tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39042880060175226372024-03-13T08:51:33.562-07:00LYC Opti Sailing
Team communication for the LYC Opti Racing family.
Please note: if you are not already subscribed, enter your e-mail address in the "Follow by E-Mail" box (below right) to get posts e-mailed to you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-87929378565191675722020-07-11T09:37:00.001-07:002020-07-11T09:37:49.157-07:00One Word Changes Everything - 16.2 in the New Racing Rules The "<a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS20212024Final-[26369].pdf?fbclid=IwAR0no6_TUF19a0daH1KNzNRCbziOlUOzGUGeKkdYXkNZ2HzP3UJgwK-PRG8">Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024</a>" are out and ready for Study! At first glance, there are not many major changes, and the definitions, wording and structure of the Rules remains close to the '16-'20 Rules. Im looking forward to wiser minds than mine (Dave Perry, Dick Rose, etc) going through what they see as the major changes for 2021!<br />
<br />
One change that has significant ramifications for Team Racing is a change to Rule 16 "Changing Course." We had been expecting some sort of change to 16.2 since having already been the Guinea pigs for the new rule: the Sailing Instructions at the 2019 Opti Team Cup Berlin and 2020 USODA Team Race Midwinters included different test versions of 16.2.<br />
<br />
<b>Here's the new rule as written:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">16 CHANGING COURSE </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat
<i>room</i> to <i>keep clear.</i> </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a <i>port-tack</i> boat is <i>keeping
clear</i> by sailing to pass to <b><i>leeward</i> </b>of a <i>starboard-tack</i> boat, the
<i>starboard-tack</i> boat shall not bear away if as a result the <i>port-tack</i> boat
must change course immediately to continue <i>keeping clear.</i> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
When words are <i>italicized</i> in the Racing Rules, it means they have a specific definition in the "Definitions" Section at the front of your rule book. Here's the relevant definitions to Rule 16:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Room:</i> The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to
comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while
manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Keep Clear:</i> A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat
(a) if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding
action and,
(b) when the boats are overlapped, if the right-of-way boat can also change
course in both directions without immediately making contact.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Leeward and Windward: </i>A boat’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she
is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or
directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The
other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the
one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the
windward boat</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Tack, Starboard</i> or <i>Port:</i> A boat is on the tack, starboard or port,
corresponding to her windward side</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Ok, so what's new?</b> The phrase "sailing to pass to leeward" in new 16.2 instead of "sailing to pass astern" in old 16.2.<br />
<br />
<b>Why does this matter?</b> Lets look at the Call Book for Team Racing (which is currently based off the 2016-2020 Rules) for an explanation. Here's the Call that explains 16.2 and likely won't change:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-p8wu4j7UG-YRY35cGN8Q39a_IyaT2iioafbIcZ5nlhJnDUM6OQBUMX1I7q-CMn4cfDcQ1sf0gNn-O8prigccDTWEoFK5YtK07sT4zYWOmze6qguR1k2uphCWnZam3A496S4z4IeKfsc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-07-11+at+11.28.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-p8wu4j7UG-YRY35cGN8Q39a_IyaT2iioafbIcZ5nlhJnDUM6OQBUMX1I7q-CMn4cfDcQ1sf0gNn-O8prigccDTWEoFK5YtK07sT4zYWOmze6qguR1k2uphCWnZam3A496S4z4IeKfsc/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-07-11+at+11.28.45+AM.png" width="604" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, no problem. But its the 2nd question on this call that likely will change:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmI7EiIqRWZ6tZQKs-6H6lKFob1fu2d_gJ9HAqbmwbbZ7uSAF5NS9a8X3al6pViwqZis3rmwpTiDO5sN9UwoyjErVmbyOMbSPMjww5DNlSKmRb_awJpYCAEZUvAY3jlI3xp2Cb4bcFRRH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-07-11+at+11.29.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="528" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmI7EiIqRWZ6tZQKs-6H6lKFob1fu2d_gJ9HAqbmwbbZ7uSAF5NS9a8X3al6pViwqZis3rmwpTiDO5sN9UwoyjErVmbyOMbSPMjww5DNlSKmRb_awJpYCAEZUvAY3jlI3xp2Cb4bcFRRH/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-07-11+at+11.29.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At Position 3 the Call notes that Y is no longer sailing to pass <b><u>astern</u> </b>of B - because B has headed down so much can we say that Y is sailing to pass "a-bow" of B?!<br />
<br />
But Y at Position 3 <u>is</u> sailing to "<b><u>pass to leeward</u></b>" of B. So under the new Rule, Y3 will be protected by 16.2, and B will be penalized for her "<span style="color: purple;">bear away [where] as a result the </span><i style="color: purple;">port-tack</i><span style="color: purple;"> boat must change course immediately to continue </span><i style="color: purple;">keeping clear.</i><span style="color: purple;"> "</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
Simply put, the new wording increases the protections for a port boat that is trying to duck a starboard boat. It limits the starboard boat's ability to 'hunt' down at the port boat.<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<b>When does this situation come up in Team Racing? </b>There are situations in a team race where a member of one team wants to dramatically slow down a member of the opposition, and would <i>like</i> to use the starboard advantage to make her tack or jibe away from the windward mark or finish line! In the past, if the port boat started to duck the starboard boat too early, the starboard boat was allowed by D2 question 2 to bear off sharply and make her jibe. This aggressive maneuver resulted in a lot of collisions and animosity! It was also always a tricky call for the umpires to determine if (a)both 16.1 and 16.2 applied (based on both boats course) or if just 16.1 applied, and (b)then determine if the starboard boat had broken a rule. Now in any situation where the port boat is sailing to duck a starboard boat 16.2 applies!<br />
<br />
For the sailors, the strategy will now change: now Starboard boats looking to slow a port tack opponent will have to either dial down early, <u>then up</u> to <u>make the port boat tack</u>, or they can just tack to port in a leebow position and use rule 11 (Windward - Leeward) to luff up the opponent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Does this apply before the start?</b> No, 16.2 only applies<span style="color: purple;"> "on a beat to windward." </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Does this effect fleet racing? </b>No, the maneuvers described by Call D2 and above are 'Team Race Tactics', which are prohibited in a fleet race! 16.2 can come into play in a fleet race, but usually it is when the starboard boat decides to tack at the last second and swings her stern into the ducking boat's path. Bearing off at someone in a fleet race that is trying to duck you is a &%#* move!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts:</b> Sailors need to consider 16.1 at all times: "<span style="color: purple;">When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat </span><i style="color: purple;">room</i><span style="color: purple;"> to </span><i style="color: purple;">keep clear.</i><span style="color: purple;"> " </span>Just because you are right of way does not mean you are right! When you change course other boats must be given the opportunity and ability to keep clear. While 16.2 is very specific, 16.1 applies to any situation on any leg of the course and start. Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-61977718615834255952020-05-29T05:32:00.000-07:002020-05-29T05:32:49.231-07:00Summer Racing Clinics Posted! <div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1k65gB7Zi2AB1tIJ6IATh0pcwO8O1D6me" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1k65gB7Zi2AB1tIJ6IATh0pcwO8O1D6me" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">Dates corrected! With the regatta schedule changing we will keep you updated! </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><br></div>
<span id="goog_195788152"></span><span id="goog_195788153"></span><br>Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-37342255321423387672020-05-21T05:20:00.000-07:002020-05-21T06:36:11.549-07:00The Endless Summer In Search of the Perfect Roll Tack<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VkrBOkGRGpFRoj_x1AiGmJ-hrwLpdyLX" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VkrBOkGRGpFRoj_x1AiGmJ-hrwLpdyLX" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Roll Tacks are Magic. I remember seeing my first Opti Roll tack when I was 9 or 10 with an older sailor demonstrating off the Opti dock for the rest of the group. It didn't seem possible - how could the sail not luff as the boat cut through head to wind?<br />
<br />
Roll tacking allows you to trick the wind and to play in the boundary layer between wind and water. By rolling the boat to windward you 'fan' the sail at the moment it would luff. Then, as you flatten on the new tack, you put an extra big gust into her and accelerate.<br />
<br />
Roll tacking the Opti a super aerobatic maneuver! Imagine if a gymnast, wrestler or tennis player had to operate on a constantly moving platform?! The boats changes balance in response to how you move, so movements are precisely choreographed to have a desired effect.<br />
<br />
The keys to a great roll tack are:<br />
1. Minimizing drag from the sail (no luffing!), hull and rudder.<br />
2. Rolling at the right time and the right amount or the conditions.<br />
3. Establishing flow over the sail and foils as you exit the tack.<br />
<br />
These keys are true across all boats that roll tack. The styles and mechanics differ from sailor to sailor and of course according to different wind conditions. Here's 3 sailors I picked out from last weekends light air practice who have been honing their technique for years, and show unique styles that get it done.<br />
<br />
Please note that it is blowing a maximum of 2kts and we wouldn't ordinarily start a race in these conditions! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/b6Y0eUbHSK0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b6Y0eUbHSK0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11AchATsH7lu1EeJmd-Esy7UfjyEVMzim" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11AchATsH7lu1EeJmd-Esy7UfjyEVMzim" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
KJ enters the tack with his eyes on the sail, holding the end of the tiller extension, and shoulders in. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=197woA_KxzGbMOdafq3Ile56ZdfHB_rEN" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=197woA_KxzGbMOdafq3Ile56ZdfHB_rEN" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
He finds the right time to hop up to the rail, just before the sail luffs (note eyes still on the sail), and pushes the tiller a little more. Eyes, shoulders and knees are all facing forward! <br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cnpmF-21YPGNlRXKp8axc2MihxXHRRBu" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cnpmF-21YPGNlRXKp8axc2MihxXHRRBu" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
A nice job ducking the boom! I also like that the hand holding the mainsheet is in at his chest - not clinging to the rail! <i>If you look closely at the masthead wind-indicator, you will see the trickery of the roll tack! The sail thinks it should still be full on port tack! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18hIHQqt9nk4AuWaMpzqzwn5Zj1HHGhSJ" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18hIHQqt9nk4AuWaMpzqzwn5Zj1HHGhSJ" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Now the athletic part - leaping across the boat, but landing smoothly. KJ's Tennis background at work! KJ uses the tiller hand to stabilize on the rail for less than a second. <i>The sail still thinks its on port. </i><br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Vnf_EX1jc2kEvsrxeOcNKgqI2JrNjBwO" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Vnf_EX1jc2kEvsrxeOcNKgqI2JrNjBwO" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Now as the sail flops and pops to starboard tack, and KJ is re-establishing flow. The rudder gets pushed behind the back to centerline, and the left knee goes to the bottom of the boat, to make the weight transfer smoother. The right knee being over the bulkhead keeps KJ's weight forward, and if you look at the waterline you can see the boat is well balanced - no stern drag!<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18a5lTE6gwdYfMyDsu8_3E3irzQZ9dcPM" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18a5lTE6gwdYfMyDsu8_3E3irzQZ9dcPM" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Exiting the tack: Tiller 'knifed' away, eyes on the sail, mainsheet eased, to be trimmed in smoothly a second later. Slight splash from the overflatten, but come on it was less than 2kts of wind!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DMetILh3kh4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DMetILh3kh4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1HLmBfiiuXK4yh_-V-gf3zn_XPcg6_lJT" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1HLmBfiiuXK4yh_-V-gf3zn_XPcg6_lJT" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Cody sailing 'shoulders pressed' before the tack.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ajzOEb7SQif5FDGJFVb-olwli29AKuqq" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ajzOEb7SQif5FDGJFVb-olwli29AKuqq" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Cody puts his shoulders in to initiate the turn.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SRK_RJT-LzxmtNDz1n3ZmDFD_cKkLLHc" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SRK_RJT-LzxmtNDz1n3ZmDFD_cKkLLHc" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Cody Rolls the boat to windward, filling the sail through head to wind, eyes forward, holding the end of the extension up. Sail trimmed in to centerline.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wQ9jNUQ3DdHhOCwsUhSP5VsJLf8kA1q5" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wQ9jNUQ3DdHhOCwsUhSP5VsJLf8kA1q5" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
...As he drops his shoulders to just barely duck the boom, the tiller extension gets pushed down to the floor as well. Note his head is even now still looking forward!<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XGusZHbsVZrLDOAryJuZWcd9OC5abuLn" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XGusZHbsVZrLDOAryJuZWcd9OC5abuLn" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Beginning to cross the boat, he bumps the boom up to centerline a little bit. Is this fast?! The Etchells sailors who pull the main traveler all the way up to fill the sail before easing it off on the new tack say yes! <br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qyPRSyZ9ZRGrlLavlRwzS2tNqgva-Ljt" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qyPRSyZ9ZRGrlLavlRwzS2tNqgva-Ljt" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Bracing the tiller and leaving one leg to leeward for a smooth weight transfer. Great balance and concentration in this picture.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1i1bqfQr-bcs_XNkSEsZDzbVCP_zU3nFS" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1i1bqfQr-bcs_XNkSEsZDzbVCP_zU3nFS" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Building flow before the acceleration. See how nicely the sail fills, and the tiller hand ready to knife in the dagger!<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1im9oninwvlv2sLeYmPese3A-RnPgL3g-" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1im9oninwvlv2sLeYmPese3A-RnPgL3g-" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Mainsheet eased aggressively (<i>but correctly for the apparent wind - look at the wind indicator</i>). Tiller knifed away so more of the rudder enters the water smoothly.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U_wKlTj6VjoIFD4rgwXZrhIgYbqnQLr4" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U_wKlTj6VjoIFD4rgwXZrhIgYbqnQLr4" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Full rudder away knifing action and Cody's weight is more centered in the boat than 2 frames ago. He's trying to minimize the splash you see to windward...but its blowing less than 2 kts!<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16I0wQ8IoTRIkC2rD4ocwsWNt9Lps1Don" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16I0wQ8IoTRIkC2rD4ocwsWNt9Lps1Don" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Left hand still holding the mainsheet - Cody essentially does a smooth 'bicep curl" to trim in after the tack. Comfortable steering behind the back as well! Windward heel yes, but the top batten 'leech' telltale appears to be flowing, and it's flat water conditions. I call this "upwind kiting." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EdmDu22y_78/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EdmDu22y_78?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XysY27U8WqNLhWtxR-PGs8eavZYzSGmn" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XysY27U8WqNLhWtxR-PGs8eavZYzSGmn" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Gil's upwind position pre-tack. Unlike Cody who always steers with the extension, Gil prefers to hold the tiller almost directly when in the boat. Both styles work.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1puyWHl6PJrwztGDuCzQC9tOR9rTkV-cW" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1puyWHl6PJrwztGDuCzQC9tOR9rTkV-cW" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Shoulders in and transitioning the right hand from the tiller to the end of the extension. Body in and a little rudder initiate the turn.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BqqILA4zjI9vb_jM0Lzzx8kzqA6qBPz0" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BqqILA4zjI9vb_jM0Lzzx8kzqA6qBPz0" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Trimming the sail to centerline and rolling at the right time. Smaller sailors may have to roll a little later so they are not fighting soo much of the force of the sail.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=172N_0oH308o0U6kqhywCKJkChuDzACWk" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=172N_0oH308o0U6kqhywCKJkChuDzACWk" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Gil gets enough roll by putting his butt out (rail to the water) Eye's still forward.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GoMmum1zkoi8AI4zv4relwjh-cqs3faT" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GoMmum1zkoi8AI4zv4relwjh-cqs3faT" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Barely ducking the boom with his Coast Guard Approved lifejacket! Feet are under Gil and knees together (the "crouching tiger" position!)<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xB7pIupBKqD3_Dry0T6EA896vsVJCa3r" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xB7pIupBKqD3_Dry0T6EA896vsVJCa3r" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Springing accross the boat and keeping the mainsheet trimmed in.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ATTAp3zZzRWlFQWijfC0nyOMLxNBGMZI" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ATTAp3zZzRWlFQWijfC0nyOMLxNBGMZI" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Sailor and rudder both completely airborn! Mainsheet eased aggressively, rudder knifing away to prepare for re-entry to the ocean! Gil is forward <u>to </u>the bulkhead, but not trying to push in front of it - you can see the hull trim is perfect and if he tries to go too far forward (some coaches teach to 'kiss the airbag) the bow will bury.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iybin0nFaK6X9n8mdLUadZPhMt0VOcen" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iybin0nFaK6X9n8mdLUadZPhMt0VOcen" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Extreme rudder angle for extreme light air. Excellent example of howe to "counter" - Gil presses his weight back to leeward and onto his left leg to stop the boat from over-flattening.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wcTm6KdMXL3Q6LTI7SCYhFx1lZExDTMO" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wcTm6KdMXL3Q6LTI7SCYhFx1lZExDTMO" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Eyes on the sail as he trims in smoothly. Slight splash from the hull, but no splash from the rudder! Weight centered in the boat.<br />
<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vvu6I8OkX801BFiLcmem9N49j2U2q_7z" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vvu6I8OkX801BFiLcmem9N49j2U2q_7z" style="font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br />
Full trim (same 'bicep curl' trimming technique as Cody, but obscured by the body), eyes on the sail, rudder straight and a super loose 2 finger grip on the tiller extensions as the sailor goes from the athleticism of the tack to the feel and balance of straight line speed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These for sure weren't the only sailors laying down saucy tacks in our last practice and we watched the videos of everyone with the sailors last Sunday evening. Im alway willing to text sailors that asked their own tacking vides! Video is so so helpful for sailors visualization of their body movements, as well as seeing the telltales and wind indicator in slow motion. And we all find things to copy from our friends! One thing you may notice is that all 3 tacks above were port-to-starboard. It just so happens that all 3 sailors are right handed and in fact, their tacks from starboard-to-port were not as good!! This is yet another way video helps us notice the non obvious, and gives us techniques to focus on for the next practice!</div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-26355990560506536092020-04-20T15:05:00.001-07:002020-04-20T15:05:13.833-07:00Mark Room Video on SnipeToday! LYC Coach Arthur Blodgett talks through Rule 18.3 at the Windward mark, as well as the concepts of "burden of proof" and 'converging angles' at Leeward marks with SnipeToday editor Past Commodore Pietro Fantoni. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pqitl1ruZQU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pqitl1ruZQU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.snipetoday.org/articles/technical-experts/rules/snipetoday-video-conference-racing-rule-18-webinar/">http://www.snipetoday.org/articles/technical-experts/rules/snipetoday-video-conference-racing-rule-18-webinar/</a><br />
<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-27602270013881526812020-04-06T08:20:00.002-07:002020-04-06T08:57:07.141-07:00Who's Foul vol 4 - Alinghi Keeps the '07 Cup This situation comes from the deciding race of the 2007 America's Cup final between Alinghi and Team New Zealand. When both boats are on starboard and over the port-tack layline to the windward mark, NZL tacks to port and attemps to duck Alinghi. Alinghi bears off, holds her course at NZL, then takes avoiding action and protests. Here's the incident (starting at about 18:38):
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mcgy_tFro7s/start=1118&end=1295" width="754"></iframe>
<a href="https://youtu.be/mcgy_tFro7s?t=1118">external link to incident.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Question 1: Who's Foul. Keep in mind that Rule 16.2 is deleted by the Appendix C Match Racing </b><br />
<b>Rules </b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>Question 2: If we turn on 16.2 is the call the same?
As always, please give your interpretations in the comments section!
</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcgy_tFro7s&t=1290s">link to the entire race highlights.</a><br />
<br />
And here's the <a href="https://youtu.be/mcgy_tFro7s?t=1439">poorly executed penalty turn by Dean Barker and Team New Zealand </a>(after a 110 degree windshift on the last leg) just before the finish, that ended the '07 Cup. Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-6019088594044965042020-03-30T14:13:00.001-07:002020-04-21T10:28:11.835-07:00Who's Foul vol. 3 - Optical Illusions and Old Arguments revisited! <br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCWo8JBkkL8?start=430&end=485" width="673"></iframe><br />
<br />
Another near - simultaneous Tacking situation! This one's from the <u>2010 Hinman US Team Race Champs</u> gold round race between Team Silver Panda and Team Tall Boyz. This foul situation pits 2 former Harvard University Sailing All-Americans against each other:<br />
<br />
* Clay Johnson rounding Mark 4 in first in the Grey Sailed Vanguard 15<br />
* Clay Bischoff rounding Mark 4 3rd in the Yellow Sailed Vanguard 15.<br />
<br />
There is rig contact between the 2 boats, but according to Johnson, no hull contact.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Who's Foul (Bischoff or Johnson)? </b><br />
As we do each week, your answers in the comments section, and my own thoughts coming Friday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>My Answer: </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With a moderate degree of certainty I would say: penalize Bischoff (yellow) for breaking rule 13. I will first explain how I arrived at this conclusion, then why I still have reservations, and invite any actual umpires to continue commenting! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let us start by establishing who is the <i>keep clear</i> boat. Rule 13 Defines a tack:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rule 13 WHILE TACKING<i>
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats
until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11, 15
and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same
time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep
clear.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So a boat has completed a tack when she reaches a close hauled course. "Close hauled" is not defined in the rule book, and is different for each type of sailboat. However, its clear from numerous cases and calls that the rule is referring to the direction in which the hull is pointing - is the bow pointed on a normal close hauled course for that class of boat. A sail luffing because it is eased (say on the starting line) does not mean that a boat is above close hauled, just as a sail temporarily or artificially filled by flattening/rocking and thus moving the <u>apparent wind angle</u> aft does not mean a boat is close hauled. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is exactly this last scenario that Bischoff is using to make it appear he is close hauled on starboard, when in fact he is not. The aggressive flattening of the V15's rig fills the sails while the boat is still almost head to wind. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Look at the hulls of the Vanguard 15's in this sequence of pictures to see what I mean:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLt8P1mKgEVTRzEA09PeabNYsZEUVspYeYKrJCDA59-B7fYUZxns5Voh3LokSnpVngtJx7q1JzMvZcrUOh-2vNix-qZEYb56M0LPAM_v42f-dxTOpwd4UzELW9tHqUtkSHl6UWWaEPZor/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="466" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLt8P1mKgEVTRzEA09PeabNYsZEUVspYeYKrJCDA59-B7fYUZxns5Voh3LokSnpVngtJx7q1JzMvZcrUOh-2vNix-qZEYb56M0LPAM_v42f-dxTOpwd4UzELW9tHqUtkSHl6UWWaEPZor/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.01+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
^Bischoff (Yellow # 7) crossing head to wind from Port tack for the first time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2BOCX_OBd5yvH0XOj9mzCjN1smbLITpQ058a9Icna5BCgfvIBLM7k3aGxbJea9mXxE5DY0svEXVu5O7JNKsUi7lnRWcajVFzYDft5a_W-nRTZPe7yt9Y-rF4OaTLRZIIL_rXue9s5gv_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="477" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2BOCX_OBd5yvH0XOj9mzCjN1smbLITpQ058a9Icna5BCgfvIBLM7k3aGxbJea9mXxE5DY0svEXVu5O7JNKsUi7lnRWcajVFzYDft5a_W-nRTZPe7yt9Y-rF4OaTLRZIIL_rXue9s5gv_/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.12+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
^Bischoff flattening at almost the exact same angle (again hull/bow of # 7), making his sails fill and giving the illusion that he is on Starboard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBR7djWf82lwzVp6gpymuC-ZUSMVKD9v3FY8t2zPQsEhBTZETqRMmzxY7QivhF-fU3nhrQWt4XM3tEQqy-BxAEJHphuz7G4O8q2lvMew2nQMp602jlsvvmJ5YiSYiUq4yqzi5RufW0kBb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="455" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBR7djWf82lwzVp6gpymuC-ZUSMVKD9v3FY8t2zPQsEhBTZETqRMmzxY7QivhF-fU3nhrQWt4XM3tEQqy-BxAEJHphuz7G4O8q2lvMew2nQMp602jlsvvmJ5YiSYiUq4yqzi5RufW0kBb/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.21+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfusMLw2tO__X1a5TY8en4N2BJwzfAc4bWmy60KUncEtJLOp9uA_dL004YaFiuI5x5Ujz9IjJP2eoMYVNrxKkiwJLEgC0bsv9K2Qb6YloSQ5qF__3qUZVxwDhyJh8gCG8pnxLdjCW09io/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="437" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfusMLw2tO__X1a5TY8en4N2BJwzfAc4bWmy60KUncEtJLOp9uA_dL004YaFiuI5x5Ujz9IjJP2eoMYVNrxKkiwJLEgC0bsv9K2Qb6YloSQ5qF__3qUZVxwDhyJh8gCG8pnxLdjCW09io/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.33+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKk9Ps-Zav_6Rfn3uDdW3hzUgCceZB4obhdImq1WVk4bDrMd0nKcXeBB2pQOqvKKwi22P-9PhYJTK0aUO1ecFN249DRpHkVQkMexgvBRJhNYfC7aUoJhp-t_QbaKW17nuRyEfED4p87D3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.42+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="430" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKk9Ps-Zav_6Rfn3uDdW3hzUgCceZB4obhdImq1WVk4bDrMd0nKcXeBB2pQOqvKKwi22P-9PhYJTK0aUO1ecFN249DRpHkVQkMexgvBRJhNYfC7aUoJhp-t_QbaKW17nuRyEfED4p87D3/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.48.42+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
^Bischoff holds this angle (just past head to wind from Port tack) and eventually his jib makes clear that he is in-fact head to wind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7Ge5XIQ_ZUYY3pyeHsbuL_1LQoFTGi9pKXYpt8S88uOsLu8zKVmVD_GUiI-vJ6CTbUz3DQ0ZQ0cmAT3gYAeZeMECnaC1v-lzucKZpP61IuBDEj2SxXO1MXmHTk_Teu4G8kVeOeC8PEbM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.49.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="641" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7Ge5XIQ_ZUYY3pyeHsbuL_1LQoFTGi9pKXYpt8S88uOsLu8zKVmVD_GUiI-vJ6CTbUz3DQ0ZQ0cmAT3gYAeZeMECnaC1v-lzucKZpP61IuBDEj2SxXO1MXmHTk_Teu4G8kVeOeC8PEbM/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.49.16+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
^In this last photo, Johnson (Grey #11 ) and Bischoff's teammate in Yellow #8 show from the same camera angle what a close hauled course in a V15 really is. - at least 15 degrees lower than Bischoff ever gets before the contact!<br />
<br />
So its pretty clear to me that Bischoff is subject to rule 13 at the time of the contact and breaks either the first sentence of 13 if Johnson is on Starboard at the time of contact, or the last sentence if Johnson is also subject to rule 13. Here's a call that explains that last sentence of rule 13 and is very similar to this situation:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM978ywDIi3TqJJjAtNnFv-App5ub626DH2pAqDmSM0fHS9UVgYTrHYPSHnRucjc4_STflqIxMyB0nfeyyl_GdRInIRb_ymYnhCXgo0uBkUlDWeH0GJqhNhbIXI3yw6vNQuBjxJVgLBB4H/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.23.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="694" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM978ywDIi3TqJJjAtNnFv-App5ub626DH2pAqDmSM0fHS9UVgYTrHYPSHnRucjc4_STflqIxMyB0nfeyyl_GdRInIRb_ymYnhCXgo0uBkUlDWeH0GJqhNhbIXI3yw6vNQuBjxJVgLBB4H/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.23.18+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6CH0c2wuEJnvdIQHsyX1smEP7LiisRlT78X88_T-hxAX_nBoNUgiJJ1R84mZmmUIuYDELo6LTdU8pXMYSqXHiBc3JGPbfrjUbGPQzlQHWBS-1KWDyUx2DGXSsWbkFDf-5iHQLxnhgCfj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.23.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="659" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6CH0c2wuEJnvdIQHsyX1smEP7LiisRlT78X88_T-hxAX_nBoNUgiJJ1R84mZmmUIuYDELo6LTdU8pXMYSqXHiBc3JGPbfrjUbGPQzlQHWBS-1KWDyUx2DGXSsWbkFDf-5iHQLxnhgCfj/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-04-03+at+11.23.49+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
While I think Johnson is below close hauled on starboard when the Clay's rigs make contact, this call makes Rule 15 irrelevant to the situation. Johnson wasn't <i>acquiring right of way,</i> he had right of way from the moment both boats crossed head to wind!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My reservations about this decision come from this question: Did Johnson break rule 16.1? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rule 16 CHANGING COURSE
<i>16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other
boat room to keep clear. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By coming out of his roll tack below close hauled with his rig significantly rolled towards Bischoff was Johnson giving Bischoff enough <i>room to keep clear? </i>Im leaning yes, because Bischoff is not trying to keep clear - he is going for contact! But its close - Bishoff is basically holding his course for a period before the contact. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bischoff isn't the only smart sailor to try to draw a foul with this same maneuver. Here's Cody Roe this past January in a team race Opti practice:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pzezj7E5-HU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pzezj7E5-HU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In fact, Cody in some ways does it better than Bischoff:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. He is closer to actually being close hauled on starboard when his mast makes contact with Lulu's leach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Situationally its smarter for Cody to put the call in the hands of the umpires: he is loosing the drill to the purple-pinnie-team whereas Bischoff's team is solidly winning when he "fishes for the foul." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Both Bischoff and Roe knew what they were doing and had probably practiced this maneuver many times before. Its incumbent on Umpires to understand that the apparent wind in rocking rigs lies to us - we need to look at the heading of the hull to determine when a boat reaches close hauled. It is also my hope that when the <a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/TheCallBookforTeamRacing2017digital-[21946].pdf">Call Book for Team Racing</a> updates in 2021 that it will give us more clarity on this situation, and define to what extent a boat tacking to starboard to cover must respect rule 16.1. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Here's the race in its entirety - pretty impressive play 2 conversion by Silver Panda at the top of its game against a quality opponent:</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PCWo8JBkkL8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCWo8JBkkL8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-77082522831760905022020-03-26T13:32:00.001-07:002020-03-26T13:39:22.171-07:00How to Tie a Bowline ("Bowl - lin") <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/avwtWtkvL8U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/avwtWtkvL8U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The fast, efficient, high-percentage way to tie "the king of knots!" No narratives about rabbits...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We use the bowline (pronounced BOWL - LIN) on the Opti to:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Rig the mainsheet/ switch the mainsheet from 3:1 to 4:1. Its important to tie a bowline rather than a stopper knot through the top mainsheet block so that it pulls evenly - reducing friction (and wear and tear) on you mainsheet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Rig the bowline (the "Bow - line") or painter as it is also called. Floating bowline rope comes untied really easily so I recommend a "safety" half-hitch of the bowline tail around 1 strand of the loop. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Tiying bungies to anything. The bowline can't be untied under load which makes it ideal for the hiking strap bungies. Also good for tying the bailor bungies to the airbag straps or bulkhead (with a side safety hitch). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Great for tying in your daggerboard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Tie your boat up to the rings on the dock quickly if you launched and forgot something! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So Opti sailors that have mastered a quick bowline have a competitive advantage over those who don't. They can quickly switch the purchase on their mainsheet without the need for a heavy shackle. They have fewer breakdowns and can recover faster (before the Measurement boat!) and they can mark the Daggerboard tie in line to a precise "seaweed clearing length" and tie it to the trunk eye the same way every day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Be forewarned: If you cannot tie a bowline in a timely manner by the time you get to Lasers at LYC, the coach will leave you off the towline and head out to practice on the ocean without you </i>😭<i>! </i></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-33638734036133050282020-03-23T09:21:00.002-07:002020-04-21T10:34:33.910-07:00Who's Foul? vol. 2 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwrHud-IcGlWAO1jNIkvYK2_SkLayQJtP_ETR41eSCJzX9A4fIMzXPJ73truArHrZu2t99bi84MniVtvcycTJLE8C3_E2WhUB3dFJ3gYGXv2D0tXJI6sqRBtdOzGFH1DFbH0tB_ekuJVT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-23+at+12.40.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1008" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwrHud-IcGlWAO1jNIkvYK2_SkLayQJtP_ETR41eSCJzX9A4fIMzXPJ73truArHrZu2t99bi84MniVtvcycTJLE8C3_E2WhUB3dFJ3gYGXv2D0tXJI6sqRBtdOzGFH1DFbH0tB_ekuJVT/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-23+at+12.40.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Watch the Video Here: <a href="https://youtu.be/AlJlkuLUFQY?t=5571">https://youtu.be/AlJlkuLUFQY?t=5571</a></b><br />
<br />
Question 1: Who's Foul in first situation where Spain (ESP) on Port ducks Australia (AUS) on Starboard?<br />
<br />
Question 2: Who's Foul in the 2nd situation where both boats tack almost simultaneously, and ESP on Starboard then has to avoid AUS on Port.<br />
<br />
You may penalize AUS, ESP, or call "No Foul" on each situation (as the umpires did) from the London Olympic Women's Match Racing Gold Medal final. The competition was held in the super maneuverable Elliot 6Meter Class.<br />
<br />
