This was a blistery NW with a big sea left over from the previous night.. Most of the wind was in the early 20's.. Given the sea state and wind density Yolo opted to sail with a J4 and one slab.. This was a pursuit race, making starting that much easier.. so getting a good start, worked out way to the first mark, Land Fall.. With a bit of slamming and lots and lots of kelp that required constant look out and course adjustments to try and stay clear.. not always being successful requiring effort to try and dislodge what we caught.. Fortunately with the bigger seas.. that part was probably a bit easier. On the first beat made good progress... followed by a Fetch to Blouberg mark holding out own. The big boats were starting to make gains at this point... then a gybe at Blouberg followed by a nice kite run down to Woodbridge mark.. A nice angle with a good seaway.. if anything the sea and wind was moderating.. Good rounding at the leeward mark and then a beat to Landfall again.. making good progress with lots of work to keep the boat going well over the waves. about 80% up the beat, we decided to drop the reef.. in readiness for the next downwind... Rounding the next mark, a big boat was sailing above us.. but struggling to get their kite organized.. so were sailing downwind very deeply and slowly, with us on the inside we could not pass.. and were stuck in this configuration for some time.. till they broached which gave us the opportunity to move ahead... a great dowind leg reaching good speeds. We left the final gybe to the finish a bit late.. costing us second overall and first in our class (a few seconds).
A great sail aboard.
Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Cath. Shane and Antoinio.
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