Spring Fringe 4, 2014

Today marked the final race for the spring fringe series. It also looked like the most challenging sailing conditions to date. Challenging in the sense of many windless holes we would have to be careful to not get ourself stuck in out on the course. There was about 4 knots out of the North however the forecast called for breeze to fill in from the South as the day wore on. The posted course was CEAGDC. We looked towards E mark and saw a large glassy patch just waiting to swallow us whole and elected to stick closer to the right side of the course and hope for more breeze and the usual lift found with a Northerly. The pressure held for a while but eventually faded leaving us with just enough enough breeze to make way. We watched as Ghost Rider tried their best to sail around us nearer to the East shore and kept a close eye on Blur who had us beat for much of the course on corrected time and was the only thing standing between us and a series sweep. The boats on the left side of the beat got an early Christmas present as a rain shower passed through building pressure on the West side. We were just able to stick our nose into it and sail with good pace for E mark. We rounded with the 525s and did a reasonable gybe set setting course for A mark. It was a very high angle for the kites and many boats decided to jib reach Southbound but we were able to fly our A2 and stretch out a little further. Allan put us in the perfect position to tie into the new Southern breeze and finish without requiring an expensive tack. I think Blur had us on corrected time right up to the last 5 minutes but they got caught up in all kinds of dirt thanks to our 525 friends while we were on a higher lane and enjoyed clear air right to the finish. This first series was a great start to what is going to be an epic sailing year. Enthusiasm continues to build surrounding a growing Melges 24 fleet and we are currently working on trying to introduce hull number 3. All we need is a 5 boat fleet and all of a sudden the sailing scene in the Okanagan stands to explode. We will be able to attract several of the 50 plus M24's to our local regattas and show the rest of the the PNW what a fantastic sailing venue we enjoy. Imagine hosting and racing against some of the top sailors in the NW right in our own back yard. Epic! I will be out of town for this Wednesdays race but will be leaving Eclipse in the very capable hands of my good buddy Michel to skipper. Smooth sailing to everyone and see you the following week.