<b>Give your answers in the comments section!</b><br />
<br />
<b>My Answers:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Questions 1</b>. Australia Breaks Rule 16.2, but there isn't a valid protest. Rule 16.2 Reads:<br />
<br />
"In addition, when after the starting signal a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard tack boat shall not change course, if as a result the port-tack baot would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear."<br />
<br />
A little confusing? Here's the Call (<a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/TheCallBookforTeamRacing2017digital-[21946].pdf">ISAF Call Book for Team Racing</a>) that explains it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvfBiJp_TH4aEvecIKYpcsfGkw_g1bHJMgeNDZQhlBh2K_4-pUYaylWde_C-rLf3UR21Y0IMFvfQu_dyJd9BrASWyilWKuCGfMoTWm22AXOaLEJnMTdh0Tm_Mzm_rGEqqh8gVI6WgaXe5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.56.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="662" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvfBiJp_TH4aEvecIKYpcsfGkw_g1bHJMgeNDZQhlBh2K_4-pUYaylWde_C-rLf3UR21Y0IMFvfQu_dyJd9BrASWyilWKuCGfMoTWm22AXOaLEJnMTdh0Tm_Mzm_rGEqqh8gVI6WgaXe5/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.56.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgfbE5V_bpU8l2GZTEs3kw2kKHdwwH9Mc043aie8uv4sezDJLrod6d9SzVsRI4Mh4Y5bIinXtb_jOAMWDLNq5FInzFDTL6U7DJe6GIfaXd8QdmqdSAM9FC5nLMtd0mB0_NCPT6rcMrCGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.56.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="674" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgfbE5V_bpU8l2GZTEs3kw2kKHdwwH9Mc043aie8uv4sezDJLrod6d9SzVsRI4Mh4Y5bIinXtb_jOAMWDLNq5FInzFDTL6U7DJe6GIfaXd8QdmqdSAM9FC5nLMtd0mB0_NCPT6rcMrCGU/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.56.52+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
These 2 photos show clearly that Australia heads down, necessitating a further immediate course change by Spain:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rPCv40-9cbo-X4X591LtWISwqqQI-ER1Goo6e_-46zXVUjKGt6TWQYZIOtGcsIT-BESPYQSvA-hmacIjdR0-8R_ketug6tWrTKm96evEbQa7zAS_y44c12lFPeH6D5jtH5VAXcwSXqK4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.59.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="895" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rPCv40-9cbo-X4X591LtWISwqqQI-ER1Goo6e_-46zXVUjKGt6TWQYZIOtGcsIT-BESPYQSvA-hmacIjdR0-8R_ketug6tWrTKm96evEbQa7zAS_y44c12lFPeH6D5jtH5VAXcwSXqK4/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.59.02+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBnwBMCaI4ommnShlLwTIJVAiWesB6wFVLeTmnOVTgNBtUiLU2yo8c0jCaYbTvJoMsKqUgMeWAyIuOkB4J8IrqiTa4CftZg96sfxzBInlJhLCVt9I5DftwbwjZusEAxEIa9Klyl-8429Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-23+at+12.43.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="985" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBnwBMCaI4ommnShlLwTIJVAiWesB6wFVLeTmnOVTgNBtUiLU2yo8c0jCaYbTvJoMsKqUgMeWAyIuOkB4J8IrqiTa4CftZg96sfxzBInlJhLCVt9I5DftwbwjZusEAxEIa9Klyl-8429Y/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-03-23+at+12.43.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
In the 2nd frame, Australia's angle appears to be about 8 degrees lower, and she is heeling noticeably more as a result of heading down. Note that in Call D2, Yacht B breaks 16.2 with a similarly small course change between positions B3 and B4. In the Olympic race, one of the Umpire boats is in a great position to see this, however Spain doesn't protest this incident (understandable as Spain is in the midst of a tricky maneuver - ducking, dialing up and tacking) resulting in either a Green Flag or no call from the Umpires.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Question 2: </b> No Penalty. To understand this situation lets talk through it step by step, identify who has right of way, and what their obligations are.<br />
<br />
*When Spain ducks Australia, Australia has right of way, she is on Starboard and Spain is on Port.<br />
<br />
*When both boats cross head to wind, Spain now has right of way. The last sentence of <u>Rule 13, While Tacking</u> reads: "If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other's port side, of the one astern shall keep clear."<br />
<br />
*When Austrailia reaches close hauled on port, she is now on a tack. Spain is not:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj2_-66oEyxDwAlVZRH0Zp9nZpUVl4PIrExtPeb6rs_c1By2kpKESOHQsKr9HXMeDkspbbDBgL5Pj-ZhcRX2UfStPVqodnLg7vYy_s-vObCaLdD4hUUMO635HBWfx_d3eAxm3pONYc2ce/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+8.01.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="843" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj2_-66oEyxDwAlVZRH0Zp9nZpUVl4PIrExtPeb6rs_c1By2kpKESOHQsKr9HXMeDkspbbDBgL5Pj-ZhcRX2UfStPVqodnLg7vYy_s-vObCaLdD4hUUMO635HBWfx_d3eAxm3pONYc2ce/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+8.01.22+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*The first sentence of Rule 13 reads: "After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is close hauled." So in this instant, Australia is right of way boat, and Spain is keep clear. This is critical. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*When Spain reaches a close hauled course on starboard tack, she is right of way boat, but subject to Rule 15 Acquiring Right of Way: "when a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give he other boat room to keep clear." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The boats are so close at this point that Australia probably cannot keep clear by reversing tack:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3m4-5icJ6c9VO5ez6BwtFGwFcE9hJaPSXLVSYVKuk3x9BzpftbGJBD9rYrNPQc-_z71HQRZ5yRx-dX9Ug1KLig-lLJGI5TLutlq0LHvG40h06Z_UaANahfVGNxDFQpYkwXcfs273E5f3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+8.02.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="932" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3m4-5icJ6c9VO5ez6BwtFGwFcE9hJaPSXLVSYVKuk3x9BzpftbGJBD9rYrNPQc-_z71HQRZ5yRx-dX9Ug1KLig-lLJGI5TLutlq0LHvG40h06Z_UaANahfVGNxDFQpYkwXcfs273E5f3/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+8.02.31+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
*Spain allows Australia to keep clear by ducking the port tack boat, so there is no foul. The Umpires on this race made a really good, high pressure call!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Im going to show you one more Call from the Call book. The picture is a little different than what transpires here, but the italicized text at the bottom sums the above situation up perfectly:<br />
<br />
<i><b>"A boat acquiring right of way may comply with Rule 15 by altering course <u>herself.</u>" </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">TR Call D3</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLSTLdOVaDuMc8fmdwgXzBq9zY6vIPt4tXAHBdyzZfFAuNacFJPBJmr369b-ENGYBi9fNs8ZnKIigIgZjWpM6NGQgnM5cHF85US_9na4C7o33Rk9B-ccEwY49WonIOkP92wWKnhs5OWs0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.57.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="672" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLSTLdOVaDuMc8fmdwgXzBq9zY6vIPt4tXAHBdyzZfFAuNacFJPBJmr369b-ENGYBi9fNs8ZnKIigIgZjWpM6NGQgnM5cHF85US_9na4C7o33Rk9B-ccEwY49WonIOkP92wWKnhs5OWs0/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.57.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiK5FNV7iOTwuTZhQ0sN4wl2axu6uh64xmn5zPVKblrjGGvPaaajWb65Jl04CxuQa4A24w-XTywGnPTKFIrNs0H6fH9jvEVOQM6HIzZk5h1hov9wQ-C9-OOaffkB9Pjom0V8y_K-hIMlE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.58.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="680" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiK5FNV7iOTwuTZhQ0sN4wl2axu6uh64xmn5zPVKblrjGGvPaaajWb65Jl04CxuQa4A24w-XTywGnPTKFIrNs0H6fH9jvEVOQM6HIzZk5h1hov9wQ-C9-OOaffkB9Pjom0V8y_K-hIMlE/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-27+at+7.58.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>PS: Spain went on to win the Gold Medal!! Regardless of the calls Umpires make, Sailors decide the races!!! </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-56385361998791319572020-03-16T13:47:00.000-07:002020-03-20T08:11:03.067-07:00Who's Foul? Warning: video contains graphic content for boat lovers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u-Grv_euVv4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u-Grv_euVv4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
The collision is between the J Boat <u><a href="https://classicsailor.com/2017/02/svea-brings-j-class-fleet-nine-boats/">Svea</a> on Port tack</u> and J Boat <u>Topaz on Starboard.</u> J class yachts raced for the Americas Cup from 1914 to 1937. They have a full keel with attached rudder and are therefore not very maneuverable, and also have long overhangs (bow and stern that project much longer than the waterline length) that swing as they turn.<br />
<br />
Question 1: Who's foul and what <a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/WorldSailingRRS20172020new-[24067].pdf">rule</a> is broken?<br />
<br />
Question 2: Who's foul and what <a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/WorldSailingRRS20172020new-[24067].pdf">rule</a> broken if the collision had occurred <u>after the start</u>?<br />
<br />
Question 3 (advanced): Name a Call from <a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/TheCallBookforTeamRacing2017digital-[21946].pdf">The Call Book for Team Racing</a> that can shed some light on this situation.<br />
<br />
<br />
Your answers in the comments section!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Answers:</b></u><br />
Well, since posting, the Protest Committee's ruling on this recent "viral" (no not that viral) video has been made public. Here are there facts found:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1. Topaz was approaching the start line on Starboard approximately 1 minute 40 seconds before the start.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2. Svea on port was on a collision course with Topaz.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3. Despite a last minute turn to bear away, Svea collided with the port side of Topaz at the runner winch causing serious damage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">4. Topaz luffed to avoid when it was clear Svea was not keeping clear.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">5,6: There was extensive damage + injury - <a href="https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/03/16/protest-decision-topaz-versus-svea/">you can read the full decision here. </a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">7. Both boats immediately retired from the race.</span></div>
<div class="bsaProContainer bsaProContainer-3 bsa-html bsa-pro-col-1" id="bsa-html" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; height: auto; width: 620.391px;">
<div class="bsaProItems bsaGridGutter " style="clear: both; height: auto; width: 620.391px;">
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Decision:</span><br />Svea took the appropriate penalty by retiring.<br />Topaz is entitled to redress of average points for Race 1 based on her results in the remainder of the regatta.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small; font-weight: 700;">Conclusion Rules:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/WorldSailingRRS20172020new-[24067].pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #444444; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">RRS 10,14, 44.1(b) 62.1(b)</a>, Q5.3<br />Svea failed to keep clear as a port tack boat and broke rule 10, 14.<br />It was not reasonably possible for Topaz to avoid the collision.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 1.08333em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 1.08333em;">Its good for sailors to take note of Rule 62.1 (b), which allows for redress <i>"</i></span><i><span style="background-color: transparent;">based on a claim or possibility that a boat’s score or
place in a race or series has been or may be, through no fault of her
own, made significantly worse by...</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">injury or physical damage because of the action of a boat that
was breaking a rule of Part 2 or of a vessel not racing that was
required to keep clear." </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Otherwise, I have have 2 points of contention with the protest committee's decision in this case: </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">1. Are we sure (from the video) that "Svea was not keeping clear?" </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">2. Topaz did not "luff to avoid." In fact, the luff by Topaz made it significantly harder for Svea to keep clear. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">By heading up, Topaz slows down, both from luffing the sails and the 'brakeing action' of her large rudder. She also swings her long overhang at Svea, making the point of contact occur sooner. Here's a 3d rendering of Svea that illustrates the overhangs and the rudder:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmigJy_FKjims0ZYt7RdhUUTWwrrQusexJX06ghZkjL6uXljC-PM84MigxkixfC8GUWIyq__KeAlqFFQsyJ8jGLrfceK5DjLil_8rLxuIPHURkIL8Tg4Muo7xTSmzD4FcBLliIKVXKrLRT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-20+at+9.22.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="376" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmigJy_FKjims0ZYt7RdhUUTWwrrQusexJX06ghZkjL6uXljC-PM84MigxkixfC8GUWIyq__KeAlqFFQsyJ8jGLrfceK5DjLil_8rLxuIPHURkIL8Tg4Muo7xTSmzD4FcBLliIKVXKrLRT/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-03-20+at+9.22.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The overhang is massive and obviously has no flow and traction through the water - it just pivots through the air as the boat turns - especially at slow speeds. The contact from the collision occurs aft of Topaz's rudder. If Topaz had not headed up it is certain the contact would have occurred further aft, and at a more glancing angle than the full on T-bone shown in the video. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rule 16.1 States: <i>When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other
boat room to keep clear. </i>Regardless of if Svea was "keeping clear" of Topaz, Topaz change of course made keeping clear more difficult. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Call Book for Team Racing gives 2 examples where a late course change by a starboard boat is prohibited. In the comments section Justin Callahan cited <b>Call D2:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOjcfQeQWqTr348w7xEgDXMIKlmsJ9nQX9fyqrgPN5AZ11OsqYrGlK8oaZDQWcHqCsS6ilNJiW_IW4vxqQUYPc79P363jbRqZo3FMt5yaFHHRcWGkKFIGTRFOIsYLThyphenhyphen9O0S-yN1PMos-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-18+at+11.35.20+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="713" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOjcfQeQWqTr348w7xEgDXMIKlmsJ9nQX9fyqrgPN5AZ11OsqYrGlK8oaZDQWcHqCsS6ilNJiW_IW4vxqQUYPc79P363jbRqZo3FMt5yaFHHRcWGkKFIGTRFOIsYLThyphenhyphen9O0S-yN1PMos-/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-03-18+at+11.35.20+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The call doesn't explicitly apply to this situation, as Rule 16.2 only applies after the start. However, if there is contact at position 4, I think it is implied that B would have broken 16.1. This next call specifically shows a starboard boat (Y) swinging her stern towards a port tack boat (B), necessitating a further course change. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Call D7 :</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85da7tlHyGiFG3ixMfues31IXxpZdRQ4e_8NRoVMZvhUC-4nTk6r4mNy5kUP5UGzvPPbrtxbWeWFWyej8EDaoKlnOOzhUl3IOy8n6Ka-CLpde1-2Mo7XzINn5tsfP2ArpQF2aaRi7Ybjb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-03-20+at+9.51.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85da7tlHyGiFG3ixMfues31IXxpZdRQ4e_8NRoVMZvhUC-4nTk6r4mNy5kUP5UGzvPPbrtxbWeWFWyej8EDaoKlnOOzhUl3IOy8n6Ka-CLpde1-2Mo7XzINn5tsfP2ArpQF2aaRi7Ybjb/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-03-20+at+9.51.59+AM.png" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In this case, the Call Book says to penalize Y, again for 16.2. If there had been contact (rather than B having to further change course at the last second), I am confident Y would have also broken 16.1 - she would have changed course in a way that did not give B "room to keep clear." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Given that Topaz luff exacerbated the contact, <u>can we be sure that Svea was never keeping clear?</u> A couple notes on this possibility:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* The J boat from which the video is shot shows that each boat has a bow watch who relays info to the cockpit via a crew member stationed at the windward shroud. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Sailing on Port before the start one is always on the lookout for boats on Starboard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Svea would have seen Topaz before Topaz saw Svea. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Before the contact, Svea is clearly letting out her mainsail in an attempt to duck Topaz. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*A 3rd party observer on the boat that is filming does not begin shouting "noooo!" until Topaz is changing course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*<a href="https://www.facebook.com/100004336860724/videos/1501596166661598/">This video shows how close to the stern the of Topaz the damage was</a> - it was almost avoided! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Still, I have to give some credence to Judges determination that Svea "...was not keeping clear," and "It was not reasonably possible for Topaz to avoid the collision." They heard evidence from both parties, and some Judges reportedly witnessed the incident from Judgeboats. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Does it matter if Topaz changes course if Svea was never keeping clear?</u> May a right of way boat alter course as long as she is on a collision course with a keep clear boat? I hope not! By changing course in a way that put her hull further in Sveas path, Topaz made it impossible for Svea to even have a chance of keeping clear. Therefore, I think from this video that both boats should have been penalized - <b>Svea for Rule 10 and Topaz for Rule 16.1. </b>Topaz was right of way, and Topaz changed course very close to Svea in a manner that did not "give the other boat room to keep clear" . If the Judges (who again have more information than this video) did not state that Svea "was not keeping clear," then I would be inclined to penalize only Topaz for 16.1. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.08333em; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
I strongly disagree with the <a href="https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/03/18/when-in-doubt-put-tiller-towards-trouble/">Scuttlebutt article titled "When in doubt put the tiller towards trouble"</a> which argues that Topaz helmsman "did the understandable thing in the few seconds they had to deal with an impending collision which is to put the “tiller towards trouble.” When a boat is trying to duck you, heading up at the last second is the worst thing you can do. <b>When a boat is clearly trying to duck you, maintain your speed and <u>hold your course! </u></b></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-71145641298016740822019-12-13T10:02:00.000-08:002019-12-13T10:02:32.344-08:00Regatta Debrief - Junior Olympics<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JkHvdojvAYvNow7DxsviuoECsFBZ8f99" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JkHvdojvAYvNow7DxsviuoECsFBZ8f99" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div>
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br></i>
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Regatta Debrief blogs are back! Sorry for the long hiatus. As always, these are part narrative, part technical debriefs for sailors, parents and coaches! </i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I remember Junior Olympics growing up - it was the biggest regatta of our short summer season in Maine and we would spend days packing our boats and going over our gear in anticipation. I remember the disappointment in 2004, </span>in Portland, ME, <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">when <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; display: inline !important;">the Race Committee abandoned the only light air Club 420 race after 5 boats, myself and crew included had</span><br></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">finished. </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">We filed for </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">class-action </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">redress </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">asking to count the race but were denied by the protest committee, and with no wind the next day there was no regatta! After managing 7th in 2003 and winning 'the race that didn't count' we felt robbed of a JR Olympics!</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today the Opti kids on the Florida circuit have more consequential events, like Team Trials, Nationals and the International events they sail including Orange Bowl. But the Junior Olympics is still special because of its US Sailing designation and Multi-class flavor! The Opti fleet of 126 active boats was impressive in size and local talent! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Packing for this event began the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but many sailors packed their boats in a myriad of ways over the holiday break. The LYC Opti Trailer + Truck has 22 spots and given that 9 LYC Green Fleeters attended the event, that meant that much of champ fleet had to get their boats to the regatta by other means. 3 Families with sailing siblings have now acquired multi-opti trailers that together haul 8 more boats! The sailors and coaches appreciate these and other parents who carried Optis in their pickup trucks or on their roof-racks to help get the team to the regatta! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The sailors had a weekend off from sailing before the regatta, and put some thought into making sure all their equipment got there. At least 7 sailors did after school practice sessions the week leading up to get back into the feel of the Opti with coaching from Pilo, Mauricio or myself; others took advantage of the full break! On Friday, we drove up I95 and arrived at the US Sailing Center in Martin County just before 2pm, splashed coach boats and started rigging. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The sailors all checked their mast rake - sometimes this moves a little while in transit. This is measured with a tape measure led from the top of the mast to the top of the transom. It was great to see most of my silver fleeters had brought their own tape measure, and many had a zip-tie through the end-piece, which really helps the Tape stay hooked in the top of the mast! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Why does mast rake matter? The primary effect of the rake is to place the center of effort of the boat. Rake forward, center of effort is forward. This effects the balance of the boat and <i>helm </i>upwind (‘helm’<i> </i>means the push or pull the sailor feels on the rudder). The secondary effect of rake is to change the boom height, which in turn changes the sheeting angle, feel of trimming the sail, and the amount of twist in the leech of the sail for a given sheeting angle. We encourage sailors to experiment with mast rakes within a given range (110”-111.5” for most sailors) and to move their rake on the water if they feel that the balance of the boat needs adjusting. That said, you need to have some consistency especially for less experienced sailors as again, the Sail looks different and trims different at different rakes. For example, we have had some larger, fast sailors in the past sailing fast at 112” (raked forwards, boom up), but they were adept at playing the mainsheet and took care not to stall the leech. Bella Cassaretto (Orange Bowl ‘16 champ) was the master of raking pretty far forward, heeling slightly to windward, yet still keeping her leech open with pressure in the sail, the fluttering leech telltale visible from my coachboat. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We stress the tuning process at LYC, and if you get your <i>boom-ties</i> and <i>top-diagonal corner-tie </i>right on the practice day you will not have to re-tie them for the rest of the regatta! We stress the overall importance of everything in the boatpark. Pilo likes to say “show the respect” to other competitors, which I think means both be respectful and demand their respect. Being polite but assertive when setting up your equipment keeps it from getting damaged and shows the rest of the fleet which sailors take their tuning and boatspeed seriously! We have a special routine for how we rig the sails (<a href="http://lycoptis.blogspot.com/2018/09/regatta-debrief-49th-se-dinghy-champs.html">see rigging section in this past blog post</a>), and sailors learn to find a dry, clean, temperature appropriate (rigging in the shade if its hot for example) spot to set the sail up. If there is really nowhere to rig or all the grass is wet you can set up the sail on top of the Opti, getting the corner-ties, preventer, vang and sprit all tight to stretch the sail and make it solid. When it comes time to launch, respect the rules and instructions of volunteers, but be creative with how you can get yourself and teammates to the beach. If an unattended Opti is blocking you, you may move it with extreme care. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The LYC sailors did a great job being ready and launching on-time. With my Silver fleet there was never one sailor holding up the towline and we got to the course both days right behind the Gold fleet tow line. Both LYC groups were among the first ones out practicing in the racing area and used the time to their advantage. A benefit of Ocean practice at LYC is that the sailors get really good at towing! Towing can at first be scary to Opti sailors, but like sailing, it is all about balancing the boat. You have to trim the sail in to keep pressure in it and on your foils. Then you can sit opposite the sail. If the towline is moving on a reach, let your sail out to a close reaching angle. If the coach is towing the Optis close hauled or above, then the sailor should pull the boom out to windward, still keeping the mainsheet tight to put downward tension on the sail as well. You can actually hike out with the boom balancing your weight!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fOm7JX1wAX9XO09Vlrl7z-x8i6sK7eRR" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fOm7JX1wAX9XO09Vlrl7z-x8i6sK7eRR" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Jack gets the hang of “wind surfing” to keep his sail full on one of his first trips to the ocean! More sprit needed to stiffen the top of the sail. </i></span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14qcwkdtwrceeLsmTM7AEVWZdqMH4bNjG" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14qcwkdtwrceeLsmTM7AEVWZdqMH4bNjG" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Drew acknowledged for his towline readiness. </i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I don't tow sailors directly in to the wind - luffing the sails and the aging it causes is not worth the extra time. I will tow on a close hauled course and tack the tow line, trying to play the wind-shifts and current! At this point in the season this is all old news to the LYC sailors; they were all towing trimmed in hard, with weight forward and to windward balancing the sail - no airbag loungers!! With well prepared and maintained bowlines, and sunglasses for safety we were able to tow at a pretty fast speed over the long tow to the racing area north of the Bridge. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Saturday brought a light wind from the North that shifted to North east by the end of the day. The current was originally ebbing from the North, but went slack and then reversed around 1pm. The fleet could not get a clean start. The first 2 attempts under prep and U flag more than half the fleet was over the line! The line was relatively short for the 126 boats and square to the wind on average. It was apparent after the 2nd recall that the RC would go to Black Flag starting procedure, thus beginning the game of “is this a real start?”. The game is this: If a Black Flag start is going to be a General Recall, then there is nothing to be gained by being over - only the downside of a DSQ if the Race Committee sees you. So don't be over on a general recall!! I encouraged sailors to try to sniff out in the last 1:30 if the fleet was going to be over, and if soo to be very cautious! A port tack approach to a pin end start gives you a really good view of the fleet and line sag/line bulge before you commit to a spot on the line. Over the next hour and a half there were 3-4 more general recalls under Black Flag, and a lot of sailors kicked out.</span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Rge4miKeNS7zbTQ_8FPHlgfjXSlo7Sjo" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Rge4miKeNS7zbTQ_8FPHlgfjXSlo7Sjo" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>RC shows the Boats recorded BFD who can’t sail in the upcoming race</i> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Fortunately, and through prudence and reading the line only 1 LYC sailor was identified as over of all the general recalls! Luca Damiano read his number on the RC’s dry erase board board and we anchored his boat so he could watch the race with me from the Coachboat. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vA7vGaVI0-g/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vA7vGaVI0-g?feature=player_embedded" width="320" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></iframe></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>A postponed start from the pin with coaches commentary.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Unfortunaly on the start that was finally allowed to go (the RC felt they had all of the sailors over identified) 3 more LYC sailors were caught BFD. However, I look at this as almost a “smart” BFD because they were trying to get a good start on a race that most sailors were on the line. I was able to watch down the line and saw Drew and James over near the committee boat by just a few inches! They were not happy to learn of the BFD back on land, but got to sail a good race and there was at least some upside to their gamble. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;">The race started in a left phase shift that made the Pin end favored by about 10 degrees. As such the boats that started at the committee boat - KJ,Ty, James, Matthew and Drew could not cross the fleet on starboard and tacked out towards the right. They still had clear air and leverage on the fleet and hoped for a right hand shift along the barrier-island shoreline to put them ahead. Lulu and Gil started well towards the Pin end and consolidated a little bit on the fleet before again leading out to the left. Sailing up the middle seldom works in light wind and I thought the leaders on both sides played their area well and were patient before coming back to the middle. The left side won out and though Lulu appeared to be in the lead Gil caught a puff on the port layline to round first with Lulu 3rd. Lulu eased her outhaul on port tack, reaching under the boom as she sailed into the mark, and used the extra full sail to motor on both downwind legs - getting launched into 2nd and making Gil nervous! Cody and KJ had nice comebacks and Mariano and Pierce sailed good races as well. Mateo crossed the line in 4th but was unfortunately Black Flagged! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JJOgZFcA337vjNuOYasWnQdOZ4aLiD2D" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JJOgZFcA337vjNuOYasWnQdOZ4aLiD2D" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Cody eases his outhaul as he rounds the Windward mark making a fuller sailshape for the d<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">ownwind legs</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div></span></font></div></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div><div style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17FMfIAq3JODUxbvkKvOjYuTZEg_YDl7h" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17FMfIAq3JODUxbvkKvOjYuTZEg_YDl7h" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;"><i>
Gill/Lulu lead race 1 at the leeward mark. Lulu has already re-tightened her sprit for the upwind leg.</i> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was a long day on the water, especially for one race, and the sun was low as we made the long tow in. The volunteers at the US Sailing Center were ready with a burger cookout for hungry sailors! Pilo let the Gold Fleet go as we would have a very early start tomorrow, while Mauricio and I did a short debrief with Silver and Bronze - we wanted to give some guidance on how to reflect on your day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KhkLI_b9StDjvcMelY0QekrjSlB2cXqG" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KhkLI_b9StDjvcMelY0QekrjSlB2cXqG" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Gil starts the second upwind leg by scanning the race course for where he sees more wind.</i></div></span></font></div></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday I walked outside of the coach’s Airbnb to dark and a drizzle. The USSC’s grassy boat park had the potential to turn into a Woodstock ’69 level mud pit, but fortunately the rain stopped as the sun came up. We were happy to see manny of our sailors among the first ones there in advance of the 7:45am rigged and ready time. There was no “Harbor Start” which I liked- the sailors and coaches had to time getting out before the 9:30am Race Start north of the bridge, and could get out as early as they wanted - more regattas should do this!! We launched, towed out to the racing area on a screaming reach, and began tuning up in a brisk 12 kt Easterly. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The 3 races we completed on Sunday were each unique. The first race was sailed mainly in a light - 7-8kt “gradient” wind. The gradient wind comes from the ENE and is the result of the earth turning! Gradient wind is weak enough to prevail only in the absence of other wind - frontal or thermal breeze for example. The second and 3rd races on Sunday had wind that was influenced by rain clouds moving through the racing area. Rain displaces air so “rain clouds blow” is an easy way to think about their effect. Clouds without rain do the opposite, creating a cool vacuum underneath them that sucks air to it - so its important to look and see if its raining underneath the clowds upwind of the racing area! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">After a Black Flag general recall the 2nd race of the regatta was underway. In light air and somewhat shifty wind it was all about getting a good start and playing the windshifts. A last lefty before the windward mark put SPYC’s Dorthy Mendelblatt in the lead with Ty Lamm in 2nd. Another shifty last beat and Ty got the horn! Gil Hackel had a good run, jibing to separate from the rest of the 5-10 pack and focusing on speed and kiting. He came back to 5th to maintain the regatta lead. Drew Lamm shook off yesterdays BFD and got a 4th. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the next race around the time of the start a rain cloud became apparent above the top right side of the race course. The wind had already shifted to the right - due East now. There was a brief left oscillation after the start that allowed Gil to work towards the right of the course, but many boats that started towards the pin stayed left and would pay a heavy price! Luca Damiano had one of his best starts mid-boat but unfortunately didn't tack at the first opportunity and continued to sail through the middle towards the left. Skye Johnson and CRYC’s Freddie Parkin were among the only ones to focus on the rain cloud and played hard to the right. At this point it was still light wind and the sailors were mostly sitting in their boats. Then the wind began to build and shift right as the rain got nearer. Skye, Freddie and Gil, just on the outside edge of the shift but still getting it were wound up and up and up on starboard tack as a light drizzle just before the windward mark confirmed what was happening! Gil passed Freddie just before the windward mark, Jybed into the righty of the run and sailed defensively to win the race with Freddie 2nd. Skye rounded the windward mark 5th and finished 7th. For Cody, James and others on the left of the course its was a disaster! Its a tough situation - hoping and thinking the breeze will shift back your way because it has been oscillating all day/regatta, only for the persistent shift to hold! The lesson I would take going forwards is to look more at the clouds! </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Helvetica"><span style="text-align: left; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pw6Llr-PKijA9gWDjMFnq2lPSNpLoHHN" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pw6Llr-PKijA9gWDjMFnq2lPSNpLoHHN" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></div></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;">I should note that the breeze built with the onset of rain to 15kts on the last leg. At this point you are tuned for light air and you just have to hike it out! Some sailors left their sprit loose from the downwind leg to de-power which worked. It wasn't that long of a last beat so you just have to deal with the conditions and keep your eyes on the prize! Moving from 45 to 43 might not seem as glamorous as moving from 3rd to first but the points you save are the same given that there would not be a throwout! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size: 11px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17o6nhWqzCxJDZ1q7VJfJsugLX1crAdG1" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17o6nhWqzCxJDZ1q7VJfJsugLX1crAdG1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Drew rocks the last leg with (maybe a little too) eased sprit. Note his minimalist grip on the extension- the helm is balanced by his hiking.</i> </div></span></font></div></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">After race 2 there was a fairly long break - the rain passed to leeward which caused a lull. For a while the wind was unsailably light and from the South-West - an unsustainable direction. Fortunately another rain cloud gave us wind for the final race of the regatta! As the pressure built from the SE the LYC sailors that tunes up in the middle of the racing area got a feel for the wind shifts. As the rain-cloud appeared to be directly upwind of the windward mark, I told the sailors I spoke with not to expect a major shift and to play the oscillations. Gil had a target finish of top 8 to win the regatta and Freddie and Matias Martin to keep tabs on, while everyone else was just going for the best finish possible! Largely due to the tune up before the race and after the delay, LYC as a whole had our best race of the regatta. Coming from the middle left with good starts, speed, and in phase with the wind-shifts 6 LYC sailors rounded in the top 10. Gil stayed right just long enough to force Freddy further to that side but did give up some places with too many tacks and by Jybing around Mark 2 (wrong move this time!) Mateo Coates and Drew Lamm finished 1,2 - they had enough of a lead on 3rd for a short tacking duel just before the finish in which Mateo protected the right and just held Drew off. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></div>
