After light winds forced postponement of formula racing until Monday, the fleet was fired up this morning with rumors of 12-16 knots approaching from a wet front. The fleet schlogged out upwind through the channel and out to the committee yacht, circling the yacht like sharks for some 2 hours waiting for the predicted wind to materialize. The RSX and Bic fleet popped off 2 short races while the tension built in the “premier” (or as some other regatta participants called it, the “diva”) fleet. Occasional whoops of enthusiasm went through the fleet as the wind inched up the scale to the magic number and the rain started to fall. After one failed attempt to get off a start, the wind finally filled in at a steady 8-11 knots from the southeast, allowing everyone to plane. Two races were held with a windward-leeward gate course, about 1/2 mile to windward. The fleet finished pretty close together each time. Paulo Dos Reis (Patrik/North) and Wilhelm Schurmann (Starboard/NP) of Brazil, together with Fernando Martinez (Patrik/North) and Ron Kern (Mike’s Lab/NP) of Florida, battled it out for the top 3 positions. Strong showings were made by the rest of the Brazilian contingent as well. The wait was well worth it and the short course was welcomed by the mere mortals of the fleet. Lightning chased us off the water after the second race, but it was a great day with smiles all around. Mark, Jim DeSilva and the rest of the race committee did a great job in challenging weather, and thankfully kept pushing on through the rain.
Let's not forget about Movie Star and his unbelievable starting line maneuvers:
1. Crash into Paolo for no reason at all going the wrong direction
2. Choose the 11M in 8-10 for maximum power
3. Be over so early he crashes at RC boat while rest of fleet planes by, while attempting to sail over anchor line while going straight into the wind
4. Just says "screw it" and drinks a beer instead of racing.
5. After he drank the beer, he was going pretty good though....this could be a formula for future success.
No doubt he had the best maneuvers of anyone at the event, Movie Star is #1 for sure!!
