RHuggins photo

Fall Series - Race Day 5

The day started still and frosty with a stagnant haze hanging over the river filled with steelhead fishermen.  Jeff Hanson slid his way down an icy Lewiston Grade with Vind Knifr in tow to make it to the Fourth Race Day in the Fall Series.  A promising breeze filled the Snake near the Marina as boats were readied.  Wes Vaughn set the course and quickly returned to the Marina to jump aboard Grace with Mary McCollum as six other boats headed for the start area.

And once again the wind died.  The sun shone bright and made the day warmer than expected.   Everyone milled around hoping for the best.  Conrad motored around taking pictures and providing updated weather reports.  Barometric pressure was building, making the day nicer, but the sailing less exciting.

At 2:15, just has Tim Lynch was getting ready to call it a day, and the series, the wind started to fill . . .   from the southeast.  Quickly gathering the troops, it was decided to run a 1-S-1-F course, avoiding the windless region to the west.  At the start there were still patches of calm on the water, which made working the upwind leg interesting.  The pressure was greater on the north side of the River, but the lift was on the south side.  Sail fast, or sail high?  Both strategies worked, which made for a close mark rounding.

At the pin rounding there was a sudden increase in wind which caught everyone slightly unprepared.  After weeks of sailing in barely perceptible breezes, gearing up for the 15 mph gusts had everyone scrambling . . . and as the angle of heel increased, so did the volume of "woowho's"  and "yehaws".

The first race finished, and a second was started immediately.  This time the fleet was to run the full course, once around.  The start was a bit more eventful than the first, as Mantis stalled head to wind just below the pin, stacking up Grace, Vind Knifr, and Coir Jaot, giving Pneuma and Islander Spirit a clear starting line, which they both hit with speed.  Unfortunately, the wind had shifted more to the south, turning the beat to the mark into a bit of a drag race.  Pneuma was forced to tack when she couldn't cross Mantis and lost three places trapped under Coir Jaot.  A strong downwind run allowed her to pick of Vind Knifr and then Coir Jaot on the final leg to the finish, but Grace stayed strong and held off Pneuma at the line.

Then came the confusion.  With the sun setting, Grace, Mantis and Islander Spirit dropped sails and headed for the Marina.  however, it was only 3:30 pm and racing was still an option. With the wind still out of the south, Coir Jaot, Pneuma, and Vind Knifr started a third race.  A solid, close start was soon in question as up at the bridge, Mantis sailed off with the mark!  No problem, the bridge was still there.  Since the boats were close, it was yelled forward that the second pier from the north shore would be used as the weather mark.  But wait!  There goes Wes!  He's in the power boat heading out to pick up the marks!  OK, race the the start/finish line.  As Pneuma near the line from the east, Wes closed in from the east.  Fortunately, Pneuma was able to hail Wes and Wes held up at the pin, doing his best horn impression as each boat crossed the line.

Due to the pending Christmas party and awards ceremony, the results from today's race will not be posted until after December 6th.

-  Tim Lynch, LCSA Race Chair '08  EMail