| 26.Jun.06 | Well it was a good year for Block Island Race Week. We raced every day and there was hardly any sitting and waiting for wind or fog. On the day (Wednesday) that they did postpone ashore, they postponed definitely until noon, so that we got 3 1/2 hours of Island time (and it was sunny on the beach). Each day the winds kicked up to the "moderate" range and there was full hiking. In the Around-the-Island Race we got to surf up the East side. All-in-all it was a good week for sailboat racing. The party was a success. Thanks to Joerg for providing the venue and the beer and thanks to everybody else for bringing the food the drink and the supplies. We had nearly perfect attendance and the boat the missed it couldn't find the house without a handheld GPS. If you want to view some great racing photography (available for purchase), go here: Wavelength Studios If you want to view some of my snapshots, go here: Nelson's Snapshots Regarding my predictions earlier, I got the top five right, but in the wrong order, and I have a good excuse. KINCSEM and ECLIPSE came in 2nd and 3rd instead of 1st and 2nd. Instead of merely being in the top five, Brian Keane's SAVASANA team ran away with the Regatta. They didn't even need to sail the last race because they had it sewed up. As a matter of fact, their worst finish was a fourth and even if there were no throwout, they would only have had to finish 12th in the last race to lose the regatta. The other two projected for top five were GHOST (4th) and "one of the Annapolis boats" which turned out to be MOPELIA (5th). Not bad prognosticating in my humble opinion. My excuse for not giving SAVASANA more respect was that in the NYYC Regatta two weeks earlier, they placed 4th against less stellar competition. But I did not know they were using lesser sails and lesser crew for that regatta. As far as sails go (not that I think it makes a hair's breadth of difference), among the top five we had: 1. SAVASANA (Ullman) 2. KINCSEM (UK) 3. ECLIPSE (Doyle) 4. GHOST (North) 5. MOPELIA (Ullman) Of the 16 boats that raced the breakdown was: 8 Ullman (primarily) 3 North (primarily) 2 Quantum (primarily) 1 UK 1 Doyle 1 Other Hope you enjoyed the commentary. If you have comments or suggestions, please email me at Nelson at j105 dot org |
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| 23.Jun.06 | Last night's party was a big success. Nearly every boat's crew showed up and brought supplies. It was hosted by the Esdorns just off Cooneymus Road next to Rodman's Hollow. It was certainly off the beaten path and having GPS coordinates was very helpful in finding it. One of the KINCSEM crew did most of the grilling and there was plenty of food and drink for all. There was plenty of rehashing of the strategy for going around the Island. This morning the birds woke me up early and I started the bike ride north. Going down the hill to the North Light, I hit 35 mph, a new record. With the windage increasing as the square of the speed, it was easy to see how drafting works at these speeds as opposed to the leisurely 10 mph we normally go at. How the pros average 30 mph over their speed trials is hard to fathom. The Island was shrouded in fog and there was no sunrise to observe. We are expecting thunderstorms this morning. Well there were no thunderstorms and the wind was perfect for the last day of racing. The breeze was SSE averaging 14-15 knots and the RC set two courses of four legs. The 105s dropped one in the starting sequence to fourth. In the first race, KIMA was over early and due to a confrontation on the line did not hear their recall right away. Other boats told us we were early and we started about two minutes behind the rest of the fleet. We were last at the first mark and passed one on the leeward leg and a several more to finish 10th overall. We finished overlapped with JATO after jibing our main going wing-and-wing. SAVASANA won this race and won the regatta so they withdrew from the last race. In the second race we had a midline start with room to leeward above ECLIPSE. We forced ECLIPSE to tack and went beyond the layline with GHOST. At the first windward we were fifth with KINSEM leading by a significant margin. We were fourth after the first downwind and passed JATO when the overstood the second windward mark. We barely stayed ahead of them for our best finish of the regatta (2nd). It was a great regatta and we are looking forward to the Sail Newport Regatta in a couple of week. I'll finish with a summary on Monday. |