<br>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was great to see these sailors, who both had Saturday Black Flags holding their result back overall show what they can do! Ana Smith also notched her beast race to date and the RC was very nice to grant her “Scoring inquiry” after the protest deadline and reinstate her 17th. Final top overall results for LYC were Gil 1st, Ty 4th, Lulu 5th, Cody 10th, KJ 16th, Skye 23rd, Ana 29th, and Mateo and Drew 31 and 32 even with the Black Flags. From LYC’s Bronze fleet Alie Capasso (46th) Mariano Vega (59th even with a BFD!) and Natail Sorbo had good events! Overall the coaches were happy with the kids focus, work ethic and improvement and we are excited for 6 more days of training to see what strides we can make going into Orange Bowl! </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br></span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YqQt8mKCvGFrRJSkAXQ2ucbNStLQeSHV" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YqQt8mKCvGFrRJSkAXQ2ucbNStLQeSHV" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17-Bq-Nkhdm0SjdGrBfQSbWBxhXOFQDMz" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17-Bq-Nkhdm0SjdGrBfQSbWBxhXOFQDMz" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-20176350514631785882019-11-22T09:31:00.000-08:002019-11-22T09:36:37.327-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RIzIzAsVhphGcedirJtPEsstMV6GhrsmpaTYGYnIbrmHt-_G34ZHy_Pkr6PncwPgh3PzB8G7PB3wFhNAymfeTeoMEqOdu7Sgms3SOOrjHAImREUMePVO1tjK7Z3W_hDVFVH1WZBT_eVx/s1600/Winter+Opti+Clinic+%252719.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RIzIzAsVhphGcedirJtPEsstMV6GhrsmpaTYGYnIbrmHt-_G34ZHy_Pkr6PncwPgh3PzB8G7PB3wFhNAymfeTeoMEqOdu7Sgms3SOOrjHAImREUMePVO1tjK7Z3W_hDVFVH1WZBT_eVx/s640/Winter+Opti+Clinic+%252719.jpg" width="640" /></a>Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-76244931088451530192019-05-09T10:11:00.001-07:002019-05-09T10:13:00.702-07:00LYC Sailors Crush Opti Team Trials <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bpQpCFqiUQB401lqsqVKlSV6ik7z4dynkIcsGk3gh2AzjAZPLKm4EMl2bAxJY-JYNmx8ZGsnPZsoJWRBHmnniHLx-bQwQSK_sLXpamNLY_7rlR358tXceDsd5WI0KcSRL9QUIWC9TSPU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.28.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="816" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bpQpCFqiUQB401lqsqVKlSV6ik7z4dynkIcsGk3gh2AzjAZPLKm4EMl2bAxJY-JYNmx8ZGsnPZsoJWRBHmnniHLx-bQwQSK_sLXpamNLY_7rlR358tXceDsd5WI0KcSRL9QUIWC9TSPU/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.28.29+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11px;"><i>Jack Redmond (22280) lays down a saucy Roll Tack.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The 2019 US Optimist Team Trials is in the books and it was a landmark success for the sailors from Lauderdale Yacht Club. LYC’s Tommy Sitzman (Annapolis, MD) came in as the favorite, having qualified last year and placed 5th at the 2018 Worlds, and he won 6 of 12 races and finished atop the podium. LYC’s Gil Hackel (Pensacola, FL) finished 3rd and became one of the youngest sailors ever to qualify for Worlds from the USA at age 11. He also won 6 races. LYC’s Jack Redmond (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) won 4 races and finished 4th. Joining these 3 LYC sailors on the Worlds team are Samara Walshe (Edgertown Yacht Club -LISOT) and Thommie Grit (Sarasota YS/CERT) - 2nd and 5th respectively. LYC’s success went far beyond the top 5 as Tyler Lamm Finished 10th, Jake Homberger 14th, Drew Lamm 16th, KJ Hill 18th, and Nico Garcia-Castrillon 21st. At least 11 LYC sailors should receive invitations to the US National Team of 36. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This years Team Trials was contested in Marina Del Rey, California, westward of the Venice Beach Pier on the Pacific Ocean. The conditions were essentially “Groundhog Day” - always the same 7-10kt seabreeze from the South-West. 12 races were sailed, 3 a day like clockwork by PRO Bill Stump. The 193 boats in attendance all had to qualify by placing in well in previous USODA Regattas over the last 11 months, making Team Trials the toughest Opti regatta in the US each year! The fleet was split into 3 equal divisions for 3 days (divisions re-balanced every day) and a Gold fleet of the top 1/3rd for the final day. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmEzsdAPaZGXG6RpOPbMvi1ZYUyrtcc8KU8CZ_9gpgbrUnak65_Dx3nW_dXoUsLc9OvK3xN51htQjgKZhmcoQNQ8NvZGUIRl1WJqtNPwhc_TE8GrsZbyxkFQt4XShwvgnJac16L9Ic1Bj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.20.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="816" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmEzsdAPaZGXG6RpOPbMvi1ZYUyrtcc8KU8CZ_9gpgbrUnak65_Dx3nW_dXoUsLc9OvK3xN51htQjgKZhmcoQNQ8NvZGUIRl1WJqtNPwhc_TE8GrsZbyxkFQt4XShwvgnJac16L9Ic1Bj/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.20.15+AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><i>Gil Hackel (21447) and Ty Lamm (19458) Lead the fleet downwind in the Pacific Swells</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With a lot of top sailors dominating in their divisions through qualifying it made for high drama on the final day of racing, with 8 sailors realistically in contention for Opti Worlds - to be held this summer in Antigua. Jack Redmond made a great opening statement with a 3rd in the 1st race and solidified his position. Tommy and Gil had impressive comeback’s in races where they didn't round in the top of the fleet and Gil had clinched at least 4th place before the start of the final race. He sailed with no pressure to a 3rd, and Sitzmann came all the way back from the 20’s to a regatta clinching 7th. Thommie Grit, Griggs Diemar (CRYC) and Parker Tyson (CRYC) all battled for the final Worlds berth on the last race, with Grit and Griggs fighting for position at the gate, and, after splitting on the last beat, again just before the finish. Diemar and Tyson will likely represent the USA at the European Championships. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfYYm5kzvLnq_O9i_xAKxr0s21w5AvG17RaqNf9DtKPzFaDJ95VK1BV0HXCDlK-7HugTGCfphjY7Ao4aSi9tBDCGgTAx6hs4wKxmS6ORZDH0fccdHocZZIbLUiKtTKNO59ltoHoF5ipYP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.52.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="817" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfYYm5kzvLnq_O9i_xAKxr0s21w5AvG17RaqNf9DtKPzFaDJ95VK1BV0HXCDlK-7HugTGCfphjY7Ao4aSi9tBDCGgTAx6hs4wKxmS6ORZDH0fccdHocZZIbLUiKtTKNO59ltoHoF5ipYP/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.52.07+AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tommy Sitzman (22229) rounds mark 2 in the lead en route to winning Team Trials. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Note the eased outhaul for faster downwind sailing! </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With 4 days of on-site practice and expert coaching from Pilo Rocha, Arthur Blodgett and Argie Resano the LYC team was well prepared. Towing each day past seals and sea-lions, racing and competing with friends it was a great experience for the sailors and they responded by putting everything into their races - the team had been focused on training for this event for 8 months and was ready to see the work pay off. 14 of the 19 LYC sailors made the top 1/3rd Gold Fleet, including Graceanna Dixon and Cole Fanchi at their first Team Trials, and Cole even made the national team at age 11! We return to South Florida tired from the long days, a little jet lagged, but super happy and proud at what the sailors in our community achieved against the best national competition. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir80rru5Rin8br6h45fGvovzb1zwKgonnGYoEZdmm6MmniX7FSIhuHhyphenhyphenjJ1ORlpkvy5mvluXI18qkU0-MYvB9zlCC8nTPqIXqiEBExTjAIMpqNNllIgekq8w4wGjscPGzWQhDWGXeX4E-I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.56.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="816" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir80rru5Rin8br6h45fGvovzb1zwKgonnGYoEZdmm6MmniX7FSIhuHhyphenhyphenjJ1ORlpkvy5mvluXI18qkU0-MYvB9zlCC8nTPqIXqiEBExTjAIMpqNNllIgekq8w4wGjscPGzWQhDWGXeX4E-I/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-05-08+at+11.56.06+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<i>Top 10 overall at Awards at the California Yacht Club. From Left: Tyler Lamm, Pearse Dowd, Griggs Diemar, (not pictured Samara Walshe), Tommy Sitzamnn, Gil Hackell, (not pictured Jack Redmond), Thommie Grit, Parker Tyson, and Katherine Doble. </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Image credits: </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Jack Redmond (22280) lays down a saucy Roll Tack.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-3/G0000uqycd_M7EIg/I0000VOZkOABpEuI/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs" id="LPlnk344493" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-3/G0000uqycd_M7EIg/I0000VOZkOABpEuI/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs</a></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Gil Hackel (21447) and Ty Lamm (19458) Lead the fleet downwind in the Pacific Swells</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-3/G0000uqycd_M7EIg/I0000okKofYjqPjk/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs" id="LPlnk165032" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-3/G0000uqycd_M7EIg/I0000okKofYjqPjk/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs</a><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Tommy Sitzman (22229) rounds mark 2 in the lead en route to winning Team Trials. </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-2/G00001xgCxRp8fgI/I00009cSwuWAuhdI/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs" id="LPlnk829969" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Races-Day-2/G00001xgCxRp8fgI/I00009cSwuWAuhdI/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs</a></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>Top 10 overall at Awards at the California Yacht Club.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Closing-Ceremony/G0000P_CAE.SEF_s/I0000zhgwCCDVz74/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs" id="LPlnk863339" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>https://capizzano.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Closing-Ceremony/G0000P_CAE.SEF_s/I0000zhgwCCDVz74/C0000TKkZWB.j1Hs</i></a></span></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-843218330812994252019-01-10T10:38:00.003-08:002019-01-10T10:47:24.389-08:00Throwback Roll-TacksAs we focus on Boat-handeling and prepare for this year's Team Race Midwinters, here's some tacks from last years LYC1 team that attended the Marco Rizzotti Team Race in Italy. 3 of the sailors featured (Stephan Baker, Sara Schumann, Ryan Konrad) have since moved on to bigger boats, and Lulu and Jack's tacks have continued to improved since then! Fun to look back on and interesting to see several different sizes of sailors with different footwork and tacking styles, all practicing with focus and making it work for them! Thanks always to Neil Young for the music!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XtzY-xHnJz8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XtzY-xHnJz8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<u>Key points for analyzing your own roll tacks - ask yourself these questions!:</u><br />
<br />
1. The Turn:<br />
- Is the turn smooth? (turn through the wind slower in flat water, faster in waves).<br />
- Do I pump in the mainsheet in a way that makes the boat head up, and propells it into the wind?<br />
- Are my eyes on the sail until the last possible split second?<br />
<br />
2. The Roll:<br />
- Am I rolling at the right time (when the front half of the sail luffs)?<br />
- Am I rolling enough? Often if you don't get enough roll its because you went out too early.<br />
- Am I keeping my weight forward while I roll?<br />
- Are my knees together for a compact, athletic position to spring from?<br />
- Am I keeping the sail cranked in to stop it from luffing?<br />
<br />
3. The Flatten:<br />
- Am I landing forwards?<br />
- Easing the sail as the boat flattens?<br />
- Getting my eyes on the telltales ASAP?<br />
- Trimming back in when the boat is flat?<br />
-Switching hands AFTER the boat is flat and all mainsheet action finished.<br />
-Flattening the right amount/smoothness for the conditions! If its windy, flatten with your butt on the rail! If its light, land softly - big splashes are slow and overly aggressive tacks more likely to be flagged by the umpires.<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<u>A few notes on the Rules & roll-tacking:</u><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>- Rule 42.3 (b) begins: "A boats crew may move their bodies to exaggerate the rolling that facilitates steering the boat through the tack or gybe..." </i>So roll tacking is legal.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>-Rule 42.1 provides that the "...crew may adjust the trim of the sails and hull." </i>The mainsheet ease that we coach the kids to do as they are flattening is adjusting the sail to the actual apparent wind angle - if you DONT let out the sail at that point it stalls!<br />
<br />
So there are 2 potential way these tacks could infringe on rule 42, one logical, one subjective:<br />
<br />
<i> - Rule 42.2 (e) lists as a <u>prohibited action</u>: "repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to the wind or to tactical considerations."</i> Makes sense.<br />
<br />
And then the subjective:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- The latter part of Rule 42.3 (a) says roll-tacks are legal, "provided that, just after the tack or gybe is completed, the boat's speed is not greater <b>than it would have been</b> in the absence of the tack or gybe." </i><br />
<br />
"<i>Than it would have been.</i>" This is a phrase requiring the umpire's imagination! As the great Chris Williford once said to me "Hindsight is always 50/50." Hard to know how <i>it would have been</i>. Until we give Umpires radar guns this is a very subjective call, and I applaud College Sailing for modifying out this part of Rule 42! Any well tacked yacht is going to accelerate from head to wind to out of the tack, so its a tough judgement of exit speed vs imagined "absence of the tack" speed. If the umpire crew is <u>enforcing this aggressively, then I coach the kids to flatten even more smoothly/slowly in order to 'pace out the acceleration' - make it less sudden</u>. Breaking rule 42 is an "Umpire initiated penalty" in Team Racing and the umpires are a really important part of the game - we applaud them for policing sculling, double pumps, plus all the other rules (!) and for the time, energy and expertise they put towards making Team Racing regattas awesome! All good sailors should try umpiring some time - it will give you an incredible perspective!<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-29271112596399386522018-12-04T07:41:00.002-08:002018-12-05T07:23:02.010-08:00Regatta Debrief: Spring Team Qualifier/ Opti Midwinters + Jensen JO's <br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Nov 24, 2018, 6:03:37 PM" class="SzDcob" height="400" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X8xOt80Cu-l9k0iZKrh_K_t6-CblFPOLOD83jA07CLPUk0vk1TsFNJo3dvhzcU62VPNzIqyzHVyhFjihoPyMwFVC9kZSxcfW1MKxdUcN83whucOa5CdP9hy69Fhq8krsTji1AiCJNwquyghViNS7zqzCw-2CbZeRryncEboudCpb4wHy0GvkRWwmFGGfg6nrS8JpM1w16sGeRV-dshvxeAI9DdUQNBUlySRecFiwzcDzooVnrAaOUTAAHV6UftJZEV-9tlwOwUxdKNSGREDiRBQ0DHCgvwLdqx9D8-UEAEQOP-iEFuefYrW1azA3h9rf_57wH0a4LmY6QFTCYE-g3RivGsY6SQ23HxGoPV9RIXyWMwGTia9SlkJ3hoqkUgjtDjn0MkIgWWTBMfYFSp7Otj5NeRJFFgbGp0AZJdX4XpaBa-pGmfhOHj2Aa4RIL9yDHYGnCZl908nlsGOrOtGAkUwQrJTkEVt7JljN5fMjRbsscgWkqye78LzIeaz-GDhJXgY3VUrQZSZxJ7GHH-XrfBbVmPpJWJRkAIDFIZl9pYOQ6SfmI2ohgy1rUPdDY8_OJebUE6YQjy30LWkL-CJHTupIq99rY5MFm80RYNH8ITblg2KVvTfw_gkjpXE1MSJBtxZgC2ksE6NOOj83_iDMy_jrxbOLoyPLEU_ueeE9Sh0Zp-CG_RUQv1bnbVvlrCiwRS37LQ_ahdiou5CyobQ=w572-h666-no" style="transform: matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0);" width="343" /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
The most competitive and pressurized US Opti regatta of the Fall is always the Spring Team Qualifier. Sailors are seeded for international events and extra National team spots based on their finishes. Every other year, the regatta occurs in New Orleans, Thanksgiving Week - making it a mecca of committed, competitive Opti sailors from all over the US, the USVI and Bermuda. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
Tommy Sitzman took the event with 4 firsts in 6 races, with Jack Redmond and Gil Hackel rounding out the podium for LYC. 11 LYC sailors made the Gold fleet, giving themselves a chance to get international invites. Overall it was an outstanding result for the team after almost 3 month of training!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
Event specific training is a big key to success. You have to be able to set realistic goals that inform your training schedule, plus you get a yard-stick to measure at the end. Last spring, when LYC sailors had a rock-star Team Trials it wasn't by accident: we trained 16 days on Biscayne Bay the preceding fall/spring season. Sailors showed up to the event confident in their equipment, with practiced technique in Bay conditions, and an understanding of the strategy for common conditions. For the Spring Team Qualifier, I think the combination of Bay/Ocean/Lake training plus sailing in cold in Newport and Germany helped our sailors be ready for Lake Ponditchrain - a huge lake with brackish water that is mostly fresh, and average air temps in the 50's in November. The Lauderdale Ocean is a great training venue for a lot of places and the medium air+ waves we experienced for much of the fall practices helped the sailors be fast when there was chop on the Lake. In both fresh water and waves you have to be very aware of the bow drag in the Opti. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
We trained full days on the ocean the weekend of November 17-18 in Lauderdale, drove to New Orleans starting out that night, so we could sail again November 20th, and again practiced on the 21st. So by the end of the event, sailors had practiced or competed for 7 of 8 days! Thats a lot of sailing and a huge credit to their staying focused and motivated throughout. At the first practice Pilo reminded all the kids that we were there to race, not to party for Thanksgiving. There would be more than the usual distractions with family and friends over a Holiday, and they needed to prioritize what they had trained so hard and traveled for. Despite an alleged incident with some cheerleaders (just kidding!), I think the LYC Sailors and coaches were really good at getting enough sleep - a huge key to performance and not getting fatigued/frustrated under pressure. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
Tuesday we practiced working on technique and sail tuning before scrimmaging with California Yacht Club and Chicago YC. The next day we got out earlier to get in the regatta timeframe, and so we could come in, go through measurement and rest! We ran one race with chosen training partners, before about 50 more boats crashed our starting line without asking for the final practice race.<br />
<br />
While it was good to race against more boats, I would like to remind coaches that it is understood professionalism to ask the team setting the marks and running the races (us in this case) if you can sail with us! We usually say yes, but the course size and drills are designed for a specific number of boats. If everyone joins and doesn't respect the starting line, the fleet gets bad habits and its harder to coach our kids within the race. We usually plan our training partners before leaving the dock.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
When approaching a course/planning a joint scrimmage a coach should always ask:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
1. Can my team of ___sailors practice/race with you?</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
2. What is the start sequence/procedure. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
3. Coaching allowed during the race?</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
4. Video allowed during the race?</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
5. Coach Umpiring? (for a team race).</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
I have asked all of these questions of other coaches at international events before joining their course with my team, surely coaches who speak English should have no trouble asking ! </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJu_j5nOU5PlMmlPYZIk8e9FcDFnSdLzaznGb6gyVNkiC867YhefgHsW6DH_V91CitrNP4faikwkztOA0MBfRqBBlpRvjJqRvJfZZJtn0o2D6z5a2EXevAFsjP6ZlUYX-DO2aCPkhg2Rv/s1600/46651189_2010111789035009_8065608081175740416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJu_j5nOU5PlMmlPYZIk8e9FcDFnSdLzaznGb6gyVNkiC867YhefgHsW6DH_V91CitrNP4faikwkztOA0MBfRqBBlpRvjJqRvJfZZJtn0o2D6z5a2EXevAFsjP6ZlUYX-DO2aCPkhg2Rv/s400/46651189_2010111789035009_8065608081175740416_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Jake Homberger lays down a nice roll tack. </i></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
Another thing that benefits all the LYC sailors is having good teammates. Copying and learning from each other plays just as big a part for sailors as coaching. Tommy Sitzmann set an incredible example for our team on and off the water. His focus on careful rigging, and testing his sail, speed and angles above the line between races stood out to me. Having Tommy, a sailor who was 5th at the Worlds listening attentively in meetings helps re-inforce for the other sailors that they should be listening as well! Tommy sailed a clean, conservative event, staying positive and focused even after a yellow flag on the first day, a 10th place on the 2nd day and a bad first beat on the final day of racing. In that last race he never gave up, flew past 10 boats on the reach and run, then executed sailing to the left on the last beat to come all the way back to 3rd and win the event. A lot of our sailors like Lulu, Jack, Lucy others set an example that helps 11 year olds like Gil, Cody, Drew and Cole improve to a high level faster, and you know those older sailors too lessons from Stephan, the Callahans and others before them! Competing, learning, teaching and copying is the culture we want to have with all the sailors in our program. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
The LYC Opti Race team is a somewhat "Open Interface;" not all sailors on the team live in Rio-Vista and practice 3 days a week at LYC. Tommy for example lives in Annapolis, but has sailed every major Opti regatta for well over a year with LYC. Gill lives in Pensacola and has been flying to practice as much as he can since September! I began coaching him in February at the USNT practice and at Garda last March. Jack Redmond sails every weekend for 4 years at Lauderdale, and some major events with Lucas Calabrese (husband of LYC Opti Godmother Pilar Calabrese (like <i>The Godfather</i> but nice) who coached this event with LYC! ). We are one big happy family dedicated to supporting all our sailors. I spoke to the sailors on one of the practice days about what I think are the 3 major characteristics of the program at Lauderdale - the philosophy we are united by:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
1. <b>Sailor Self-Sufficiency.</b> The kids are ultimately responsible for everything - their boats & equipment, behavior and schedule. We make it clear the first day of the fall that the parent is never an excuse. Same for Strategy - the sailors have to think for themselves and make a strategy based on what they see. This gives them the advantage of the most up to date information before the start and is critical to the overall goal here: creating great sailors and thinkers! </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tlOpctPl1f9hht1CIyb61MMXVu6eG_0pycY1uhaiJYE20a0xX7848ICy05t-CDKsooRWufDutbyru4KBPjuXqWqpwY-flYlBlmaSvRrYp5SgNOc2F_zKSLaK2kKQlijjGsHrEAS7wZkZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.27.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tlOpctPl1f9hht1CIyb61MMXVu6eG_0pycY1uhaiJYE20a0xX7848ICy05t-CDKsooRWufDutbyru4KBPjuXqWqpwY-flYlBlmaSvRrYp5SgNOc2F_zKSLaK2kKQlijjGsHrEAS7wZkZ/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.27.27+PM.png" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Simone Moss checks here own sail! </i></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
2. <b>Everything has to be Perfect. </b>"Good-n-uff is not a sufficient goal" . The sail tuning has to be perfect for the conditions. The rigging has to be top quality and work for the sailor to adjust in a smooth way. Hulls, blades, tiller extensions, and boat set-up all receive a lot of attention by our sailors and coaches, with the goal of perfection. To achieve this, sailors need to be rigging in the correct, specific order (covered in past blogs) and have a routine! </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
No detail should be overlooked for the entire program - making a good schedule and sticking to it, showing up for events days early, and routinely swapping out line as it ages are all examples. Healthy food routine, sleep and hydration are all ways sailors need to take care of themselves to be in the perfect mind state. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPrk-B85kIfdUQXSsbaglAi7rV_elOHREUAlj6dVfRupBt219-yI3dQO2f5VfEe5jTOwcfK2c1isPWQJJfjhxz50Re3dbtxLADnZeOeii3yuaf_H5AOc84O01lJW7m-M4tYCGOHdpMa2v/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.27.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="603" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPrk-B85kIfdUQXSsbaglAi7rV_elOHREUAlj6dVfRupBt219-yI3dQO2f5VfEe5jTOwcfK2c1isPWQJJfjhxz50Re3dbtxLADnZeOeii3yuaf_H5AOc84O01lJW7m-M4tYCGOHdpMa2v/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.27.43+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
T<i>ommy Sitzmann takes care in cleaning his polarized sunglasses. </i></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
3. <b>Relaxed attitude and a winning mentality. </b>"Its all about sailing relaxed" is the famous Pilo Rocha quote. I tried it and noticed the difference at J24 Nationals, which I won earlier this fall as the trimmer. Whereas before my pre-race routine was to punch my chest, now I worked on controlling and slowing my breathing and heart rate in the moments before intense exertion and critical decisions at the start. With long events and pressure it is the best way to sail! </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
Relaxation comes from:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
-Knowing all the details are taken care of. </div>
<b style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;"> -</b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols"; font-size: 16px;">Confidence in you </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">boatspeed and boathandeling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"> -Knowing all you have to do is what you have practiced to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"> -Optimism that you will achieve a good outcome! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">Sailing is not all about decision making; you have to feel the boat and make it go fast! Relaxation helps with feeling the boat and working the waves as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">"Winning breeds winning" - Dennis Connor (America's Cup Winner)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">"Good things happen to positive people" - Andy S.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">"When your boatspeed is adequate and your strategy correct, your tactics will be logical and Obvious" - Michael Blackburn (Olympic medalist, Laser) </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">This 3 part operational philosophy served our team well at this regatta and we hope more yacht clubs will copy it in the future! You'll notice there isn't a lot in there about results, and putting performance anxiety in its place is key in competition. Its good for the sailors to set reachable goals for the coming season, but if you don't reach your goals, asses why in an honest way and then move on! Sailors should be thinking about what they want to achieve in the Springtime now and thinking about how they will get there! Parents can help by keeping the pressure off kids. If they put forth a good effort and conduct themselves as corinthians, then that is a lot to be proud of. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";">Parents play a big role in the routine of the kids, and did a lot to support the team at this regatta, from stocking the coach boats, loading and unloading the Super trailer, and in Melissa Hackel's case towing her first coachboat! Thanksgiving in New Orleans is fun if a little exotic, and I hope it was a good experience for all the families! While Burbon St, shopping, football games, and new friends can hardly be described as punishment, I hope the kids appreciate what you are sacrificing for them so they can go sailing! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp24pGCLNDTAeCVYOVyxxvUMzTJgJ7-tjSp2viNUUsgX0-dlietv9pFMEPnM-nC8NJfGXwuOe3sSMOT2xBxWLEDzVugCoJTnBQMJmecChjQY8cIUNIhW95fxUSA0poRPpw8RuNB1dWRfsF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.30.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp24pGCLNDTAeCVYOVyxxvUMzTJgJ7-tjSp2viNUUsgX0-dlietv9pFMEPnM-nC8NJfGXwuOe3sSMOT2xBxWLEDzVugCoJTnBQMJmecChjQY8cIUNIhW95fxUSA0poRPpw8RuNB1dWRfsF/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-12-04+at+12.30.08+PM.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><i>Jorge and Valentina spend quality family time together!</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif , "helvetica" , "emojifont" , "apple color emoji" , "segoe ui emoji" , "notocoloremoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "android emoji" , "emojisymbols";"><br /></span>
The <b>Day 1 Conditions </b>started similar to the practice day with medium winds out of the North-East. The pin was generally favored by 10degrees and sailors had good races by getting off the line there and playing the pressure form the left. We had generally experienced this on the practice days as well. The level of the fleet and stable conditions were fairly unforgiving - if you did not have a good start it was difficult to come back. After 3 races for all fleets a 4th race was completed in the Purple division. Then the wind shut off completely with the other 2 fleets about to finish or on the downwind leg respectively. The RC abandoned race 4 for all fleets. The best strategy was to sail the "Golden route" on the<u> left side,</u> getting to small pressure increases, then consolidating back across the fleet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtrKWobYmc2BCWJKrVOtrJtkHSx7O_i69w4qPWdU3aWXJMW2W1V-UsRdIutfOyZHP12QedzNA6WxAyI0BWnGhYcyupapD7XPoAziZgN93jN8CXXWhuzuIOi-OmpXjYxC7MFj-EG_H0ClV/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtrKWobYmc2BCWJKrVOtrJtkHSx7O_i69w4qPWdU3aWXJMW2W1V-UsRdIutfOyZHP12QedzNA6WxAyI0BWnGhYcyupapD7XPoAziZgN93jN8CXXWhuzuIOi-OmpXjYxC7MFj-EG_H0ClV/s320/IMG_1077.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAoqkK0wUC7fC1xoX2-t8PzCV3TbzBoqphxbt54brC2WpqABXKk78d4ztsWbALAb2-J4Vk24iFZhYrJ224mUn3-CvfPqi-g5RYWW84JiE1sjDTJY0_08g0NeGfX1hOs6bdIs_gKlEjjnc/s1600/46508434_2010111875701667_3201363597603110912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAoqkK0wUC7fC1xoX2-t8PzCV3TbzBoqphxbt54brC2WpqABXKk78d4ztsWbALAb2-J4Vk24iFZhYrJ224mUn3-CvfPqi-g5RYWW84JiE1sjDTJY0_08g0NeGfX1hOs6bdIs_gKlEjjnc/s400/46508434_2010111875701667_3201363597603110912_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>'Friend of the program' Peter Barnard wonders where the wind has gone at the end of day 1. </i></div>
<br />
<b>Day 2 Conditions</b> were decidedly less stable. In the first race the pin was favored at 5 min. It wasn't at go, and there was more wind coming and visible from the top right shoreline. Jack Redmond ducked 15 boats in escaping the pin, go to the new pressure first and rounded the windward mark with a sizable lead. There were races where the right paid, but there were also races where the left paid. When the wind went light you had to go hunt for pressure on the left, while when it came back Right is was with big puffs. The sailors were aware of this but had to look up the course and think for themselves on which phase the wind was in. Being smart and flexible on the line was key as well. Unfortunately a couple of our sailors got BFD's on General Recalled starts. There were also a few too many races where sailors started at the un-favored end of the line and had to claw back. Still at the end of the day LYC had sailors in 1,2,3 and 11 qualified for the top 3rd when the RC split the fleets into Gold/Silver A/B for the final day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXxwoZPfo8mT3dKhm7hMJLmyorsf81CMnGlvnhbCdEQIraL0SzROA0VGLBoIdOBj152wJIbFiwqHR5gxD4gRcObfgyrQ5T8Cui3MzYZ2T1RtBHJGNwSmeb9nfkCi_KcwFIbmVothJEqny/s1600/46517072_2010111432368378_3080567797021933568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXxwoZPfo8mT3dKhm7hMJLmyorsf81CMnGlvnhbCdEQIraL0SzROA0VGLBoIdOBj152wJIbFiwqHR5gxD4gRcObfgyrQ5T8Cui3MzYZ2T1RtBHJGNwSmeb9nfkCi_KcwFIbmVothJEqny/s400/46517072_2010111432368378_3080567797021933568_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Truman Rogers goes high risk at the Pin end! </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9Iw2H89SFz-o1xgMEWOR5GZs_dlaiP-Tksl1Q62SYAXQfU4XMoGP1GnOreBGIJaqHKzjxjl-c8vS25x-aZKQqezj0JrVR85JlsY7JOUwjjXL3JilHbq68WxE8x7cuwmCFjdrTdUsvRS3/s1600/46517340_2010111645701690_8032644065445019648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9Iw2H89SFz-o1xgMEWOR5GZs_dlaiP-Tksl1Q62SYAXQfU4XMoGP1GnOreBGIJaqHKzjxjl-c8vS25x-aZKQqezj0JrVR85JlsY7JOUwjjXL3JilHbq68WxE8x7cuwmCFjdrTdUsvRS3/s400/46517340_2010111645701690_8032644065445019648_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Big pile up at the pin. Lulu Hamilton (21419) seems to have a decent position. </i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0s-0_O4suqMRk2XhFcClvDSbuzx_E4r5I7UjurE0WEAbPApZtjDuFce0DML5r8JnZis5RUdgq_1dd4cBD05v7uaN1-OuBQp8A3hJtMmko_kQHxIjXJoOjVoPlFdOY5RggPq9Ei4u6fdp/s1600/46517197_2011430502236471_7306130955549278208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0s-0_O4suqMRk2XhFcClvDSbuzx_E4r5I7UjurE0WEAbPApZtjDuFce0DML5r8JnZis5RUdgq_1dd4cBD05v7uaN1-OuBQp8A3hJtMmko_kQHxIjXJoOjVoPlFdOY5RggPq9Ei4u6fdp/s400/46517197_2011430502236471_7306130955549278208_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>KJ Hill (21322) works to hold his spot in the front row on the start line. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Day 3.</b> For the 2nd straight day PRO Todd Fedezyn moved up the start time in hopes of catching an early breeze that was expected to die - a fact not lost on the Argentinan coaches hoping to watch the Boca vs Riva Soccer Finale scheduled for that afternoon. At the scheduled start time however the fleet was enveloped in fog, followed by no wind. Sailors hung out on their coach boats and tried to stay loose and prepared for the race that would come. Eventually 5.5 Kts of breeze came up out of the West and the RC began a race under U Flag- determined to get it off in the limited window! On the radio before the race the RC shared information from a wind-spotter they had positioned towards the bridge - that there was a 20 degree right shift coming. But at go the pin was favored by 8 degrees. Jack and Gil started well at the pin, and crossed half the fleet. Tommy Started in the middle and stayed just right of Jack, but missed the opportunity to work further right. Lulu started well at the boat, and when the predicted righty came, she wound up with a 2nd. It was a unforgiving race with a stacked Gold Fleet, light air, and just one shift on the first beat. As mentioned, Tommy orchestrated a furious comeback, while Gill, Jack, Cody and a number of top sailors from other clubs all sailed their throwout race. Drew Lamm sailed a great race to finish 9th to move into 29th overall! Unfortunately the Silver B fleet could not finish a race in a dying breeze, so no Silver race would count. We headed in as the soccer game was postponed due to violence by the Riva fans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOXJ6k63CwKZhysnbrTN6ERV45OFIxcxA6arhZh15DuiOYbt8npmR0OURYCokygezM_SBaRdAaYYA9Y77fOMqHMDNGcEtPz9yotLTrJZJ5_xIo86eCjauFx5hR10CtTVGxDxjGmJhPh4u/s1600/46523571_2012227052156816_996156168965455872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOXJ6k63CwKZhysnbrTN6ERV45OFIxcxA6arhZh15DuiOYbt8npmR0OURYCokygezM_SBaRdAaYYA9Y77fOMqHMDNGcEtPz9yotLTrJZJ5_xIo86eCjauFx5hR10CtTVGxDxjGmJhPh4u/s640/46523571_2012227052156816_996156168965455872_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The black flag and a boat end- pile up for the silver fleet start in the New Orleans haze. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
After Awards we hit the Road, arrivingrrived in Lauderdale at 10pm on Sunday with the Optis and coacheboats safely home. The kids went back to school, and I went to the US Sailing Coaching Symposium in Miami. Then Friday morning we embarked to Jensen Beach for another regatta - the Junior Olympics.<br />
<br />
The LYC Bronze fleet sailed well at Junior Olympics, led by Luca Damiano in 63rd and Pierce Webber in 65th place out of 115 Boat - significant improvement in their first year of RWB. But for many in the Gold and Silver fleets it was a tough regatta! Here's how I think we fell short.<br />
<br />
- Fatigue from so much racing leading up to Spring Team Qualifier. When your goals are geared towards a particular event, it takes time to re-focus afterwards on the next goal. So the fatigue was mental as well as physical. We will need to be sure to make practice fun this next weekend before gearing up for Orange Bowl.<br />
<br />
- Missing sailors. We had a half squad for Gold and its harder when you don't have the teammates you are used to supporting you! KJ hill had a breakout STQ at 37th place overall, and usually kills it in shifty conditions - we missed him, Lucy, Lulu, Ty and others atop the leaderboard and setting the example! I realize point 2 contradicts point 1 - maybe we didn't set the most Optimal schedule. However, its important to realize that "Strength in Numbers" is important if the team wants to get a good result at an event.<br />
<br />
