the 2008 Pumpkin Regatta
Fanshawe YC * London, ON * October 4-5
Race 2.07
photos by Bob Steer, Steve Currie and Paul Chesman
...


As the second beat to #6 begins, Jens is doubtless happy with his position (first) while ...
...

... Al is not quite as close as it seems here.
...

Nor as close as he'd like to be to mount his upwind challenge for the lead.
...

As Al rounds onto beat #2, Dave and Kim (4782) do their best, sailing the shortest course but lack of spinnaker will cost them as ...
...
... the three spi boats will all get around before them.
Meanwhile, we can see that Jens (l) still has a good lead over Al (behind the Laser).
- click here for full-sized image
...
A slightly different angle finds the Wayfarer spinnakers beautifully lit against the dark shore.
...
(l to r) Al, Sue, Dwight, Mike
...

Sue Goldt pilots her Radial towards the left side, while Roger (7700) puts the finishing touches on his run.
...

Sue meets Len and Andy - sort of.
...

Sorin also heads left on the beat, as Roger (7700) and John (r) complete their run.
...

And it's the left side for Dave (4782) as well.
...

View from the Race Hut beach as Len and Andy cruise on by in pursuit of ...
...

... Jeff and Vera. If Paddy (113123) and Jeff had been on a collision course, who would have had the right of way?
Yup, Paddy is the correct answer. Both boats are on port, which again means that the closer-hauled boat would be leeward.
...

A fatal strategic error in the making? Jens tacks away from Al to go left. The latter recalls that on the first beat, you could almost lay #6 on starboard once you got near the Race Hut area, i.e. holding port here should eventually get you to a big knock which should let you gain big-time on the boats that went left. That was the plan, anyway. Well, at least we had one!!
...

Roger and Rae gybe for the leeward mark (too much zigging and zagging!!) while Mike and Kirk cross "behind" 7700.
...

MacTack with Fall Foliage (Hey, these artsy fartsy titles are fun!)
...

A nice close-up of Sorin Popa with the W leaders going their separate ways in the background. You know, even knowing that Jens gained by going in towards the moorings here, I still wouldn't do anything different than I'm doing in this picture. Hell, we're virtually laying #6, have a nice breeze and are expecting a major knock. Jens, to play it safe and protect his lead, should be covering us, at least loosely.
...

As Al continues along on port ...
...

... Hannah looks very good in her Radial.
...

Here, Al was quite pleased with the turn of events that had seen Jens tack away.
Julia, meanwhile, keeps an eye out for starboard boats.
...

Afraid to get too near even to a windward shore where the wind can lift over the top early, Al has thrown in ...
...

... a nice crisp roll tack, and both crew members remain a picture of determination.
Note how Al is switching mainsheet hands behind his back as outlined in Step 5 of his illustrated Geezers' Guide to Roll Tacks.
...

This should be a short hitch on starboard - just enough to get SHADES well clear of the east shore.
...

Does Uncle Al look pleased here? Can't you just read the expression that says, "Oh, shit!!!"
...
next photos page
return to 2008 Pumpkin index