The line is soon set and the fleet finds it nicely square to the wind. Uncle Al and Marc (3854) have their "new last August" main and jib plus their brand new genuine Mike Mac spinnaker on SHADES today - sails that were to be used only at the Nationals level or above, but in this closely matched fleet, every edge could be important.

... the perfect start to allow them to pursue this strategy. Al (5th from right) has a nice safe leeward on Mike Codd and excellent windward separation from Mark Taylor so that Al can foot off a bit any time it may become necessary. In the end, it was very close between Peter and Al for the lead going onto the first run with much of the fleet still in very close contention.

... lean to windward or leeward as required in order to keep his helm neutral. The photo above is a bit misleading: Al seems clearly behind Peter but - as is shown by relative mast lengths of the two boats - Al has worked his way well to leeward, thereby sailing a more direct course to the mark. Ultimately, Al will head up just enough near the mark to speed up and trap Peter on starboard tack since Peter would risk fouling Al if he (Peter) gybed to port, and thus Al and Marc end up rounding onto the second beat with the lead - albeit a very narrow one over Peter until the latter screws up his rounding.

Having been the first to gybe and keeping the weather gauge as they say in my wonderful Dewey Lambdin books, has paid off for Mark and, to a lesser degree, Roger, as these three near the mark. Here is a spot in which it is essential to defend your wind from pursuers who will not only take your wind but also ...