-Understanding the conditions Sunday. This was a weird venue and we practice in pretty different conditions to what we experienced. Understanding how to play an extra long course was different as well. Sailors and coaches were able to pick up on the pattern Saturday, but Sunday was just lighter and weirder. We hope for some more practice in "Unstable conditions"<br />
<br />
-Hydration. I don't see sailors drinking enough from their re-fillable water bottles on or off the water! The coaches have water coolers on our boats - the kids need to work on stepping up the drinking routine. It should be as if the "Chug Jug" (fortnight reference) is glued to your hand off the water and it should be the first thing you go to refill after the race. In some cases maybe sailors don't want to pee because its a cold event - proper pissing techniques will get addressed in practice!<br />
<br />
- Starting!!! A lot of sailors definitely suffered in their execution on the start line. An unpredictable RC or a 115 boat fleet are just excuses - Each sailor needs to improve their boathandeling, line awareness, acceleration and time-on distance in the coming weeks. We practice starts all the time and will continue to emphasize!<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall a lot of good lessons, and we are happy to have a good reminder regatta that winning is really difficult! We will take the success of New Orleans and keep moving forward as a team.<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<br />
PHOTO Credits:<br />
-Sailing Photos: Tom Barnard<br />
-Boat Park candids: Tom Homberger<br />
-Awards Photos: SYC/Midwinters Facebook page.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Nov 24, 2018, 5:36:28 PM" class="SzDcob" height="666" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_KmIEXlGANJsz266usgfvW_Ikytc1AFFOqs0bnN4EF6nulvUHn-bwv-nciRWH3_cTWK276uCXA6BtvWbjmwYPcDPC9LdWWTocVwy4buicdRvXOpYY4SGJyU0ffoa1b0aGqDlsIOjZxvRplrSZI018PvLvOmO7t1kRoZhEGapZO3SIXCqoc4YAhChc2jb9erlD1BfM2UvKigrOvUzXZMb7g_p4_tro4BjCYl7adgHTYSnttg0BPddMDFHzgnW-Qvx_jFKRjODx4yqhjsG8KzdtbyxR7_TMLzqPjES3qUio0fG2cPiYikb3fBh2362D9D23oUTmIz3zJFiRYkv0lVtOzZi_mKI-g-PACCJuTbGdWqQb8wVHIB0wPVERkp4jcqCPln5W52TxPXvT6I-yihV33vFpNEP2ep6xZRDI1iJmirwUfOT2Zcobsu2p684VjUu5-cgV7INwi7wupIhY2ZWvBFgUBMcZ18CodnlN3svh4WnsAEBZcKdBkHkyab06umhXmYJy6CCF5zdOyM9rTDz6ow1PpuqZlqbuhbcSF6Viee8KzL4_2WrURZyhpGG5S-Ppu6_Eu4RyVoLBMGlS7VZvjUXX8QTISmQjd8ByNiAiJturgAU1Go7yf2AE-fFIuMrQQZo3kZ3SBYZNUls23do4GAAmXLrLjDUUi9qkPnCSZUGbBGkiPyzlxaC9_SbYM2kOw059cJe3Bg3uZfwEBY=w523-h666-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="523" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Cole Fanchi 6th place in White Fleet @ the STQ (10 years and under division) </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Nov 24, 2018, 5:58:35 PM" class="SzDcob" height="666" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ffMNRGG6Rj41rY2vqYuPMRfZc8feIGSJwiJsXAtlj-fPW1iOZNp8Sg226DGNDGDjNGPDQbA-zpKsHrIxFgPkIp6hHxO4_i3GciLVZYrajsfUGLzPgEnMbKN8MlEKJsThsDnK_CDOrzq63YiW3mlCS4Dyu00pIouNxL-ocbyUXSlH0hjHTZicgbEtc0P9x2kVxjKS72GWKUnYOkQZSxqyAuFcKzGIatMokIDWahpky2IhTbYp-pvxe9BXeqJFp2bEtr8pkAcn5MWTLqLZbd59m0X-b302GIGwknJXUedDeC2kDffY679DK6Og84arKlATi2dA3FoQ4tmLDKp02J2bRBEII2Gb__qYzna7uTfYfstps3p_vP0BrA2KWdTi_7E1TDEPtRywANHHPNUBcf4rm1ODSxXf0D0cXQGl6I94njKjNJaHSLzXkhSdMSHFF4DNrjpml_794os0UOFNrO0YQw6AKP78vquy2z8e_ybV_5akI56gGxtQsmUR0uyb0nOpRKpKNsWjBhhPjrRkxLtkx2p56xYnH7ySXqXmjtuUu5ycSV7pxT2axte6xdemEzKdLD4Tcl_yXvgOWVF717_TR87qylfvCtiJkGZx29v5SJQepm-tA46OuPcmNaWMFRCBtM0aRP0E1oWXvqdKN6LgRbMF_3sDhwVHxORPH3ovfVqE84i0fSzjr7Sy4mkOJpKlXcGlXRSg0pOcWz5clo8=w561-h666-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="561" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Lulu behind the Wheel! Ahhh! </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Nov 24, 2018, 5:52:54 PM" class="SzDcob" height="666" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oa-yvILV9KTyoqb4lHAIFabDlsmtOCDOSCKR3ApTMmZgVmVba9IeWKISdLupb15dpR48R9KTD59pnWLJw1eo5EHheuZ7imtgEMWXMd6SALigafTdH0yTCrW5Rg5sAFiyCdO31DUUAvUATTn5-pF1pLPxQuQH71sAYGo0QHIIXUMVGyb4900Lt9oVo22sPBUIP6qId_7B5ho4FH-UQ9O-nvRB1VnuRJDYVncm-vvCRdsdcBKAGr2vChqsSLMJEymme9ljTgrIgCpEkxDsYxSdwBa04qOZi64R3EF4XEqgGMZ_hA5pZZqJBJqXO8cQAqT03p9oHcBjDp6B7e2tqIUQbZvUuuCToCm-6yCf7KZH2Bi2Bo3CYDjlqqLdC6iDFo32r6PRJDosdOF4wbNUiAmulGa59dhrZ2-zfKe7vW1k2o5b5pN4drgUFbKT6XDv47fl-I9dMiMe-jnVKo1fgAnnH21Wm7p0mxXzsqL29V2zjRKVjF5RJAIs3Le9Zeo0daTvriSIHn4MFix0qYnu4bN2n2DfhkILd0IWqs_pEGH1ay1pKPWuA2ehnyo6Htnhu24h01rTOhWLMqzdD9cD-L4ebv0hSo-1R1_e6Gzpb6B_Q-69VEJf-fsQmILaAA3PDBPqkh67SSkKk6uqXzDhDNwcvDR6nKUrnR-RF8hp2hvoQJQj_ZAozYV0v4AbJURtfiWZkWkm8q0RPzMIrKEB_80=w550-h666-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="550" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Jack Redmond "J-Red" holds the 2nd place red fleet half model. Super classy trophies! </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Nov 24, 2018, 5:56:07 PM" class="SzDcob" height="250" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/quln-lz9jM6XNK5aKt18Cz3dFC2vTE0343Toq-iKMESsUy7X3Z1IsFPSOA_uuDxhXY7O5fhdW4wHnuv7ggtPofkxK8ODVuHqzqfXdeBFuYrDQM3XlhjYUICFHh82NLMqFziIaXFm3aBunqPEB3nM5hitdUReJOqBBKaCptx-1ZxuN8ZBcK5RWIDwi37oBqrFZSxlCM1-SvmBQvJwIUeG5j8zAA4xb6SQ9WGX8tgwa78DtOKnztC_5ZNP8tUicaFN4h6to2CgG2pt1V0L45UcLO0dPWEe76tVkYM_Y2p-PIAFBdKWGpSJmZt5ozeTVbopIb-AutdTlkdacqFqHq-85Khmh06rPiFE-0gzuKKrGiA6VVPt49SsYjtDJzIx2GJuiPGPoNYJXsbqRJOl0_bMrIm-V6va3kf1caeq8GPKzhQrgDqHeWKWgv6NtCiTq1lXzhabnXy1RKlrmUVEy8uX4WT3pC97DKcTwsLnGQ2z5Xu6hrX7aNfALdmfMJcGFxKPSelWqPsNCf08r8c45DoTdL8dxF0mcTWfvb2MtZRafBzfEBXhg73CDJlcJnakte_h0OyKlTaJlKL3exLrB8ceROYjBzYRw31tAh-HYAXGq_tZGZBIkv2EHMEGOl8m57WpEvw_tY3jfkiGQAxPrjQEa-OdSE7Z9rHcxqokbBccL1hA_KKEwfbYfmexfOrXtxK7nLyCkfcg63iiHo20jO8=w850-h666-no" width="320" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Nov 24, 2018, 5:42:26 PM" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7cLLVnJYslvneZ8HDiB8SabpLGy7GlOAvFr8v_K-gkkleHK1dWeI0SuQh2twhR9L7WinP9X-L2za1iex8HER3N59naeloHVj_9qt6hzqktAqjhxdhWri-Ify1pzTOtt2k-zxqMETV2b_Xaz-Z0YGMWRypD-U_oMHfAuQjfk-6icOcA7zOeIVSugfRQxPkRv7a7x-sc451eOx3Qg22AoKioctMsuBbLPCMF0dNKhi-Nx9vNmW7zSBljlm-zI4yIG1M0sQBZLDEMXZm5USdk4-E1_jJoSHGlZuS0wjAblRsCMqD3vZk_8YSY_7ZogfvF8GySyxsyddBCq9o5bK1L7vlLNxJO07Qyo32tAhephw8KS4qFgOTyETtQAaTbiUpk1V1kEk24CvQ6BAu0KYBZD0eRDo8w3NSPOKCloRiC-fyu3CARumWiuCupbNpcxSBy_w4Y4nC93I9zHvAXN2QYWTqSEFGHExFsF-TVEWRUCZ5iA8X9xRiPByIkutPs1f_h4_B6C0xnAvgKUQHGATYWo7xqwWShVCBzODu0-sC5Ct7jSxQ9phuycZphv9nK-CLv4T13eX1L-PDm8mDZg4T2b_Out-l6m-SY3hWXeplshRvyLXUfrsfOZzM4J5Z__9T9qLHlFLg4XOyePv2jP6Cb6DUIWzzgVMdVyjSH5yMvQgvTMB9ZNX39CsTm00YhW_EsSli3e6PYruzH2PAHbMg=w511-h666-no" width="245" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<i>Gill Hackel (left) wins the top Gulf Coast sailor award, while Drew Lamm receives a Half model in Blue Fleet. </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, Helvetica, EmojiFont, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', NotoColorEmoji, 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Android Emoji', EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-84267849160638456332018-10-10T15:18:00.000-07:002018-10-10T15:29:57.280-07:00Regatta Debrief - New England Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uk0vya53kHh6GwzlM_A-0sLgwBYP9BCJa-AaKr5zyZ7Bax8vTLVaWCLZRTawMT3B6ToBNGWchzEBmaYUYwzulvRwWIfsqJ2bsArjU5vx25Qv7H4YedNSQErrLY0tDVDVFuuUGol-8-C_/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uk0vya53kHh6GwzlM_A-0sLgwBYP9BCJa-AaKr5zyZ7Bax8vTLVaWCLZRTawMT3B6ToBNGWchzEBmaYUYwzulvRwWIfsqJ2bsArjU5vx25Qv7H4YedNSQErrLY0tDVDVFuuUGol-8-C_/s400/IMG_1446.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seeking a Fall challenge, with cooler temperatures and a good fleet we traveled to the North Country Fair, Newport Rhode Island for the Optimist New England Championship. In the home of the 12 meter yachts - the class of the America's Cup from 1958-1988 and on the peninsula where 'Dylan went electric' in 1965, our sailors raced among a fleet of 208 boats. Tommy Sizmann was a close over-early away from winning the event, but took 6th, with Jack Redmond 7th, Audrey Folley 10th, Gill Hackell 12th, Lucy Meagher 19th, Lulu Hamilton 24th and Nico Garcia Castrillon 26th the top LYC finishers. Ben Lindo who was sailing with us qualified for team Trails at his first opportunity placing 49th - a tough fleet to do that in! Tommy and Jack were 4th,5th Red Fleet, Audrey and Gill 4th, 5th in Blue Fleet and Audrey, Lucy Lulu 2,5,6 in Girls division.</div>
<br />
We arrived at the venue at 9am for a 10am rigged and ready, and it was actually impressive that everyone's optis were pretty much good to go by 11am. When you are 'breaking in' a charter there is a lot to do and we recognized this as part of the learning experience for this regatta. I wrote extensively about <a href="https://lycoptis.blogspot.com/2018/04/36th-lake-garda-optimist-meeting.html">what to check/change on a charter Opti</a> last spring for the USODA Garda debrief <a href="https://lycoptis.blogspot.com/2018/04/36th-lake-garda-optimist-meeting.html">here.</a> One additional thing I would like to note is that if you measure the mast rake first with a bare pole before rigging you save your sail some wear and tear, and get a more accurate, easy reading. The sailors did a good job of checking their mast rake and considering adjustments, as well as adjusting on the water in some cases at this regatta.<br />
<br />
We stress the equipment at Lauderdale because it does make a big difference to have your Opti tuned up as well as possible. Advances in line technology have changed the way kids can sail the boat, and in how full of a sail a smaller kid can handle (I am looking at you Lulu with your Jblue!). Having low stretch - Dynema, Vectran or Spectra cored vang lines allows sailors to bend the mast and flatten the sail to a greater degree and with more precision. Less play between the sail and the boat means greater kinetic transfer into the hull, and ability to initiate surfing. Innovations like the tapered outhaul (available now from sometime LYC Opti sailor Lucas Tenrierro for $20) that allows it to side better (so sailors are always easing downwind) are pushing the class forward! The best sailors bring all their own lines to the charter boat, rig meticulously, and are always looking for new advantages - I liked that Kevin was trying a rule-beating mainsheet setup and Gill testing a inner-core tapered mainsheet (previously seen on Stephan Baker's boat). Ty and Drew found their Far East's were slippery and started sailing in Adidas Boat Shoes, Simone and Graceanna already sail in boots and were prepared! We found the Carter brand Optis at the Marco Rizzotti were slippery too. As Pilo likes to say "you have to make your boat work for you!"<br />
<br />
With a really long tow to the racecourse, sailors had to do a great job with their sailties. We talked about techniques for stretching them in the practice debrief, and the top corner ties were really done well by almost all our sailors through the regatta. With a grassy hill to rig on and reasonable temperatures (cold, but if your dressed in your sailing gear and a jacket, no problem) the sailors had a great environment for perfecting their sail shape.<br />
<br />
We warmed up a little bit in the morning field, then headed North under the bridge - a 35 minute slog of a tow into waves. Just North of the bridge Ike capsized so I let them off the towline and we sailed upwind on a couple long speed tests. At this point, though the sails were not perfect, you have to focus on technique and sailing the waves in a new venue. Gill worked on his sailing-and-bailing technique. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/omari.o.scott/videos/10101366092027831/">Here's a good video by CRYC coach Omari Scott of a sailor sailing and bailing upwind</a> - note how they add kinetics - flicking the leech and working the waves <i>by</i> bailing. We then sailed 6 practice starts and 2 races with CERT, CRYC, and Happy's team on the same line. Then I took my team on a long downwind the whole way home, working on downwind speed, technique and surfing. Keeping your lower body forward in the boat helps you to spring up and keep the boat on the wave to extend surfing. We raced around government marks with the Canadian team in informal competition and Gill pretty much sailed away from everybody. Good practice for a later date, but this regatta would be much lighter...<br />
<br />
Day 1 featured an extended postponement on land, and I did a little spectating at a College NESA Conference regatta that was going on in the Harbor, hosted by Salve Regina University. The fact that there were 4 start lines in Newport in October (the others being Sonar Team Racing and Green Fleet) testifies to Newport's claim of being the Yachting Capitol. At 1:15pm PRO Todd Fedezyn sent us out for what would be one light air race. The wind had been light out of the south-east all morning and now it was light out of the South. The current had just been slack low and was starting to come in. Here is a picture of this tricky venue:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwA6xpKYC9MfcnXVCue9X1rK4kB3JIbqsVuFTjyJuE5jV8sUWaLJKFonfSOrTDmfRWDLBC7LRV9n8LjGQwye5z_R8wirCMqFngY5MS2clW5YLquyJiagOWTDgmbtdFwvXlGfJxpbypdB3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-10+at+3.31.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="213" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwA6xpKYC9MfcnXVCue9X1rK4kB3JIbqsVuFTjyJuE5jV8sUWaLJKFonfSOrTDmfRWDLBC7LRV9n8LjGQwye5z_R8wirCMqFngY5MS2clW5YLquyJiagOWTDgmbtdFwvXlGfJxpbypdB3/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-10-10+at+3.31.27+PM.png" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the Southerly coming partly over the land and partly up the sound, there was the potential for a lot to happen. Tommy Sitzman had a good start and played it conservatively on the beat, but was passed by a couple boats that went hard left and found better pressure and apparently not-that-adverse current. Unfortunately his teammates did not really learn from this and failed to start at the pin the next two starts when, during the sequence, it became soo favored that the boats there port-tacked the fleet. Jack had a good comeback from a boat end start to 20th, while Lulu was so deep we almost called the Coast Guard! (JK) I think its important to analyze how we make decisions. I sympathize with Tommy playing the beat conservatively, although maybe he could have looked harder for where the pressure was. To not start at the favored end in unstable conditions is a big mistake and we paid the price!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day - no races!! We spent a day on the water with a couple starts and first beets by the blue fleet that had to be abandoned. The Wind shifted 100 degrees and back, and the race committee made a great effort, but at 3:30pm had to send us in. It's still a day on the water and we tested speed and the course numerous times, worked on sails, roll tacks, and socialized. On the tow in we tried to play the current by banging all the way in under Goat Island and passed Pili-we are always thinking tactics, current, going fast, and saving the sails on the towline. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 3 would be the pivotal day of the regatta. With a solid overcast and a North-Easterly of 12-15kts we had high hopes for a day of racing. Although the wind dropped as low as 5kts PRO Fedezyn was able to get in 4 more races in each division. More tricky conditions from Newport - wind coming from a medium/distant shore and cross current flowing out. Overall, our sailors got dialed in with the current flowing from left to right and the pin being favored necessitating a play-the-left strategy. Going for what you see - playing the shifts and puffs is important, but realize that sailing into the current early keeps your options open and gets you closer to the mark. Freddie Parkin won the regatta by dominating the pin in his fleet. It wasn't that hard! The current was ripping away from the pin boat creating more space for 3 of the 4 races. Our sailors were more aware of the favored end of the line than on Saturday: Gill won the pin and flopped onto port tack in the biggest lefty of the day to win race 4. Lucy had a good boat start in the 1 boat start of the day and her patience & speed on the favored starboard tack netted a top 3. If not for the UFD Tommy would have won 3 of his last 4 races starting a couple boats from the pin and having great speed and height and playing the shifts on the left side of the course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've sailed 2 regattas this year and the tactics of the last beat with the USODA course are really starting to sink in. The finish lines are being set to the "course right" of mark 2, which is intend to be set directly upwind of the leeward gate. Thus more port tack <i>if</i> there were no current. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5aBKLPfgmDBHGRNAUWWbsiEwzDC7BrUeLR2lSifAst99rjBcYSxg6kg7b57otE0MoEU4FaY0Uwcbm0op65AyteyvOjW3x4uBffbc8otUQplM4y1P4t-6E2220kPNuT_aqQya-2tHQsSX/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5aBKLPfgmDBHGRNAUWWbsiEwzDC7BrUeLR2lSifAst99rjBcYSxg6kg7b57otE0MoEU4FaY0Uwcbm0op65AyteyvOjW3x4uBffbc8otUQplM4y1P4t-6E2220kPNuT_aqQya-2tHQsSX/s400/IMG_1447.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A quick note on directions - we say "left" and right" when looking upwind and cutting the course and half and discussing the first leg. On latter legs "course" means we are similarly orienting ourselves upwind. So the "course right "gate is also the "left turn gate" if if looking at it downwind. Think of it like Enders Game, just orient yourself to the goal, which is where the wind is coming from on the first and last legs. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's how I see the beat skewing with left-to-right cross current. Essentially, you can make a better play by rounding the course left gate and not crossing the middle too soon. Just like what worked on the first beat, patience with the left! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVyNr4GMe66Te8ym5Eayz8yGgfTW4QZbov1BcwsqnRAislj0q51wEF4UXTmgiCMZ-rAeapr0HfOG2jvmffX44DFQEegwLpsKl0_XnPjpaOvccmqCCh3dYEX93Veaj50SpL2SRl1vqydzy/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVyNr4GMe66Te8ym5Eayz8yGgfTW4QZbov1BcwsqnRAislj0q51wEF4UXTmgiCMZ-rAeapr0HfOG2jvmffX44DFQEegwLpsKl0_XnPjpaOvccmqCCh3dYEX93Veaj50SpL2SRl1vqydzy/s640/IMG_1449.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On one last beat Jack forced himself to the right of the competition and fell from 2nd to 3rd. Always know what you want and cover <u>between the comp and the advantage</u>! Or, if you are trying to pass, try to switch up the boats covering you and split to the advantaged puff/side. Any time I am coving the boats behind and splitting from the boats ahead toward what I think is more wind or the long tack, I am happy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But if the current is opposite, then play the "Golden Gate" and you don't have to cross under the downwind fleet at all:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMM1pjFR88ei85fEFL1vyIpR7FkpqIWrwWlP5XU9gHdxB0mBlSp-6GcAPj8OECgL8yk7H9L-ybx1EPP_rzo4M-n9TLodlDT7rglZxvz9j-9Okt1uTIJxNDUcznHRxVXV8QnX8MO4OYtn4/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMM1pjFR88ei85fEFL1vyIpR7FkpqIWrwWlP5XU9gHdxB0mBlSp-6GcAPj8OECgL8yk7H9L-ybx1EPP_rzo4M-n9TLodlDT7rglZxvz9j-9Okt1uTIJxNDUcznHRxVXV8QnX8MO4OYtn4/s640/IMG_1454.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As always, planning ahead and sailing relaxed are all keys to the last beat, as well as getting your settings (sprit tension, outhaul) back on from the downwind in a way that is smooth. We have a ways to go there and the best sailors will practice putting on and off their settings on even the smallest course! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The results towards the end of the regatta were really nice as Tommy, Jack and Gill all won races, Lulu and Nico had a 2 and Lucy a 3, and Ben ended on a 7 to qualify for Team Trials. We hope that we can learn from our mistakes and sail well out of the box going forward, and feel better prepared for New Orleans for having sailed this regatta. We now have 2-3 weeks of Team Racing to look forward to and are excited to keep working on situational sailing. Thanks to all the parents who made this trip possible, to Brad Reed at Sail Newport and all the volunteers for hosting, to Emily and Grant who hosted the LYC Coaches in Newport, to my esteemed colleague and mentor Pilo Rocha, and to the sailors who, through their hard work give meaning to this amazing sport. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-43126860075929273432018-09-19T12:24:00.002-07:002018-09-19T12:24:47.029-07:00Regatta Debrief - 49th SE Dinghy Champs <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lU4FcSOYrHZGLTIjE6Nh33lWC_xunN4-238iAqE9QBGJeL7ThckLeeiXN9MPPhjGtyyXmHVLIIVPdBnHB5JLfEiAunZD3KU7B5wj3dG1u9EKrZAe6H6tLb0G32NB67-h1SgKI62-jZLk/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="582" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lU4FcSOYrHZGLTIjE6Nh33lWC_xunN4-238iAqE9QBGJeL7ThckLeeiXN9MPPhjGtyyXmHVLIIVPdBnHB5JLfEiAunZD3KU7B5wj3dG1u9EKrZAe6H6tLb0G32NB67-h1SgKI62-jZLk/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Saturday September 15th felt like Opening Day in any sport, with 97 Optis from South Florida and beyond racing again together on Biscayne Bay. Coaches, parents and kids from different yacht clubs were all happy to see each other again after summer travels and getting back to school. The race committee ran 4 great races in 5-10 knots of perfect seabreeze and sunshine. I was proud to have 31 sailors on the line representing LYC, and when Jack Redmond and Gill Hackel led the fleet into the first windward mark, felt a little jittery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh208InNLzu8s8LrawIqXnwq21JZSp-7eMwOSMapd7d2F3Mx2CYf6tkpyAx5HV4-S4ZAsJ3VCxBUvlseJe1fo4JteoISrDVEDnmOPqT7RLnxLSMfAbgLL3xUJhgU9ZBbWjEQ1-L7vEC2Sid/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh208InNLzu8s8LrawIqXnwq21JZSp-7eMwOSMapd7d2F3Mx2CYf6tkpyAx5HV4-S4ZAsJ3VCxBUvlseJe1fo4JteoISrDVEDnmOPqT7RLnxLSMfAbgLL3xUJhgU9ZBbWjEQ1-L7vEC2Sid/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Gill Hackel took control of the event Saturday with 4 races of good starts, great upwind speed and good decision making, and on Sunday had his first major regatta win! I met Gill at the Lake Garda Optimist Meeting where we were with Team USA, and he began sailing with LYC this fall. Here's the scores of the top 10:<br />
<br />
<table class="marginBase slightlyTallerRows" id="resultsTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: modern; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 100%;"><tbody id="tableBody">
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_0H0e8JTrry" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_r2mJPXLity" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 21447</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Gilman Hackel</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="boatNameResults" style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
LYC</div>
</span></div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">17</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">9</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(27)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_zisrFjehnp" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 16953</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Freddie Parkin</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Coral Reef/Riverside</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">28</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">3</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">3</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(14)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_LA4uAp01vG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">3</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 21325</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Cort Snyder</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Coral Reef Yacht Club </span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">31</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">5</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">9</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">8</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">8</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(13)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_aNjwAb7p2F" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 22280</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Jack Redmond</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">LYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">33</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">13</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(15)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">3</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_ukb7MVorCO" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">5</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 21419</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Laura Hamilton</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">LYC </span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">43</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(29)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">5</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">25</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_BqngS350nP" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">6</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 22278</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Leopold Seuss</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">LYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">43</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">18</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">7</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(21)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_KXHz9aiqmb" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">7</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 22291 Nico Garcia- Castrillon</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
</div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">LYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">44</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">9</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(25)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">13</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">6</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_jdPjuEyjt2" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">8</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 20482</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Griggs Diemar</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">CRYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">46</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">11</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(BFD-101)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">20</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_Biu0Ng9Xoe" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">9</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 19458</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Tyler Lamm</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">LYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">50</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(35)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">6</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">7</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">23</span></td><td class="scorePosition_6 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">4</span></td></tr>
<tr class="resultsRow" id="resultsRow_0H0e8JTrry" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; line-height: 16px; transition: all 0.4s ease; white-space: nowrap;"><td class="resultsPlace" style="margin-right: 5px; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 8px 8px 12px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">10</span></div>
</td><td style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/regattatoolbox/flags/us.png" style="height: 32px; padding-right: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 32px;" /></span><br />
<div class="resultsSailNumberWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 128.09375px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">USA 20916</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">
</span></td><td class="sailorNameResults" style="line-height: 16px; max-width: 185px; min-width: 34px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 3px; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsCrewWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 196.015625px;">
<div style="overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Owen Grainger</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="clubSponsorText" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="resultsClubSponsorWrap" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 164.859375px;">
<div style="max-width: 150px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">CRYC</span></div>
</div>
</td><td class="netPoints" style="font-weight: bold; min-width: 34px; padding: 8px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">55</span></td><td class="scorePosition_1 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(26)</span></td><td class="scorePosition_2 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">22</span></td><td class="scorePosition_3 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">17</span></td><td class="scorePosition_4 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">6</span></td><td class="scorePosition_5 scorePosition" style="min-width: 34px; padding: 8px 2px; text-align: center; transition: all 0.4s ease; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">8</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The depth of the fleet and the challenging conditions made it so not one sailor had all top 10 finishes! Cole Fanchi made the podium with a 3rd in White Fleet (under 11 age group) and Lulu Hamilton was top Girl (obvi)!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHs2F2oR1epcXGSXHfcAACi7aLT5QCgmF29M5cWA91iOEadM4kVy5c5VOtVvXtTFERzxZGoO6KPpvIB-X0VuJdbO7MiZwwjdjUPsGGdMgsNAj0tcPcl8hwRs1E3SAls0H3rJZYNL2ow0A/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="640" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHs2F2oR1epcXGSXHfcAACi7aLT5QCgmF29M5cWA91iOEadM4kVy5c5VOtVvXtTFERzxZGoO6KPpvIB-X0VuJdbO7MiZwwjdjUPsGGdMgsNAj0tcPcl8hwRs1E3SAls0H3rJZYNL2ow0A/s320/IMG_1423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Having a first regatta this early in the season was great to have a benchmark (and regattas are often the best practice), but it was also early in terms of establishing routines and techniques, and there were a lot of mistakes! In the aforementioned first race, 1/3 of the fleet over-stood the Starboard layline to the first mark. Not recognizing the favored end of the line, underestimating the current, and even capsizing were all mistakes made by top sailors! Here are some notes for the sailors (and parents) I hope can clarify some things that happened.<br />
<br />
<b>Rigging/Sail Shape. </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ752O9bAVQ02sSeSdYONHQVy2vyqcRzQfvwRdXfXaOWX2TnztHYnGvDsQmgG09ThKEWr4WSQFS_pI0AMnEt3QC2gLxXS2dMsFHHrR_F8KkaC3RaPxsx68wPrDezh4_N-EMBNmK5qZUSOX/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ752O9bAVQ02sSeSdYONHQVy2vyqcRzQfvwRdXfXaOWX2TnztHYnGvDsQmgG09ThKEWr4WSQFS_pI0AMnEt3QC2gLxXS2dMsFHHrR_F8KkaC3RaPxsx68wPrDezh4_N-EMBNmK5qZUSOX/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Tommy Sitzmann trains in early 2018.</i></div>
How do we judge an Opti sail? Is it how it hangs in the parking lot when the sailor asks "coach can you please check my sail?". We can check the basics there:<br />
<br />
-Tight <i>top corner tie</i> & <i>diagonal</i> controlling the height of the sail.<br />
-Basic/approximate <i>luff tension</i> with approximate <i>vang</i> and <i>sprit</i> ON.<br />
-Is everything rigged correctly (knot in the outhaul, etc) and all "safety regulations" good?<br />
-A little detective work on if the sailor rigged in the correct procedure (the sail doesn't lie!) .<br />
<br />
But the actual judgement of the sail will come when it is fully powered on the first upwind leg of the race. At this point it will have the force of the wind on it - not just the true wind, but the added wind from the speed of the boat (called "Apparent wind"). It will have the full downward force of the mainsheet. The Wind-force + Mainsheet + Sprit forces will bend the mast, stretching the corner ties. At this moment, as the sailor is presenting the smoothest, most powerful-for-the-conditions sail shape, he or she will feel the force the sail pulls back on the mainsheet. He or she will have to judge not just the appearance, but the effect of the sail driving the boat through the water.<br />
<br />
The sail cloth cannot lie about the forces begin put on it. If there is 1 big wrinkle coming off a sail-tie, then that sail tie is tighter than all the others and should be loosened! If there are wrinkles off all the sail ties, then the luff (front edge of the sail) tension is too loose. Less twists on the preventer and re-vanging solves that problem. Wrinkles across the sprit either way means the sprit needs adjusting! Sail too/high/low/wrinkles-that-even-more sprit tension won't solve point to the top corner ties.<br />
<br />
If the sailor didn't even rig the sail in the first place, they will be completely lost when it comes to fixing/adjusting/tuning it on the water, and this is where the parent can do their kid the greatest disservice. There will be mistakes, heinous sail shapes, and tears when the sailor realizes half way through rigging that the boom-is-on-the-wrong-way and has to start over! But there isn't a great sailor out there that doesn't understand sail shape. That understanding comes from rigging and adjusting your own sails.<br />
<br />
Correct rigging procedure for the sailor in the parking lot:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg-Yc8li1vJPsmWQOiy8CUL2oo2yIwHNWgB7NaWL5WmepSNcRis6MGlHCreToL5tcEQIFVWn6-_mCdDM0KXSvHGFEYXX_tsMdcEICjVlwB1vWNWPsXxNq-SIAK9jgjBdHn89LFcLKSfPE/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg-Yc8li1vJPsmWQOiy8CUL2oo2yIwHNWgB7NaWL5WmepSNcRis6MGlHCreToL5tcEQIFVWn6-_mCdDM0KXSvHGFEYXX_tsMdcEICjVlwB1vWNWPsXxNq-SIAK9jgjBdHn89LFcLKSfPE/s400/IMG_0235.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<i>Above: throwback - Kevin Gosselin shows off his rigging process for OptiNews '17! <u>Note: the sail has tension with no luff ties. </u></i><br />
<br />
1. Find cleanest, least traffic, shadiest spot, lay out sail, already tied to the boom.<br />
2. Put mast through the preventer (aka Cunningham) loop. Make sure the sail us fully unrolled and boom right side up!<br />
3. Rig the top corner ties. We show the sailors tricks on these in person in practice. These are the most important sail ties to get right!<br />
4. Preventer on<br />
5. Vang hand tight.<br />
6. Sprit on until there are no wrinkles.<br />
<br />
At this point the sail has shape and can be easily carried around. Many sailors prefer to put the sail up in the boat before the next step.<br />
<br />
7. Rig luff ties. If the luff is not taught during this step, adjust the vang, preventer or sprit until it is tight. This is the secret to getting the luff ties even.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Current - Overview</b><br />
We sail a lot on Biscayne Bay and feel like we understand the venue as well as any of the local clubs. See "<a href="https://lycoptis.blogspot.com/2018/04/spring-fling-regatta-debrief.html">Spring Fling Debrief</a>" for explanations of the Tide & wind bends when the wind is coming form Key Biscayne. With Winds out of the South East for this regatta, we sailed mostly in "cross-current" - current pushing from at least 45 deg. off the wind angle.<br />
<br />
"Fight it then ride it" is the adage for sailing in cross current, and this applies to the start line, beats and the run!<br />
<br />
- On the Start Line, the "up-current" end of the line will be lower risk - current is pushing boats away from that end, not piling them up. In races 1 and 2 that made it very easy to make the pin and the best start was to be had near there.<br />
It is very important to analyze if the current is pushing you over or under the line - tougher to asses in cross current but critical! We check the current with a gatorade bottle or orange tossed next to a starting mark. Then the sailor should practice both sailing down the line (are you being pushed up or down as you try to sail straight along it??) and I also really like to do practice runs at the pin, so I know the layline and angles, and have a feel for the timing and acceleration.<br />
<br />
- On the first Beat (first upwind leg) sailing into the current generally puts you on the "long - tack" the tack you will spend a longer time on. So for races 1-2 with the current pushing from left to right, maintaining a lane on starboard tack was the key. Gill showed really good patience working the left edge of the leaders, always maintaining his up-current advantage until he could cross the fleet in a good position at the mark. By the same token, sailors that sailed down current (port tack) first got pinned to the right corner of the course and often overshot the layline. Extra distance and you are fighting the current to the mark as you watch the fleet cross in front of you!<br />
When the current switched (High Tide was 2:15 pm), all of a sudden the Left side became much more risky because it was down current! There was still a wind bend/current-bend advantage I observed there, but you had to be in the top of the group and consolidate the fleet at the perfect time. With the starboard end of the line favored in race 4 (putting the starboard side of the fleet already ahead!) only Jack and Gill were able to escape and everyone else who started at the Pin end had a bad race. This shows the importance of recognizing the favored end of the line, and tying together you start and first beat strategy.<br />
<br />
-On the run sailing the jibe that puts your bow towards the current makes you sail significantly less distance. I was happy that most of our sailors did not jybe in the races with current from boat to pin. You can plan/think ahead to your downwind strategy on the start line before the race, then re-check the angle of the current (look at the wake!) on Mark 2.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwrp1q9hn8NfQgGWWAxF6U2EX1278ynGdbWzm_Pya0tlZJuRVTigosDEhvj0v15YU_GBaRLSdLKUbqz77-dix13FYj93xc3za7zcGNIKhWzp0X3e3a9ZP322rBKo5NLwpxqKnJ4b-9I5V/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwrp1q9hn8NfQgGWWAxF6U2EX1278ynGdbWzm_Pya0tlZJuRVTigosDEhvj0v15YU_GBaRLSdLKUbqz77-dix13FYj93xc3za7zcGNIKhWzp0X3e3a9ZP322rBKo5NLwpxqKnJ4b-9I5V/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Wind </b><br />
Saturday the wind was a pretty normal Biscayne Bay seabreeze. Even with the direction South of the Key, the left was still the most consistent pressure, and even in the right-phase race there was a lefty before the windward mark.<br />
