Serious drifter. Wind started to fill in around 10:00, so they started us just before 11, the first boat made it to the bridge in about 2 1/2 hrs, it was a capricorn followed by a whole bunch of boats about 20 minutes later. It was a bit of a luck game on being on the correct side of the course when the wind filled, then died... then filled again, and died again. About a mile up the bay under the bridge, we turned back as the GPS was predicting a very long afternoon/ night on the water. Boats all around us did the same. It was a downwind drift to the statue and winds were not predicted to fill much more than they were doing. The thought of an upwind slog in the dark with the traffic of NYC harbor did not sound like fun to me. It was a tough decision as this was the first distance race I decided to turn back on (must be getting old) but one I don't regret. Huge props to those who kept going! In the end only 8 boats rounded the statue, or so I was told. First boat was a N20, followed by a H20 spin, and the capricorn in third. These results are all second and third hand as I was part way home by the time the first boat finished. As usual, great party with good food on friday night! Band cancelled, but we had a good time with a party that resembled a college regatta party with flip cup and funnels being enjoyed by many. Three boats even went for a night sail to watch the local fireworks on the 4th. We had 4 people, the dog, and an amazing show on our boat. Bummer on the conditions, but a great weekend all the same.
Chris
www.acceleratedchaos.com