EC12 POINTS NITE JULY 11, 2006

All day, it promised to be an interesting evening of sailing. We had been playing tag with the rain clouds all day, even with the moments of light sprinkling sparkling like diamonds on the surface. Whether they would become large and numerous raindrops remained to be seen. Breezes had been good throughout the day. It was Howard Rasmussen’s turn to pick me(Joe Brohan) up. We both live in University Place, WA. He picked me up at 4:15PM and we arrived at the lake at about 5PM.

When we arrived at the lake the wind was blowing from the S at about 8mph with heavier gusts. We were hoping that it would not blow too much harder so that it would make boat setup easier for our new skipper, Joe Oczkewicz, Port Orchard, WA. The sky was overcast and threatening as it had been many times during the day. The marks had already been set out by Jerry Muridge, Thanx, Jerry, for doing that. Jerry had set up a course using four rounding marks plus the start/finish line.

Also present were Gary Kohler, Keyport, WA, Jerry Snowbird Muridge, NE Tacoma, WA, Steve Young, Tacoma, WA and Harry Lange, Enumclaw, WA. We also had a guest show up that I had spoken to a day or so earlier who had located us on the website. George Kingsley is from Des Moines, WA about 30 miles north of our sailing venue. He wanted to see us sail the 12s. He has a 36-600. Told him to bring it next Tuesday, on one of our free nites, and sail one of our boats.

When the starting gun went off at about 6:15PM the winds were shifty from the S and SW 4-8MPH with gusts to 12mph and the temps in the 50sF. It was great sailing. However, when we started to sail the winds dropped to about 4 mph with some of those "deep holes" that we have all had to deal with from time to time. However, as the evening wore on the winds picked up and became more steady. We were fortunate with no breakdowns.

Since the winds were so good we were able to get in 11 heats by 7:30PM. Steve Y and Gary K rounded up the marks, locked up the boat and put the gear away. Thanx, guys. We then headed to The Tav to figure the placing and a bite to eat.

We had good sailing; however, Jerry M did me in with just a 1 point spread between 2^nd and 3^rd. There was a 6 point spread between 1^st and 2^nd. In addition to all of this we were not rained on. We really lucked out! Joe O did well in view of the conditions in which he was sailing. He placed last in only 5 heats and in heat 5 he placed 4^th. Keep it up Joe. You’re doin’ OK!

Joe Brohan