Sailing Blog
Send It… »
May 16, 2010
The Mistral continued to pump into Cagliari and with the hopes of getting a start in a down swing of the breeze, the Race Committee set an early 9am warning for the 6th race. Our team pushed off the dock at 745 with the breeze already fresh in the 25 kt range, and we couldn’t help but feeling we had a distinct advantage as the Italians did not have all morning to get hopped up on espresso and capuccino. The feeling on the boat was we were simply going out for a formality, but when we got to the starting area, it was clear the RC was set on getting off a race today.
After a clean start with most of the fleet well off the line, we found ourselves leading the fleet on the left side of the course, battling more waves and seas than the right side which was closer to land. Despite the 25-30 kt breeze and building, there were still plenty of gains to be made playing the shifts and we were able to work a decent lead for ourselves at the first mark. We had a small discussion between ourselves at the offset, and it was decided we would go ahead and set regardless of what our competition was doing.
Once the kite reached the top of the mast, we plowed through a few waves, and had to get ready to gybe with the Fantasticaa team on our tails. After a clean gybe, the kite popped and Stu did a great job of calling a good layline which set us up for a windward drop around the left leeward gate. The goal up the last upwind was to sail clean, tack as little as possible, and make sure our gear made it to the end of the race. As we approached the 2nd top mark, we discovered the course was shortened and we would be finishing at the offset. We were able to hang on for the bullet with Fantasticaa and B-Lin close behind.
The fleet headed back to the dock, assuming the regatta was over, however, the RC decided they would keep us a few more hours with the hopes the Mistral would pass. As expected, it only grew in strength and GBR-500 was able to hang on for the first annual Europeans title, and the Samba team took a respectable 4th.
Overall a good event…stay posted for a full wrap up. Above is a pic of the B lin sailing team having a good ride on the final day.
Pingback by 2010 – Year in Review | 42 Marine — October 20, 2010
[…] Race – When the Mistral rolled in on the final day of the Melges 32 Europeans in Cagliari, the racing was, and I hate to utilize this overused word, epic. The RC sent us out […]