the 2008 Pumpkin Regatta
Fanshawe YC * London, ON * October 4-5
Race 4.01
photos by Steve Currie and Paul Chesman
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Sunday morning began cool, near freezing, and without any signs of air movement, but just after 9 AM ...
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... a light NW breeze began to fill in as the day warmed up.
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Course for Race #4: start (A-B) - O - 1 - 4 - 1 -finish (A-B), buoys to port
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Just after the Y start, (l to r) Pierre, Ed and Robert head left towards the cliff as they start the short beat to the Pumpkin mark.
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Al and Julia (l) try to learn by watching the Laser start. Is it significant that virtually no one has yet been willing to tack? In any case, the Laser line was again hard to cross on starboard, despite the RC's best efforts to adjust the fixed A-B line. Leading the way in the early going are Kevin, Jacob and Brad.   - click here for full-sized image
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Not long into the race, the first oscillation kicks in and Frank (3rd from left) has tacked onto a lovely starboard lift and puff.
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It was a short beat indeed, as already, the leading Y (Richard and Colin King) is passing under the Hut on its run to #1.
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As Wayfarers and Open entries mill around awaiting their sequences ...
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... photographer, Steve Currie, got this view from the foot of the Chalet stairs. Still looks like crossing the line on starboard may be tough.
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Richard and Colin continue to lead the Y's, sailing straight down the rhumb line to #1 with lots of heel to reduce wetted area.
Messrs. King need a win here to retain control of the Y series in which they have scored a fine 1-2-2, but ...
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... Pierre Dignard (spi) came on strong with a pair of wins yesterday after being late for race 1 had left him with a 4th. Right now ...
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... it's really close among the top three Y's: Pierre is just gybing his spinnaker on the far side of Ed (2687) who also appears ready to gybe, while Richard (2794) is holding starboard for now - a wise move until they've passed the W's who are jockeying for start positions in the final minute of their countdown, and churning up what little breeze there is.
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With only seconds to go, Al (3854) has called starboard on Mike
who is tacking to keep clear as best he can near the leeward end, leaving ...
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... the field clear for Al to tack onto port - a necessity if one wishes to cross this line. The current wind direction suggests a funnelling breeze under the cliff to the left, but Al who is carrying a 1-3-1 into today, will be more concerned with not letting other series leaders, Jens (7663: 3-2-4) and Dwight (4606: 5-1-2) get too far away.
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A fine start to Al's day as he and Julia roll out to ...
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... an early lead off ...
- click here for full-sized image
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... the extremely favoured ...
- click here for full-sized image
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... port end of the line, leaving him with complete freedom to foot or pinch as the conditions may require.
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Ah! The nearest threat, Jens (3rd from left) has tacked towards the cliff in this slight port header,
so Al follows suit, thus remaining between Jens and the windward mark.
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Mike Codd has tacked on the header and is doubtless thinking kind thoughts about
Roger (7700) and Dave (4782) who have not yet tacked and will leave Mike with clear air.
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