Saturday Series on 9/26/2020
Saturday Series 9/26/20
Another great day of racing at SPIRE Institute. Winds were nice at 7, at times 8 MPH from the South, clocking at times to SW, making for ideal light air sailing. With the good air we were able to race on courses that covered the entire pond, from the South end (wind direction) all the way to #8 Mark on the Northern end.
Race Director Bob Schuster set shorter courses for the first 1/2 of the race program, increasing the length of the course for the final half of the day. Four of the five Gold Fleet skippers won at least one race; two of the Silver Fleeters won a race- with Brad Ferrell dominating the action, winning 10 of the 12 total races, many by a wide margin.
In Gold Fleet, David Steger won 6 of 12 races, finishing 4 points ahead of (tied for Second Place) Rick Lawler and Mike Wyatt. Lawler prevailed after application of the "most Firsts" tiebreaker - he had three wins to Wyatt's two.
Races are lost because those winning make fewer mistakes than the rest.
The day's longer courses made for a greater spread of the boats over the course, and more opportunity for us to make mistakes. Late Starts, missing wind shifts and Marks, bad tacks, getting caught "in irons", and doing penalty turns are all things that make for a poor showing. As one example, the author (Wyatt) had to do three penalties over the 12 Heats; observation is that First Place David Steger had to do ONE. Likely EACH of those three penalties cost a place or more in three races making up the day's results- and Wyatt lost 2nd place on a tiebreaker with Rick Lawler.
Noted RC Sailor Dick Hedderick (in a clinic) said that one should pick a single mistake that he or she makes, and decide in the next race day, "I will not __________ one time, today." Hedderick, early in his racing career when he applied that ("not missing Marks") went from his normal middle of the 12-boat, very competitive EC-12 fleet to second place - the very next weekend.
A great day! Thanks to all who participated.
AND- next Saturday Oct. 3 is the last "Open Sail / run what you bring" day of the season. Hopefully WRMYC Members, and the public will come out to try sailing!!
Another great day of racing at SPIRE Institute. Winds were nice at 7, at times 8 MPH from the South, clocking at times to SW, making for ideal light air sailing. With the good air we were able to race on courses that covered the entire pond, from the South end (wind direction) all the way to #8 Mark on the Northern end.
Race Director Bob Schuster set shorter courses for the first 1/2 of the race program, increasing the length of the course for the final half of the day. Four of the five Gold Fleet skippers won at least one race; two of the Silver Fleeters won a race- with Brad Ferrell dominating the action, winning 10 of the 12 total races, many by a wide margin.
In Gold Fleet, David Steger won 6 of 12 races, finishing 4 points ahead of (tied for Second Place) Rick Lawler and Mike Wyatt. Lawler prevailed after application of the "most Firsts" tiebreaker - he had three wins to Wyatt's two.
Races are lost because those winning make fewer mistakes than the rest.
The day's longer courses made for a greater spread of the boats over the course, and more opportunity for us to make mistakes. Late Starts, missing wind shifts and Marks, bad tacks, getting caught "in irons", and doing penalty turns are all things that make for a poor showing. As one example, the author (Wyatt) had to do three penalties over the 12 Heats; observation is that First Place David Steger had to do ONE. Likely EACH of those three penalties cost a place or more in three races making up the day's results- and Wyatt lost 2nd place on a tiebreaker with Rick Lawler.
Noted RC Sailor Dick Hedderick (in a clinic) said that one should pick a single mistake that he or she makes, and decide in the next race day, "I will not __________ one time, today." Hedderick, early in his racing career when he applied that ("not missing Marks") went from his normal middle of the 12-boat, very competitive EC-12 fleet to second place - the very next weekend.
A great day! Thanks to all who participated.
AND- next Saturday Oct. 3 is the last "Open Sail / run what you bring" day of the season. Hopefully WRMYC Members, and the public will come out to try sailing!!