DAFFODIL REGATTA APRIL 2, 2006 EC-12
Unfortunately, we did not have much of a turnout. That was too bad. I'm sure that all of the skippers were considering the WX factor with what we had for the previous week and what was in the forecast for 4/2/06. With the vagaries of the WX, one cannot take the forecasts as the gospel truth and April 2 was such an example. Please allow me to elucidate.
I, Joe Brohan, picked up Howard Rasmussen on April 2, 2006. We both live in University Place, WA. It was my turn to do the driving. We arrived at Noels, Milton, WA for skippers' breakfast at about 8AM. Joe Oskewicz, Port Orchard, WA was already there. No one else showed up for breakfast. We headed for the lake at about 9:15AM. There were no other skippers at the lake so it ended up that there were only three of us. Howard R had sold his EC12 to Joe O.
Since Joe and I were the only ones who would be sailing, my first thought would have been to cancel the regatta. However, two factors changed my mind: 1)Joe O drove all the way from Pt. Orchard and 2)I wanted to have Joe get more stick time to become more comfortable with the boat. With the absence of many skippers (who would add to the confusion) he would feel more comfortable with only two boats. As it so turns out, this was an ideal time for Joe to get the heck of it and how he performed pointed this out.
When we arrived at the lake there were breezes from the W and NW at about 0-3mph with gusts to 5 mph. I set out the marks. These would be ideal conditions with the lower velocities for Joe to get the heck of handling the boat. I set up the start/finish line oriented N/W and E/W with a triangular course. This was well advised since the wind directions changed. We ended up sailing the E/W and N/S start/finish line. Howard R helped Joe set up his boat and gave him pointers on this as he went thru the process. We started to sail at about 10:45AM.
Thanx, Howard, for doing the RD honors.
The breezes were about 1 mph from the W. Since they were 1 mph we sailed only a windward/leeward course at first. It had been sprinkling very slightly when we arrived at the lake, but by the time we started to sail the sun was trying valiantly to burn through the watery looking sky. Hopefully, ole sol would burn through and then we'd get some thermals. As the morning wore on the breezes became more steady and the sun became more clear. When it looked like a good idea we sailed a number of triangular courses.
Joe O did a great job sailing his boat. He got a good feeling for it by the end of the regatta. There were times that he made some slick maneuvers while near or at the mark. As it so turned out we sailed 15 heats. The breezes were consistent at the end and Joe was really getting into the swing of it as they became more consistent.
I must say that Joe O is really doing very well. When you consider this is all new to him, new boat, hasn't done this before and then WINS 4 HEATS, that is a great accomplishment in my mind. That's winning over 25% of the heats. This was great experience for him with the light breezes to make for easier handling of the boat. He did not have to contend with any knockdown gusts.
The regatta stopped at about 2:45PM. We sailed 15 heats! Joe O and I picked up the marks and put the gear away. Thanx for the help, Joe. It was then that we headed for the Tav for a bite to eat and figure the scoring. We headed for home about 4PM.
Joe Brohan