the 2009 Midwinters & U.S. Nationals
Saturday: Race 4.2
photos mostly by Randall Moring
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The first run: Not much wind and very nerve-wracking! Butch is leading but has again gone his own way and is out of the picture to the right as we look at it. Judging by apparent mast height, Uncle Al (l) is a little closer to the camera (at the leeward gate) than Frank (pink spi). Also still very much in the hunt are Peter Rahn (286), Richard Johnson (10139) and John de Boer (behind Frank) as well as Ted Benedict (991).   - for full-sized pic, click here
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Leading the pack and making maximum use of his resources, Butch Minson has a weight advantage by sailing solo which seems to have more than offset his lack of spinnaker. What with the winged jib and having to hold his boom out to leeward while sitting to windward, Butch is definitely keeping busy!!
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Note the total absence of helm (lack of rudder turbulence) as the windward heel is doing a better job of aligning the sails' centre of effort with the hull's centre of resistance while the windward heel eliminates any remaining tendency of the mainsail to cause weather helm.
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Nick and Uncle Al approach the leeward gate in second place behind ...
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... Butch, and barely ahead of ...
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... Frank (864) and Peter (286).
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Also sailing solo is Dave Hepting (2945) who is just rounding the other gate mark, and who ought to be sitting further forward, up against the thwart at least (compare Dave's position in the boat with Butch's a few pics earlier!). Note the transom drag on 2945 here.
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Near the finish line: The massive fleet of MC's makes a lovely background as Al (l) and Frank (864) come close to the end of the final beat, a leg on which spectators were treated to a massive tacking duel which the leaders tacked a good two dozen times - including a fake tack by Frank on which Al did not bite. In the finest of the Wayfarer good sportsmanship tradition, Frank grinned over and waved to Al after his failed attempt.   - for full-sized pic, click here
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With the finish mark (l) in sight, Al and Nick complete yet another tack in order to remain between Frank (r) and the finish line.
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It is a tribute to both teams' outstanding tacking abilities that they did not lose any of the boats
- like Peter and Alex - who had rounded onto this final beat just behind Al and Frank.
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Early leader, Butch Minson (blue hull), did not try to protect his lead, and has dropped back.
- for full-sized pic, click here
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Al and Nick heave a sigh of relief as they are about to get their finish beep. Two thumbs up for Nick
who was battling his sore back all race long!! And it's good to see Dave Hepting (r) sitting where he's supposed to!!
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One last tack to cross the line and SHADES gets her beep. Uncle Al at last got to wear
his favourite swimming trunks on this day and thus acquired his eagerly awaited sunburn!!
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Nick puts a brave face on his sore back.
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As always, Uncle Al thanks the race committee.
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Still the thought of two more races on this day can't have totally overjoyed my faithful crew.
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Frank and Andrew at their finish
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Andrew still on the job: watching for starboard boats
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Frank and Andrew roll across the line in 2nd place. Meanwhile Jim Lingeman and Charley Jensen (3991)
are nearing a 4th-place finish, which will be their best result of the series.   - for full-sized pic, click here
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3rd place: Peter and Alex Rahn
- for full-sized pic, click here
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And Jim and Charley are ...
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... not far behind the speedy, 3rd-place Rahns (286)!!
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A quick luff across the line gives Peter and Alex their beep.
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