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The day started out with inches of rain pouring from the pre-dawn skies. Thunder and lightening, rain on the roof. It would have been a great day to sleep in, but we had some races to run.
Low clouds and big breezes greeted everyone at HYC. We were all glued to the computer, watching several weather web sites that were in full motion. Whatever had been near Brownsville had moved north towards Corpus Christi and beyond. Yet, there was this tiny window just hovering over Galveston Bay, tempting the regatta with the wish for races earlier in the day; but, we had to wait. And, as we’ve gotten used to, the rain came and the Postponement flag went up. Yachting Trivia started and many girls won prizes from Vanguard, KO Sailing and HYC for answering questions correctly. Then, the weather gods showed pretty yellow and green (no red) on the radar and we went out.
Wind reports from the course were anywhere between 14-17 steady. Eyes were wide and boats were slow to be launched. Once we all got out there, it really wasn’t that bad (of course, I am on an inflatable rib!) After an Individual Recall, in which the leaders were all OCS, Race 3 (.85 mile) allowed Claire Dennis to shine, as she built up a hugenormous lead over Carolyn Prioleau. Winds were steady, but holes were starting to creep down the course.
Race 4 (.8 mile) got off under an eye flag start, where 3 boats were OCS, one went back and cleared herself correctly, the other two needed some extra time….not mentioning any names, but they should have known better! Sarah Lihan had a commanding lead with Carolyn Prioleau and Claire Dennis stretched out way behind. Annie Haeger, who had promptly cleared herself after the start, caught back up to the lead pack and finished in the top 5….she is so stinkin’ fast off the wind! I want to know who her downwind coach is!
Race 5 (1 mile, but a W course [3 legs]) was a beautiful start. The breeze had been settling down, but then it piped up just in time for the last race of the day. A duel between Sarah Lihan and Annie Haeger was on. Halfway up the first weather leg, their first crossing, we thought Haeger would have Lihan, but alas, it was not to be….but there was the run….Haeger, taking the outside again (and again and again) made up some serious ground and was right on Lihan’s heels at the leeward mark. If any of you have seen Annie Haeger stand next to Sarah Lihan, there are inches of difference in height and a huge weight difference, kinda like a Lab and a Jack Russell terrier. Lihan was all stretched out, arm over her head, effortlessly hiking the boat flat. Haeger was working so hard, plugging ahead, staying close, but losing ground slowly up the long beat. In the end, everyone left whatever strength they had out on the water. What a great day to watch sailboats race!
A funny thing then happened: Mr. Sun came out for about 30 minutes! It was a glorious site through the clouds.
We got in around 7pm and everyone is looking for food! Olympic Silver Medalist and America’s Cup skipper John Kolius will be speaking tonight, but I think we will be eating and trying to stay awake. Sorry, John, love ya, but we’re beat!
Tomorrow, the RC plans to run 2-3 races in what has been promised to be much better weather.
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