CBreitenstein photo

We arrived at the Marina last Sunday at 9 am to begin set up and found great wind, if a bit cool.

Randy Blair pulled in very shortly after followed by Tim Lynch, and then the competitors moored in the Marina arrived. Racing marks were set before 11 and the first race of this year’s Frostbite Series started before noon; a little behind schedule but not too bad. 

For the First Race, the  boats gathered in the start area, and the wind slowed to near none and became none with the start horn. Everyone started well except the rookie race chairman who was trying to work the start sequence and his start sequence at the same time (I finally crossing the start finish line some 22 minutes into the race). The rest of the boats were still not far up river and the wind shift compressed the field to the windward, now leeward mark. Robbie Johnson on Pneuma, Mary McCollum on Grace and Randy on Mantis took the left side on the windward/leeward leg while Tim on Coir Jaot and my Vindr Knifr stayed mostly right. Robbie took line honors just slightly ahead of Randy at 1:30:21 slightly over time limit, but not wanting to be scuttled, lynched or keel hauled my first day on the job, the race will not be called for time limit. 

The wind started building for the Second Race as did the fleet with Tim & Renae Little on Islander Spirit, Jim & Emily Fredenburg down from Troy on their SJ21, and Greg Umbright's 4Sail joining the fleet after completing various morning engagements. With a good start Vindr Knifr and Coir Jaot led the way to the windward mark with Randy Blair nipping at the Knifr's transom. The lead group would hold to the finish line with Randy nipping 2nd line honors as Vindr Knifr pinched to get inside the mark.

Prior to Race Three, an earlier gas conversion of the cook stove by Grace's mechanic, Wes Vaughn, developed a leak which simulated a low order boat bomb, causing Grace to retire from the race. Fortunately all was well with Grace, but Mary was taking no chances with her beloved Catalina. The race began with Pneuma just on top of Coir Jaot, but with the lee bow position, Tim was able to luff Robby up a bit and create some space. I fell behind and couldn't see the finish, but Tim line honors by declaration to which everyone agreed.

After some difficulties in a building breeze with his steering mechanism Randy elected to retire before Race Four along with the Fredenburgs. Jeff and Tim led the way in the fourth race with good starts followed closely by Rob and the Littles; this order held into the leeward leg when the larger sail area of Islander Spirit and Pnuema allowed them to work past Vindr Knifr with 4Sail not far aft. Tim again captured line honors with Robbie close behind, having taken second from Islander Spirit with a spirited little drive to the inside at the leeward mark.

Corrected results are posted on the Race Page.

Jeff Hanson, Vindr Knifr    EMail

LCSA Race Chair