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| 23.Jun.06 | Last night's party was a big success. Nearly every boat's crew showed up and brought supplies. It was hosted by the Esdorns just off Cooneymus Road next to Rodman's Hollow. It was certainly off the beaten path and having GPS coordinates was very helpful in finding it. One of the KINCSEM crew did most of the grilling and there was plenty of food and drink for all. There was plenty of rehashing of the strategy for going around the Island. This morning the birds woke me up early and I started the bike ride north. Going down the hill to the North Light, I hit 35 mph, a new record. With the windage increasing as the square of the speed, it was easy to see how drafting works at these speeds as opposed to the leisurely 10 mph we normally go at. How the pros average 30 mph over their speed trials is hard to fathom. The Island was shrouded in fog and there was no sunrise to observe. We are expecting thunderstorms this morning. Well there were no thunderstorms and the wind was perfect for the last day of racing. The breeze was SSE averaging 14-15 knots and the RC set two courses of four legs. The 105s dropped one in the starting sequence to fourth. In the first race, KIMA was over early and due to a confrontation on the line did not hear their recall right away. Other boats told us we were early and we started about two minutes behind the rest of the fleet. We were last at the first mark and passed one on the leeward leg and a several more to finish 10th overall. We finished overlapped with JATO after jibing our main going wing-and-wing. SAVASANA won this race and won the regatta so they withdrew from the last race. In the second race we had a midline start with room to leeward above ECLIPSE. We forced ECLIPSE to tack and went beyond the layline with GHOST. At the first windward we were fifth with KINSEM leading by a significant margin. We were fourth after the first downwind and passed JATO when the overstood the second windward mark. We barely stayed ahead of them for our best finish of the regatta (2nd). It was a great regatta and we are looking forward to the Sail Newport Regatta in a couple of week. I'll finish with a summary on Monday. |
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| 22.Jun.06 | One of my crew compared the rusticness of Block Island to the Cottswalds in England. I've never been there, but if it is like this, I'd love to visit. There are vast expanses of land, mostly grassy or with natural vegitation, rock walls, many carpeted with natural beach roses in bloom, with scattered small houses. You can see why the locals get upset when a mainlander decides to build a big house on the water and then landscapes it to the nines, puts a wooden Indian and flagpole on the front lawn, and has the underground watering system going at 6 a.m. Thankfully, there are not a lot of these. An interesting quirk of the Island is that the house numbers are for the fire department and do not tell anything about where you are on a road. House 705 can be right next to one numbered 1756. Every time a new house is built, a new number is assigned. Today was Around-the-Island. They set a weather mark at 200 degrees and 1.5 miles. We were again the third start, but in the reverse order this time. KIMA got a beautiful start in the leeward third of the line with clear air and room to leeward, but we fell back quickly. It was too late when we realized that the jib halyard was on too tight and we were forced to tack out for clear air. About a third of the way up the leg KETCHUPLESS crossed us which is not a good sign. But we dug back to the left (where we wanted to be in the first place) and found current relief and right push with the ebbing tide. It got very dicey at the southwest corner and some boats were severely overstood.were at about the middle by this mark. After turning left, we soon could raise the kite on a close reach across the southern side of the island. We managed a pass on RIGADOON and stayed close behind TENACIOUS, while holding off KINCSEM and MOPELIA. By the time we rounded the second special mark (in the wrong place by the way), we were the fifth boat and rounded with KINCSEM. The leaders were SAVA, ELCIPSE, GHOST, and KEEMAH. On the reach up the Island to 1BI we hit mid-tens while surfing in flat water and moved out on KINCSEM by working the spinnaker hard and keeping our weight back. We managed a good douse and set our sites on KEEMAH while keeping a loose cover on KINCSEM. On the last upwind leg we were smoking. About halfway up the leg we had closed to within a couple boatlengths of KEEMAH. On the next crossing they were starboard and we port. The tacked on us forcing us to shore. This turned out to be fortuitous since the shore was the place to be. We had a nice lift and great wind. MOPELIA went even further in and passed KEEMAH, TENACIOUS, and KINCSEM. We got a well earned fourth for the race. That was the best result for the Around-the-Island in some time. SAVASANA had a great race and finished first, quite a ways ahead of us. ECLIPSE and GHOST were not far behind. Last racing is tomorrow, but SAVASANA seems to have things sewed up at this point. |