<br />
Sunday there was more to unpack. We stress being the first team in the racing area (Gold fleet was both days) because everything you see means something. On the last day of J24 Nationals we were the first ones to the racecourse and saw a major positive stream in the current that was still there later, although it became less visible to the competitors that followed us out. We were able to sail in that stream to a huge first leg lead that helped us win the regatta by 1 point! The clue for SE Champs was a big shift almost to the NE (left shift) 20 minutes before the start. While the wind went back to a more regular Sea-Breeze direction for the race, this was an indicator that the wind would be fighting itself, and both the shifts and the differences in velocity were much bigger than on Saturday.<br />
<br />
With big "Holes" - areas of low velocity (we Coaches will often call velocity "pressure" fyi - sorry physics majors!) on the race course it was important to:<br />
<br />
- Look for areas of "pressure" marked by darker, more rippled water.<br />
- Be patient and sail into those areas of pressure.<br />
<br />
Overall it was a tough first race for LYC as many sailors either started at the unfavored boat end, or tacked shy of the pressure.<br />
<br />
In the next (and final) race, the wind shifted further right to the seabreeze, and many LYC sailors <u>did </u>recognize this and start at the now-favored boat end. With this sustained right shift, Nico Garcia-Castrillon, who sailed a consistently good regatta, got a little greedy and dug further right of the course, although he may have been winning already! Sure enough, even with the persistent right shift, it still came back to the left a little bit, allowing CRYC sailors Cort Snyder and Freddie Parkin to cruise back into the top 12, after starting at the wrong end but being patient with the left. Feeling pressure, Hackel was not as patient and posted more points than the rest of his regatta combined (his consistency up to that point gave him a throwout race to burn)! Jack Redmond sailed his best race of the event, starting right, consolidating, sailing conservatively and letting his boatspeed take over to end with a W, just like at last springs South Americans. <br />
<br />
<br />
So my Biscayne Bay Takeaways (apply almost anywhere) :<br />
- Start at the pin if it is favored<br />
- Start at least boat half if the boat is favored<br />
- Consolidate the right almost immediately in a righty - it will not last.<br />
- Sail for pressure on the left, and be more patient on when to consolidate.<br />
- Always factor current into how you play the racecourse, and how you view risk on each side.<br />
-Always go for what you see over what you predict.<br />
<br />
<b><i>A note to the Bronze Fleet:</i></b><br />
<i> If you don't understand these last few sections, don't worry about it! Technique is the most important thing by far to get down and thats where the focus should be. Only once you have speed and good start can you really apply everything else! There is a danger in overanalyzing or critiquing too much of a new RWB sailors tactic's. "Why'd my kid tack there?" leads them to stress decisions when they need to relax and develop tactics by instinct and by making mistakes they can learn from. The biggest gains will come from Technique, not tactics. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Habits</b><br />
Habits need to improve from this event going forward:<br />
Issues:<br />
-Not all sailors rigged and ready on time<br />
-Borrowing my tape measure - bring your own! And <u>always check the mast rake</u>. Sailors can and do change the rake on the water based on feel or significant wind changes, but you should then measure and see what you changed it to! If it was fast, remember that setting. I measure the rake in inches with a range of 110" to 112" , depending on a lot of factors.<br />
-Slow launching. After a wind delay there is no excuse to be last off the dock! We are a team and reliant on our last sailor to launch before we can tow to the racecourse. Make sure you are all ready to go with plenty of time, and within the rules, endeavor to get your boat close to the launch point!<br />
-Not testing the sail or start line between races. To have great boatspeed you have to work at it, testing the sail and the feel and balance of the boat; and checking the line and conditions is crucial.<br />
<br />
<u>LYC Coming to the Coach-boat Checklist: </u><br />
<br />
1. After finishing the race (and filing any protests or requests for redress with the RC finish boat or Measurement boat, as necessary) sail to coachboat.<br />
2. Dock on leeward side, being careful of other teammates and control speed with sail luffing and using the rudder as a brake.<br />
3. ASK for water, food from your bag, gatorade, chewy bars...or anything else you want. If you can reach it with feet in the Opti, get it yourself!<br />
4. DEBRIEF the past race with your coach.<br />
5. Discuss ADJUSTMENTS you want to make to your sailing, and any wind or current changes that may occur during the next race.<br />
6. Put all trash back in your own bag (you are responsible for your bag+ trash)<br />
7. Sail away for the coacboat, and begin to test your sail and analyze the racecourse for the next race!!<br />
<br />
Once the coaches have had this interaction with each sailor, then we can begin to move about and help you look at your sails. As Pilo says "we are here to help you and to give you advices!" For multi-fleet regattas the later starts can watch the starts before them from the anchored coachboat, but should sail up until that warning signal, and regularly hop off to re-check their sails.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Mentality</b><br />
While fleet racing is an individual sport, we want to be a team that supports each other on and off the water. We want to be courteous with our competitors, and always thank the Race Committee and regatta volunteers. I was overjoyed to hear from another YC parent "I can always tell the Lauderdale kids by the way they act before I see what they are wearing - they are so polite." That was a really nice compliment and we have to work hard to maintain that standard!<br />
<br />
We want to have the confidence in ourselves to embrace the challenge of winning, but also be ok with loosing too! Only when there is no fear of failure can you relax enough to sail your best. The lesson of how to think for one's self and make good decisions takes time and cultivating. I know each sailor on our team has strides to make this year and I am looking forward to the rest of the season!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhTVnmyWSnnvJJrlLW6Wz6oQ-BeE0KnWo0SYWERtEI_F8iNlr-uLJQYPBcn_SVptFwELZcJQZfV25CabNdk02hseSuqsmY6RnLyHi9HhUVxOMagm6URfAL9DSOYn3KC-6zyv67iOBhlfo/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhTVnmyWSnnvJJrlLW6Wz6oQ-BeE0KnWo0SYWERtEI_F8iNlr-uLJQYPBcn_SVptFwELZcJQZfV25CabNdk02hseSuqsmY6RnLyHi9HhUVxOMagm6URfAL9DSOYn3KC-6zyv67iOBhlfo/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>LYC Opti sailors and coaches after awards at KBYC.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BteQL0ddGVjxnkIsZNB5BMx6I_aWT7qFNRtnnVSfVvRx-HNqavdux5JuXvOysbO_mTQDtZXVVSnyLlPiaKeStOZgQfieZFxjkiTL_eaSt6aqZ4_hFlxVncrJwF6Q5u5pgcPasA_hQtIY/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BteQL0ddGVjxnkIsZNB5BMx6I_aWT7qFNRtnnVSfVvRx-HNqavdux5JuXvOysbO_mTQDtZXVVSnyLlPiaKeStOZgQfieZFxjkiTL_eaSt6aqZ4_hFlxVncrJwF6Q5u5pgcPasA_hQtIY/s400/IMG_1417.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>LYC representing in Red Fleet! From left: Leo, Lulu, Nico, and Jack. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-20773347427455826022018-07-26T15:03:00.002-07:002018-07-26T20:45:08.250-07:00LYC Wins Fleet & Team Opti Nationals <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_TWPPD0ZO_Fx2YxGzoQFjbrRpVtzv2iBBuXUr9XXQe9nDMRahL7vn2iiK-3Pl8wxECWUgs7nroZ47hheBFjV8tr3swdj_-RCzVcbQPk8p58jrGMXFoLVWDBkChKzRlmAQjAdYdzlnxqe/s1600/37700854_2596751460549256_1342034777280086016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_TWPPD0ZO_Fx2YxGzoQFjbrRpVtzv2iBBuXUr9XXQe9nDMRahL7vn2iiK-3Pl8wxECWUgs7nroZ47hheBFjV8tr3swdj_-RCzVcbQPk8p58jrGMXFoLVWDBkChKzRlmAQjAdYdzlnxqe/s640/37700854_2596751460549256_1342034777280086016_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From left: Jack Redmond, Lucy Meagher, Connor Boland and Sara Schumann soggily emerge from Pensacola Bay after Team Race Nationals. </span></i><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stephan Baker got the party started in muggy Pensacola on July 18th when he closed out the <a href="https://www.usoda.org/site/uploaded_files/regattas_results/Files/2018%20Events/Nationals/4-day%20National/Optimist%20RWB%20-%20Gold%201-7%20final%20updated%2007.19.2018.pdf">U.S. Opti Fleet Race National Championship</a> with a come from behind bullet in the final race. The four day event was contested by 256 sailors in Champ Fleet. With tricky current, different breezes and numerous weather related postponements it was a challenging regatta. The 23 foreign entries in the top 150 also added to the competition. Baker prevailed over Malthe Ebdrup of Denmark, who sailed a great regatta but was over the line - scored BFD on the final race - and put his name in the class's history as a 3 time National Champion (2 with LYC).</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a video the regatta made with Stephan and comments from Coach Pilo Rocha at the end!:</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/981734175294845/videos/1297734020361524/" style="font-family: inherit;">https://www.facebook.com/981734175294845/videos/1297734020361524/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/981734175294845/videos/1297734020361524/"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other notable LYC finishers were Lulu Hamilton, Tommy Sitzman and Sara Schumann who finished 6th,7th and 8th overall - 4 LYC sailors in the top 10. Throughout the Gold Fleet LYC was represented by Cody Roe 16th, Lucas Tenrreiro 21st, Truman Rodgers 38th, KJ Hill 43rd, Nico Garcia-Castrillon 44th and Lauren Caron 80th. The regatta was a Team Trials Quallifier and 16 of the 18 sailors racing with the LYC program made the cut. Simone Moss represented LYC in perhaps the most important way, winning the Sportsmanship and Friendship Trophy after numerous nominations from her peers. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0QHNivmTFBr1nGbwA2ENxMHzzq9Km89VWuYuBKCdajPRR-KUcSV-92sHNFOyPu2ttzEfhvSuo1g-GJsfBGlIVlba3pWzSBy1zJRTjlmIusogzHRy3PD-Qwnp9wCM2wk218y8lK4cAZk2/s1600/IMG_7237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0QHNivmTFBr1nGbwA2ENxMHzzq9Km89VWuYuBKCdajPRR-KUcSV-92sHNFOyPu2ttzEfhvSuo1g-GJsfBGlIVlba3pWzSBy1zJRTjlmIusogzHRy3PD-Qwnp9wCM2wk218y8lK4cAZk2/s320/IMG_7237.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i> Simone and Coach Arthur</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR1A_PIChidyUYKEPvMOb1ubKXDrTK66cDzDFp3gOwFV_rteQXA-GO-dVFp0rfr8Lyd7W0sUzHI0YAZ3vPgprkcltqD3eA2M_zX9xLyM19Z5QQ5WpZNeYwFkSfzjJkI6w0S5KGK2Fy3Xv/s1600/IMG_7234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR1A_PIChidyUYKEPvMOb1ubKXDrTK66cDzDFp3gOwFV_rteQXA-GO-dVFp0rfr8Lyd7W0sUzHI0YAZ3vPgprkcltqD3eA2M_zX9xLyM19Z5QQ5WpZNeYwFkSfzjJkI6w0S5KGK2Fy3Xv/s400/IMG_7234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: right;"><i> The LYC team with Coaches Arthur, Sharon and Pilo after the fleet racing awards. </i></span><br /><br /><br />
The Opti National Championship is a marathon, not a sprint - after 4 days of Fleet Racing, the ladies were sent out the next day for the "Girls Nationals," while the guys got in some team race practice. 3 Days of team racing loomed, making it an 8 day regatta + practice days! </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the Girls Nationals, LYC's Sara Schumann narrowly missed a win to her LOOT (Lake Ontario Optimist Team) Summer Team teammate Samara Walsh. The result came after a late-night redress hearing that resulted in Race 3 being stricken from the record! (See results <a href="https://www.usoda.org/site/uploaded_files/regattas_results/Files/2018%20Events/Nationals/Girls%20National/Optimist%20GirlsSummary_1%202%20and%204%20final.htm">here).</a> Lulu Hamilton was 4th, Lucy Meagher 15th and Lauren Caron 16th. Friends of LYC (training partners in the last year) Annie Samies and Kaherine Doble placed 3rd and 5th overall! </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Optimist Team Race Nationals is undoubtedly the biggest US hosted team race of the year. In addition to being a National Championship, only the winner traditionally qualifies to represent the US in the <a href="http://optiteamcup.de/">Opti Team Cup, Berlin</a> (the Midwinters TR by comparison give 2 berths to the Marco Rizzotti Team Race). But the last 2 Nationals, LYC's prior victories in Berlin have created an additional US berth, with LYC already quallified for the 2018 edition. So the pressure of qualification was off this year for the LYC 1 team and the sailors were sailing only for pride - trying to rebound from a tough Marco Rizzotti and secure a 3rd straight National Championship for the home club. <br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Optimist Team Racing is one of the most thrilling sports imaginable. 4 individual boats on 1 team against 4 individual boats on another. While Connor Boland described it succinctly as "I try to cover the boats on the other team to put my teammates ahead," it requires a full mix of sailing speed, tactics, strategy, teamwork and psychology to excel at. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmBhf08McGDOF0se6nLj-uWtVwr5dmo_gOb48lorTuQSqMXVJgtCC-Lk1GcmcK3jkgHh74OTPfUnvpjnUG7pxYbZJxDXj7j42faLKT0aKkuKxQFsS9itLKW5xZaXfYXxK4sS8srEedzjv/s1600/37705640_1845042815541908_3805178678787178496_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmBhf08McGDOF0se6nLj-uWtVwr5dmo_gOb48lorTuQSqMXVJgtCC-Lk1GcmcK3jkgHh74OTPfUnvpjnUG7pxYbZJxDXj7j42faLKT0aKkuKxQFsS9itLKW5xZaXfYXxK4sS8srEedzjv/s400/37705640_1845042815541908_3805178678787178496_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connor and Lucy rip on the reaching leg. </span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The team of Connor Boland, Lulu Hamilton, Lucy Meagher, Jack Redmond and Sara Schumann got off to a good start, winning 9 of 9 races on the first day. The fleet of 24 teams was split into 2 fleets of 12 by a ranking committee, and I think we may have had a tad easier initial grouping. We finished out the qualifying round perfect, with Southern Yacht Club Blue the only team to challenge us when we had 2 boats over the start line that had to go back. Lucy and Lulu waited until the first turning Mark to slow the race down and bring their teammates back into the mix, and they executed and team raced well.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnMgI8418WRx9KCxZtkMkwlerhVUdFxpCIR72Gd3zetVHWjK6fH1eEvMCQBqFldyu7ZLKsd-d0grr1LQlNbRdDlq5WRe6Ej9V4sIcPZiu9Cc_lzMgeah7CYFpHkYUl5cqDSANlbIOVSci/s1600/37725208_1845042922208564_2054094162583617536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnMgI8418WRx9KCxZtkMkwlerhVUdFxpCIR72Gd3zetVHWjK6fH1eEvMCQBqFldyu7ZLKsd-d0grr1LQlNbRdDlq5WRe6Ej9V4sIcPZiu9Cc_lzMgeah7CYFpHkYUl5cqDSANlbIOVSci/s400/37725208_1845042922208564_2054094162583617536_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>LYC 1's Lulu Hamilton leads LYC 2's Kevin Gosselin in Gold Round action. </i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Then came the Gold round with the top 12 teams overall, and we continued to improve and remain undefeated. Each team member grew in their role. Against weaker opponents Connor had been finding 2 boats to luff up together, now against opponents with better fundamentals he was able to use his boathandeling and the space created by the RC Flag being on the bow of a large yacht, to get off the start line in a great position to control the race. Co-Captian Sara Schumann communicated a lot with Jack and Lulu while still being fast and making good decisions. It was windy - gusting 20kts, and Jack Redmond's work on speed payed off as he was always getting into the top 3 at the first mark. Lucy, as LYC 1's newest member brought a strong presence on the start line, stymieing Chicago's Peter Barnard in one start, and team racing effectively in wins against LISOT Black and Coral Reef YC's top team. Lulu brought speed, improved team race confidence, and great mental toughness and positivity that helped us though tough times on the last day! When it got to the Finals, there was very little coaching allowed and all the credit goes to my sailors!</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest drama in the Gold round was a hearing following the CRYC race to determine if an opposing sailor's capsize on the finish line had (a) been LYC's foul (fault), and (b) had it allowed LYC to "gain an advantage" that effected the outcome of the race? I let you judge in these excellent photographs courtesy of Tom Barnard: </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IBxW89a3HKzP-hYNhk5obUBenLfTcQzObBHKp7MHnKyzlqpfJw53EL5J0_hY7Mkey0khlJBrq1_pJM3JFM__AeTzv-hKEZ-XRDEpBlORDLHe1MzR2iVFEh-NdR8EFemF5j4p1vu1lSEg/s1600/37768716_1845043222208534_3871483765427535872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IBxW89a3HKzP-hYNhk5obUBenLfTcQzObBHKp7MHnKyzlqpfJw53EL5J0_hY7Mkey0khlJBrq1_pJM3JFM__AeTzv-hKEZ-XRDEpBlORDLHe1MzR2iVFEh-NdR8EFemF5j4p1vu1lSEg/s640/37768716_1845043222208534_3871483765427535872_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sara (21758) displays protest flag. </span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMjB-baQqDfK8WYCn2ku4YLZVlTpFqtK2JWsclPHxazjgN29olutsdks6Bw3_rz7PwjZXUnehY9ZqBT7iN2cA40XD1LhBw9HtNKkK8GnegThyphenhyphenzIAjOQmdwXxOUg1VGbdRRbuxJvwXn5jQ/s1600/37692558_1845043258875197_1551564825534922752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMjB-baQqDfK8WYCn2ku4YLZVlTpFqtK2JWsclPHxazjgN29olutsdks6Bw3_rz7PwjZXUnehY9ZqBT7iN2cA40XD1LhBw9HtNKkK8GnegThyphenhyphenzIAjOQmdwXxOUg1VGbdRRbuxJvwXn5jQ/s640/37692558_1845043258875197_1551564825534922752_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>CRYC boat that hit the pin Tacks.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgQPuN9j58-HGDj2OL2GhBbtcaVc0EyNRYwiQRK0lOJmYuEn8X40-pxEpeBgz3er0Z7RgyITdFZI0BI1aOouYstTgERcaNINC1Tv62Sz4gnkhbGMQeRlAPNQ-btU5gq1CnvNCFkt2LOfZ/s1600/37646086_1845043335541856_4171273101163626496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgQPuN9j58-HGDj2OL2GhBbtcaVc0EyNRYwiQRK0lOJmYuEn8X40-pxEpeBgz3er0Z7RgyITdFZI0BI1aOouYstTgERcaNINC1Tv62Sz4gnkhbGMQeRlAPNQ-btU5gq1CnvNCFkt2LOfZ/s640/37646086_1845043335541856_4171273101163626496_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span>...and Capsize! Sara's red flag still out...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">The protest was dismissed after an on-the-water hearing, and so at 22-0 we entered the knockout stage. We overmatched CERT and Worlds Team Sailor Thommie Grit in the semifinals 2-0, and then awaited the winner of the LISOT vs CRYC semifinal. In a heated series, LISOT prevailed 2-1 to secure qualifying for Germany. While this team was incorporating 2 new members, we had a lot of experience against them and knew that Samara Walshe, Griffin Gigliotti & Co. would be formidable opponents.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finally solved LISOT on the start line, pushing 3 boats over in the first race, but then disaster! In a complete meltdown LYC botched the 1,2,3,5 and rounded with LISOT winning in 2,3,4. A failed mark trap resulted in a Connor capsize! He asked for a 'professional foul' Black Flag, but in both this and the Gold round protest I agree with the Umpires that there was no "advantage gained." This is not summer learn to sail where sailors are grabbing each others masts and capsizing other boats! In both cases the team that capsized was already losing - so the self inflicted dip was not the reason they/we lost the race! </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Down 1-0 in the best of 5, we won the next race...but lost the 3rd. LISOT team raced really well on all 5 legs of the race, and as had happened at the Midwinters, we were in danger of letting the regatta slip away. The RC was giving the sailors no breaks between races, so the coach could only say 1 or 2 things, and the sailors were battling fatigue as well as the psychological pressure. I think this was where the LYC sailors athleticism really came into play - Sara and Lulu had been 'sailing themselves into shape', training and racing for 3 weeks straight with LOOT. Jack had been doing 1.5 hour distance sails in Newport, and Connor was a high schooler (he drove himself by car to day 2 of the Opti regatta, which I find hilarious) competing against kids - he could handle it. My only input was a couple tweaks on mark traps and coverages (coverage is easier if you "simo-tack" with your pair - tack to cover as they are tacking) and the knowledge that if we won race 4 all the pressure would shift back to the other team! LYC won a tight 4th race using the new play "12 Gap" that we had been evolving over the last couple regattas. Then in race 5 they again took the start, and out-sped LISOT into a 1,2,3,5 combo at mark 1. While Walshe pestered the 1,2,3 until the end of the race we were able to maintain the winning combination and took the regatta. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The team jumped in the water to celebrate, but then it was back to life as usual - de-rigging and packing up our boats and hanging out with our friends from all over the Opti class. After the awards we (as a team) gave one of the most boring interviews ever to a television camera! While the total run is pretty crazy, winning the event is a goal you set each year, so achieving it really isn't that crazy or surprising - you always believed you had the power to do it. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Team Race Nationals Historical prospectus:</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The teams of the current LYC 3-peat:</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWomWIKE60Vu9u5VxmBJXyzXQrmJo1TQAFemr51vlJLvy0aqIoa28gQA7D4RXEyqm5NURO1I8x2e2_7RoGr4hHp_1hyJXQBEyL_GmTojhY2h-EfQ1xC34VEBNqZ28GY1jWgomqp_bq2s4A/s1600/13631475_1330036093691586_8538319993350060070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWomWIKE60Vu9u5VxmBJXyzXQrmJo1TQAFemr51vlJLvy0aqIoa28gQA7D4RXEyqm5NURO1I8x2e2_7RoGr4hHp_1hyJXQBEyL_GmTojhY2h-EfQ1xC34VEBNqZ28GY1jWgomqp_bq2s4A/s640/13631475_1330036093691586_8538319993350060070_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2016 </b>From Left: Connor Boland, Joey Meagher, Justin Callahan, Bella Cassaretto, Justin Callahan, Coach Arthur Blodgett</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZtXPR9z_aoz3PzBtDP3X-2FwyZbakL2jV3BhuIpnnRwAQST-AgJPKYVt2G42fmdMX1x8SnrAuT_trVg7yWJ3pjjOUYdETvfhXoUGnRo2TX_eLYZyg7qlCUMZBkkEe0lIYTxGNcMcb02/s1600/37627889_2158883694140151_7187926128349151232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZtXPR9z_aoz3PzBtDP3X-2FwyZbakL2jV3BhuIpnnRwAQST-AgJPKYVt2G42fmdMX1x8SnrAuT_trVg7yWJ3pjjOUYdETvfhXoUGnRo2TX_eLYZyg7qlCUMZBkkEe0lIYTxGNcMcb02/s400/37627889_2158883694140151_7187926128349151232_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2017</b> From Left: Sara Schumann, Stephan Baker, Mitchell Callahan, Justin Callahan, Connor Boland, Coach Arthur Blodgett </span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL1C_qlDPqCBq1LX0nKGiepZRddJ1DpERF5Bmrmh6xGh7ssVKb7z9W6pIscYQTuVAJ_3I4IENd4oM9egTPlP6zreqEweM5Vg_OiwnbTDtRB5zwJf_cr09MX9Yh-tI3qhgZXGDkccxVBP7/s1600/unnamed6-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="700" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL1C_qlDPqCBq1LX0nKGiepZRddJ1DpERF5Bmrmh6xGh7ssVKb7z9W6pIscYQTuVAJ_3I4IENd4oM9egTPlP6zreqEweM5Vg_OiwnbTDtRB5zwJf_cr09MX9Yh-tI3qhgZXGDkccxVBP7/s640/unnamed6-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">2018 From Left: Lucy Meagher, Connor Boland, Sara Schumann, Lulu Hamilton (not pictured: Jack Redmond, who had to catch a flight and missed the party, and coach Arthur). </span></i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The longest winning streak in TR Nationals history belongs to Coconut Grove Sailing Club, which won 5 straight from 1979 to 1983, twice with a kid named Bobby Meagher. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the winningest clubs since the Trophy's 1977 Inception, along with years won:</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Petersburg Yacht Club (9): '78, '84, '85, '86, '87, '89, '91, '96, '97. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coconut Grove Sailing Club (8): '77, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '88</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lauderdale Yacht Club (5): '10,'11,'16, '17, '18</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Southern Yacht Club (5): '95, '99, '00, '01, '02</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LISOT (5): '03, '06, '07, '13, '15</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Team FOR (3): '04, '05, '12</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coral Reef Yacht Club (1): '90</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-9970020873989468232018-07-06T17:35:00.000-07:002018-07-06T17:48:03.610-07:00Quotes and Calls for Summer Reading <div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuykGSpZ5oLRPY9iVMdsquWO5YEz-V6hjrBluq3H-jF190oeN9fTYvcbrwZdJ9uDHe7o_q0gOMWqAHTQtiyElz90KEpHmARm2pHUrfubC28sdChcBsQ6V89jaVzMV42GngKdrd527I63x/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+8.36.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="354" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuykGSpZ5oLRPY9iVMdsquWO5YEz-V6hjrBluq3H-jF190oeN9fTYvcbrwZdJ9uDHe7o_q0gOMWqAHTQtiyElz90KEpHmARm2pHUrfubC28sdChcBsQ6V89jaVzMV42GngKdrd527I63x/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+8.36.26+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hopefully you have been able to follow our sailor's recent successes at Team Trials and international events on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lycopti/">our social media </a>and other publications. Its been an awesome year! As we prepare for Nationals and then many take a month off from competition (maybe you will have time for some reading?), I wanted to share some quotes from a book I'm enjoying that relate to sailing...and also some calls from "<a href="http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/TheCallBookforTeamRacing2017digital-[21946].pdf">The Call Book for Team Racing</a>" - ISAF official interpretations of common rules situations, in picture form!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The book: Deep Thinking: Where Artificial Intelligence Ends...and Human Creativity Begins, by Garry Kasparov. Kasparov was the World Chess Champion from 1985 to 2000 and the first World champ to lose a chess match to a computer - IBM's Deep Blue in 1997. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>"I speak regularly about the difference between strategy and tactics, and why its essential to first understand your long term goals so you don't confuse them with reactions, opportunities or mere milestones. Adapting to circumstances is important, but if you change your strategy all the time you don't really have one." </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"To become good at anything you need to know how to apply basic principles. To become great at it, you have to know when to violate those principles."</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"Its unavoidable that results will get most of the attention, but its important to look beyond wins and losses. The moves matter more than the results." </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"Focusing on material is how novice humans play, especially kids. They care only about gobbling up their opponents pieces and ignore other factors in the position, such as piece activity and whose king is safer. Eventually they learn from experience that while materiel is important, it doesn't matter how many of your opponent's pieces you've captured if your king is getting checkmated.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Early chess machines couldn't learn from the experience the way people can. Those greedy kids are learning each time they get checkmated. "</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"Every competitive person has to have a sizable ego, so losses can hit particularly hard... There must be a critical balance between putting a bad loss put of your mind so you can go into your next game full off the confidence, [and being able to] objectively analyze your failures so you do not repeat them."</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"...motivation matters very much. The ability to maintain an intense level of concentration for an extended period of time is significant..." </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>"Lastly, don't tell me that hard work can be more important than talent...hard work <b>is</b> a talent. The ability to push yourself, to keep working, practicing, studying more than others is itself a talent. If anyone could do it, everyone would. As with any talent, it must be cultivated to blossom." </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Ok, on to the <a href="http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/TheCallBookforTeamRacing2017digital-[21946].pdf">Call Book for Team Racing</a> highlights! My comments in <span style="color: blue;">blue.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJVRaq5MTec_Mo5QWhoU-lgW9kfCuj916xUAfJl6HmHf_jBW4TqckxFU1LnP6y_QtFgFUVyzIsH4H1JekBgvK-awTSiVE_WOITvHZlL6dZdkD6__aYAubPQiYjQJubiSapivwUqwjSi_j/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.21.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="501" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJVRaq5MTec_Mo5QWhoU-lgW9kfCuj916xUAfJl6HmHf_jBW4TqckxFU1LnP6y_QtFgFUVyzIsH4H1JekBgvK-awTSiVE_WOITvHZlL6dZdkD6__aYAubPQiYjQJubiSapivwUqwjSi_j/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.21.31+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYMmrkTfPTZ4pbFq8VrmEpreRw2kYWe_8puRxujOksPX2aKpIlPa4V-7dnVRtAGWJIN0-Vhyphenhypheng9H3AurOgK_3rucl9AU66BsgwxQxJwoO_WEDQMzJXOxp676kR6pqFUWlW6XAHmPV0GvKN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.21.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="521" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYMmrkTfPTZ4pbFq8VrmEpreRw2kYWe_8puRxujOksPX2aKpIlPa4V-7dnVRtAGWJIN0-Vhyphenhypheng9H3AurOgK_3rucl9AU66BsgwxQxJwoO_WEDQMzJXOxp676kR6pqFUWlW6XAHmPV0GvKN/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.21.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A windward leeward situation, with the umpires having to decide if the right of way boat changed course too much/too fast. In every rules situation the umpires will have to consider if the Right of Way boat breaks rule 16. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, when reading the Call Book, pay special attention to the italicized text (not there after every call)! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1DQjyiXtGKNkopXR231goITbISgUWfMBGbSyeoxEG98Nt-AJqfS51y2PcmOxACjebrTtZGowZ-sCiN9fGzYxS6BeahP4z8SRioADHQz30pZ4U3IyR0AKsg3eyXmuvlQBxStPTYQ54sXG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.24.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1DQjyiXtGKNkopXR231goITbISgUWfMBGbSyeoxEG98Nt-AJqfS51y2PcmOxACjebrTtZGowZ-sCiN9fGzYxS6BeahP4z8SRioADHQz30pZ4U3IyR0AKsg3eyXmuvlQBxStPTYQ54sXG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.24.29+PM.png" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So What can a Right of Way boat do to inoculate herself from potentially fouling?? Avoid contact! <i>If they kept clear then there was 'room to keep clear.' </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We make this lesson a key tenet of our team race system: "Control without fouling." </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like to apply this call to jibing on the downwind leg. Jybe to starboard with a port boat abeam of you, but then head away by-the-lee to give them plenty of room to keep clear. Then when they do jibe to starboard, you can head them up! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3ln6rhIx-KKq0OgkM0RSRXTOl5SWW4pwjH_zim3Sy6jhNU4AmoyUme2GuC1PxmCslE-nZcITzedC35RFB8Unk6myPwASjckycEPPmvXdxsCCKI9TgKj59drHBUlHJjt6bMQyLttzzdqT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.20.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3ln6rhIx-KKq0OgkM0RSRXTOl5SWW4pwjH_zim3Sy6jhNU4AmoyUme2GuC1PxmCslE-nZcITzedC35RFB8Unk6myPwASjckycEPPmvXdxsCCKI9TgKj59drHBUlHJjt6bMQyLttzzdqT/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.20.36+PM.png" width="518" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">'<span style="color: blue;">Last point of certainty'</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> is a key concept. Try to talk the umpire through </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">your</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> last point of certainty, especially with overlaps. Example: If they hear you yell “I'm clear ahead" at 5 boatlengths, and again at 3 and 2, they will be more likely to agree that you have mark room and understand you might be about to set a mark trap. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Advantage Gained after Breaking a Rule' used to be called a "professional foul." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBf2CSuy5RzslwzTpJxA1CItLf1AABN5IpIHkvYlmo9UWcSerVNszcmMbCJICjoL54949N46CeIC8e11KLBP3GM-PLzmG9ez6_0kwntUcxAwPyZGcRiefF2gV9BZB2q2Yvn06GeBnGAsV/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.24.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBf2CSuy5RzslwzTpJxA1CItLf1AABN5IpIHkvYlmo9UWcSerVNszcmMbCJICjoL54949N46CeIC8e11KLBP3GM-PLzmG9ez6_0kwntUcxAwPyZGcRiefF2gV9BZB2q2Yvn06GeBnGAsV/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.24.55+PM.png" width="612" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An aggressive, legal move every top team racer has in her arsenal. Usually the contact that occurs is rig contact, as the tacking boat rolls her rig into the ducking/shooting opponenas in this</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKBzm3l1TeU&t=81s"><span style="font-size: large;">LYClassic Patrick Rynn video. (featuring Jensen McTighe and Max Gillette) </span></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note that Y does not alter course from position 2 to position 4 as you consider the next call. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAAiH-MNKm0pmracVSnKA2nhgKmltk9pCtZkXDQz5vxpH49vPPayWHBnwc5ogatVM4hPgRwGgR-miD_FRdz42ycgk1lR5wPb_YdBnRWkFom2M7-Xfj_UjaAS4izd1pdZWnO9f2J2AetE_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.26.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAAiH-MNKm0pmracVSnKA2nhgKmltk9pCtZkXDQz5vxpH49vPPayWHBnwc5ogatVM4hPgRwGgR-miD_FRdz42ycgk1lR5wPb_YdBnRWkFom2M7-Xfj_UjaAS4izd1pdZWnO9f2J2AetE_/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.26.44+PM.png" width="542" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So whats the difference between E3 and D4? When the "hunting up" boat changes her course. In D4 it is pre-tack, in E3 it is mid-tack. Thus, you cannot hunt a boat once she is across head to wind and into her tack. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note the "no part of rule 18 (Mark Room) applies." So for 18 to apply, both boats have to be on the same tack. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVsmxzHH5T7CxMSPy4BEIFZgGZtRwIzUD1A2sN_RcZaNOm80G0y9torQiZLOYn06cPu5HHMoKw6DqyO-5Fo86OMwHGc3VWZCMc_mSFiEEO4tOOP_K9hgxmRheJakLVo4Jweq2ZTQPP2zG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.27.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="518" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVsmxzHH5T7CxMSPy4BEIFZgGZtRwIzUD1A2sN_RcZaNOm80G0y9torQiZLOYn06cPu5HHMoKw6DqyO-5Fo86OMwHGc3VWZCMc_mSFiEEO4tOOP_K9hgxmRheJakLVo4Jweq2ZTQPP2zG/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.27.19+PM.png" width="506" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-xTTRL35lR4hnOuJeePWWcT9Hyn7SV5oljQR3hUTdHGM92zQkJhKrUWNN2P23uuY-Hix2PFZ4NAwyRvMUp-A5QL1y1I5X12siSOWojNCJkndUdqqdiMUXyvmvKSKJF7L4j2c-XVxXmRM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.27.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="531" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-xTTRL35lR4hnOuJeePWWcT9Hyn7SV5oljQR3hUTdHGM92zQkJhKrUWNN2P23uuY-Hix2PFZ4NAwyRvMUp-A5QL1y1I5X12siSOWojNCJkndUdqqdiMUXyvmvKSKJF7L4j2c-XVxXmRM/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.27.37+PM.png" width="584" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ouvZbgqPTFY2mccJAIg0IYoex07e4cb3RxBb6rHrOYnyK0Iw7Av6u_PkUz6hp_zvzhP4kFdWQLDq7GHsGmkUKwx3n8XEK5bGcfKvbXYxRuAqHfAVnD36mnwmX1DihwU1pE1k61Lk0RCs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.28.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ouvZbgqPTFY2mccJAIg0IYoex07e4cb3RxBb6rHrOYnyK0Iw7Av6u_PkUz6hp_zvzhP4kFdWQLDq7GHsGmkUKwx3n8XEK5bGcfKvbXYxRuAqHfAVnD36mnwmX1DihwU1pE1k61Lk0RCs/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.28.50+PM.png" width="548" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are just the rest of the common windward mark calls (because one of my students asked). To me the general practical application is:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. If you get to mark 1 with an opponent clear behind but close, just try to make a clean rounding with a good roll tack around/above the mark. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. If you are trying to set a mark 1 trap, make your opponent go outside of you before rounding. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3...but if someone else completes a tack inside of you while your luffing, they now have "Mark Room." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. So "The Mark 1 Trap is the friend of the team that is currently loosing!" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shoutout to match race ace Adrienne Patterson who taught me that the Mark 2 traps are really where its at in Optis...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbU4Ue7qOnS02vbgGX_CCGP3Z82rXyKxEklvP2VfrkfwZnt7iEVhn6qS_54_hQpW-oJbR9WirPNSfHcqY0sunK-g5iJEnl20Baan2xZhPmkmSLzMlQrS-7Dyrbq6ucKthp1NC4NfDDbgE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.29.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="523" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbU4Ue7qOnS02vbgGX_CCGP3Z82rXyKxEklvP2VfrkfwZnt7iEVhn6qS_54_hQpW-oJbR9WirPNSfHcqY0sunK-g5iJEnl20Baan2xZhPmkmSLzMlQrS-7Dyrbq6ucKthp1NC4NfDDbgE/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.29.43+PM.png" width="522" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEEkEbk5qvQfvU4vXppisGV00GUklUgxF5u0N_dc6MjTCdLc6m4bCG3fgru5xXUtdbejoAJRuUXUJ8vzk5oNPdmWIDYR-Ue2zyWhr5NQB0usbAOCntBLZw518K06JUvUvYjl-RNc7VlyG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.29.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEEkEbk5qvQfvU4vXppisGV00GUklUgxF5u0N_dc6MjTCdLc6m4bCG3fgru5xXUtdbejoAJRuUXUJ8vzk5oNPdmWIDYR-Ue2zyWhr5NQB0usbAOCntBLZw518K06JUvUvYjl-RNc7VlyG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.29.51+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was the last more Mark Trap call I swear! The Mark Trap ends (Rule 18 turns off) when the boats are abeam of the mark pointed on the next leg. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can't close the door too late! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ2QfesiwBoRbOwwBrTLgGIYVnxIUpIxk7DK4QiJ0DzLG5MhnPjffTsaxoHZIKgQ0UpLc6on_z7rXep2TABGbR0sS14mmWScWUPjpNgzsZN6TUsVkOuQN3S5YSakBqS1QW_SoSBoLuS37/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.22.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ2QfesiwBoRbOwwBrTLgGIYVnxIUpIxk7DK4QiJ0DzLG5MhnPjffTsaxoHZIKgQ0UpLc6on_z7rXep2TABGbR0sS14mmWScWUPjpNgzsZN6TUsVkOuQN3S5YSakBqS1QW_SoSBoLuS37/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.22.40+PM.png" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqreRX1gvMx6WloJjpzwnzXAQwRsXUiQIqJ3f-h3zpi0N0uH8KzaXE37TNIn6R6fF207cn-bmeo0U6MjLJAnCfOjKp4NB86GpO5i3DKYeazA4_4UmYCbA3BeXIyljMBXNEyzHQegEQ6FTK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.23.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="531" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqreRX1gvMx6WloJjpzwnzXAQwRsXUiQIqJ3f-h3zpi0N0uH8KzaXE37TNIn6R6fF207cn-bmeo0U6MjLJAnCfOjKp4NB86GpO5i3DKYeazA4_4UmYCbA3BeXIyljMBXNEyzHQegEQ6FTK/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-06+at+6.23.13+PM.png" width="542" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LYC 1 Team Race Rule: If you are luffed by an opponent and our team is winning, Tack away immediately. Don't sit and wait/foul! Your friends can slow down the opponent a little before you have to make your next cross - keep sailing fast. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arthur Blodgett has been the head Opti Coach at LYC since 2014. You can reach him at arthur.blodgett@lyc.org</span></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-34004777063018727032018-04-18T13:54:00.001-07:002018-04-19T10:40:10.033-07:00Spring Fling - Regatta Debrief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vy1aQ8h6pLxDOjdANQ3p-2GA8bFrqAP0ZFl-E0_7sytH2NJRxNBz51qkOb7Yujz4jKLBFTFMPg3RTC4B69LWBtzgRQR9dRV5v9PyHk8qgw-Ots7cJMlvD3u9WCq2BbCqpU0X_ACzuZwk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-18+at+4.15.25+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="631" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vy1aQ8h6pLxDOjdANQ3p-2GA8bFrqAP0ZFl-E0_7sytH2NJRxNBz51qkOb7Yujz4jKLBFTFMPg3RTC4B69LWBtzgRQR9dRV5v9PyHk8qgw-Ots7cJMlvD3u9WCq2BbCqpU0X_ACzuZwk/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-04-18+at+4.15.25+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
