Star Midwinter Championahip 2016

Coxonut Grove

We had just one race today and that’s all Magnus and I needed to end the weekend on a good note.

Truth be told, we were very lucky today.  At the start of the race, the pin end was favored 20 degrees and of course the black flag was up. We fouled Ante at the start and had to do a 360 penalty turn. At that point we were a bit deep so we had to clear out to the left. Once clear we takes back onto port and benefited from a 10 degree lefty that came with pressure.

Magnus and I rounded he first mark second to Tom Lofsted  of Sweden. By this time the wind was blowing 18-20 knots and we were planing downwind.  We started the second windward leg in second but quickly passed Lofsted with better speed in the breeze.

The rest of the race was a procession as the wind shifted back to the right and we fetched the finish on the final run.

I am very happy with my new Folli Star!

Augie Diaz, the regatta leader going into today, got caught on the wrong side on the first leg and never recovered, finishing 21st and losing the regatta to Peter Vasella and Phil Trinter.  Brian Ledbetter and Josh Revkin sailed very well to finish third.

The next event down here is the Master Regatta February 6-7. I have asked my son Danny to crew for me for that regatta.  We are a bit light together but had so much fun sailing last summer.

Complete results can be found at www.yachtscoring.com

Thanks for following!

Paul

 

 

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Star Midwinter Championship

Coconut Grove

The wind was late filling in today so we didn’t get the first race of the day started til 14:00.

There is no other way to say it than the starting lines were horrible. Yet, the race committee put the black flag up! We haven’t had a race in this regatta without the black flag.  This time the victim was regatta leader John MacCausland. Game over.

Magnus and I had a good first race. The wind probably touched 14knots in this race.  Our start as mediocre at best but we had great speed up and down and finished third. Brian Ledbetter and Josh Revkin won easily and we finished right behind Like Lawrence.

In the second race,  we had a mediocre start and went the wrong way on both windward legs. Tough to do well when you do that. Anyway, our speed was very good again which is what I am really pleased about with this new Folli.

Brian Ledbetter and Josh Revkin won this race also. They have a new Folli just like mine. In fact, they were shipped here in the same container.

Magnus and I climbed up the score board a bit today, into the top 10, but we af never going to feature in this regatta counting a 35 from our Bkack Flag yesterday.

One day to go and possibly three races tomorrow.

For complete results go to www.yachtscoring.com.

Paul

 

 

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Star Midwinters Day 2

Coconit Grove

Three races were held today on Biscayne Bay for the Stars. The winds were 6-10 knots from the South-Southwest.

I made a cardinal mistake in race 1 and was over early with the black flag up. So we were instantly disqualified. I was kicking myself for the whole day. Sorry Magnus!

John Max Causland and Dave “Julius” Ceasar won the race handily.

In race 2, after a good start,  we found our speed a bit lacking.  We adjusted a few things and got going a bit better to finish 7th.

In race 3 we were going very well and gotmtomthe first mark first. We went a bit the wrong way up the second windward leg and rounded the top mark 4th after being as far back as 6th.

All in all, it was a good day because the new boat seems fast up and downwind.

John MacCausland leads with 8 points and Augis Diaz and Eric doyle are tied for 2nd on 9 points. We are out of contention for this regatta as there is no discard and the black flag adds 35 points to your score. So it’s all about getting used to the new boat and figuring out what makes her fast in the various conditions.

For complete results go to www.yachtscoring.com and Star Midwinter Series.

Paul

 

 

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Star Midwinter Championship 2016

Coconut Grove

No wind, no race.

Actually, we got 3/4’s of the way around the course in a northerly breeze that started at 4 knots and died to less than 1, when the race committee abandoned the race.

It was good for Magnus and I as we were in about 12th place.

3 races are scheduled for tomorrow with a forecast that’s worse than today.

Paul

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New Star

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Coconut Grove

It’s winter in the northern hemisphere so where do Star sailors go? Miami.

More than 30 teams are here in Miami for the 2016 Midwinter Championship. As usual the fleet is very is international with teams from Sweden, Italy, Germany, Canada, Argentina, France, England and USA.

Today was a special day for me as I launched my first new Star since 2006. She was designed and built by Folli on Lake Como, Italy. Andrea Folli and his team did a magnificent job in building the boat. Launching a boat for the first time doesn’t happen very often so I gathered my friends, got a good bottle and did it right.

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Magnus and I then took the boat out for her maiden voyage.

The forecast for tomorrow is 8 knots from the Northeast. 2 races per day are scheduled.

I am really looking forward to racing tomorrow! Reports will follow.

Paul

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