Weather conditions were partly cloudy, warm, with fairly strong winds (~15). Later we were to find the wind somewhat softer on the course, and they tapered more as the afternoon aged. Harbor start was at 1200, with a scheduled race start of 1300. As we launched it appear to be a field of 4 (at least among the Thistles, keep in mind that CPYC also features Atlantics, Stars, and Lightnings). I was middle crew for Mike (1787), with Kitty up forward. Also present were: Charlie (3655), Walt (3654), and Sam (3732). Because of the heavy winds we expected, Mike decided to use old sails (an important factor later).

As we cleared the harbor we realized that the wind was much stronger at the point then on Long Island Sound. As we headed out to the course there was some confusion, we couldn't see the committee boat. Eventually we spotted the committee boat, which wasn't the usual boat. Upon arrival at the course, we were joined by two Thistlers from Pequot YC, Dave (3684) and someone else (I don't recall the hull number).

We also experienced an equipment failure on the way to the course, which would prove to be a huge challenge. Mike had recently added a shock cord to the boom vang to help hold it out of the way when the vang was loose (i.e., to give the crew more room on a tack). During a tack, with the vang loose, the vang caught behind the compass (which was mounted on the stanchons in front of the mast, at the top). None of us noticed until the tension on the vang (due to the wind) had ripped three of the screws off the compass and it dangled by one screw. Shortly after that we were storing our crystal ball in a bag.

The start was delayed briefly. The course for the first race was HN (1.3 mi between marks). We had a fair start. It quickly became apparant, however, that we could not point anywhere near as high as anyone else (or that we normally would). It was also difficult to detect the shifts or their relative strength without the compass. By the windward mark, we were in the back half of the pack (but not last).

Approaching the windward mark, we discussed flying the chute only if another boat did (it was still fairly strong winds). The first few boats around the mark did not fly their chutes, but someone just in front of us (perhaps Dave, 3684) put it up, so as soon as we rounded the mark we did as well. By the time the front-most boats realized that trailing boats were flying we were upon them.

The difference in flying chutes greatly mixed up the field. Another large difference was that most of the fleet played wide right or left. We travelled the edge, sometimes sailing a little by the lee, right up the middle. As we approached the leeward mark the fleet was more compressed then we'd been approaching the windward mark. A quick trip to the finish found several of the early leaders near last. I think we got a 3rd or 4th.

The second race was announced HN2 (1.3 mi between marks). The wind was beginning to fade, so the decision to use older sails was going to haunt us. We had a decent start and initially looked like we might do well. But with the fading wind, the lack of pointing, and missing compass, we struggled to keep pace with the fleet. Mike worked overtime to try strategies that make up for other factors, but in the end the lack of mistakes from the rest of the fleet left us with my first DFL (dead, finally, last). On the first upwind leg I managed to lose my sunglasses. I was hiked out horizontal (not that I can maintain that position for long), with my head leaning back, when a wave washed them away and left me sputtering. Fortunately I had my hat in my hand. Unfortunately I had to fly two downwind legs without the benefit of sunglasses (it was not nearly cloudy enough for me).

This was an excellent series for Mike (1787) and I. It was a three day event with one race on each day. Like most CPYC races featuring Thistles, this series was to feature combined races to include the Atlantics, Stars, Thistles, and Lightnings. There was some small awards for the top winners. Nan and I crewed for Mike on Friday and Saturday, but due to other commitments Mike had Paul K. and Kitty for Sunday.

Friday we had a 1300 harbor start with a 1400 scheduled race start. Winds were light and shifty. We launched a little on the late side (most of the Thistles left before us), and winds seemed to nearly totally fade before we'd exited the harbor. We spent the time crawling along working talking through some of our simple routines. This proved to be very fruitful later in the day (i.e., when we finally got racing, yes that's a hint). We noticed that we were catching several boats as we plodded toward the starting line. Whether that was due to lack of effort (on their part) or effort (on our part) is debatable.

The start was delayed because of the light winds. After a short (1/2 hour?) delay, we were able to start racing. As usual, the Atlantics and Stars started ahead of us (which has certain advantages). The course was GN1 (1.1 mi between marks). We finished fourth (of eight) behind Larry (821), Brauer (3732) with crew including Greg (3759), and Walt (3654). Finishing just behind us was Bernie (1124). Also behind us was Craig (1874) and Dave (1234).

Back at the club that evening, I was able to watch a protest proceeding. This was a first for me, and quite an education. A Star protested the committee based on a course change confusion. The initial race board showed the Star's sailing the same course as the Atlantics (with a separate start). During the race their course was changed, but the boat announcing the change left before the first Star arrived at the mark. The first three Stars rounded the mark and proceeded through the finish line on the way to continue the race (their belief). The committee fired a gun (like they usually do for the first boat to finish each class) when the first Star crossed the finish line. I believe the protest was disallowed. After a little socializing, I wandered off for dinner and the trip home.

