Light air on Thursday, we ran one race in the morning, had to send them to the beach, then the breeze picked a steady direction for two more six-knot races, the last one ending just off the beach, under a beautiful sunset.
Friday was nasty. The winds weren't too bad, but the water was incredibly rough. More carnage and attrition, and we called it after three races. Rico broke a comptip, Korz broke a crossbar (then borrowed a boat and got back out for the last race), there was one dismasting and lots of broken tillers, halyards and assorted other calamities. Several standings were shuffled on the leaderboard, and those ashore were anxiously watching and listening to how many more races would be run (and points they were going to get due to sitting out).
Everyone enjoyed the back-to-the-beach approach to the event, and the power boat captains and crews were hooting and hollering the whole time, even offering to follow us to the next event!
Enrique Figueroa (PUR) won the 16s with a string of bullets, Mark Modderman (USA/RSA) was second, with Jason Hess (GUA) in third.
Jim Doty won the 18s, with Paul Evenden in second, and Dan Flanigan in third. Jim and Dan overcame having holed boats to take the podium.
Hats off to Fleet 23, HCA and the countless volunteers who made this such a great week.
Mike
Last edited by brucat; 10/26/13 09:26 AM.