38 LYC sailors invaded Miami this past weekend for the Spring Fling Regatta hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club. Stephan Baker continued his winning ways posting Bullets in all 6 races. Connor Bolland was 2nd overall, sailing his best event to date with only 1 finish outside of the top 3. Other top LYC finishers were Sara Shcuman (5th) Tommy Sitzman (7th), Cody Roe (9th), Jake Homberger (11th), Jack Redmond (13th), Lulu Hamilton (20th), Ty Lamm (23rd), Ryan Konrad (24th), Nico Garcia-Castrillon (28th), Lucy Meagher (34th) and Lucas Tenrierro (36th) - so 13 LYC Sailors in the top 40, with 130 boats in attendance. 12 LYC Green Fleeters also competed led by Pierce Webber in 12th. <a href="https://www.regattatoolbox.com/results?eventID=xGI9NF6OHa">Full Results. </a></div>
<br />
We are almost to the USODA Team Trials, the biggest event of the year, and this was the last "Test Event" before the regatta. As Trials, the venue was Biscayne Bay, and I think the level of competition was pretty good - all the best Florida and east coast Opti sailors as well as some Texans, Californians and Illinoisans were in attendance. So while sailors should expect the overall competition to go up a level at Team Trails, it was a true "test even" in both the venue and competition.<br />
<br />
It is my hope that this recap of the conditions and corresponding racing priorities can help sailors to synthesize their last weekend. The conditions may be different going forward or they may be the same! We want to be fast, and have a grasp of all the conditions on Biscayne Bay.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday Wind:</b><br />
<br />
Saturday brought breeze from the SE - 120-140 Degrees on the Compass at first start. When the wind comes from this direction over the Key, we have learned that it creates a bend. This bend manifests as a geographic shift to the left as you reach the top of the racing area. Like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwBMdW6wG3B2sIcxzdZwr1UANruBlYHE8Mhk1Ndvg604JwpvpW9XwVuGfh-YKcEF5LRACKqykDIO4Odg-9dnt_gV2tQLJ-wbzoB7Su7ooq2ZVizND_W5ZGTPZq-PpJ63Tg5aO6SU7nFIH/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwBMdW6wG3B2sIcxzdZwr1UANruBlYHE8Mhk1Ndvg604JwpvpW9XwVuGfh-YKcEF5LRACKqykDIO4Odg-9dnt_gV2tQLJ-wbzoB7Su7ooq2ZVizND_W5ZGTPZq-PpJ63Tg5aO6SU7nFIH/s400/IMG_1076.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The sailors tested the course before Race 1 and almost all split tacks came back Left favored. So we figured the theory applied. The sky was clear and sunny, so the first race was all about execution to the left - where-ever you start its all about getting and holding a lane on Starboard Tack. With the pin significantly favored for this start this was difficult! There were some black flag disqualifications and a lot of boats fighting for the Pin 3rd of a short start line.<br />
<br />
Before the 2nd race the wind shifted right to about 155 deg. and the boat was slightly favored. There were now a lot of Black Flag penalties (always more BFD on a boat favored line). As low, puffy seabreeze clouds began to appear I cautioned sailors to be aware that a further shift right could occur. CRYC's Cort Snyder seemed to have the same philosophy and sailed hard to the right corner. However, as I watched the race from the right corner, I could feel the puffs coming...and going. There was not the sustained pressure to get across from the right. The LYC sailors that trusted their eyes the most - looking up the course and seeing better pressure on the left - made out ahead! This is an important lesson: the forecast and coaches can tell you what might happen - but trust your eyes the most on what <u>is actually</u> occurring that moment! The wind on the water (marked by darker water or choppier waves) is telling you what IS happening.<br />
<br />
The Wind did shift Right - to as much as 170 degrees, and on the last beat Cody and KJ made up a ton of ground by being patient with the right.<br />
<br />
The wind oscillated back and forth at about 165 degrees for the rest of the day. With light air and consistent conditions, sailing the "Golden Route" becomes really important. It looks like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00xuZg-yAhZDoeoEAPfBBadVR2n6sVnjnyUGbww2-KAkobR7uvG3GnOvqI6ouCklsQZmJfVhOUTEbLHZEKJ2dZFiOqxIQrdrNzrsrA5bJQZ5_qTvDuFF6g_NkemKhDfNLJbd_lwCYvmel/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00xuZg-yAhZDoeoEAPfBBadVR2n6sVnjnyUGbww2-KAkobR7uvG3GnOvqI6ouCklsQZmJfVhOUTEbLHZEKJ2dZFiOqxIQrdrNzrsrA5bJQZ5_qTvDuFF6g_NkemKhDfNLJbd_lwCYvmel/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Popularized by Joakim Karlson, the Golden Route is essentially the strategy that you should get out to start the race to what you think is the favored side then move in (aka "CONSOLIDATE!") further up the beat as you side begins to pay off. You get clear air and hopefully better pressure/current to get ahead, then consolidate on the best wind shift/angle you can once you are ahead.<br />
<br />
Boats that sailed up the middle to start the beat and weren't winning ate too much dirty air and had no chance in these 6-8kt, choppy conditions.<br />
<br />
If you picked the wrong side, you could still make it work, with:<br />
-BOATSPEED<br />
- PATIENCE<br />
- Lead your side back, consolidating at the 'least bad' time.<br />
<br />
Connor Bolland did this beautifully in the 3rd race. He was on the right trailing Cort and KJ who had gotten out to clear air first. But he led them back to the middle and continued to play the wind shifts and sail in clear air all the way to the windward mark - rounding Mark 1 in the top 5 and able to get a 2nd. For my Silver fleet sailors they are still perfecting the Golden route - KJ moved out great and had awesome speed, but didn't always know when to consolidate. Cody, Kevin and Will started the beat eating up too much of the middle. Nico on the other hand seemed to have really good lanes when I saw him at the top of the beat. Truman's starting wasn't up to the level he's displayed in practice, although he had a good consistent regatta (this will pay on a 4 day event). Tyler was super fast and I think close to some even better races. Cody had a breakout regatta not on the first beat, but in working hard and focusing around the racecourse, passing a ton of boats on the reach, run and last beat. I'd estimate he gained 30 points after the 1st mark over the course of the first 4 races!<br />
<img alt="Spring Fling 2018 - Day 1 (rated)47.JPG" class="preview-image absolute-center preview-image-small disabled-context-menu" height="426" sizes="90vw" src="https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=800x600&size_mode=3" srcset="https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=480x320&size_mode=3 480w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=640x480&size_mode=3 640w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=800x600&size_mode=3 800w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=1024x768&size_mode=3 1024w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=1280x960&size_mode=3 1280w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=1600x1200&size_mode=3 1600w, https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAAVcC5njfJOjXEiQCy409QdKuG8AilL6HEF6qh9Ny6kHQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)47.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/apIldlF9BklzW30HxlyX80U7Ynrz_GPd8VtmI5cw31Q%2Cp7W3RmAqo1YfoJnTDCqBbtR5a4csfzY_jMbti8kNtm0?dl=0&size=2048x1536&size_mode=3 2048w" width="640" /><br />
<i>Photo: Tom Rodgers </i><br />
<br />
<b>Current:</b><br />
<br />
The current is opposite of what you think should happen. It flows in (low tide to high tide) to Biscayne bay FROM the North, and Flows out TO the North. The 2 Bridges, the Bear Cut Bridge and the City Bridge are essentially the veins of Biscane Bay - the tide comes in and goes out through them.<br />
<br />
The Tide forecast was for High Tide just before racing and an ebbing current all day. Current goes faster in deeper water, but changes first in shallow water. Thus the current angle in our racing area shifted throughout the day -early on it was flowing towards the shallower City Bridge, later towards max ebb it was going more towards the Bear Cut Bridge:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooQLUuk46SM6rdNoD9wAXG7TbOdlVtfe5BtmxWBNQs5ZlqmBqsPzGEf3w_-vAVIeC0SI7Hk8reCFCMx-F69vngVCkU0fijGNzlxmKlWMrB48W2jDWShoP7VppOHzaBZSD7Lp7OOxD_VKq/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooQLUuk46SM6rdNoD9wAXG7TbOdlVtfe5BtmxWBNQs5ZlqmBqsPzGEf3w_-vAVIeC0SI7Hk8reCFCMx-F69vngVCkU0fijGNzlxmKlWMrB48W2jDWShoP7VppOHzaBZSD7Lp7OOxD_VKq/s400/IMG_1078.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Current was less than we expected, but still effected the racing on Saturday with light wind. The current is not always as predictable as you would think on the Bay, so its important to always be re-checking it between races and even during each race (<i>see which way are you sliding while rounding each mark?</i>). Keep an open mind on when it might increase, decrease, or shift in vector!<br />
<br />
As the current increases towards the Bear Cut with wind from the SE, one must be careful not to be swept over the Port Layline/get pinned out on the port side. With current less than usual this didn't happen too much, but something sailors should be aware of. As we learned in Lake Garda, the favored side doesn't pay if you go over the Layline!<br />
<br />
<b>Sunday Conditions:</b><br />
<br />
Sunday was breezier and overcast, with threatening advisories from some news sources! But really he wind was only about 15-18 kts. Not too much! We sailed 2 races in each fleet and flew in on a broad reach. With small shifts and almost slack current it was all about getting off the line, and goin' real fast! The wind-blown current was enough that there was some line sag, so that you could really start ahead of the competition. This is what a line sight is made for in Optis - you will not be able to use a line sight when boats are over, but when the fleet is under the line it will give you the confidence to punch out!<br />
<br />
The line was square and there was just Ocean to windward, but the left paid for some reason on most beats. I don't know exactly why this was. The wind was only 180 degrees - just south of the end of the key, so its possible there was some Key-induced acceloration of the breeze on the left. Stephan, who understands more than most of the coaches, covered Connor almost all the way to the layline on the Left, not being concerned with the boats on the right in first beat of the last race, and they rounded 1,2. It will be interesting to see if the Trend persists with a different Tide while sailing in a breezy Southerly.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Speedwork:</b><br />
<br />
Speed comes from 2 things: Tuning and Technique. Our kids Tuning has gotten pretty good but we are always looking for perfection in our sails. Making sure the boom-vang and the luff are actually tight before rigging the Luff ties can help some sailors get the luff ties more even.<br />
<br />
There will be a Measurement boat at TT's so boom ties - you matter to us now! Same for the Daggerboard Tie in (a safety regulation).<br />
<br />
There were no Judges for Rule 42 at Spring Fling. I though our sailors were sailing within the rules (Pilo and I will asses penalties for breaches in practice), but we should be prepared for a little more scrutiny at Team Trials. I hope the judges will pay special attention to Upwind Sculling in light winds - its something we work hard to prohibit our sailors from, but that I observe from some other competitors.<br />
<br />
Downwind our sailors had pretty good speed just by being forwards in the boat, limiting rudder movement, and focusing on the waves.<br />
<br />
Balancing the boat upwind on Biscayne Bay often means moving back a little of your normal position (back 2cm?). This helps the boat get through the Chop without the bow pounding. Upwind the bow drag is a bigger concern than the stern dragging a little.<br />
<br />
The Chop don't lie! If you are connected to the boat, have good technique and focus on every wave, you will be fast. Every wave you hit wrong slows you down a lot. Its possible that Stephan might be only 5% better than the next sailors in the Country, but its those few more waves they hit wrong that slow them down considerably and take boatlenghts to recover from. You need to sail relaxed so you can work the boat consistently and think at the same time!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing sailors should always be aware of is large powerboat wake. </span>Parents and coaches are running up and down boat the Right Edge of the first beat and the Left Edge of the Last beat. So as you reach the corner you have a decision: to go thought the waves, or tack and try to surf them as you consolidate. If you get the pressure or a header just before some boat chop, or the chop will stop you if you don't tack- Tack with speed before the waves then try to surf them upwind!!!<br />
<br />
Checking habitually for SeaWeed on the foils is a key skill we have been practicing and may have contributed to our sailors good speed Saturday.<br />
<br />
<b>Food/Hydration/Coaching:</b><br />
Sailors were given very little time between each race and need to do a better job eating and drinking water! Make sure your food is accessible and your bag CLEARLY LABLED! First, last and Sail # should all be marked on it. Ask for Water and food first, then advice! Then go test your sail and the course/start line, and come check in with the coach again. Is a working relationship where we are here to help you and give you advice. We're not here to spoon feed you and tell you what to do - you have to analyze and think for yourself! Of all the coaches I think I anchored the least, preferring to be free to check the current, check the line and wind with my compass, and make a quick comment to a sailor on the edge of the waiting area. The downside to this is if we have to fix something I drift downwind. If your coach is drifting too far downwind - don't sail down to them. Gather as much information as you can and check in when they motor back up to the top of the waiting area! Our coaching team for this regatta in addition to myself was Pilar Calabresse and Pilo Rocha - two awesome colleagues! <br />
<br />
<b>Mental Prep for Team Trials:</b><br />
We were the most prepared team at Spring Fling. We practiced with KBYC the previous weekend, and were one of the few teams out to practice at the venue Friday. With 4 more practices scheduled at KBYC before team trails we hope to maintain this edge! Here's some things to think about:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>* On a 4 day regatta, consistency is key. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*The top boats should be working togehter to extend on the fleet up until the last leg- "Keep your 4th!" as we say in College Sailing - Arthur </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*"The regatta is always from here on out - take it ONE race at a time!" -Arthur </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*"Its all about sailing relaxed" -Pilo </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*"Pressure is just you minds way of reminding you to do a good job." - Arthur </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*"Fill your mind with what matters - sailing fast and looking around." - Michael Blackburn</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*"The best sailors have already won the regatta before it even begins." - Paul Elvestrom </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>* "Its all about your Attitude!" - Pilo</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*Visualize yourself sailing well" - Blackburn</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*Garret, if you do not make good race I will [dump you in the water]!"- Pili, 2015 Trials </i><br />
<i>(Just kidding!) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone (all the parents) who have been supporting us through a great season, and we hope to make it a successful Team Trials next week!<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<img alt="Spring Fling 2018 - Day 1 (rated)61.JPG" class="preview-image absolute-center preview-image-small disabled-context-menu" height="426" sizes="90vw" src="https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=800x600&size_mode=3" srcset="https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=480x320&size_mode=3 480w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=640x480&size_mode=3 640w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=800x600&size_mode=3 800w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=1024x768&size_mode=3 1024w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=1280x960&size_mode=3 1280w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=1600x1200&size_mode=3 1600w, https://photos-1.dropbox.com/t/2/AACwIU-EigbeSPqCW2xvP1BHjSdzs7wJ1o8bJunHAvqguQ/12/110837621/jpeg/32x32/3/1524175200/0/2/Spring%20Fling%202018%20-%20Day%201%20(rated)61.JPG/EJDL01UY6qMFIAcoBw/goNa_eBfXtdbsb1isrOWJAypMn0OBbTCVMrtZ4zdDFk%2C5SbAn9Ir0n5UKU-W0ptX98uOsSE8LgajYcCrH8LDumU?dl=0&size=2048x1536&size_mode=3 2048w" width="640" /></div>
<div>
<i>Photo: Tom Rodgers </i></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-51785451254195206212018-04-06T10:10:00.003-07:002018-04-06T16:19:38.458-07:0036th Lake Garda Optimist Meeting - Regatta Debrief <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK7XbfESj_kfbZG8s1d4MqWZlKozPj_l43XTGzi_2i1b8n5J5M-_jl5KQ4kHfAjYQ5xriNpSzUS4yHpgMuHkJGUR1F_FKacnQQJrwh84hZaly_6gMsOWInHvPOun0elBe4gfH_RC03RU3/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK7XbfESj_kfbZG8s1d4MqWZlKozPj_l43XTGzi_2i1b8n5J5M-_jl5KQ4kHfAjYQ5xriNpSzUS4yHpgMuHkJGUR1F_FKacnQQJrwh84hZaly_6gMsOWInHvPOun0elBe4gfH_RC03RU3/s400/IMG_1016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Its hard to conceptualize what 1,000 Optis look like. I can give you numbers, like 4 times the size of Team Trials, but until you are in the thick of a waiting area ensconced in luffing sails, different languages on each coachboat, it will not register. Add rain, low 40 degree temperatures and variable conditions, and you have the 36th Lake Garda Optimist meeting, which also set a record as the largest one design regatta of all time.<br />
<br />
I was there with 20 sailors representing team USA, and working alongside top coaches Justine O'Connor and Juan Carlos Romero. Juan and I flew out of Miami and arrived in Milan the morning before we would meet with the Team. Our van driver Luca collected the Walshes (Jane and Samara) and we headed east for Lake Garda. The car ride itself was instructive on the Geography. Because of the mountains, you approach the Lake from the Southern end. Here the land is flat, and the lake at its widest. Drive North 10 miles and boom -- you are in the southern Alps! We wound through tunnels carved into the mountain-side, as the cliffs shoot up from the Lake at at least a 75 degree slope. The mountain peaks across the lake had snow on them, and looking up to the lake to the North was the endless Alps. It's important to always do due diligence on a venue before sailing there -- I had looked at toppo maps and read about the wind patterns. This helped to know what was North/South etc, where we would be sailing, and to place the features. However, the scale of things in Garda is still pretty breathtaking! The small town of Riva Del Garda sits at the top Northern end of the lake. We arrived, checked in, found Justine and met with 12 of the sailors to get their charters Optis.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Mar 29, 2018, 11:16:11 AM" class="SzDcob" height="380" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m7BAd6nbzfXFX3kVwxep5Km6u3nPfUPe2lOGUaZkXeFTyhyMRL0M2bjLlbrJ5vkiPKZ9ZLjGdN_b3Irfm3K_FB5yW_IT1tpzkg373Pt5B9jZqwZWtPwqZuTEkW-oqztei6R6HuFLJ2sZUq-jSwVADTiz4u_52vjqZ-gYObyk6bsrKyEEu0pzyB-kG2vZ8m6yhVQCsShPEAlkrvQOvcrJwPO1Pe0TTuyCPNVxn6IqVVOVyo-PZFZrk_4C8s-MqkTWjb2yUseu2mY5JoyJWCPUPLa0ejb_xT4h5i9DtbKWFUs6ZQzCWr0CFbajSti-tzfsOSOBhIZoTlfSDYHPF5n1TikjENS0Wzqjiuu4gYpS7OLKP1J8MG1jvJKs6G2HhclWKvUWNIxm4yone1S_JZTEVNJb2mlkY4WFtKpZgtBWP6jlI8kdrpOYHGef4FzYf9J7umULIBCM3tiGEexHZ0vgyN1RXvIe15C--2D0wODLJJH5TIi6bRz4SRNqcMMYj2he63cgzULdWJ74DwgPNCcF5mr3s29_u79W5XX-WybOzCeq-dH1wrTyiRuZgDuZx5rjYRAzpd0emvTbWfL2H5VhKGVawjZ07rSHR-BBhcmKcS1qestuQ7W_w8gxVSt-y2RX3_6VVkwqfLr46a60pEZwZgx8eaoGm-nd=w1040-h620-no" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Riva del Garda from the Air</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Expected Conditions:</b><br />
Most RWB Opti Sailors are familiar with the phenomenon we call the "Seabreeze," the daily geothermal effect that brings wind from off-shore along coastlines all over the world. The land heats air (and creates low puffy clouds) that then expands out over the water. When the ocean then cools that same air, the Sea Breeze completes the cycle! Garda has its own geo-thermal phenomenon, but it behaves more like a cylinder than a cycle. At night the cold air from the mountains flows down and out to the south. As the southern plains heat up, that air expands, and shoots up the lake - all at once with 12-35kt Velocity, depending on the temperature differential.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYyclzj1vbwVt7kKoVlHyZspmwzTJPKjsgPO3EgLUhD7_9s2f3S2EVG6tfP1l_F23DTbPv0lVWn8Wq8AUs1Uul_I0yFJOyZHx77Q6ZHjNzWUzC2oMt4GTkILQdlnoAvQu5GUTB2_tpY_K/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-04+at+1.26.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="388" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYyclzj1vbwVt7kKoVlHyZspmwzTJPKjsgPO3EgLUhD7_9s2f3S2EVG6tfP1l_F23DTbPv0lVWn8Wq8AUs1Uul_I0yFJOyZHx77Q6ZHjNzWUzC2oMt4GTkILQdlnoAvQu5GUTB2_tpY_K/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-04+at+1.26.48+PM.png" width="417" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So the warmer it is in the morning, particularly 20-60 miles south of the venue, the more wind there will be by 1pm. Overcast, especially cold days, and rain (as we would see in the regatta) can kill this lake breeze. With the regatta 3 weeks earlier than the previous year (and thus cooler spring time temps) we expected it to be a little lighter, but still over 15kts on sunny days.<br />
<br />
"The right always wins" was the report of everyone who had sailed or coached Optis here. The reason: the course had always set to the right third of the lake looking to the south, which has particularly steep cliffs. The wind not only funnels along the cliffs, but the air flows faster because it has to travel more distance around the curvature of the shoreline. So everyone was expecting a drag race into the right corner to get this shoreline benefit. On the practice days we would test this with the sailors extensively.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZaAgwmovQL2Lz-ZS2-R3r8_gxg-_i_ED8Oi6kHE4870ljAlzQeYTiyF9kMl69zpoVgE5NTxJ_XuNx_wzZFXs8Ec_uAIgWEQ14EL1W3tRmZrxX9oOPuMTOAw2xKezQOEo7by0eR9BM8Yi/s1600/dfcd7174-b611-4e2e-87d4-e12a1ab5dfad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZaAgwmovQL2Lz-ZS2-R3r8_gxg-_i_ED8Oi6kHE4870ljAlzQeYTiyF9kMl69zpoVgE5NTxJ_XuNx_wzZFXs8Ec_uAIgWEQ14EL1W3tRmZrxX9oOPuMTOAw2xKezQOEo7by0eR9BM8Yi/s640/dfcd7174-b611-4e2e-87d4-e12a1ab5dfad.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Team USA ready for practice. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Equipment:</b><br />
"There's no problem we can't solve" said Justine to the team the first night. Identifying problems with your charter boat takes <u>time,</u> patience, and an eye for detail. The sailors were given as much time as they needed the first night and the next morning before launching, with coaches to assist in personalizing their boats and making them perfect. Nevertheless it took several more days to get everything dialed in!<br />
<br />
<u>Here's a list of everything you should expect to do to a charter boat (and on your boat too!):</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
- Check mast collar bolts for tightness/tighten a little (these boats were good, the Winner Optis I find need a couple twists with a hex wrench and vice grips)<br />
<br />
-Check mast cup & bowline knots.<br />
<br />
-Make sure the inflation stems on the front airbags are in the back (deflate and turn airbags around if necessary) so you can blow them up on the water without swamping.<br />
<br />
-Hiking straps - are they the right length with a good/adjustable knot? I had a number of kids hike out on land to make sure they could get out enough (knees over the rail!) and the rail was at a good angle on their legs. Smaller sailors need looser straps to hike harder; bigger sailors need tighter straps so they stay connected to the boat.<br />
<br />
-Boom bridle - ring in the right place? I like the ring directly over the back edge of the Daggerboard trunk, so that sailors can cross 'rail-to-rail' without having to move back. It doesn't matter if the sailor is big or small -- most small sailors have 4:1 mainsheets anyway to make trimming easier, and a little sailor should learn to tack correctly from the start!<br />
<br />
-Boom Bridle tight? I do a double trucker hitch as you get more purchase and the knots come out easier if you have to re-adjust. 1/8" vectran is the line to use and replace every season! This is the one piece of rigging a coach or parent can do for the kid - everything else they should do! A tight bridle is essential for safety and fast tacks!<br />
<br />
-Mast rake - where you like it based on your weight and the wind and wave conditions. I like a range of 110-112 inches. Best to measure with no sail on the mast for starters! Sailors should use a tape measure to get it about right, but then be willing to change on the water based on feel on the helm and if the boat is fast or not. Then measure again and record in your notes if you found a particularly fast mast rake. Juan Carlos stresses that sailors should rake slightly <i>forward</i> in more wind. This is because he mast bends more, so you are basically sailing at the same rake! If you rake back in breeze (as parents used to sailing sloops will be accustomed to) you overload on weather helm and the boat gets stuck in irons. If you are cracking (easing) the sprit to de-power, definitely rake forward of usual.<br />
<br />
-Daggerboard Bungee tight? You will have to check this on the water. We chartered NewBlue Optis - good boats, but all the DB bungees were too loose. If the board doesn't stay down upwind, or up downwind, its too loose. Here's a sailors who needs to tighten her DB bungie - the top of the board has floated up so the board is at an angle and upwind performance suffers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3IRv_cxGqUz_SEm_sjar4Bm1aM-415bX0dLJO6RqHxVswfuhbcC-Nk76311gneBOwPCAk4MGDUWnLfzw8QR6WMiPA9Efh8zDsOYnR7asbUYUebdE4x7Fy1j_R5kcmoDv_EMyKQuDkO4v/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3IRv_cxGqUz_SEm_sjar4Bm1aM-415bX0dLJO6RqHxVswfuhbcC-Nk76311gneBOwPCAk4MGDUWnLfzw8QR6WMiPA9Efh8zDsOYnR7asbUYUebdE4x7Fy1j_R5kcmoDv_EMyKQuDkO4v/s400/IMG_1021.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
-Bailers tied in to the best place? Best place: where the thwart and the rail intersect. That way, you can reach the bungie while hiking and pull the bailer to you! Make sure to tie bowlines in the bungie cord, and yank on them (e-tape if you want!). Somehow one sailor managed to lose a bailer by the last day -- hard to do if its tied in properly!<br />
On the Winner optis there is often too much glue between the thwart and the hull; the next best place to tie you bailer bungie is the aft most strap on the forward airbag. DO NOT tie the bungie to the Daggerboard trunk or DB/Hiking strap bungies - this creates tangles.<br />
<br />
-Lines Replaced with the ones you bought from home!!!! Charter lines and lines that come with new spars are polyester cored and stretch a lot. Im talking about the white lines with the red flecking. Swap in the spectra (dynamo or vectran) cored lines you brought from home for you Outhaul, Vang and sprit. A low stretch Vang and sprit make a big difference in being able to properly tune and de-power the sail.<br />
<br />
- Your own mainsheet can be nice, and you should always use USED sail ties at a regatta - new lines in general have a wax coating that makes them slippery and takes a few weeks of use to wear off.<br />
<br />
-Always check ahead of time with the charter company on what spars they will be providing. For this regatta the MK IV's and 45mm Boom NewBlue provided were perfect, but for the Venice team race I had to email in advance to opt out of MK III's. MK IV's and Black Gold spars are the same bendiness - stiffer than the MK3. Obviously, the thicker the boom the less bendy - different coaches and sailors have different preferences. Here's mine:<br />
Sailor under 77 lbs = 40mm boom<br />
Sailor over 78 lbs = 45mm boom<br />
<br />
-Swap in own tiller extension - the JCD and new Winner extensions are longer than the standard charter. E-tape the tiller extension on and check the universals -- rubber cracks more easily in cold weather!<br />
<br />
-Tighten any shackles with pliers.<br />
<br />
-Check your hull and blades for any chips and report to the charterer!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Seems like a lot? Too bad, sailing is an equipment sport! I can say from firsthand experience that the best Opti sailors I have worked with are among the most meticulous. Stephan Baker will not sail until his sail-ties are perfect and everthing is organized in the boat. Justin and Mitchell Callahan would have to pay themselves for anything that broke that could have been avoided, and Bella Cassaretto would pre-stretch every single luff tie each day with an extra sail-tie. Early in his career, Stephan broke a mainsheet block at the Newport Spring Team Qualifier. Trimming directly from the boom he finished 14th that race, and learned the lesson to triple check everything in the sailboat. He hasn't had a breakdown in 2 years since joining LYC! We all have different levels of inherent cleanliness and attention to detail, but to maximize our potential we need to cultivate a meticulous attitude. This is one of the many ways sailing benefits us as people! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZq2W0nmkvGonJ5Z6xBulRMKITnq8vaam67MfB2TFTITz2GrNgKKNl0Uzpyh-qZVNw81POG0plX1YkH2GUtuON_y0PC_jhpUHpRy7-nEonnK8catJjb4UGzn26RduVaBO25in1Qr1j6lG/s1600/16f5d0bd-4131-4ea6-a817-e9b4d2956584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZq2W0nmkvGonJ5Z6xBulRMKITnq8vaam67MfB2TFTITz2GrNgKKNl0Uzpyh-qZVNw81POG0plX1YkH2GUtuON_y0PC_jhpUHpRy7-nEonnK8catJjb4UGzn26RduVaBO25in1Qr1j6lG/s400/16f5d0bd-4131-4ea6-a817-e9b4d2956584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Practice day 1: </b><br />
Finally, we went sailing! The southerly breeze had already kicked by the time we launched, around noon, but due to overcast it would not build more than 13kts. We did several lineups to test speed, to familiarize the coaches with the sailors' individual styles, and to get used to the waves and fresh water. We then got together with the Norwegian team of about 30 sailors to do some practice starts and windward-leeward races. This allowed us to begin testing the go-right theory and it seemed to be paying. Starting in big packs of boats and finding lanes of clear air among the other boats would be key skills for this regatta so getting tighter with other groups is important. A little coach-to-coach diplomacy is required so having Joakim Karlson, a former colleague of both Juan and myself coaching his native team Norway was great. After a bit some Italians, who I recognized as National team from last year's Marco Rizzotti Team Race, joined us as well. They were super fast and we got to see some cool techniques for the Opti. <img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Mar 28, 2018, 1:07:05 PM" class="SzDcob" height="620" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gJF6EPaqXcP5-MdZb3H_fpsBZutOJGno2HHZ6fZ2j05v59bOBNqzRCFvpoQJcgLWmf6DVJ9vv4XtIFsNNHiPga_lYbAaPe3lDKSHG_vfb2rFX57X9oxCjSLmSQnNJZgbVcmLusisaAUHnQGVEmQtv3JlzDjm8r7ihLNJXRAcjT4vKFTa-Zl9Dq53GMKD0bZfcWxD99RXiaNT0l_DIvX3AUIxC62yVrJFt4U_LAn9V_CcD0aTiJuFqYEPXDXHpYNLDp3y6a9VMTfwR0KiZBzMKEzDflbwg4_v2sosi3l5OiK5b-kZoBBUVYpXxji4W4R_qCWC_TObFWm5ZY6K620erWi21Nv-owAlz5VXfCedZD1q8pB1QAt9jFUbHoVSEYh--u8bbpfpbEu6g1-pXqBn2ri3iZ9jEFLVwMt_AENOngYBQfcR3U8bc-cmFUaogpNvSxd2GJ0IQSlxZLXLR5T3l-UGxlRTiNhECGffjnlms4ugAfQAMpnxR181-CEJC-OQuMIkRwPYBehmSbRE-Az2lAkCtrezXG5W3Rf8wzk2Rc8mxR2ABXhl8YYvb8XBsMdW7aaiWSETFJlnxygSASD3onlAnfivf6g43LYk52q6IheFTht_AIAZrpKFAqYh3wk8T2h3rvH9K4ZGEqms9_XKX-KX1XTaeC-8=w931-h620-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="931" /><br />
<br />
Two big areas emerged to the coaches as ones that we wanted to help the sailors improve over the practice and regatta days:<br />
1. Tuning. Most of the sails were ridden with wrinkles. Both from Top corner ties being too loose, and from uneven luff ties. Multiple clew ties fell off - bad knots for new sail tie line.<br />
<br />
2. Upwind body technique. Good movement but not always anchored to the boat! Every sailor has their own sailing style, but there are commonalities among most of the fastest techniques:<br />
* Front foot always connected to the boat, downward pressure on your back leg or thigh as you work the boat through the waves. If you are hiking, front foot in the strap. If on the rail, front foot kicked towards the mainsheet block on the floor, wit the strap against your ankle. If in the boat, front knee points forward so your shin connects to the thwart.<br />
* Hips inboard of shoulders. Use the entire rail in transitioning conditions (5-10 kts), moving your butt in while keeping your shoulders out makes you smoother and more connected to the boat because your abs are always tight.<br />
* Feet in front of or at least level with your hips. Wyatt had a super funky sailing style we saw on video where his feet were back in the middle of the hiking strap, hips well forward. He 'slithered' back hard enough with his shoulders to make it work, and was actually one of the fastest kids in our group on Day 1 - but I think you can go faster having the feet further forward so you can torque the bow up and over the waves.<br />
<br />
At this point ill drop the long awaited, underground sensation "NBS Vol 1: Mitchell Callahan's light air roll tacks." I really like the in-the boat body technique, mainsheet action, and consistent practice approach Mitchell showed in this video. And these tacks are completely legal. This was him tuning up before we won the tightly umpired Marco Rizzotti team race '17 with a perfect record.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h2mK6pZroL8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h2mK6pZroL8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Isolating body, rudder and mainsheet movement is also important to fast sailing. I think most of our sailors had this down (they qualified for this regatta) and they were good at reading telltales and upwind angles, and correct base sail trim. Playing the mainsheet all the time and at the correct speed/amount is something we can all strive for in improving our advanced upwind speed.<br />
<br />
In fresh water, the boat sinks lower. In the Opti Pram upwind, bow drag is the greater of two evils, so in fresh water you have to move a half inch back of where you would be in the more buoyant salt water.<br />
<br />
I was happy with the kids overall downwind technique. I like the following:<br />
- Knees all the way forward/pointed forward.<br />
-Only go back with your shoulders to prevent a bow plow. You can even hit the rail with your PFD as you flex back while pumping for a wave. Try to keep your but in the same place as it helps with balance. There will only be occasional waves where you have to slide back to prevent a bow plow. With your knees locked forward and your feet under you, you are in a good position to slide smoothly back if necessary.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kAdPqpUwijaIHsDcA5BBrWJtb6lGmDQ_cJsBIejI1zgFhW8s6jzufa4CuYCjWI1IO3DIheJYzyLpjrPHEQ5XjDx3PjV_887uO-GXENKquEsYeM9Jri4tJG1VMq7Bv5chsH8-vINcsQmzpdHDZ23GvUmkTQqWsPrsjireDszM-MKf1blDkuIFOJZOQQtXG01BrdSSZwq3RnnvSYg0PaZnR-Wvx5H00nPnMPFTdzuYGD2r86bpmU_cymJodGjptYbCNm0hnjhOMezVd6ukjCGitzredIBReFpLaIBTzlFyRGN3yWACP9TBqDgEmBcap9TqgKLiU2oQZe1JUxNaKWhYkcZg2rOZkfACOWcbLHc_SEWtrAbTOWG5V3i4JdrejymDwMgLSHsk9spBrcscrEPcWBFEoCLAOErewoDdPEfzwUi9bugS0RDenyVS3Tm04ss4GnqefxsBupbCb1HTCT0eqEEYfp0sLIAf-butMm8YNl6LMzxoAEm_dlAXH3C0qq6I_A1aq4ir9OeUct7t0ePJsE2ouiVxSaiTa81eXiVKWPsV6Ng0cXrh78i2uRxQC7sY9dkr8rvC4KnEq1mHXE31NMU-YAbdedKlZINPs4PUr3xhkqXp_KDB4D2u7gANtFizI8rrJiuS00W3BnH6O-P1gzyfPbW9_53Y=w988-h620-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Mar 29, 2018, 2:29:18 PM" border="0" class="SzDcob" height="251" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kAdPqpUwijaIHsDcA5BBrWJtb6lGmDQ_cJsBIejI1zgFhW8s6jzufa4CuYCjWI1IO3DIheJYzyLpjrPHEQ5XjDx3PjV_887uO-GXENKquEsYeM9Jri4tJG1VMq7Bv5chsH8-vINcsQmzpdHDZ23GvUmkTQqWsPrsjireDszM-MKf1blDkuIFOJZOQQtXG01BrdSSZwq3RnnvSYg0PaZnR-Wvx5H00nPnMPFTdzuYGD2r86bpmU_cymJodGjptYbCNm0hnjhOMezVd6ukjCGitzredIBReFpLaIBTzlFyRGN3yWACP9TBqDgEmBcap9TqgKLiU2oQZe1JUxNaKWhYkcZg2rOZkfACOWcbLHc_SEWtrAbTOWG5V3i4JdrejymDwMgLSHsk9spBrcscrEPcWBFEoCLAOErewoDdPEfzwUi9bugS0RDenyVS3Tm04ss4GnqefxsBupbCb1HTCT0eqEEYfp0sLIAf-butMm8YNl6LMzxoAEm_dlAXH3C0qq6I_A1aq4ir9OeUct7t0ePJsE2ouiVxSaiTa81eXiVKWPsV6Ng0cXrh78i2uRxQC7sY9dkr8rvC4KnEq1mHXE31NMU-YAbdedKlZINPs4PUr3xhkqXp_KDB4D2u7gANtFizI8rrJiuS00W3BnH6O-P1gzyfPbW9_53Y=w988-h620-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
