Day 3 Heineken Regatta

Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Sat 2 Mar 2024 21:41
Today we had 2 races of 10 and 15 miles respectively. The course only had 1 beat, 1nm long at the start. Today wind was 18 knots gusting 24. We did think we maybe able to fly the assymetric on leg 3. Watching Class 1 boat going down this leg with just main and jib gave us a clue we were unlikely to hold it. Leg 2 was the broadest in both races and some managed to carry a spinnaker, a third of them broached so we kept it simple today.

Race 2 we got the best start of the week right on the ctte boat at full speed and kept all the rock stars below us for some time. Eventually they powered ahead and able to tack. Going into the cliffs there were some big shifts and we picked up a 30 degree one then backed slowly, tacked and another big lift we were on the inside of. This meant we were with the leaders going around the mark. On this 2nd leg 3 boats got into a bit of a tangle, not sure what happened as trying to stay upright. One boat did end up facing back where he came from. One boat retired and 2 protests have gone in. On the 3rd leg, 7 miles Emma worked very hard on the mainsheet to keep us powered up and dumped to stop broaches, nearly an hour none stop. A boat we have never finished in front of from Nelson's Cup and here, Huey Tooey, we did today although he beat us on handicap.

Tomorrow last day of regatta and presently forecast to be windier.