Winds were 15-25 knots from NW, so we rigged up a double reef and #3.
Perfect amount of sail for upwind; when we got a puff, we would dump the main to get the boat back on its feet.
The race was a short 1/2 mile upwind leg, then 5 miles to the SW on a beam reach to the Ajax weather buoy, then a 4 four mile upwind beat to a buoy near the Pickering Nuclear Plant, then a 5 mile broad reach scream back to the finish.
We didn't really have enough sail area for the beam reach to the Ajax buoy, and our competitors pulled ahead. We didn't want to change sails or shake a reef out because we would definately be overpowered for the next upwind leg.
The upwind leg was a long one, and on a starboard tack going west, we had to pound into the waves, only able to do a little over 4 knots, plus we had to crack the sheets off and sail a little off the wind for more power through the waves. On the other tack going north would could do hull speed 6 knots.
As we got closer to Moore Point in Pickering, the waves were less, and we wished we had gone more inshore earlier. This was confirmed looking at the track,
As we passed the mark we shook the reefs out of the main and were flying at over 7 knots with surfs in the waves to a max speed of 9.2 knots.
Strong finish with Glory B, and as we came off the wind at the finish line, we had too much sail up to control, so we hove to and took the main down.
With just the #3 jib up we were able to do 5.5 knots on a close reach into the channel.
We finished 15 minutes behind the leading Sharks, but our average speed from the GPS was 5.8 knots which if very close to hull speed! Third of four boats.
Thanks Steve, twas a fun ride; always a pleasure sailing with you.
Moving Avg: 5.8 knots
Moving Time: 04:13:57
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