More important is moving forwards once you are on the wave!<br />
<br />
Once you are surfing you really can't go too far forward! :<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldezXh2vrBUxNAiSA-ube6amBJ8f4iSZxs-iBqrcH9wtQPl-1hbKX7Qx-yijOz48VDLktX2spjrpGZYAP6SOCHlPtC9p15M6LbCfNpPjPZYb3a0uorr6UhYlJXf5gaT2QigXpeawcinvs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-04+at+9.41.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldezXh2vrBUxNAiSA-ube6amBJ8f4iSZxs-iBqrcH9wtQPl-1hbKX7Qx-yijOz48VDLktX2spjrpGZYAP6SOCHlPtC9p15M6LbCfNpPjPZYb3a0uorr6UhYlJXf5gaT2QigXpeawcinvs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-04+at+9.41.12+PM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
- Keep the Boom out at 90 degrees. Less if you have insufficient vang. More if no wind. But 90 deg. is the ideal.<br />
<br />
-Daggerboard up all the way so it fills the DB slot but barely protrudes (sticks out).<br />
<br />
Juan shot a lot of video of the kids upwinds and starts, which we reviewed that night at the Hotel Europa conference room. The hotel was nice enough to provide cappuccinos for the coaches through all our debriefs there. All 3 coaches spoke on technique as we gave the sailors incremental improvements to work on for the next day. I gave the sailors a step-by-step on how to rig their sail more evenly:<br />
1. With sail already tied to boom, and boom preventer (aka 'The Cunningham!') slid on to mast, rig top corner ties (horizontal and diagonal) with the wind indicator<br />
2. Make sure boom preventer (aka 'The Cunningham!') is on its knob, with a twist.<br />
3. Tighten vang. Pull the boom down in the middle and get the vang as tight as possible.<br />
4. Rig and tighten the sprit. When lifted, the sail should have no wrinkles.<br />
5. The luff of the sail will now be tight and you can tie the luff ties much more evenly.<br />
<br />
The final preventer, vang sprit tensioning will occur on the water, but rigging in this manner makes for much more even luff ties than the "Betsy Ross" approach (like sewing a sheet on you lap). Juan Carlos countered in the meeting that he like to put the sprit on before the Vang - we like to have an open dialouge with different viewpoints, and I think the sailors really learned a lot from our discussion about luff tension: that it is the result of top preventer (diagonal tie) tension, and preventer/cunningham tension. The sprit wants to pull the sail up, the vang and mainsheet want to pull the sail down, and the 2 preventers restrict them and control the luff tension. With a lot of sailors getting new sails at the regatta this was critical - you don't want to overstretch the luff of a new sail and blow it out and the sail shape can only be optimal with the right luff tension. Here's Jordan with a nicely tuned J sail on the final day of the regatta:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQv1nAgurtFT5Kg6B_MGBTduH7pjisamBYuCCeo0LBQpCbgUe0iupE4-6k4iXX3Rl4o1jrZCDTcVtwAzEVgPeif_5MMbgzUVQUsaZIHdI-29va4zI9GzcS7_eI4qZUK1bEGeLuwsFO54f/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQv1nAgurtFT5Kg6B_MGBTduH7pjisamBYuCCeo0LBQpCbgUe0iupE4-6k4iXX3Rl4o1jrZCDTcVtwAzEVgPeif_5MMbgzUVQUsaZIHdI-29va4zI9GzcS7_eI4qZUK1bEGeLuwsFO54f/s640/IMG_1012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was awesome to see how the team improved in rigging throughout the week. We didn't allow them to use the sail shed because we wanted them to improve on rigging for future regattas. For our sailors doing their last Opti regatta an understanding of rigging and sail shape, as well as a last test of their knots was paramount!<br />
<br />
<br />
Day 2 of practice the breeze picked up a bit to 20 kts and our sailors struggled to get consistently dialed in upwind. The conditions were cold, and it was still a mental adjustment to get used to the wind increasing from 0 to 15+ in 15 just minutes after a calm morning. Gil, Samara, Lucas and others got to play around with some 'cracked sprit' tuning, and everyone went through the progressions of putting on vang and sprit, then lifting the daggerboard a little to keep the boat balanced. We raced again with the Norwegians, this time even closer to the Wall and found it paying well.<br />
<br />
Day 3 before practice we met in the Hotel Europa and went over the Sailing Instructions point by point. Sailors should always read the SI's and be responsible for all this information themselves!<br />
On the water practice began with a big fleet race with all the USA Teams + a couple foreigners. Scott Norman and Marek Valosek had a team from the midwest (which nicely worked with LYC's Truman Rodgers and Nico Garcia-Castrillon) and Omari Scott was there with a team of CRYC sailors. It was nice to see our friends in this strange and mystical place, but we also needed the international intensity and style and moved to the Sweden course after 1 race. After a race with Sweden I surfed in with Lucas, who was getting ready for the Nations Cup the next day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Country Cup </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Mar 28, 2018, 1:01:32 PM" class="SzDcob" height="426" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m-w3hkTSaw1KYikFAtETxCfbhcCY-4b7Hwg27oPT7__90bv_2GDnRFab3jkQrUAKyAKHBarfO49cEFiVKICyqCKnyTWLqCKKvw9p8jFCfFKkNG6F9nGNbupKdjna2z_XePybJtgR8AwbFkbqIZWogaJVy3csrmbpQQVAuICPI_d-Y1krGPRThNADEEqw33QBTQS0jxWar_lVw2cJM9SvT07CJ2jZjUth1FjgtBhe7mokEgFrKTUGesgLIG9btEHNQKI0LtGENcBEbF_9FDOMjAwcjM_lw9BKJCDMJM6FmNEoiA65WE7zID19vbXGZWlNMZqoxoX80AofxlWt_tS5Vz4jpNbLbpQrgRTapwrONfp7nYZYZceRlt9g4TKIjsjV5Rm9Ee3oLx7Dt6sLrAK-9D2ZsqAYS1SHKVUuz_KQ3PekgVNzrX9CKHCrfS-lzI7VpABLNDtQ4JZ8Z09-SUb--Dw1AgjlvmRvdwQCAOLSdUsy3hgXmt7uMYNDs5xNctLeZ6hVez_FG_Q9EEe0rpF-dUSQPK8r_BMOi8PPfd8LDbVH56euubscnk2EmEvHcP8l1b7dDx1VMdM6VXNDbpk5XVgI6ify3xM4uu_8pOebEUssg2x3Cp_LMHw5LT4TPTQ0Zt8nen2BmEWY5QPeOiTjT1cnri2sdRLW=w931-h620-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /><br />
At Garda the Country Cup is a Stadium Style fleet race with one competitor from each country. A 33 boat NASCAR event in front of the sea wall at Riva del Garda. Lucas Tenrierro had the honor of representing the US as the top Team USA qualifier. He really sailed a good event against some Worlds level competition, starting confidently with a line sight and managing packs of boats well at the leeward mark as we had talked about. Only 2 of 3 races were completed in totally different conditions and a couple tough wind-shifts and fractured wind pressure put him in 18th overall out of 33. It was a good learning experience and a cool thing to be a part of.<br />
<br />
As were the opening ceremonies!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3sJCWT5Cm6J1NdnIIVtdGtf1h3o04kAHr6-kAmtpuh1VD2yVFwERdTkdl5S8USmLIaxmUyy0oTOWHE83Ncygu9dwIzj4ZHzKZFZjGDRpi18aDM3KtFZ0FV-auH_BoXl33iYcXnUONoKH/s1600/f85f6461-5dc1-4a9e-a6ef-64aaa26164a6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3sJCWT5Cm6J1NdnIIVtdGtf1h3o04kAHr6-kAmtpuh1VD2yVFwERdTkdl5S8USmLIaxmUyy0oTOWHE83Ncygu9dwIzj4ZHzKZFZjGDRpi18aDM3KtFZ0FV-auH_BoXl33iYcXnUONoKH/s320/f85f6461-5dc1-4a9e-a6ef-64aaa26164a6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Day 1</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MyuFmJ4qJ5X7KKuaXQo-1N9JinkB2v17eTc_5S8dNJUUOezsYdV0w2fgUwnxffsNyHHwlNY0XdptMi-kywC6wWrm_lsAcSz7MNAPRXIue-VYudjkOZUQUHvIRyczBY547qGryyGK5xUM4JMgXldmQc5f1gJHgEFTmKwQ9P3uF2ANNZii6Lezcb2Z8V9Ul9WnvkfLTy1iwR9LYe3IoQqWyVYHHkPEPpNf-f--i2jYzSsUoFNOO_UA4yQyzfMxLVVR5wTh3iKXXLci6ZHPBPw_HmIsu0aLZ-qg366K7O2AU4Z3fNu0tqaJ3FElmmvDQ8EQjstBhBVL2i6hescfGTSZG1aNFU4KTFkSxKto5kA30l9gZHUUb25l3ztg1xHHDWKuwWPs15zxYBozesFtSVxPTwpYFXRD_bnwbVD6OBCU9DcHQ4NYOsWGk1OjxgfpC2bzeqe4mXeYnyEvyFDGBSRhD1DOypzkizB9zF7LRTOPUw_qb9m-ep_kXyAc-ppuh9sX7q6yeq4uyyfi4n8ELrsfFtpgLwuHbRA8w4Gce3Hg_Zy2p88LMG8ogHGgoJ_3LAt3jcmWw1P6G4ADTelZY6VHAAOPWQD0Yfmb21N2IJ9RkPN54bOmv2oyoauFVVTQweVPnfsRfnQJx-wTS2c9kv5kul-CCuMJLtnT=w931-h620-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Mar 29, 2018, 12:52:21 PM" border="0" class="SzDcob" height="425" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MyuFmJ4qJ5X7KKuaXQo-1N9JinkB2v17eTc_5S8dNJUUOezsYdV0w2fgUwnxffsNyHHwlNY0XdptMi-kywC6wWrm_lsAcSz7MNAPRXIue-VYudjkOZUQUHvIRyczBY547qGryyGK5xUM4JMgXldmQc5f1gJHgEFTmKwQ9P3uF2ANNZii6Lezcb2Z8V9Ul9WnvkfLTy1iwR9LYe3IoQqWyVYHHkPEPpNf-f--i2jYzSsUoFNOO_UA4yQyzfMxLVVR5wTh3iKXXLci6ZHPBPw_HmIsu0aLZ-qg366K7O2AU4Z3fNu0tqaJ3FElmmvDQ8EQjstBhBVL2i6hescfGTSZG1aNFU4KTFkSxKto5kA30l9gZHUUb25l3ztg1xHHDWKuwWPs15zxYBozesFtSVxPTwpYFXRD_bnwbVD6OBCU9DcHQ4NYOsWGk1OjxgfpC2bzeqe4mXeYnyEvyFDGBSRhD1DOypzkizB9zF7LRTOPUw_qb9m-ep_kXyAc-ppuh9sX7q6yeq4uyyfi4n8ELrsfFtpgLwuHbRA8w4Gce3Hg_Zy2p88LMG8ogHGgoJ_3LAt3jcmWw1P6G4ADTelZY6VHAAOPWQD0Yfmb21N2IJ9RkPN54bOmv2oyoauFVVTQweVPnfsRfnQJx-wTS2c9kv5kul-CCuMJLtnT=w931-h620-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></a>The first day of the regatta brought a number of challenges! There were storm cells that periodically moved up the lake, bringing more wind just before them, and less right as the rain was passing. The race committee showed up late (the Italians view rushing as unhealthy) and set a huge line and short first beat - different from previous years. The line was set as expected between 3 boats - a Signal boat (the one with all the flags) in the middle, and 2 inflatable RC boats at the two ends. On the first day the "signal was minus" that is- the mid line boat was sagged between the two ends. Because the right end was favored, and everyone expected the right to pay, the fleet really jammed this end of the line.<br />
<br />
But there was a common pitfall! If you started right and sailed too far to the right after that, you were over the layline! Many competitors said they couldn't see the windward mark in the fog - but I was at the windward mark and could see the start line, so I think maybe they were not looking hard enough! The right may have paid, but being over the layline never works out! Almost 80 percent of the fleet made this mistake.<br />
<br />
In our debrief we diagrammed the long line/short beat conundrum. If you wanted to start at an end, you would have to spend most of your time consolidating towards the middle thereafter. Getting pushed further to your side is a big concern! We also worked out the common "signal plus/signal minus" verbiage so sailors and coaches could communicate better, and so sailors knew to look for the line being skewed.<br />
<br />
Downwind we stressed locating the gates and seeking clear air away from packs of boats. Not jibing right away around mark 2 usually leads to better options!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2 b</b>rought even lighter wind and the RC was only able to completed 2 races for Yellow fleet and 1 for everyone else. This time the pin end was favored - but again, it was all about starting well enough at the favored end and then consolidating across. If you got pinned out too far to your side it was not good. A number of our sailors started to do a better job of this, and Gill was in 2nd at the windward mark in a race that got canceled! Everyone recognized that the pin was favored, it was just questions of executing a good start and finding a good lane to cross.<br />
<br />
The wind was surprisingly steady considering the direction was not lined up to the lake (it was blowing from the SE) and it had to come down some big mountains.<br />
<br />
Going high on the reach is key in light air and when the reach is a tight angle (close reach).<br />
<br />
<b>Day 3 </b>was similar sailing conditions to day 2, but with more 'externalities.' The Race committee moved the start time up 2 hours, before signaling a delay of 2 hours on land! It had rained and thundered all the night before and the lake was filled with debris.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSh7-YuFReExBircy-8QQ8cHaAvmKyvlLLpmpyVB1tIqxvIuigXUtPbjf87M0llUbQGzqYFdUxseE5am15Y4Z7s_xLxJuo9MST2AzPerWTN6YFivPb43CjH_e60lA6MbdGQSeqaDR7MEM/s1600/IMG_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSh7-YuFReExBircy-8QQ8cHaAvmKyvlLLpmpyVB1tIqxvIuigXUtPbjf87M0llUbQGzqYFdUxseE5am15Y4Z7s_xLxJuo9MST2AzPerWTN6YFivPb43CjH_e60lA6MbdGQSeqaDR7MEM/s320/IMG_1005.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
When we finally got on the water it continued raining. The competitors have to remember that it's always the same for everybody, and that conditions, delays, etc. are things they should expect to overcome. However, there were a number of mental mistakes that day - a sailor starting in the wrong fleet, a shackle coming loose for another, and someone sailing half a beat with something big (a plastic bag?) on her daggerboard. All sailors need to get in the habit of checking their blades (daggerboard and rudder) regularly for weeds before each start in side of 3 min. You have already towed out 2.5 miles and sailed several more - how do you know that all the water you sailed through was clear?!?? As my dad says: "sailing is often about who can be the most observant."<br />
<br />
Another issue for some of our sailors was the amount of sculling by some of their competitors, especially on the last beat when the wind had dropped to marginally sailable conditions. It's a tough predicament, and sometimes you wish the Judges would be a little more rigorous in their duties, especially with boats sculling in the middle of a beat. This was a problem at US Nationals too on a race that was ultimately abandoned, where the judges wouldn't go near a throng that was sculling through a gate. My feeling is: give the infringing sailors their first Yellow flag so they have to be conservative the rest of the regatta; even (especially?) if the race is about to be abandoned!!<br />
<br />
As a coach representing my country, I can't coach my kids to scull, and I was proud of their concern for sportsmanship. We suggested they hail "protest", and I taught them a legal technique to head down then up once to accelerate the boat - moving your weight, mainsheet and rudder is just fast sailing as long as it is consistent with "heeling to facilitate steering." Once you have more speed, you have more pressure in the sail! This is why I always say: "Speed is a process, not a setting."<br />
<br />
<b>Day 4 </b>For the last day of the regatta the RC set a 3 hours early start time - and finally it worked! We got a set of races off in a Northerly wind - unusual for this venue! It was picturesque racing with the mountains in the background. With the left being closer to shore, we felt that this side would have more pressure. There were bigger shifts both ways and the favored end of the line changed as well. A majority of our sailors worked their way left and we had a pretty good morning as a team! As the breeze died it lingered longer close to shore (this is a common lake characteristic). Almost all of our Yellow fleet sailors ended with a top 30 and towed in after a long regatta.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecBzGseCP68TnzaR8-MDkO06JX-vpb-Vrfj8lN1Z1yv_WbZCVAIn9po1bDqMdpKV8OeyaAwzaRi1e7-RRrx3N-gpicfIEPxDrqBCijrqoAigh_gYHK_Z7BbJarusO7A5Asq44hUHYRKVL/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecBzGseCP68TnzaR8-MDkO06JX-vpb-Vrfj8lN1Z1yv_WbZCVAIn9po1bDqMdpKV8OeyaAwzaRi1e7-RRrx3N-gpicfIEPxDrqBCijrqoAigh_gYHK_Z7BbJarusO7A5Asq44hUHYRKVL/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Besides the conditions there are three variable in racing: you, the other competitors, and the race committee. Over a 4 day regatta, all 3 entities are improving each day. The fleet gets smarter and the RC adapt and set a better line. I was happy to see our kids improving ahead of the curve.<br />
<br />
On the way back out to the race course I saw the first low puffy cloud had made its way up the lake from the south and was perched on a mountain top: The southerly lake breeze we had been promised was coming!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh98fbpPyMbGSpD59-wEd1meO3OVvaA4AkZ2KIQcXEfpWO7mUSPFPmAYPCfLpGO7nURKuu1vJGAagepIS8ssdFXQFdvt0bYb-VP_z-ZGgdzjwUoWwniarQuZIWubQTMusTMMdZwmlnW2S/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh98fbpPyMbGSpD59-wEd1meO3OVvaA4AkZ2KIQcXEfpWO7mUSPFPmAYPCfLpGO7nURKuu1vJGAagepIS8ssdFXQFdvt0bYb-VP_z-ZGgdzjwUoWwniarQuZIWubQTMusTMMdZwmlnW2S/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Boom, the breeze was back on at about 12kts and minus the rain, very similar to the first day! The last 4 fleets were treated to one last sparkling race on lake Garda. <img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Apr 1, 2018, 1:34:12 PM" class="SzDcob" height="426" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8TfSLtwV4QnMDZT7Qe3GEYwW2bCFqkMcyf28i9CxgNGTnAdgQYcyjgJCv7yMYo6BqgY_MHcIaBJROEnNxfaAnziQ_F15XyLu88k-gw6_wvBRrIHbyreFJv3V_UU580p0lQ2wZjohbr8QUDZUDwUmdlfn4eiI59BjkLuqBcDlULqfkHszXwJJWyDrbY7ysOPjcZPX61QFZ17MCB65tE-Kk99J3ldYJS8cY3nGeTU0vhJoWKxRMbgVKdmNPpJwk8BYPmALrlhvGPMz4niX1e1W_yfVQqELzZf9LnXzphx844fDCP6e8v-qWlS1ojbwTqAjfGLq7CxAN8c2Y3iV16fbjNHqZImyZ6eLXRGbg_dOLLsZal-SHOzziov3YbRQ3mmMekz_YCA1iNQpvCpFjQECPsDIJvBRCNgJLcR30jNyNRb8WEZ7fvU_y8eubRQsrgs9SfhkqChIpDCg4iG-REMk9RE82aAJjB6ClODoaPIRG0Z6_RVWM9to4FC9lZJuhMuTGtjsXHyoJl9eVwGuqmc7-M7RVSzglkszXYgMyOfy_F_v-MmXQ7YvIOMh3HtI4ZD6kYci_SNDOzL0W5pez-V3CXJAyTEX5oTbarfPTFBXnQL0wergptQjJeHSve6PVsOF35_jUCJvHCvokvca3cnOGryVU-i4bwZw=w930-h620-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /><br />
<br />
We had a pretty good race, but a few too many U flags. In the White Fleet Cole and Ryan did a good job laying up to the mark (not coming in on the starboard layline) and had top 25s at the windward mark. The breeze then dropped so we towed in, returned the charters (no damage, 1 boom gone missing for 21 boats) and said our last good byes. It was a great experience to be a part of and one I know we will all take with us for years to come!<br />
<br />
-Arthur Blodgett<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZPHJS1vM2uMJGCK4gZqrbPap_jDNyauWHoVyfxvOZDWF5MQ-45sCiFFU7577yBtpcWUTZIGlTO5oPLtHvmURZuSD8V_m05picrdeDAxpOnkaf0aVvq2ZXivHxF0Fz1dOpihaw0Ti7ZoN/s1600/04dabea7-26c8-4ea0-96bf-5b6959845f71.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZPHJS1vM2uMJGCK4gZqrbPap_jDNyauWHoVyfxvOZDWF5MQ-45sCiFFU7577yBtpcWUTZIGlTO5oPLtHvmURZuSD8V_m05picrdeDAxpOnkaf0aVvq2ZXivHxF0Fz1dOpihaw0Ti7ZoN/s640/04dabea7-26c8-4ea0-96bf-5b6959845f71.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Justine, Arthur and Juan dish at one of t Team Meetings! </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDOt3HQ5EqsRznoseaBrP5hJTAFrqcfLsukjZ8PNi3HiiIq9jT-c_lE9V1r-j8u8WuMoRXoQLPGYOZPgq1GuRYaeA8svpKBkAqizJ23xXpU4JwiL57pJ6cK_Q8vkvaeNqQTyXGzL35Qb7/s1600/2bbd3695-9ca7-46ee-9254-6643e9038a9e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDOt3HQ5EqsRznoseaBrP5hJTAFrqcfLsukjZ8PNi3HiiIq9jT-c_lE9V1r-j8u8WuMoRXoQLPGYOZPgq1GuRYaeA8svpKBkAqizJ23xXpU4JwiL57pJ6cK_Q8vkvaeNqQTyXGzL35Qb7/s640/2bbd3695-9ca7-46ee-9254-6643e9038a9e.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Team USA Sails in to the beach. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-7830208898752839332018-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:002018-02-06T20:36:36.715-08:00Valentines Regatta Debrief & Recap<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpuTcHi7LaeQCCtQKq3X7qeqG6yqe_U4dFMgruc4rqICKxyu7EMBk5DMVusnRAvByHrIixg2vf3dYbu3-CpdvoT4dWmRy7pqxZXm-_-gBiH6xT6dfShZlJ7dGO1KMjYsIboHJjrD8eSSP/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_KHWdcH06I_pZJpM9xgJ-Ae1lX4IJ9WsxQycDWbeXM9CfsnwuFBREL-Owzg7WOvRKm1IVQ4lshRexQgi2l4I-DGC3mX9RMqLXZED1sHiGH2VecM8vYImXxgGj-Agr4EQu85W8MreX2Z8/s1600/27752152_10155433633255852_4701453610363502223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_KHWdcH06I_pZJpM9xgJ-Ae1lX4IJ9WsxQycDWbeXM9CfsnwuFBREL-Owzg7WOvRKm1IVQ4lshRexQgi2l4I-DGC3mX9RMqLXZED1sHiGH2VecM8vYImXxgGj-Agr4EQu85W8MreX2Z8/s400/27752152_10155433633255852_4701453610363502223_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_1581204819"></span><span id="goog_1581204820"></span><br />
Laura "Lulu" Hamilton won the 2018 Valentines Regatta without having to sail the last race as LYC sailors excelled in St. Petersburg this past weekend. Sailing 6 races in varied conditions against 150 boats, this was a challenging regatta for the 15 sailors that raced with our team, so the sailors that did well really earned it! Here's the top of the leaderboard:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0bhZDWXvk7BgL8gXaLIqzfG0nvr9AYCibloZw5rtYwWKUQcf_2f6okK6ZI71aJbpJl4vD3TKGQ8CqyUdExcQog5y7sZpJhfCsoryX5T-75OZtsR515aFprx9WBnHj6GYtOepcjZfEgcy/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-05+at+3.35.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="800" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0bhZDWXvk7BgL8gXaLIqzfG0nvr9AYCibloZw5rtYwWKUQcf_2f6okK6ZI71aJbpJl4vD3TKGQ8CqyUdExcQog5y7sZpJhfCsoryX5T-75OZtsR515aFprx9WBnHj6GYtOepcjZfEgcy/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-05+at+3.35.59+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was even better by Fleet. LYC in Red: 1, 4,5 Blue 1,7,8 White: 1st James Asturias, 5th Drew Lamm and 7th Skye Johnson. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The regatta was the first big fleet race of the '18 Spring Season, and as a USODA sanctioned event, a qualifier for Team Trials. The US Opti Team Trials will be this April 26-29th at Key Biscayne Yacht Club where the ~250 best Opti sailors in the country will race to qualify for the National team, and invitation to international regattas. At Valentines and other USODA events, finishing in the top 25% of all registered boats (green and champ) gets you an invite to Team Trials. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With many good sailors (including Stephan Baker) in Mar De Plata, Argentina, Valentines is considered a good opportunity for sailors who have been improving throughout the year to qualify. Confirmation pending, we think 4 new LYC sailors made this goal with Ty Lamm, James Asturias, Drew Lamm and Skye Johnson in the top 50 overall (over 200 entries) to qualify for the first time! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We arrived in St Petersburg late Friday morning and prepared for a practice. A number of Northern Teams were already rigging up - CERT from NJ, LIMA (Long Island Mid Atlantic), Buddy Melges of Wisconsin, Annapolis YC and others. But there was no wind and we were the first Florida team there! When we got on the water at 2:00pm there were remnants of a light, light easterly that had wafted for a couple hours. There was also a sailboat to the north heeling over in a stout Northerly! Bam, the wind shut off and we had the kids rock to a dark band of breeze that was sliding down the bay from the north. We sailed a long upwind, testing speed and practicing technique, and then 2 practice races in a 8-13kt Northwest Wind. It was good for Robby Brown who was coaching with us to get to know each sailor, and I made some suggestions with where some sailors should sit upwind and downwind. Its important to balance the boat completely flat and be connected to the boat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Upwind in the Opti in Chop: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Sit 4-6 Inches Behind/Aft of the Bulkhead. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-Knees and feet together and pointed to leeward. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-Front foot connected to hiking strap. Even if you are not hiking kick your foot under the strap and ankle into it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Hydrodynamic explanation: the Opti Bow crates a lot of drag when it gets hit by waves. Try to keep the bow transom just above the waves, and keep the boat connected to the waves so there is minimal "pounding".</i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Downwind in Light/Medium:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-Point knees forward and slide forward until your shins hit the bulkhead. This hurts a little bit but keeps you connected to the boat, and sitting in the widest part (helps you heel it over to windward more). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Dont worry about bow plowing! The bow dips low on a wave, you go back with your shoulders, pump the sail, and get surfing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Hydrodynamic explanations: </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i> - The stern is wider than the bow so when you heel (kite) to windward, the stern digs in more. So for equal dig, you need to move forwards vs upwind when you sail flat. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i> - The waves are coming from behind you now so the bow drag is not an issue. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_sg4unJt60xcoqEt98JO5AM7YffsnYBnyYg6eewvXT5V-VoZqYCIbu-JPgOAdSm4WIkpp_G9cTIn3CWkbTDwKQXrLsz2PQKvjejmGiusC7Cj-QtgsofdONpIRbp6F4xBE06a2UXfT56q/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_sg4unJt60xcoqEt98JO5AM7YffsnYBnyYg6eewvXT5V-VoZqYCIbu-JPgOAdSm4WIkpp_G9cTIn3CWkbTDwKQXrLsz2PQKvjejmGiusC7Cj-QtgsofdONpIRbp6F4xBE06a2UXfT56q/s400/IMG_0567.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ryan Kronrad showing good medium air technique at an LYC practice. </span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While you can't learn technique overnight in the heat of a regatta, I think our sailors worked really hard to sail with good technique throughout and improved a lot. Kevin Gosselin had been working hard in the weeks of practice prior to clean up his technique, to work the waves in a sharper, but smoother and more precise fashion, and to limit rudder movement (causes drag!). He had a breakthrough regatta with only one race deeper than 10! Deana and Avery were two girls joining us form the Chicago Yacht Club who were sailing for the first time this year. Deana quickly regained her technique and had top 10 speed for most of the regatta, while Avery improved a lot in this area as well. Each sailor went into the regatta knowing something they had to be better about with technique - sail trim for Skye, Holding the end of the tiller extension when he hikes for Drew, <i>consistent</i> top speed and fast transitions for the top sailors like Jack, Lulu and Peter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the practice races there was a bit of current and some general recalls, and some Black flag disqualification in the practice races - I was the race committee as we scrimmaged with Annapolis, KBYC and friends around a trapezoid course. Lulu won at least one of the practice races and we knew we had a good team. 13 of the 15 sailors that sailed with LYC made it out to practice on Friday! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the evening debrief there were 2 messages, Keep it Simple, and watch the current! We noted to the kids that we had just practiced close to shore - out 2-3 miles in Tampa Bay they should expect a lot more current. We went over the tide change predicted times and talked about how you can see current on anything that is anchored. Keeping it simple means focus on getting good starts, clear air and boatspeed through technique. Don't tack more than you need to and be patient with the side of the course you choose in the relatively stable breeze we were expecting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday we sailed the first race in over 12 Kts of Breeze from the North and it was basically a speed test. Out in the bay it was pretty consistent, with the tide running downwind and about to change, and the breeze lessening throughout the race. Connor won the first race of the regatta with Peter right behind him in 2nd. In the 2nd Start Lulu won with Jack 2nd narrowly beating CRYC's Freddie Parkin in 3rd. Around Mark 2 I witnessed this exchange between Lulu and Jack:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jack: "Hey Lulu, I don't see the Gate, where is the next mark?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lulu: "Here Jack!" [Lulu Points here whole arm to the Gate to show Jack the way to go].</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was pretty hilarious to see this from the Coachboat and Lulu learned an important lesson about racecourse friendship when Jack covered her air later on the run, and pushed hard for inside overlap -passing her and slowing them both down! This put Freddie Parkin back in the race as all 3 sailors rounded the Mark just boatlengths apart, and then shuffled positions multiple times as each sailor ran forward to tighten their sprits! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think we can get faster at this maneuver and you should <u>wait to tighten your sprit if it means immediately giving up a place!</u> You can go alright for 20 boat lengths with a sprit that is too loose, then tighten when you have a bigger lead because the boat behind you sat in your dirty air. In addition, taller sailors should pull on the sprit on the downwind 5-10 boat lengths before the leeward mark when it costs nothing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lulu battled back passing Jack on the top left of the course and Drew, Graceanna and Kevin had solid first races. Deana had a top 10 but was Black Flagged! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next race was the most sketchy of the regatta. We had passed low tide, and the current was starting to Flood back into the Bay from the South. The Northerly wind was lightening. So the current was pushing hard over the line - Classic Valentines Regatta conditions! Really! Here is a picture I drew about the 2016 Valentines Regatta that approximates the situation:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunucVU4S4AatmFqF1vNUabaOFNHnTmodHFPEwqi8-IcfZhpR2PBQRMrQn_IuZcO1_oJ1Ftaq7P6k0ocwKDott9-y8CFJi8XUnRKtcrOoJej7sDHJAdOy6zmB42f9q_BdTeWwL2zxE2_dI/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunucVU4S4AatmFqF1vNUabaOFNHnTmodHFPEwqi8-IcfZhpR2PBQRMrQn_IuZcO1_oJ1Ftaq7P6k0ocwKDott9-y8CFJi8XUnRKtcrOoJej7sDHJAdOy6zmB42f9q_BdTeWwL2zxE2_dI/s640/IMG_0294.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the pin was Favored (further upwind than the Committee Boat end of the line), I recommended to my sailors the Port-Tack Approach. I think it is ideal for Plus current and pin favored Starts, I do it a lot in my own racing, and it was a favorite strategy of Ian Barrows when he placed 2nd at Opti Worlds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OIX2qgYJrK6Haz-6DTWvb8VhRc1x5tjzyqcgwohVnGebd4_PB2eH2iLkB2BaM3h_wFhmvU7yAk95qq5dw5R_aqrrUPaN5IbtaFVN8d6bx7ZFpJadRppvbbhem22fVcWY_l4z8MmOU2OA/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OIX2qgYJrK6Haz-6DTWvb8VhRc1x5tjzyqcgwohVnGebd4_PB2eH2iLkB2BaM3h_wFhmvU7yAk95qq5dw5R_aqrrUPaN5IbtaFVN8d6bx7ZFpJadRppvbbhem22fVcWY_l4z8MmOU2OA/s640/IMG_0750.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you look at how the fleet stacks up at ~1 Minute and understand well how much current there is, you can see if it is going to be a genereal recall. Getting a BFD on a General Recall stinks! You risked everything to gain nothing. Better to approach from below the line and sneak through late only if the Start is actually going to happen. On Race 2A two thirds (TWO THIRDS!) of the Fleet got BFD - Kicked out of the race!!!! - over the course of 4-5 General Recalls. Deana, Avery, Annie (who normally sail on Lake Michigan) and Drew got BFD's on Recalls and watched the race from my coachboat. Tyler and others learned the port tack approach and survived. Racing in a much smaller fleet that was finally able to start Tyler finished 2nd! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last beat of this race was super light, but Lulu made a big mistake in how she attempted to cover and dropped from 1st to 4th! Here are some <b>general rules for last leg covering:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Try to stay between your closest opponents and the finish.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Try to "herd" them together. When you cover a boats air, they tack; when you loose cover they often keep going. By understanding this the leader can actually control where the boats they are covering are going to sail. I think "Herding" is a good word. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Cover between opponents and the pressure (next puff you see on the water. )</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Cover bow out on the long tack, accounting for current. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Cover between opponents and the next shift and continue to sail the best strategy. In College sailing one of my self mantras was "never stop thinking strategically." You should not abandon what got you the lead in the first place! </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The finish boat was set to the right of the previous course axis, there was a smokestack on the Tampa shore showing an easterly breeze direction (right shift coming), and there was more pressure visible on the right. The current was now pushing from directly behind you on starboard tack and at your beam on Port. All these factors said "protect the right side!" yet Lulu got in a tacking duel with Jack and then separated left of him and all the other boats. Peter Barnard took what was given to him, sailed to the pressure, and almost won the race (Jack got back from the left just in time to take the gun). Lulu, now over the Port layline thanks to the current lost another boat to finish 4th. It was one of her few mistakes in a great regatta and a good learning opportunity. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Race Committee re-set the course to the Easterly wind that had now filled all across the bay, and we started the 3rd race of the day. The current was now running from Committee boat to pin (right to left) but it had lessened somewhat. Again, you have to go off what you observe, not just what the tide table told you! It was hard to tell, but the current was pushing boats down below the line very slightly as well. This and the fact that almost half the fleet had a BFD on their scorecard this early in the regatta meant that there was line sag the 3rd race:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGM-KCkHWdbROu_4z98jBdOBg6Lyz16cmDnggSBm2WzOpxydgRBYrMVd0NTktrP4RxEx9GDT3AgA2sB9nuJ7NLx6GcN1U2OQ9VisZsTc00g1VsDu-yCv9MeSonaCq62hGlXM_gaX6Xta/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-05+at+3.22.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1275" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGM-KCkHWdbROu_4z98jBdOBg6Lyz16cmDnggSBm2WzOpxydgRBYrMVd0NTktrP4RxEx9GDT3AgA2sB9nuJ7NLx6GcN1U2OQ9VisZsTc00g1VsDu-yCv9MeSonaCq62hGlXM_gaX6Xta/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-05+at+3.22.49+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lulu, Jack and Connor observed the start of 3A, saw the pin was favored, and started atop the pin group (top left of the picture). They finished 1,3,5 and Nico also had a good race. We got to shore around 5pm - the kids had spent 7 hours on the water and were mentally exhausted. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When the current is pushing you under the line, I favor the opposite approach as when it is running over. Its tough to make the pin, and tough to sail thorough the fleet to the first row on Port. Get a line sight, set up above the fleet, and maintain your position in the first row + for the last 1:30. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRguBbWUHhfdOeZ777iNhV1Y79CMtw3WKCuvKUsTM-5W9jKhfluylezrpO-rMiLwP6lBRkbGA95XIHUNBJ2N6lWCfskpp4R8_xZyU77S-YgxQiAovyWWBz7RUM3eK54SFpHEVi1c5nFHg/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRguBbWUHhfdOeZ777iNhV1Y79CMtw3WKCuvKUsTM-5W9jKhfluylezrpO-rMiLwP6lBRkbGA95XIHUNBJ2N6lWCfskpp4R8_xZyU77S-YgxQiAovyWWBz7RUM3eK54SFpHEVi1c5nFHg/s640/IMG_0752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday morning brought light breeze out of the Southe-east. We had talked with the kids about pressure before the regatta - pressure is just your brains way of reminding you that you want to do your best! Lulu and Lucy had resisted the temptation to party too hard the night before (they are definitely the hardest partying Opti sailors) so everyone was alert and ready to go. While 4 of our sailors had a realistic chance to win the regatta and many others were chasing important goals like Team Trials, the kids seemed pretty relaxed and poised. However things shook out on the water would be based on their ability to read the current/conditions, and execute a game plan with good boatspeed, not on anything to do with pressure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The chop was steep at first because the current was going out against the wind. The wind picked up to about 12-13 kts - it would be a fun race! Again, we would be reading while it changed, but this time it was the first start of the day where sailors had to be careful. Unfortunately Graceanna and Avery were not and received fatal BFD's - I could see at 1 min. to the start that Graceanna was set up too high, and the RC could certainly see her red sail numbers! Most of the rest of our team set up with a port-tack approach, and had a good first race - Lulu had a beautiful start and won her race, while Kevin, Tyler and James had good races to show that their high standing entering the day was no fluke and Tyler and James would be making Team Trials. Jack and Connor were both a little too conservative - Jack surveying the line from past the pin too late in the sequence and both of them attempting to start on port. The "port-tack approach" does not mean "port tack start!" Connor overcame that and a kinetics penalty on the reach to climb back to 4th while Jack's superior upwind speed got him to 5th. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The current then shifted, and was pushing sailors below the line, so you could confidently start in the first row. Lulu and Connor both notched bullets, and after some laborious calculation her coaches concluded that she had won the regatta. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