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| 21.Jun.06 | The early morning forecast for today was 5-6 knots clocking from NNE to SSE. I rolled out of bed this morning without an alarm at 5 a.m. and started a ride at 5:10 in time for the sunrise. I took the same route as Monday with a short detour up Cooneymus Rd. to check out the site of Thursday's party at Joerg's house. Near there (not far from Rodman's Hollow), I saw four white tailed deer cross the road and scamper away. I saw far more wild life than tame life on this early morning jaunt. Too early even for the joggers and bicyclers, I guess. I passed the bagel shop at 5:52, eight minutes before opening. For those reading this from the Island, the lat/lon of Thursday's party is 41 09.646N/71 35.307W. Take the East Rd. south past the Airport, right on Cooneymus, right after 500 yds on Old Mill Rd, first left after driveway on Old Mill La, straight onto narrow grassy road to Joerg's house. There's not much parking space, so be sure not to block anybody in. I'll be making assignments for bringing supplies and helping for the party. At 8:30 they postponed until noon. Whether it was due to light and variable winds or fog outside the harbor, I'm not sure, but it gave us all some beach time (in my case with the granddaughters). They took down the AP at noon and sent the RC boat out. They started the first race shortly after 1 p.m. The wind was 220 and they gave us all four leggers to 1.5 miles. Damian (ECLIPSE) won the pin and motored left to the island. We ate the bad air and followed along with SAVASANA and RIGADOON. With the incoming tide the left was protected by the island from the major current and paid big time. The leaders all went to layline and we rounded fourth behind ECLIPSE, SAVA, and WOODY. On the first downwind leg WOODY made the mistake of jibing and lost considerably. At the leeward gate everyone took the right gate and headed to the island. The course change moved the weather marke 10 degrees left. This time RIGADOON went farthest left and made the biggest gains and slipped in ahead of us. We finished with a satisfying fourth. In the second race, they shortened the course to 1.2 miles at 210. ECLIPSE won the pin again, but this time MOPELIA had the better speed and gave bad air to those starting around her, including KINCSEM. Those who tacked to clear their air and who stayed left did well and those who went out into the current got killed (including us). MOPELIA continued for a big win. The current factor was apparent to us when we gained 20-30 boatlengths on INSTANT KARMA on the last quarter of the second beat. You'd think we would have learned that hard left was required after the first race. We finished this one at 13. SAVASANA pulled off a 2-3 to ECLIPSE's 1-8 and MOPELIA's 8-1. We're expecting to go Around tomorrow. Managed a bike ride to the tent and to town for ice cream with the crew before catching the third win of the Red Sox over the Nationals. |
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| 20.Jun.06 |
Well it was not more of the same and it was a good thing we got three races in yesterday. When we went out to practice it was a steady eight knots, and by the time 10:30 rolled around the wind was solid, if light. After a short postponement while the RC got their marks in, the first two classes started. When the 105s were in their sequence there was a 20-30 degree left shift and the boats were barely going to cross the line on starboard. The RC recognized the problem and reset the line for the new wind. But the left was still favored. KIMA again had the pin along with KINCSEM, but KINSEM with three other boats (including JATO and ECLIPSE) were over early. KIMA tacked early to port and crossed all the boats that had started up the line. We proceeded up the right side with SAVASANA seemingly in good shape. But when the wind went even further left KINCSEM and a bunch of other boats crossed ahead of us. At the first leeward gate we were about to round ahead of WOODY and SAVASANA, but two J/109s (who were finishing) changed our plans. We had to duck them before we dove for the mark, giving SAVASANA an inside overlap. In the process we fouled them and did a 720 letting them all (along with MOPELIA and TENACIOUS) slip by us. By the time we reached the weather mark for the second time, the fog had rolled in. It was GPS navigation all the way down to the finish and KIMA held on to seventh. KINCSEM got another bullet putting them in great position if we get a throwout with seven races. After that, and with the RC not able to see the pin and the fishing trawler trying to avoid the fleet, they decided that it was no longer fun out there and the prospects for the fog burning off were not good. So at about 2 p.m. the RC sent us all in. Strangely, on the island, there was little to no fog, so it was a beach day for the rest of what was left of it. I talked to Ted Zuse this morning and he said he would try to get the results posted on the website more promptly. |
