February 14 2009 Sail Fleet Race Results
Race #1
(per Mike Collins on Marilee)
Well, in spite of dire predictions for a rain swept, no wind day, the SDSPS February Race Day went off with out a hitch. The only regret was that Kent Hildreth could not make it because his dad was seriously ill.
The Marilee crew included Bob Chapman, Ken Glaze, Don Smith, Doran Milne, myself and a expert consultant on the art of racing, we were lucky to get some great advice from Ken and Mike Sampsel...so a crew of six. We needed extra time in the morning to bend on the sail out of winter storage, but arrived at the start 30 minutes early and practiced improved starting techniques. We have work to do this season, crossing the line 50 seconds late. The wind wind barely making 3 knots at the start but continued to increase through out the race.
Pelican and porpoise (porpoises?) frolicked in the bay, and a cloudless sunny sky quickly warmed up the frosty morning to a high of 65 degrees. The most difficult leg was the beat to R8. As we made the turn back into the SD bay, the wind and fun really began. Our finish time was 2:07:00, there were no other contestants...but plenty of other boats took advantage of a perfect sail day. We did not see Dan Nephew, but he may have started later.
After the race was over we put up the asymmetrical spinnaker for one more pass of the bay.
Hope to see more boats out on the next race.
Mike Collins of the Marilee