Saturday's harbor start was also 1300. Winds were moderate but somewhat shifty. We arrived at the course without event. The course was announced as HC2 (1.5 mi between marks). We determined the favored end, and jockied for the start. Nearly everyone (except us) was over on the start, so there was a general recall. The second start was much smoother, although I think there was one individual recall. The fleet split, with some preferring left and some preferring right. We stayed left, but not as far as some (who seemed to perform a little better there). We constantly battled with Dave (1234), just ahead, and Craig (1874), just behind. We had a good first downwind leg. By the second upwind leg the wind had shifted 30 degrees (right?). Again we battled with Bernie (1124), who was covering Dave (1234), who was covering us while we fought off Craig (1874). On the second downwind leg a bunch of us headed too far right, which helped mix up the positions a little. It didn't effect us too much. At he second leeward mark, Dave (1234, still about 4 boat lengths ahead) damaged his spinnaker and Craig (1784, close behind) hit the mark and took the appropriate penalty. In the sprint for the finish we managed to catch Dave (1234) for third place (behind Larry, 821, and Bernie, 1124).

Sam (3732) didn't race Saturday, which proved beneficial for us. On Saturday evening we sat tied for second place overall, with Bernie who was having trouble finding crew for Sunday. There was another protest Saturday, this one apparently due to a Thistle wandering through the Star starting line just prior to start. I believe it was withdrawn before it was heard after the Thistler appologized for his faux pas. Post racing I joined the drinking (I don't usually because of the drive) when someone introduced a new mixed drink (oh so much better than the usual beer). Then we headed to dinner, where we spent many hours over drinks and Mexican cuisine. After sobering up quite a bit, I had an uneventful trip home.

In the end Mike reports that he did win one of the awards, I believe he said second place. What an excellent series. As always I learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and on top of that Mike (it's all skipper, right?!) was able to produce results!

This weekend was not very good for me. In some ways it was a waste. We knew going in to the weekend that the weather didn't sound promising, but nearly everything else went wrong too. I was crewing (middle) for Mike McBride (1787) because my boat is still being refurbished.

Saturday morning I was to meet Mike at Cedar Point YC, Westport CT, to help with the tow around to Pequot YC, Southport CT, (host for the Districts). We planned a water tow for logistical reasons. There were eight boats to tow. Initial launch went off without a hitch, but before we cleared the harbor an incident resulted in five boats adrift (with Mike and I, the only boat with more than one person, at the head of line of drifters). While adrift we had to fend off moored boats which we were drifting among. Once clear of the harbor we entered increasingly thick fog. We managed to get to the Pequot harbor before the next incident. The tow boat cut the corner too tight on a can, and without the board sufficiently lowered (you live and learn) the boat I was on (Mike had joined the boat that had set us adrift to help there) was dragged along the can. There was no damage to Mike's boat, but it was not fun.

Next the harbor start was delayed because of "torrential downpours" (NWS description for some mighty powerful thunderstorms). After the storm there were 5 inches of water in Mike's bilge. In the late afternoon we managed to sail out to the course in time for the wind to totally die. After bobing about for what seemed like eons we recieved a tow back to the club (without incident this time). [My son, 9, who was on a spectator boat managed to "fall in" as the boat was docking. Fortunately he was uninjured. But this contributed to my wife not wanting to return Sunday.]

Sunday we were scheduled for a 0900 harbor start, which did occur on time. We managed four (I think) full races and one aborted race (mid race after a major wind shift). There were a few recalls. Winds were mixed (light early, heavier later) and shifty. Our forward crew was very novice, and was still struggling to get the routine even in the last race. The sun came out, but without sunglasses it made trimming the jib and especially the chute difficult. Oh, did I mention I forgot sun screen? We performed poorly, but never finished in last place in any race. During the whole set I felt sick, which contributed to our sluggish performance (not an excuse, just a reality). If I didn't know better, I'd think I was seasick (not probably from an ex-Navy guy on fairly flat water).

After the races and the ceremonies we were to tow five boats back (several had sailed back directly after the race, including Brad (1316) who missed the awards ceremony where he was to be honored for his fine performance). I drove my car (with some items to stay dry) to meet the boats at Cedar Point YC. We lifted and trailered the boats. Then five of us headed out to dinner, Vitamin-P (Pizza).

I left the parking lot after dinner at 2045. At 2057 I hit a parking lot on I-95. Apparently a tanker (or some sort of truck) had overturned on a bridge near Milford CT. After two hours I had only progressed 1.25 miles, so I took the exit that became available at that time. I struggled with finding my way for about 15 minutes, but then found the line of traffic on Rt-1 bypassing the accident. At about 2330 I was finally back on the highway bound for home. At exit 71 (Niantic) I hit another snarl, this one only delaying me 10 minutes, for another vehicle fire (this one a small van on the side of the road). I didn't get home til 0045, four hours after I'd started a 1 hr 40 min trip. It was a great finish to the weekend.

The official results are posted, so I won't repeat them. Congradulations to Ched Proctor (3839) who won the series. And thanks to Dave Rosow (3684) and Pequot YC for hosting an excellent series under difficult weather conditions, I had fun despite the sound of the story.