... backs radically, leaving the fleet virtually unable to cross the line on starboard. Near the now disadvantaged RC boat end of the line, Al (3854) throws in the fastest tack he can, hoping to deal with the pin end boats and their big advantage later. Note how both Al and Marc make absolutely sure that their main and jib are nowhere near being overtrimmed!! Series leader, Doug (1366)  is also trying to tack but lack of forward momentum will make this a lengthy undertaking.

As quickly as possible, Frank tacks back to port in order to (a) escape the dirty air from Al (3854), and (b) get to the right side where the ripples on the water suggest the presence of better breeze. Note Frank's main leech ticklers are flying even though his mainsheet is block to block. This bridle length is great in the current wind strength but will be too loose for optimal pointing if the wind strength should increase at all, i.e. being block to block already, Frank would have to use his vang to get the added leech tension that will give optimal pointing in more breeze, but that would make it impossible to centre his boom - the other pointing ingredient (when there enough breeze to allow a centred boom!!) With Doug (left in photo below) safely "buried", Al will tack to go with Frank (the other main contender), especially since Al, too, has seen the better breeze to the right.

An on-time start for Paul Pinault this time. With a far shorter bridle than Frank, Paul must take care not to oversheet his main in this delicate breeze. His main does in fact look a tad oversheeted (when in doubt, let it out!!) judging by the hooked look of the upper leech. The jib looks perfect. Note that Dwight (r) is making sure he is not sheeting so tight that his upper main leech hooks to windward.

Al, meanwhile, was off Paul's bow, going right with Frank. When the new wind hit, it was perfect for Al and Frank, a major knock that permitted an immediate tack to starboard where they could just nicely lay the windward mark while the pin end starters still wallowed in virtually no wind, and when they did get the wind, they were on the outside of the shift.  The shift was actually the best news for Al who ended up right off Frank's bow on the layline, a position which forced Frank to waste valuable distance by tacking twice more beyond the layline just to get reasonably clear air.