The wind and weather conditions had a bit of everything! Rain and thunder on Saturday morning led to the cancellation of "official" racing, but it had cleared by 11:30 so 8+ MC's went out for some practice racing with David (2188) running the short 15-22 minute courses. Tim (2353) showed his prowess in the 3-7 mph conditions with multiple wins and was always up front or getting there quickly. Jon (2367) also was strong in the light-to-medium. This was perfect for some practice on the starting line.
Sunday dawned with a fog/mist and no wind. Winds were non-existent at race-time but this time, Dave Williams held out and so did Scott's "Eustis Theory" (no wind at dawn - good wind later); by 11:30 a 4-8 mph wind had covered the lake and we were off to the races! 16 patient people were on the line for Race 1 quickly turned into a 3-way battle between Jon (2367), David (2188), and Andy Fox sailing Scott's 2107. The wind died a bit allowing David to just get by Jon at the last weather mark and strengthen the lead downwind, but Jon dodged left rounding the last weather mark and found a wind line to beat the others, while David led the way in from the right side to finish 2nd.
Between races the wind was oscillating through 60 degress and Dave Williams valiantly tried to place the marks, getting the second start off 30-45 minutes after the first one. However, the wind had 2 more tricks up its sleeve. A hard right shift on the first beat put Jim (2303), David (2188), and Scott (2107) to the advantage up on the new right-layline. It went puffed many times and went back left once or twice after that allowing the fleet to bunch up at the windward and again at the leeward marks, where David had the inside and came out of the carnage with a small lead. However, looking up the course there was a shocking sight... white-caps coming in from the right! A quick tack for the "righties" and another shift to the NW had them tight-reaching into the last windward mark (Bull in 2223 was loose-reaching!) with David in a comfortable lead. The wind continued to build to an astonishing 12-18 and the shift held so it was a sleigh-ride down to the last leeward mark with Andy showing his laser pedigree to move from the middle of the fleet down to the top 5. Most of the fleet continued some boat lengths after the mark before tacking for another tight-reach with vang-on/cunnigham-on/board-1/4-up/and traveler down and a quick finish to this race. However, a quick-and savvy tack at the leeward mark put Andy in second-or-third beating up below the fleet. However, Lee (2201) held off Scott (2107) and managed to make the run down for second place just beating Andy who did a beautiful flip right at the finish line.
More to come this weekend so come on and sail the last weekend before Midwinters!