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| V15 Nationals at St. Francis Yacht Club | August 17 - 19 |
| Story |
| Hi All,
Fantastic last 3 days at Nationals at St FYC! Not sure I can capture it all but let me try... Friday started off in true anxious V15 way with a general recall followed up by 2 light air races in a building flood. Steve Hunt took first race honors and showed why he's been on top of the v15 fleet for years. Our own local rockstar and dominate west coast dinghy sailor, Nick Adamson, recovered from a frustrating first race to win the 2nd races. The wind started to build and flood turned up a little more. Richard Feeny found his groove to take the 3rd and 4th race- one in dominating fashion to finish off the first day. Early races and early finish got us beer and food before 3 which allowed plenty of time for a deserved nap and then nightly festivities at Rolf's house- Dance Party USA and boat races brought back the college days of sailing. For all you who missed out- what else were you doing??? Day 2 started the true City Front breeze. The whole weekend we were in a bit of an uncommon southernly breeze- not quite straight through the Gate and the beach provided an apparent shift line. Adam Deermount and Nathan Tupman recovered from a tough first day to win the day overall with a 1,2,4,4. Nick followed up with 2 more bullets and Steve added another but also a 15. Going into the last day, Nick and Feeny were out in front, ready for a dog fight. Steve was close in third, Harrison and Sessions were in 4th and 5th. The rest of the fleet was very close in points. The racing was challenging- if you didn't get off the line (or were over early like ahh I was 3 times...) it was very tough to climb back. The 'race track" affect, flood and narrow course made the lanes narrow if you were behind. Almost everyone had at least a few tough races. The most consistent seemed to be Harrision, throwing out an 11. We had a few travelers- Steve & Nick, Andy Beeckman, Adam Deermount & Nathan Tupman, Nicole Breault and crew, Patrick "sail stealer" Layton & crew, and a few Beneica folks. Thanks for coming out! The last day saw us held on shore for a an hour or so as the persistent fog funneled thru the gate and over St FYC. It brought wind and as soon as we rounded the corner, breeze was there. Got to love the bay! Feeny started off the day with a running away victory- crazy wheels in that breeze up and downhill. Following up with a 6 then a 2, he had a 13 point margin into the last race. Holt figured out Race 10 and 11 with 2 back to back bullets to show some highlights in his amazingly constent scoring of between 8-12th's. By Race 12, the current had switched completely and once again the beach seemed to be the ticket. Steve and Nick sailed very well to keep it close while Richard (let me clear my throat) Feeny unfortuantely had his tough race. With the flood and more southrerly breeze, the race track was even harder to move up the field. At the awards, Nick conceeded what was apparent to the fleet- that Feeny and Hoyle sailed a fantastic regatta showing speed and brains all the way around. But it was Nick and Jago, repeating their 2002 victory. Nick has been a domiante player on the west coast dinghies for years and their string of consistent finishes showed thier ability. No doubt on of the closest finishes in years where the top 3 decided inside of a point. Fantastic job by Steve and Nick to put together a great regatta. Other hightlights: Dave Wilson getting to the top mark in race 7 in 1st, crash tacking, tipping over, getting his main sheet caught around the rudder, getting back up and immediately planning into Kevin to hit the mark, do his cicle and finally round that mark, the same one that he was 1st at, in dfl... Who else tipped over.. Philip and Sararh?? Tom and Greg? Da Porters coming out of the far right be winning the whole race.. until the last jib- we were all rooting for you jack! 4 general recall's I think... 1 protest (only???)... I did 2 circles- anyone else? tired legs, sunburn faces, cramping arms, sinking boats... good weekend all in all. Huge thank you to the RC and PRO of St FYC. John Craig and company consistently show why they are one of the countries top Race Committee around- what a great venue. Thank you to Holt Condon for organizing the event... and if you are wondering holt... yes we all decided to give you those 2 races as a thank you! It's monday morning... anyone else feel like getting back out there? Congrat's to everyone for some very close racing and great competition. See photos here and here. St. Francis results here. |
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