been scared off the port lay line by his experiences in race 1, tacked in towards the middle about 2/3 out to the lay line but again took a chance by attempting to lee bow an oncoming starboard tacker. That worked, but what Al had not considered on this short, half-length beat, was that another couple of boats would have to bear off behind Al and then be forced to tack by the starboard boats on Al's hip. The lay line loomed ever larger, and things began to look seriously desperate as 4 or 5 boats were staggered in a diagonal line right off Al's hip. Al could tack but would have to duck a lot of transoms. And now, another boat crossed just astern of Al. Shortly thereafter, Frank called out urgently: "Now you can tack!!!" Apparently someone had had the decency to sail right into the lead boat of that starboard group and cause enough of a slowdown to create the gap Al was craving. He didn't even look - just shoved the tiller over. Sure enough, Frank's judgement had been right, and Al was off like a herd of turtles, in pursuit of Peter Rahn who was also approaching the windward mark on port, about 50 metres ahead of Al. Thus, Peter rounded first, with a nice lead over Al who in turn was pursued by a closely knit bunch that included Heider Funck and Keith Haill, and who were back just far enough that Al could concentrate on pursuing Peter.

By the time the leaders reached the leeward mark, the wind was seriously depleted, and Al had been able to pick a puff or two that Peter had not received, to move right in on Peter who ended up rounding onto the second beat just in front of Al.Having discussed the matter, Al and Frank sailed in Peter's dirt for a minute or two to escape the worst of the waves and wind disturbance caused by the fleet coming down the reach. Then they picked their spot to tack which fortunately coincided with a Heider tack to starboard right around the mark. Peter tacked to cover but something happened to make their tack one of their rare poor efforts and Al was able to move out and eventually force Peter to briefly tack away.

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The middle of beat #2: The wind has come up a bit and veered about 20º to SW, causing a corresponding change of course for the second beat. Uncle Al (left) now has the lead, being pursued most closely by Heider, Peter Rahn, Ryan, Roger and Keith (right) as well as John deBoer (7351) and Kit Wallace (1037).

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As Stefan Larson and Brody Wight (16) pass the RC boat going up beat #2 in top form, the winds already show signs of dying away.
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The leaders approach the RC boat halfway down the run in fading winds. Judging by mast height, we have Keith Haill (left) and Heider Funck (pink & white spi) as the closest pursuers of Uncle Al's red spi. Also threatening are Ryan (blue & yellow), Peter Rahn (white, black, red, yellow) and Roger Shepherd (extreme right). Note how Uncle Al is "digging back in" towards the rhumb line to make sure he stays between most of his nearest pursuers - especially Heider - and the leeward mark.

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Frank calls for more pressure as Al's spi begins to droop in dying winds, so Al will have to head up. Note how Al is holding the boom out so that SHADES can be sailed flat or even with a windward heel to reduce helm and assist the spinnaker!
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Peter Rahn and Alex pass the RC boat in a puff - lucky them! This was definitely a leg for up in the lulls (for more "pressure" on the spi sheet, and to find another wind streak) and down with the puffs (to stay in the streak as long as possible).
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Tom (left) concentrates on the spi while Heider checks out what's happening all across the course (Who's got more wind? etc.) as they pass the RC boat.
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Ryan Mahaffey (left) and Alan Laderoute come across on starboard but are not quite close enough to cause trouble for Heider and Tom who are on port.
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Dennis Platt (left) and George Blanchard pass the RC boat with a cheery hello.
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Tall ships are fine - unless they happen to be sailing across the end of your run! In this case, we all managed to get by with a minimum of difficulty, as Uncle Al held off Heider up the final half-length beat to win race #2. Keith Haill impressed once more with a fine 3rd over Roger Shepherd and Peter Rahn. Ryan Mahaffey crossed 6th in what would turn out to be his drop race - in a dead heat (the results would appear to indicate?????) with George Blanchard, and just ahead of John deBoer. Hans Gottschling was next as he held 9th over Ivan Pedersen who rounded out the top 10.