WYC Wednesday Night Race - Never Give Up

This was another race to mark D on broad reach in 10 knots of wind. I tried to get us to the committee boat side at the gun because it was favored. Unfortunately Merlin had maneuvered to the middle of the line and at about 20 seconds to the gun had forced Hot Ticket over to our side from leeward. I originally thought there was room to squeeze through but by the time the gun went off there was only a half a boat width to make it. At the last possible

moment I told the crew we were going to spin to the left ( we already had the spinnaker up). We did a 360 turn, getting the spinnaker half way down. Back on course we put the chute back up and started on our way. Merlin just ahead had problems with her spinnaker and we gybe rounded just behind her. Fortunately we rounded from far out and managed to get an inside on Jayhawker, causing us to gas her and move up to 4th. At mark B it was a spinnaker drop rounding. This leg we caught up to Merlin and managed to pass her when she went left and we went right. Just before DP7 we crossed behind Night Moves and on the next tack we were in front. The only boat to catch was Hot Ticket. The only chance we had was to go farther south on the Detroit River and almost caught them when we had the wind pressure they did not. In any case we were stern to bow and they only beat us by 13 seconds. If we would of had a 1/4 more mile we would of passed them. It just goes to show even in last place never give up.

Result: 2nd out of 5 J120s
Link: http://www.windsoryachtclub.com/2007-regatta/WYC%202007%20Fall%20Race%205.pdf

COURSE D - 7.2 nautical miles
Start to D (309o) leaving it to starboard
-then to B (081o) leaving it to starboard
-then to A (187o) leaving it to starboard
-then to D (296o) leaving it to port
-then to DP7 (212o) leaving it to starboard
-then to finish leaving DP5 to starboard.