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| 19.Jun.06 | This morning I started my bike ride at 5:40 a.m. (still about 20 minutes after sunrise). The bike ride took me south along Corn Neck, across Beach Ave. past the airport and painted rock to Southwest Light, then back through town for a total of 10.7 miles. Lots of joggers, but not that many bikers. The flags were full out, which boded well for the sailing. The racing today was exceptional. We got in three races in the high teens with winds from the WSW (about 220 to 240). They consolidated the racing to one circle and we were the third start after the J/109s and the fastest of the PHRF classes. I'll give you KIMA's perspective since that is the one that I saw the best. In the first race we were over early at the leeward end of the line. We (and SAVASANA) circled around and took sterns of all the boats. SAVA managed to recover from her bad start, but KIMA started the regatta with double digits. In the first time around it appeared like the right was favored upwind, but by the last downwind, the boats coming back on the right appeared to be doing the best. Current was definitely a factor, but the rivers of current that one often sees at Block were not apparent. In the second race we hit the pin (almost literally) with speed and were forced all the way to the port layline by TENACIOUS. This was after a general recall in which we were over early. We managed a rounding behind KINCSEM and held on for a third behind KINCSEM and SAVASANA. In the last race we again got a good start at the leeward end. We rounded with the top boats, but this time ROE RAGE was in the mix (being sailed by a SF sailor). There was plenty of surfing downwind in the windiest race of the day. KINCSEM lost a man overboard and we briefly tried to help, but realized that KINCEM was alreay on top of things. Their mast man went to the doctor to check out a hand that had been caught by the spin sheet coming around on a jibe and dragged him shortly in the water. KINCSEM had to withdraw, but before that she had good races. SAVA was first on the day and GHOST was right up there as well. Tomorrow is projected to be more of the same as far as wind is concerned. |
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| 18.Jun.06 | For those who are not familiar with my commentaries at Block Island, let me recap the bidding. For me, Block Island is a family vacation more than a regatta. This year we are back at Hassey Cottage, on Corn Neck Road, in the Minister's Lot, just a short walk to Scotch Beach. This is great for the non-sailors among us. This week we have my wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters who are enjoying the beach while we are sailing. Unfortunately, this year we are missing a son, his wife and three grandsons. Hopefully we'll have them all back next year. And eventually the grandkids (one on the way) will be sailing as well. The trip over yesterday was uneventful. The wind was 15 knots from the SW and we powered the whole way into the teeth of the wind. It took us four hours, but we arrived at the Boat Basin shortly after 2 p.m. and were there for the weigh-in at 3 p.m. This morning Don Logan and I inspected GHOST and ECLIPSE (both of whom won the lottery to be inspected) and they both checked out okay. This afternoon the conditions for practice were ideal. The wind was at 200 degrees at 15 knots with sun. The racers and the Race Committee were out practicing. We tuned up with JATO, ECLIPSE, and SAVASANA. At 5:30, Walt Nuschke (our class president) gave a seminar on reproducibly adjusting the headstay. I volunteered KIMA for the demonstration (not knowing where my headstay was). We had about 20 people around the bow as Walt took off the torque tube, dropped the nut and star washer and measured down with a tape and up with the class template. I was within 1/8 inch of max which was good. For those who are interested in this procedure we will have more on the website soon. We are considering a procedure whereby we score the headstay under the supervision of a class measurer and would have a certificate that permits us to measure the headstay length with accuracy using the tempate and not having to send someone up the mast. I also tend to comment on my morning bicycle ride. This morning I did a warmup cycle of about 8.68 miles to get the juices flowing. I got a late start at 7 a.m. since there was no racing today. Went all the way to the end of the road at North Light, back to the intersection of Ocean and Corn Neck, then back to the cottage in about three quarters of an hour. I was thinking of all the boats finishing the Bermuda Race. I was told that all the motor bikes were sold out with an expection of 2500 sailors. Here on Block we are probably expecting 600 or so extras and there was barely a car seen on Corn Neck Road as I cycled north at 7 a.m. Tomorrow, I'll comment on the first day of racing. We're projected to have two good days early in the week before some light stuff on Wednesday followed by good wind on Thursday and more light on Friday. Long range forecasts are always suspect, so we'll just have to see what the weather brings. |
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| 13.Jun.06 | I'll be sailing over on Saturday. I'll go out on a limb and predict that the top two in this regatta will be the only two boats who have previously won it -- ECLIPSE and KINCSEM. I'll give the slight edge to ECLIPSE since he's been at six previous BIRW's and has won it twice (compared to three and one for KINCSEM). SAVASANA, GHOST, and one of the Annapolis boats could crack the top five. Interestingly, only four newbies this year. Next report on Sunday night.
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