15 boats registered.., and some hot entries.
Supposed to have 5-10 out of the NE today, and started out like that. But, the forecasted wind petered out and the sea breeze battled with the forecasted wind. Seabreeze was out of the South.., Ouch!
I managed to get sizable lead to weather mark and held it to shortened couse finish.
We beached and lunched and watched the two wind patterns fight it out most of the afternoon.
About 3PM the frontal wind was starting to win, so we went back out to winds of 5-7, and very shifty, with lots of holes.
I nailed a great start and was able to walk over the boats to leeward. Most of the fleet tacked off to the right side of the course. However, I saw a dark patch of water off the left, so held.
Sure enough it was a starboard header, so tacked and was overstanding the mark with the fleet all well below. I was going to be a mile ahead.
NOT
Just before the mark was a hole and port tack header. Seven boats crossed ahead.
Charlie Trinque had the lead and kept it.
I managed to get back in 4th, but we now have a near 4-way tie for first.., actually four boats only 1 point apart.
WInds tomorrow around 15 and 20 on Sunday.
Looking forward to not drifting.
Rick

Day two and lots of wind and waves.
Winds ranged between 18 and 25 and the seas were very lumpy. Tom Whitehurst must have been afraid to sail with the rest of us.., he would simply go way out ahead and then pull away. WOn every race.
I pitchpoled before the start, making it very cold to sail the rest of the day.
NOt sure of the scores yet

Yep, Saturday in the big air and huge chop done me in. Retired for the last race. It was great fun while I still had the strength, but I was so tired it was all I could do sit upright or sheet in. All I needed was another capsize and probably would not have had enough left in the tank to get back on the boat. So, off to the beach.
Sunday I packed up early, and discovered they had already called it a regatta, with trophies to be presented at the Pensacola Beach YC (which, by the way, is great party bar) at 11AM
On Saturday Night they threw a Haloween Party Dinner Buffet which was awesome. And all the food was ghoulishish. Great party. But you knew that -- after all this is Capt Kirks Territory.
FIrst place was Tom Whitehurst, who simply blew everyone away in the light air.
Charlie Trinque took second place in a tie with Kirk Newkirk, and I somehow managed 4th place even with the retirement.
Masters Champ was MOI, and Lady Champ was Sharon Woodruff, wife of Stan Woodruff, who passed away just recently after a long battle with cancer.
Great to see Sharon there.., and she plans on coming to the Nationals the first weekend in December at the Islander in Islamorada, Florida in the Florida Keys.
Might be a great time to throw a really nice wake for Stan.

Here are some pics from the NA's in Pensacola

https://picasaweb.google.com/117331102107137496366/WavePhotosTrinque

Photos by Holly Trinque