An interesting thing: Why does the left side of the course pay soo much in St. Pete, given that the wind shifts clockwise throughout the day? In this racing area and circumstances, it is due to the underwater geography. Tampa Bay actually gets shallower in the middle! Between the racecourse and the SP Yacht Club there is a dredged shipping channel where a lot of the moving water funnels to. So in this race with the current coming in there was actually a little bit more adverse current sailing upwind if you went too far right. We benefited from this knowledge at the Fall STQ as well as this regatta. The difference in current velocity is not pronounced but it does help to factor in your percentages with which side you choose. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Connor summed up his strategy really well in this post race interview. He talks about starting ahead and covering his side. Im impressed he was already thinking ahead to the next race and wanted to be more careful of a predicted right shift. This is why we sometimes pretend he is the assistant coach!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SailingCenter/videos/10155432968280852/">https://www.facebook.com/SailingCenter/videos/10155432968280852/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the line sag for race 5:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rFCtiXDVI5rpUiWX39G8GpelH4T6cEf1jYiUiotS6N7BBCmtWBFFLiAr_T-TSMw_LTMYl0td8AHWuL9GCvIIxYcbYVetdywtSQ6XgFfAbvPtjlIQiGK6G62GoND1qkepQRBc0l_iSXyG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-06+at+9.38.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1220" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rFCtiXDVI5rpUiWX39G8GpelH4T6cEf1jYiUiotS6N7BBCmtWBFFLiAr_T-TSMw_LTMYl0td8AHWuL9GCvIIxYcbYVetdywtSQ6XgFfAbvPtjlIQiGK6G62GoND1qkepQRBc0l_iSXyG/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-06+at+9.38.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can see how the downwind current condenses boats at the pin. Nobody had the understanding of current, line sight, and gumption to start mid line-front row! I wonder what some of the 2nd and 3rd row boats are thinking - they must not be able to see the forest through the trees! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sky grew dark and the wind spiked dramatically before the final race. The committee said over the radio that there were storms in the gulf - we told the sailors to keep an eye out for rain that might cause a drastic wind shift - Rain pushes out air creating wind coming from the rain clouds. The rain clouds never came and the wind direction stabilized after shifting right between races 5 and 6, but there was one big difference between this race and all the others: the RC favored the pin by 10 degrees! You can see it in this picture taken just after the start: the Optis on starboard are sailing a ridiculously high angle:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnccNui1HTCBbrQKpd9xqKCadHoN-PguOPOg8qsewY5n7fyAWaiBHhqjeSBH1-gwt43xRyqolk-1sVRVJxrsSd4cBHcbaADqmTf4ju6VynkR9BW9VmzsnkiduIcbvqeGZYRKr9BJjcv2L/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-06+at+9.37.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="523" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnccNui1HTCBbrQKpd9xqKCadHoN-PguOPOg8qsewY5n7fyAWaiBHhqjeSBH1-gwt43xRyqolk-1sVRVJxrsSd4cBHcbaADqmTf4ju6VynkR9BW9VmzsnkiduIcbvqeGZYRKr9BJjcv2L/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-06+at+9.37.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not enough LYC sailors noticed or took advantage of this skewed start line - that is CRYC's Freddie Parkin punched out as the leftmost sail on the screen - and many had their throw out race to close. The exception was Connor Boland who ground Freddie down on the last beat to take the bullet and move up to 2nd place overall, and Lucy Meagher who was gushing blood from her finger before the race, calmly wrapped it with electrical tape (she knew bandaids would not stick!) and hiked hard to a 6th. The kids ripped in, packed their boats and got ready for the awards at the end of a tough regatta! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Principle Race Officer Todd Fedezyn got all 6 scheduled races off on tricky Tampa Bay and it was good for us to see some of his tendencies as he will be the PRO at Team Trials. I though he did a great job and had a really relaxed demeanor. Here's what we can expect going forward: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Todd's Tendencies:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Favor the pin by 10 degrees when the current is pushing over the line - this reduces general recalls/the number of boats OCS. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Go to black flag after the 1st general recall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Recall subsequent starts where there are too many boats over to identify them all, <u>BFD (remove!) the ones they could identify, then re-start</u>. Repeat until there are few enough BFD's that the RC is able to <u>identify all of them and let the race go. </u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Be patient with even a really light air race - he did not call of a race that was hovering around 3.5-4 kts . I really agree with this because it takes less time to finish than it does to re-start! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Start a race even if the course is not perfect - ex: the boat favored final race that could still be started because of the adverse current keeping boats under the line. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Understand and adjust for the current and wind velocity. He shortened the beat when the current was adverse and lengthened when the current was pushing upwind. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I said in the opener, the sailors that were on the podium really earned it - this was a challenging regatta! I am proud of the way they competed and the blood (Lucy, Drew) sweat, and tears (multiple parties) they put into this event. While some clubs just sent the kids that needed to qualify, I think having Lulu, Jack, Connor and Peter to set the example for the up-and-coming team members was really beneficial. Culture feeds culture and we were a team in every sense of the word, from sailors to coaches and parents! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpuTcHi7LaeQCCtQKq3X7qeqG6yqe_U4dFMgruc4rqICKxyu7EMBk5DMVusnRAvByHrIixg2vf3dYbu3-CpdvoT4dWmRy7pqxZXm-_-gBiH6xT6dfShZlJ7dGO1KMjYsIboHJjrD8eSSP/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="630" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpuTcHi7LaeQCCtQKq3X7qeqG6yqe_U4dFMgruc4rqICKxyu7EMBk5DMVusnRAvByHrIixg2vf3dYbu3-CpdvoT4dWmRy7pqxZXm-_-gBiH6xT6dfShZlJ7dGO1KMjYsIboHJjrD8eSSP/s400/IMG_0746.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFWtCTtxV0zCIe2xxOGaCJLW3p6uE4uOXQxr3R0KDayRdsfMFdz3ll6HclwNVL1Ug9DIECnLZMurYydK8AEMWS3Fj2BZatY8n6-dS3PGXiCSlPd2Te7L485-W-S5b5mJhjchJYZ3gGfhe/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFWtCTtxV0zCIe2xxOGaCJLW3p6uE4uOXQxr3R0KDayRdsfMFdz3ll6HclwNVL1Ug9DIECnLZMurYydK8AEMWS3Fj2BZatY8n6-dS3PGXiCSlPd2Te7L485-W-S5b5mJhjchJYZ3gGfhe/s400/IMG_0744.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>White Fleet Champ James Asturias </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-6170805339787230602018-01-05T07:33:00.001-08:002018-01-05T07:52:31.280-08:00End of Year Honors for LYC SailorsHappy New Year from LYC Sailing! 2017 was an incredible year for us, and ended with some nice recognition of some of our sailors:<br />
<br />
*Stephan Baker Receives <b>Sail 1 Design/McLaughlin Opti Sailor of the Year Award! </b>You can read about the award <a href="https://www.sail1design.com/2017-s1d-mclaughlin-optimist-sailor-year-announced/">here. </a><br />
<br />
*The LYC Fall Banquet was December 19th.<br />
- The Mike Toppa perpetual award for Teamwork when to the LYC1 Opti Team Cup Berlin Champs Team of Baker, Connor Bolland, Lulu Hamilton, Sara Schumann and Jack Redmond.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YYsf5VXw_UC30zlIwgDPr78lWGKqn97ms3vSg498KyPU72AD3-lVYOg1VHpR8qFxnmJo66ADw24KYg5NlhGzhUbw2yCv_IGthSiY4IbHYHg7qDeeWxI3YJZO7YmviTXAliIr_8xfkzRF/s1600/22886306_557038334687889_1851532506588887713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YYsf5VXw_UC30zlIwgDPr78lWGKqn97ms3vSg498KyPU72AD3-lVYOg1VHpR8qFxnmJo66ADw24KYg5NlhGzhUbw2yCv_IGthSiY4IbHYHg7qDeeWxI3YJZO7YmviTXAliIr_8xfkzRF/s320/22886306_557038334687889_1851532506588887713_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Above: The OTC Team just after the finals. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
- The Clyde Wright Pram Trophy was awarded to Stephan Baker.<br />
<br />
-The Fall Series "Software" (the trophy were fleece blankets) was awarded as follows:<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> Green: 1st: Millie French 2nd: Parker Bustamante 3rd Luca Ehring</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> Bronze Fleet: 1st: Cole Fanchi, 2nd: Graceanna Dixon 3rd: Skye Johnson</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> Silver Fleet: 1st Jake Homberger, 2nd: Cody Roe, 3rd: KJ Hill</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Gold Fleet: 1st Jack Redmond, 2nd Lucy Meagher, 3rd Ryan Kronrad</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_cvZ_hyphenhyphen3mG1Nm4A-uyTBq4n6xn-NZEeK8XoGPa3BTwm8tMtnEtvN9TplyaMwf5zn3Ybxh5touQPbC-JYHQ-FCakdJMmfYGRRUqTSRGDB6R81TlshQ0nya_4foLGuP_iYo7VSY1tRyAwN/s1600/25442832_10155021368715918_8317905402703684031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_cvZ_hyphenhyphen3mG1Nm4A-uyTBq4n6xn-NZEeK8XoGPa3BTwm8tMtnEtvN9TplyaMwf5zn3Ybxh5touQPbC-JYHQ-FCakdJMmfYGRRUqTSRGDB6R81TlshQ0nya_4foLGuP_iYo7VSY1tRyAwN/s400/25442832_10155021368715918_8317905402703684031_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Bronze Fleet receive their paper plate awards and pose with JC, Fleet Captain Morley and Coach Arthur. The kid in the middle 2nd row is Coach Pili! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
*Orange Bowl was an awesome 4 day event. Varied winds, currents, challenging courses and a stacked International fleet made for challenging racing! After 2 days of qualifying, 8 of the 17 LYC Sailors made the top 33% Gold fleet. With a stunning comeback on the last race of the regatta Baker took the trophy for the 2nd straight year! Jake Hamburger and Cody Roe also took home some hardware, finishing 2nd and 5th in White Fleet respectively. Schuman, Hamilton and Redmond all had chances to crack the top 10, but Lulu and Jack were black flagged in the last race! LYC's Ty Lamm and Will MacDiarmid were individual race winners in Silver and Bronze fleets respectively.<br />
<br />
*End of year national standing:<br />
LYC Sailors on National Team: Stephan Baker, Connor Bolland, Lulu Hamiton, Jack Redmond<br />
LYC Sailors on National Development Team: Sara Schumann, Ryan Konrad, Jake Homberger<br />
<br />
These and 6+ other TT qualified sailors now turn our focus to preparing for Team Trials where we hope to continue excellence on a national level! Thank you for being a part of LYC Opti Sailing!<br />
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-73563123665497943262017-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:002017-12-07T09:59:38.772-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nasty Boathandeling Shorts Volume 2: Here's a compilation from the practice videos this Fall. Some good technique and tacks and a couple bad tacks! Nice to see our sailors training hard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1Ja2bffKUTQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Ja2bffKUTQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-25429835803556584172017-11-16T11:37:00.003-08:002017-11-16T11:37:51.209-08:00Registration closing Nov. 26 for LYC Winter Opti Clinic! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYAZ_PC_x5T-VTaQuwO2pYqzoD4OQKiKxzzEz1RFJrJ961OT2DqKVdN9VTxNCaHW1S4-D69j0veZ-lW-SBQEyAmzZjPFufXtcTyALfXqirpQfZj9xmTMuKXWvKM7WOYQguTFhnvD1V5_H/s1600/Winter+Opti+Clinc+%252717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYAZ_PC_x5T-VTaQuwO2pYqzoD4OQKiKxzzEz1RFJrJ961OT2DqKVdN9VTxNCaHW1S4-D69j0veZ-lW-SBQEyAmzZjPFufXtcTyALfXqirpQfZj9xmTMuKXWvKM7WOYQguTFhnvD1V5_H/s640/Winter+Opti+Clinc+%252717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904288006017522637.post-90354203164829255862017-11-02T10:00:00.000-07:002017-11-03T06:55:10.003-07:00Regatta Report- The Once and Future Team Race Champs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkYjKBPaIFEtbERJ2T8ZwnD_1nJ-MJgCUX2T9JJqm_p2H0-KquiCWLCFkvrlbEqN4sk8CXQZ3gnG-1MvFZM-SQIJ1TIM18w0KDhD0SLZ8AiYYF50NmO2_K0a29KJNCTAmzQHAn76zb_3e/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.48.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="794" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkYjKBPaIFEtbERJ2T8ZwnD_1nJ-MJgCUX2T9JJqm_p2H0-KquiCWLCFkvrlbEqN4sk8CXQZ3gnG-1MvFZM-SQIJ1TIM18w0KDhD0SLZ8AiYYF50NmO2_K0a29KJNCTAmzQHAn76zb_3e/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.48.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photos: Hans Glave</span></i><br />
The winners always get to write history and its easy to look back on past events and say "of course it was headed for this." Sure, there were signs and omens along the way, and we had a solid process, but 3 weeks ago LYC's chances of being the first Americans to repeat at Berlin Opti Team Cup Champions seemed far from destined. Two of the best Opti team racers the US has ever seen, Mitchell and Justin Callahan had decided to move on to other classes, the 31-0 National Championship Win in late July being their final hurrah in the class. The Callahans were special talents who's helped build our team race culture and system at LYC and their achievements - OTC, Midwinters, 2 Nationals, a Marco Rizzotti, and 1 and 2 Team Race World Championships respectively will stand the test of time even in the amnesia prone Opti Class. But time waits for no man and the present is the only time in which you <i>can</i> live - it was to us to use the short weeks afforded since the end of the Spring Team Qualifier to make the new iteration of LYC1 the best possible.<br />
<br />
You don't find a new person to replace the departed talent; instead the 3 remaining sailors would all have to step up, each in their own way to form a new "big 3." I chose Stephan Baker to replace Mitchell as Team captain because in addition to being the best individual sailor in the country, he had shown an ability to see the entire race course. Below is his near perfect answer to the most abstract question I gave the sailors on a Team Race Quiz last spring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcsggSilSnCPQoOX5XQNFEaNQUuixGrYr-wDnmcoYr98x-ejZoIBIF10fIo5v1praBxW1KTKqjoR5QYjBEsUIzCyC6aJ8m0v_cNcWjocQP3Ze-IFfLehdeqG-Iuf4R2yKk2pocaC0uGls/s1600/IMG_2370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcsggSilSnCPQoOX5XQNFEaNQUuixGrYr-wDnmcoYr98x-ejZoIBIF10fIo5v1praBxW1KTKqjoR5QYjBEsUIzCyC6aJ8m0v_cNcWjocQP3Ze-IFfLehdeqG-Iuf4R2yKk2pocaC0uGls/s320/IMG_2370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">add edit: 3rd from pin White boat should hang in there until she can pick up /leebow Black W. </span></i></div>
<br />
Connor Boland had been on a tear all fall in the fleet racing, finishing 5th in the STQ (making his 4th consecutive National Team) and challenging the upperclassmen in High School practices Tuesdays and Thursdays. He was brimming with confidence and ready to step up. Sara Schuman had great speed and pretty good instincts - we needed to keep her improving on the start line and keeping poised in pressure situations. Above all, the big 3 would need to learn to trust each other on the racecourse as if they were blood.<br />
<br />
To fill the 4th spot on the team (Opti team race teams sail 4 sailors at a time, but can have up to 5 on a roster) we had an excruciatingly close decision between 4 sailors, Jack Redmond, Lulu Hamilton, Ryan Konrad and Lucy Meagher. Knowing Berlin to be a very long course with typically light wind (ha!), and seeing with Pilo that Jack and Lulu were trending in a steep upward direction in their fleet racing and boathandeling, I chose those two. To their immense credit both Ryan and Lucy helped us prepare in practices leading up to the regatta, competing in practices as equals with the rest of LYC 1, contributing to our Skype Conference Calls and taking their own initiative to continue their education in advanced Team Racing <i>and</i> support their comrades. They share credit for our success and should basically be considered a part of the team. While Jack and Lulu vindicated our evaluation on their fleet racing, both making the National Team at the STQ, there were struggles the first practice weekend! Jack had intensely studied and learned the playbook on paper but needed more reps to actualize it. Lulu needed to improve her rules knowledge. Ryan sailed a really good practice and Lucy showed strong leadership of LYC 2 at the LYC Team Race:<br />
Me: "Cody, who is your master?"<br />
Cody: "Lucy!"<br />
Me: "Good job Cody"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8pPhARe2vtLwJmI16eYd0B1kcd2h34dRJyFDEVjkT1dTO6LUs_VVVpv2pbvfG7P1fYENQ7PguA87uqu0sa-Tin7-yVTc3Q73zsrsFsOcUYp3Mc7dTgI3QZlw9L7zBfVqR6kVNINq-tI4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+12.07.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="806" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8pPhARe2vtLwJmI16eYd0B1kcd2h34dRJyFDEVjkT1dTO6LUs_VVVpv2pbvfG7P1fYENQ7PguA87uqu0sa-Tin7-yVTc3Q73zsrsFsOcUYp3Mc7dTgI3QZlw9L7zBfVqR6kVNINq-tI4/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+12.07.09+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">LISOT Black's Vanessa Larkamph at the LYC Team Race- she is one of the best team racers in the US right now. </span></i></div>
<br />
Part of our culture at LYC is that everybody learns team racing. I think it is important for kids to get exposed to a team sport as well an individual one. Team sports teach us to deal with failure, unequal opportunities and situations on which you are reliant on others and can fail because of them! When you realize that to win you have to not only raise the level of yourself but of your teammates, then you git it! Learn how to do this and you will be good at life.<br />
<br />
The first regatta was tough. The pre-seeded tiers format of the LYC Team Race thrust our new team into the heat of battle right off the bat. We had a good start and a 1st,3rd,4th on the reach leg before CRYC's Jonathan Siegel did an excellent job slowing the race down. He twice jibed to starboard just as an unsuspecting opponent was sailing into a leeward overlap. I diagramed the move after the regatta:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AO2y0G3n1hPYoNHhjMppLjAg78p5vZlKK8KbmT4LnHltcpcQzfmBJ5gnKdt8-p0i2vohOsZYtJPSrF3tLrw1B1QQIszFZXZIvSaka795YChvDymUg-T18tFJtS3v07_Kz-x9_2__8QJO/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AO2y0G3n1hPYoNHhjMppLjAg78p5vZlKK8KbmT4LnHltcpcQzfmBJ5gnKdt8-p0i2vohOsZYtJPSrF3tLrw1B1QQIszFZXZIvSaka795YChvDymUg-T18tFJtS3v07_Kz-x9_2__8QJO/s400/IMG_0468.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If, at position 3 A (Jonathan at the LYCTR) contacts X, then it should be A's foul for "Acquiring Right of way" and not "Initially giving room to keep clear." Rule 15. However, because A jibes back to port and allows X to keep clear she fulfills this obligation. Having slowed the race down, Jonathan's teammates passed a few of ours and they ended up in a 1,2,3. We then lost a heartbreaker to LISOT Black and had to come back up through the ranks to have a decent seed for the knockout. We won the first knockout round over LISOT Gold but then lost twice in the semis to Black again. They had a good start strategy that Connor was too dehydrated to properly defend, and they executed really well at Mark 3 - the leeward mark. We finished 3rd for the regatta.<br />
<br />
Overall it was good for the team that Stephan had said on a conference call something to the effect that he wanted the team to get good for a long time - we chose to look at this regatta as a learning experience. The positives were that we had been close, and that Lulu sailed some good races Saturday while Jack improved demonstrably from the previous weekend by Sunday. My message was that each of our top 3 sailors had to do better with individual mach-ups vs the other team. I told them they were loosing ones I though they could win.<br />
<br />
We then shifted the focus away from the regatta and to Germany, where there would be no Leeward mark traps on the Trapezoid course - we'll have to learn Mark 3 another day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfAINj_boW7vL1gcJzcZMuvMkV4PU2YH8e1DyDFMj-EqBxr-tH4u4oRYw0HVaaIBZ_kSSAwWN8UaxLP-N2LooX-kLfv30jIG2MYFjXWkHnYoQ7BLS8ZoGigfQ4g_-Ykrznk_Yqp8_1_qf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+12.23.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfAINj_boW7vL1gcJzcZMuvMkV4PU2YH8e1DyDFMj-EqBxr-tH4u4oRYw0HVaaIBZ_kSSAwWN8UaxLP-N2LooX-kLfv30jIG2MYFjXWkHnYoQ7BLS8ZoGigfQ4g_-Ykrznk_Yqp8_1_qf/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+12.23.09+PM.png" width="290" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The OTC Course Diagram</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>- the bottom reach actually has more kick to it than in this diagram. </i></div>
<br />
Out of the Florida heat, on a 10 hour planeride, and into dreary Fall Germany. The Hotel Petit is a ten minute walk from the Potsdamer Yacht Club on Lake Wannassee. The yachting scene is incredible - Wannassee is kind of like the Annapolis of Berlin. Almost 30 Folkboats were out racing all day up the lake on a freezing cold Saturday! J70's pranced around between the 2 Opti courses with Spinnakers and rail meat in full winter garb. After recuperating in the Hotel for 16 hours I went down to the club and collected the charter boats - Winners shipped from Worlds with the Thai Pizza stickers still on the bows! Kim, the dude from Winner had to take them off with a heat gun and a knife as we were to be assigned bow and stern numbers for team racing. I tightened the mast collars, set the rakes (FORWARD 1/4" of the kids usual rake for flat water) and finished just as the kids showed up, rigged and went sailing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Thursday night practice is really important when you're sailing a weekend regatta in a foreign country. You get some exercise and being in nature you body senses that the sun is about to set. We sailed just over an hour doing mostly boathandeling. Then we practice raced some guys with NED on their sail, lost, but gave them a good race. With 3 sailors from Worlds and a girl who had been to Germany last year we recognized the Dutch would be one of our toughest opponents. I wanted the kids to get used to the international speed and intensity, but it somehow transpired that both teams were laughing for most of the race! As a get-a-feel for this place practice it was perfect.<br />
<br />
<br />
Friday began with a team run around the lake. It started raining but we pushed through, acclimating to the cold!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LC_l2KA2_8xvFo7kYIkhUJwy-WEGNp1Sx9uGI1njQMOIHoVUthLlXU5IbJyEpKRIywbxGQln_N76pW9zyKk_jqezIGBwgjB0TQ-BGbzT_ACSJDIviXN4PHis5bXX7cEWdxXVUd6IUOzR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.46.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="826" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LC_l2KA2_8xvFo7kYIkhUJwy-WEGNp1Sx9uGI1njQMOIHoVUthLlXU5IbJyEpKRIywbxGQln_N76pW9zyKk_jqezIGBwgjB0TQ-BGbzT_ACSJDIviXN4PHis5bXX7cEWdxXVUd6IUOzR/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.46.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Just before Friday practice I got the rotation and saw we were going to be on Course Bravo, the farther out, more exposed and thus windier and choppier of the two racecourses. The year before we had sailed mostly on Alpha, but won the finals on Bravo. So to get experience we plained out on a reach for 20 minutes, team racing 3v2 the whole way to a distant mark in the Bravo cove. Except that we didn't team race because the team of 2, Sara and Lulu passed everyone and it turned into a game of Chase. This was a valuable lesson. We spent most of the day running 3v2 around a starboard triangle - a beat and the two reach angles that would be new to us. The kids were competitive on the reaches and we got experience trying to balance upwind in the wind shifts. Balance is a key concept in team racing and can be defined two ways:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We are balanced when we are on the same ladder rung. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We are balanced when my teammate across the course is ahead of my opponent I am covering </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(and vise versa).</i></div>
<br />
<br />
If a team in a 1,2,3 gets unbalanced, then they are really only in 1,2,4, or 1,3,4. If the other team brings the unbalanced pairs together, then we have a team race! In Germany the shifts and puffs were insane and it was really hard to balance. We made the conscious decision to not worry about it soo much on the first beat and really try to sail the shifts and fleet race. As a coach you are always trying to prioritize what will win the regatta based on the conditions, and this strategy played into our team's strength in addition to the long courses with muti-shift beats.<br />
<br />
Finally, the "Banana Triangle" as this drill shill be called (1,2,5 vs 3,4 invokes the "Split the Banana" concept) got pretty good and we raced the Dutch one more time, as well as handling the Norwegians once. Connor was soo cold from being inappropriately dressed that I sent him in for the Netherlands race and we lost another close one with Jack and Lulu sailing. There was a lot of tape to break down on the iPad and my dad's wooden cutout boats to push around the table as we addressed our mistakes after dinner.<br />
<br />
The reaches were going to be where we would have to win during this regatta. We have a saying in team racing:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Be predictable to your teammates and enigmatic to your opponents" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Crushing the opposition on the reaches would not just be about boatspeed, we had to know <u>who/when/how</u> to to separate to push the race forward, to make execution easier for the teammate "playing back" as well as the "Pusher." After our full team strategic meeting I met individually with each team member to talk with them about what the team would need from them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQANZAelGROwFdBF-8iNr3tMdFuy02MxK2jA_nel9z4KeuYWoVDZ4YjWjfxG3h6nIvXpG9YjyAGWwLweOWDTiYyVm6m0r0BfUkOccfSOnAfB_5LJggG5GaquRzlv3qQLMnkL5Z4dz-lCKf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.48.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="785" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQANZAelGROwFdBF-8iNr3tMdFuy02MxK2jA_nel9z4KeuYWoVDZ4YjWjfxG3h6nIvXpG9YjyAGWwLweOWDTiYyVm6m0r0BfUkOccfSOnAfB_5LJggG5GaquRzlv3qQLMnkL5Z4dz-lCKf/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.48.27+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sara and Conner Going high on the reach leg while Stephan sets "move of death"</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o6Us-Y3Nd2FodZiY4Gr5zh-j1PdO9Kf-APkiBt5Odrr0GZazSdgNe6BnoYrAormZAmBdAcVWM_3ck5svQXGAtpb8KM4AnVplFgnxRPDWbbOJXhg7GMQq2Fev1CpEV57R3r05PpwaxQDm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.49.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="776" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o6Us-Y3Nd2FodZiY4Gr5zh-j1PdO9Kf-APkiBt5Odrr0GZazSdgNe6BnoYrAormZAmBdAcVWM_3ck5svQXGAtpb8KM4AnVplFgnxRPDWbbOJXhg7GMQq2Fev1CpEV57R3r05PpwaxQDm/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.49.00+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Going high on the bottom reach! Over the top again! </i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Maybe it was the cold fall bringing me back to my New England childhood, but I began thinking about a book I had read as a kid, "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White. The first book of the volume, "The Sword in the Stone" chronicles King Arthur's imagined childhood, and education by the Wizard Merlin. Arthur goes out in the woods by himself and meets Merlin, who transforms Arthur into all types of animals, from Geese to Hawks to Ants, so that he can learn the lessons he will need to be a good King. Of course at this point everybody is still calling him Wart, a bastard who is to be squire to the Castle's heir, Kay. It is only when he commits a truly helpful act - pulling the Sword from the Stone to give to Kay who has lost his, that he becomes King of England. One of Merlin's lines stuck with me and I gave it to Stephan:<br />
<br />
<i>"A good king is first in every charge and last in every defeat" </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I think he lived by it in always supporting his teammates after a race, taking ownership of his mistakes and saying "I think..." before giving constructive guidance to a teammate or to me. I saw a little bit of Arthur's experiential education in all of the kids; we would go into the German Woods as Warts and hope to come out as Arthurs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtx6sXMPeS8W-1PeR6khT8J-85lWiqYC9FuCecTvRx5Rrb7cxLi4L01lDH5CoGuNXSdpQtEVH9DcdmIGFi8kOpr6D-U78dd3Je6NqPj7IvvBzsGsWbazPqrtg-Py9ser50rKvAI1UqjOm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.49.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="789" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtx6sXMPeS8W-1PeR6khT8J-85lWiqYC9FuCecTvRx5Rrb7cxLi4L01lDH5CoGuNXSdpQtEVH9DcdmIGFi8kOpr6D-U78dd3Je6NqPj7IvvBzsGsWbazPqrtg-Py9ser50rKvAI1UqjOm/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.49.21+AM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jack doing some winter sledding. </i></div>
<br />
Fast forward through the morning rigging, the opening-picture-taking ceremony, the sail out, to the start of the first race. Sweden doesn't know the start sequence and has the time wrong. We pretend to start a minute early with them, then sail downwind and clear before them after the real gun. But there is a little too much confusion and the race committee decides the re-start the race. They do it again and we are shocked! I had carefully gone over the 13 minute rolling start sequence with the team the night before. It and the 2 course, 3 stage round-robin format are two beautiful bits of German engineering, and we were surprised the PRO had thrown a wrench in the machine! It really hurt when we the Sweeds started fine the 3rd time, and beat us in a heated battle with team racing on every leg.<br />
<br />
The conditions were extreme for Florida sailors: Gusts to 27kts and Temps below 50F. We were 0-1. Time to do some sailing! In the SWE loss the race had been slowed soo much the fleet behind caught up to us -this was not the type of game we wanted to play. We made a conscious effort to fleet race better on the beats and to send a boat that was in trouble to one of the corners where the sailors said there were shore-line lifts. On the reaches we would make our moves and plane over the top! We never again had a slow race and we never again lost. We threw large sections of the playbook out the window - almost no team racing on the first beat allowed - and just kept hammering the split-push concepts. We revived the play I call "12 Gap" - the 1,2 keeping the 1,2 while teammates in the back of the fleet work together to beat <i>someone. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
It was basically a dare to the other team.<i> You can't possibly balance us all the way to the finish with these shifts and our boatspeed. </i>We understood the balance concept to be sure, we just turned it against the other team. It wasn't pretty team racing, but we won a lot of races 1,2,6,7; 1,2,5,8 etc.<br />
<br />
Lulu and Jack were getting lit up in a couple puffs, and Connor twice got stuck in irons by a crazy wind-swirl by Mark 1. The sailors had to hike all beat, then hike all reaches to keep boatspeed around the course. To actually improve throughout a day like this, with all the physical and mental strain, says something good about these sailors. We continued to get better at our spacing and anticipation of each other's moves relative to the opponent.<br />
<br />
But by the NED race (as we had taken to calling the Dutch), the last of the day, Lulu was tired. She started over the line by 4 inches and went back super late - Sara called to Connor who called to Stephan who called to Lulu, but it took to long! She was deep 8 and hiking her butt off all the way up the first beat. We were close to a 2,3,4 and ended up slowing down the race a lot, so Lulu got back in it.<br />
<br />
There was a wicked puff maybe 30kts as the fleet barreled into the leeward mark. A NED stuck Lulu up with a "bump and run" move and in the puff she had to tack around to make the mark. Again she is deep 8 and now we're in a 1,2,6,8 with a couple NEDs team racing hard on Sara in 6th. After they moved her to 7th, Sara played it beautifully, consolidating an imbalance twice to temporarily take a boat out on starboard. While the NED's were re-doing this passback for the 3rd time, Lulu sprang back into the picture and was streaming for the finish line on Starboard! A NED boat lee bowed her and stuck her up head to wind, but in this moment all 3 boats, Lulu and 2 NEDs all shot the finish line and Lulu beat them both by just four inches! If the NEDs win that shootout, they probably win the regatta. It was a gritty performance by Laura Hamilton and some great team racing and awareness by Sara Schumann.<br />
<br />
We got off the water to find we were tied for first place with a 10-1 record; we hadn't known anything that was happening on the other course. We prioritized rest and warmth over socialization. I debriefed only with boats - no video and went over what we had been learning intuitively so it could be better standardized for everyone tomorrow. Sunday brought dangerous conditions for most of the day - mid 40's and gusting as much. The beautifully engineered bracket could be easily terminated at that stage, we just needed a Finals! We were loosing the tiebreaker to Poland, under Appendix D, by 0.2 points!<br />
<br />
The front pushed through, the wind blew itself out, and we went out for the finals set for 2:30pm. Sweden and the NEDs would sail the consolation, while we would face Poland for the Regatta, in a best of 3 series. The sun came out briefly as Connor sprayed his wardrobe all over my coachboat in changing to lighter gear - both good omens as they had preceded the finals last year. Jack had given exemplary answers in the team meeting the night before, the gleam of understanding in his eye. I saw him lay down one confident roll-tack, and decided he would start the finals.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetRgfvhS6vw9fiOjK53jFq5RnJ6kTZ8pMXS-RBX4malbXL_woxddhimhdMhWXeUijCzDUsPY4zsKpDgJ3yTnpdJY_Pcn067bPIMcMrfL2blMC4hRrq8Ze_hDaKWW2HOE6Vty2SRpTjvS1/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.45.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="829" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetRgfvhS6vw9fiOjK53jFq5RnJ6kTZ8pMXS-RBX4malbXL_woxddhimhdMhWXeUijCzDUsPY4zsKpDgJ3yTnpdJY_Pcn067bPIMcMrfL2blMC4hRrq8Ze_hDaKWW2HOE6Vty2SRpTjvS1/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.45.24+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Stephan, left and Jack crossing the fleet in the Finals. </i></div>
The first race we had a chance to loose on the first leg - the Polish started well and we bid a bad job getting sucked into a blender drill in the middle of the first beat instead of getting out and fleet racing. For a moment Jack was the only thing keeping them from having a 1,2,3. Then Connor luffed a windward boat, drew a foul that he presented well to the umpire, and got a call that put us on more stable footing. The entire team chipped in on the reaches and last beat, when we finished 2,3,4,6 - a solid Play 2 with a Play 78 emergency built in. The next race we started better and stuck to our guns on the long, favored tack. Jack, Sara and Stephan should have had a 1,2,3; they settled for a 1,2,4 with Stephan in 4th. Sara began to team race to "clean it up" but Stephan called her off around mark 3 when he saw a pressure line he could roll the opponent on. He got briefly clear ahead, and when the Poll tried to drive him the wrong side of Mark 4, he kept clear, protested, and got the call. Poland spun for the Rule 17 Proper Course violation, and Jack, Sara and Stephan finished 1,2,3. Connor had done the dirty work on the start line and the first part of the beat, occupying 2 Polish boats and dragging them out of phase. All the kids brought the best version of themselves to the finals and we took them 2-0 to win the 30th Opti Team Cup. It was Connor's 2nd win, putting him in the company of Poland's, <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans light";">Kacper Zieminski and Germany's Felix </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans light";">Tone as the only 2 time Cup winners, while Germany's </span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans light";">Nikolaus Mattig stands alone with 3 wins. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIUSUXwS3EtnbnUnWx2aY6WqA8UW7dKxq6xpMbVYaU3EF0lVHs_9Cmg6j-5nO3zXBo3RCRMAgTewcMD1xQz3-Sxw0NJhwaJ6NYQ8cbmRU3dcLGEOCndQBCTQ2YMs-3ZdYbOYIdbSteGCg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.46.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="803" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIUSUXwS3EtnbnUnWx2aY6WqA8UW7dKxq6xpMbVYaU3EF0lVHs_9Cmg6j-5nO3zXBo3RCRMAgTewcMD1xQz3-Sxw0NJhwaJ6NYQ8cbmRU3dcLGEOCndQBCTQ2YMs-3ZdYbOYIdbSteGCg/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-11-02+at+11.46.59+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans light";"><br /></span>
<br />
The rest of the night is kind of a blur - we packed charters, rushed to shower and took Lulu to get groomed at "Das Futter House," received awards with the "Star Spangled Banner" playing, took a train to Berlin, walked around, took a train back, packed, slept and traveled all the next day. Nothing gets in the way of an education like your schooling and I wished the kids had another day to shlep around Berlin, see some museums and actually process some of the History (I did this last year with a couple local umpires). Just once when you sit down with your school to explain "why are you taking off soo much time from school for sailing/world travel" I wish the administrator would say "why don't you take off more time?!"<br />
<br />
Still, despite the hardships and ensuing sleep deprivation, there was a glow around the kids of knowing we had accomplished something unprecedented. They were still crazy maniacs - pushing each other onto train tracks, spitting on the Berlin wall, and starring in Dutch music videos (ok only one of those things actually happened, but all 3 were considered) . But now they are a Team of crazy maniacs, and one that knows they can do once again what LYC teams have done before: become the Once and Future team race champions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/optiteamcup/videos/2022406428003318/">Regatta Video.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://optiteamcup.de/photos-2/photos-opti-team-cup-2017/optimist-team-cup-2017-selection/">Photos available - Copyright Hans Glave </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://optiteamcup.de/">OTC Website. </a><br />
<br />
<br />Arthur Blodgetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683700772587523783noreply@blogger.com0