Last weekend @cb32863 and I double handed BlueJ in 12-16 knots, gusting to 22. W/L 3 legs. Our WYC double-hand fleet starts last in our start sequence, right after our regular PHRF spin fleet. As we had lots of time, we scouted the racecourse in depth, and found the breeze was remarkably consistent, varying just a few degrees from the mean of 210. But WAY to the right, we found a shaft of stronger breeze that was also a knock. Created by a combination the day's wind bearing and long fetch between an island and a point, it extended all the way up past the mark.
Armed with the knowledge, we planned to win the boat and tack ASAP and head for the extra breeze. The PHRF boats (who started 3 minutes before) were still on starboard sailing in the median wind as we flopped over and beat at 5.8 knots to the right edge of the course. Soon we were in it, and took a 12 degree knock. We sailed knocked for a minute or so, until I estimated how much the lift would help us as we were still short of the layline. We flopped back, and sailed .7nm on starboard, taking the lift all the way up. Amazingly we nailed the mark, and rounded with the group of much faster PHRF 1 boats, and a Capri 25 that started SIX minutes in front of us. Every PHRF 1 boat that was close to our rating was minutes behind.
To top it off, we had a spin run down (we use our asym when double handing) at 8.0-8.5 knots to add even more distance.
Moral? ALWAYS get out early and sail upwind on the course. Find the mean, how far it swings, and how often. But also look for very localized conditions created by the interactions of land and water. While less useful on the open water, its is key for nearshore or lake racing.
Armed with the knowledge, we planned to win the boat and tack ASAP and head for the extra breeze. The PHRF boats (who started 3 minutes before) were still on starboard sailing in the median wind as we flopped over and beat at 5.8 knots to the right edge of the course. Soon we were in it, and took a 12 degree knock. We sailed knocked for a minute or so, until I estimated how much the lift would help us as we were still short of the layline. We flopped back, and sailed .7nm on starboard, taking the lift all the way up. Amazingly we nailed the mark, and rounded with the group of much faster PHRF 1 boats, and a Capri 25 that started SIX minutes in front of us. Every PHRF 1 boat that was close to our rating was minutes behind.
To top it off, we had a spin run down (we use our asym when double handing) at 8.0-8.5 knots to add even more distance.
Moral? ALWAYS get out early and sail upwind on the course. Find the mean, how far it swings, and how often. But also look for very localized conditions created by the interactions of land and water. While less useful on the open water, its is key for nearshore or lake racing.
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