..

Al keeps an eye out for better wind but ... ...

... also on the nearest competitors, all of whom ... ...

... are now off to the right. Therefore, even though the hoped for starboard knock has not (yet) come through, it's time to ... ...

... tack and ... ...

... regain contact with the other ... ...

... leaders. Note how Al has tacked just a little below ... ...

... Dave (l) and the lay line. In conditions that are ideal (moderate breeze, clear air, no waves), Al is confident that he ... ...

... can shoot the mark and add a boatlength to his lead over ... ...

... Dave and Carol. ...

As Al and Marc prepare to hoist, Bill comes in from the left where he has recovered nicely. ...

Marc has just cranked the jib in tight for a second so that the windward spi sheet comes free of the jib tack, and he will now complete the spinnaker set while ... ...

... Dave and Carol complete a great first beat (a decent start never hurts!) in 2nd place. ...

Carol has the pole all set and now helps Dave watch the mark. ...

Banshee will start this reach a comfortable second. ...

Bill, meanwhile, benefits from the fact that Brian got onto the lay line too early and has overlaid. Bill tacks here, and ... ...

... from this distance, it's far easier to judge when you're on the lay line. ...

Looks like we'll have a nice breeze to start the reach. ...

The crews, John (l) and Frank spring into action. ...

Bill makes the mark ... ...

... nicely, and ... ...

... unleashes Wayfarer Man. ...

Brian and John are in hot pursuit. ...

John demonstrates the hook-up routine: grab the windward sheet and put it into the outboard end of the pole before ... ...

... clipping the pole onto the mast. It usually makes life easier to angle the pole well forward when you clip it on. ...

With the "balls" system, the pole is easier to add after the hoist.

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