Friday, December 1, 2006

Sailfish Club - Munroe Race Ft Lauderdale to Palm Beach

The forecast had been for the wind to start at east northeast going to southeast in the afternoon. It was a partly cloudy day in the low eighties with a heavy chop. This race was set to have the first start at 10 am with Carinthia to be th the e second start. We got our main up at 9:30 when we heard on the radio that committee boat was having problems with their anchor and there was going to be a delay. For some reason they started on time anyway and we did not hear that. The first group got off and we put up our headsail and nearly had a perfect start at the windward pin side. To our leeward side was Act One, a Swan 45. We managed to pace with her which we were encouraged about since she rates a PHRF -12 to our Florida 42(ouch). We sailed with our heavy #1 early to get away from shore to get the gulf stream. At the appropriate time we put up the 1.5 oz chute and actually started to pull up to the Swan. When the wind went further back we put op the .75 oz. It took a little longer than appropriate where Lynn Kotwicki blasted at Erik Ryan “why is it taking so damn long.” Erik replied, “ it is because I have not done bow in f******g ten years ” With the .75 we pulled up again on the Swan 45. As the wind went back further we changed to the .6 oz chute. With the wind now at 135 degrees apparent the other Swan 45, Barbara Ann, also pulled ahead. But with the finish after 40 miles, they were only 4 ½ minutes ahead. As we docked we heard the other boats on the radio calling in we knew we won PHRF class B. We only placed 6th overall but it was fantastic race. It was wonderful reception with the waitress bringing our rum drinks out to the boat and of course the seafood buffet was again one of the best in Florida. Of course my brother Bob Judge ate too much and spent half of the night going to the bathroom but he said it was worth it.

Result: 1st in class B and 6th overall
Link: http://www.sailfishclub.com , http://www.sailfishclub.com/Final2006Sco

re.pdf

Crew: Lynn Kotwicki, Nathan Caspers, Ted Neesley, Colleen Flanagan, Bob Judge, Charles Bayer, Bob Declercq, Ken Morrison, Erik Ryan, Karl Kuspa


Go ahead--- make my day!