Racing today was OK. Me and Todd had shaking the boat down and found a few kinks here and there.

The first race:
Started is maybe 5kts of wind. Then it all started slowing down drastically. It was blowing maybe 3kts consistent. I was helming Todd's Blade. We were a minute late to the start. When I was going to gybe to get into position the Viper was coming up and I had no rights to room. The start is all about getting into a good position and that did not happen for this race. Off we went a minute late, and little by little we started picking boats off. Sadly the starting line was a closed line and we almost sailed right though it. When we were coming down the line we got good wind and caught up to the Viper and almost caught the Cap. When we rounded the C mark the current pushed us back (low winds) causing us to hit the mark. BLEH! I did my 360s and finished 9th out of a 10 boat fleet. Only beat a H16 on this race.

Second Race, it now blowing maybe a good steady 8 to 10 kts.
We were maybe five seconds behind the start. Good position, good wind. We were just to leeward of the A cat fleet and footing off for speed. Single trapping moving good. At one point I lost my footing I flew forward and then back, amazingly the boat did not go over and we kept on racing. Finished 5th out of 10.

Third race, now blowing upwards of 15kts.
We were somewhat behind for the start. We had a minute to the gun and said "we are racing, lets go" I came in hot and fast into the start. Found a hole and we were maybe second off the line. Everything again was going great. Double trapping and moving and good pace. Finished 5th again!

All in all today was an excellent day out on the water. Air temps high 70s, maybe low 80s. Wind picked up after the second race and built to a steady 15 kts throughout the afternoon. We definitely have some things to sort out on Todd's boat. Trap lines, cleat angles, etc. And the end of the day we got into the grove and we totally understood what was working and what was not. We both agreed on things to do and what to avoid and we were moving at a much better pace.

First encounter with the Viper.
Viper is a sweet! sweet! looking boat. Very well thought out. Seems to me its a Capricorn cut down to 16ft. The skipper had some issues to deal with (as with any brand new boat) but I am sure eventually it will be a boat/team to look out for.

Great day on the water! Cant wait till the GYC Invitational.