The "cliff" at Fanshawe gives us a rare opportunity to look down on the water and see the wind patterns. Here, we can see that even in this day's relatively steady winds, there are all kinds of little swirls and dead spots. Above, Al and Dave (r) are keeping a regular eye on Sue (l), just in case she gets into a lifted slant that we aren't getting. If that should happen, we will go across and reposition ourselves directly between her and the finish line. Still finishing the second reach are Len and the spinnaker challenged Harold.    - for full-size pic, click here

At mark #4: (l to r) John, Steve (with Dave to leeward of him just about to round), Doug, Jens. The parade begins: A leg like this, where you can virtually lay the windward mark presents an unfortunate situation for most of the fleet who have to make the tough choice between following in the disturbed air of the boat in front, and making a tack to clear your air - a tack which the leaders may ultimately not need to make. This photo is an excellent educational moment: What should each of these five boats do here, given the fact that they are perhaps 15° short of laying the finish line which is about a mile away? I will create a separate page with my choices for each boat: click here, if you are interested. There is no guaranteed correct answer. The learning will be - at least in part - in your defending your choice if you and I disagree. Certainly, just like on the water, you should have a reason for every racing move you make, and the better thought out your reason, the greater your likelihood of a good result.

I'll have to consult the results to see who beat whom is this photo finish. But before I do that, let me point out that, by luffing up square to the finish line just prior to crossing, Dwight and Pat (4606) gained a few millimetres on Jens and Sharon by sailing an oh-so-slightly shorter distance - the difference would be greater if they were coming in at the more usual 45° to the finish line! So, let's see who got the nod here: It was ... Dwight and Pat!! But wow, what a finish!! Congratulations to both teams!!

... cross the line 5th, while John (7351) will take 6th ahead of Doug (1366) who has obviously tacked across at some point and has now ended up overlaying the finish mark with costly consequences. You may be wondering, what has become of Dave Richardson who was right with these guys at #4 in his orange-hulled beauty? See photo below!!    - for full-size pic, click here

Harold and Mitchell (2304) have given themselves the best chances of edging out Len and Andy here by "attacking" from leeward and ahead: If both boats are lifted, Harold may well lay the finish mark, and if there is a big knock for both boats, Harold should be able to tack and cross Len. In the end, Len held on to edge out Harold, but at least Harold had put himself into a position to "win", a position that will pay off more often than not. Meanwhile, the ...