C6, 2011

With dark clouds on the horizon and thunderstorms in the area the fleet was off on the final race of C series for 2011.  We once again had very variable conditions with the winds swinging from NW to S and varying between 3 and 15 knots.  The course was to be SADCDF weather permitting.  I think most of the fleet got caught during the start when the wind died off to about 3 knots and found themselves quite far back from the line at the Gun.  We were very fortunate to be up quite high on the line near the pin end and managed to ghost across the start only about 10 seconds late.  It was a good beat to A mark with one big header about half way up.  We elected to tack into it and quickly sailed up to the starboard tack layline.  Rounding the mark we did a set/jibe and held a high angle even for an A sail all the way down to D.  From D to C and back to D were a mix of beating and reaching with no one electing to try the kite on those angles.  The winds pick up quite a bit during the final leg back to the finish and we found ourselves on the edge of being over powered more than once.  Litonya managed to cross first in her fleet right up with the first two 525s.  I can not believe that C series is over already, summer seems to be passing far too quickly as always.  We will be down at WIRW next week with our boat doing our best to represent the KYC.  Dave H and Jumping Black Flash will be down also.  See you on July 27th.