I met up with the crew to race on Cool Change yesterday afternoon. It was of course hot and humid with some storm clouds in the distance. We had another great start in our class and took the lead at from the beginning. Our first leg was a reach followed by a very slow down wind run. I trimmed the Spinnaker and it was a constant effort of trim and ease to keep it full on this leg because of the light winds. The following leg was a Spinnaker Gybe which worked out well. I came back to the cockpit and held both sheets while the foredeck crew straigtened out the pole and guy. I was able to keep the sail full and powered up once everything was in place with the pole and guy.
By this time the winds started to build because of the storm clouds and our next leg was an upwind beat. This boat just does so well upwind. We all hiked out over the side and put more distance between us and the competition on this leg. After round the next mark we reset the Spinnaker on a broad reach and were now flying downwind. You know you are moving when you can only look up to trim the Spinnaker but can hear the rush of water as you coast to the next mark.
After rounding the last mark, it was a reach to the finish line. The result was another first place in class and actually found out that we were the fastest boat with the exception of the Melges 24's. This was definitely another great race for us. Although I'd like to trim Jib, with the amount of crew on board everyone needs something to do, so Spinnaker trimming is cool as well. Let's see if this coming weekend has to offer in the way of sailing.
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