Got back home yesterday after doing the Ft Lauderdale to Key West race. Crewed and helmed on my friends Passage 42. The first 9 hours or so was a bit tedious with the winds from the north under 10 knots, around 1030 the wind shifted and began to build as the temp dropped. we managed to carry the kite on a tight reach with 15 to 18 knots apparant while averaging 9.5 knots over the ground till 130am whenwe got a gust that rounded us up. when the chute filled it had 22knots apparant and promptly exploded. We rolled out the 150 genny and pulled down what was left of the kite. The wind continued to build thruout the night, we finally put a reef in the main around 8am. power reaching to the Key West sea bouy our top speed over ground was 11.4 knots, that was cool. Rounded the sea bouy for the 5 mile beat to the finish with a double reef main and 150 geeny and gust to 28 knots app. Great ride and good parties afterwards. Almost forgot our 24,000 lb cruising Hunter finished 3rd in phrf B and 8th overall in phrf.
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My boat is Chasing Rainbows, Legend 37. We are in PHRF D along with Sempre Amantes for the 2010 race. We took 3rd in PHRF C last year. 2010 will be our 7th race. Also plan to do the Ft. Lauderdale to Charleston race in April 2010. We were leading our class in this race this year but unfortunately wrapped the spinnaker around the forestay and had to retire. What a bummer!
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