1999-2000 InterClub Results - Series 1, Day 5, December 19

If you weren't out frostbiting yesterday, you missed the most competitive day of Annapolis IC Fleet sailing ever. Fifteen boats sailed 8 races in a puffy northeaster, with 5 boats sailing well enough to win at least one race. The starting line was extremely aggressive. We had a about a half dozen general recalls during the day. Ned Jones and his RC staff did a superb job of reeling us in when needed.

Jesse Falsone and Lesley Frymier won the day by consistently finishing in the top 5, winning two races, and avoiding major calamities. Hal Gilreath and new guy, Carl DeMatteo, placed second in sturdy old IC 235 (Mike Merg's boat). Hal and Carl also showed a great deal of consistency after the first race, and hammered out a bullet in race 6 with a text book first beat. Alex Pline and Nancy Gilreath were a scant point behind Hal and Carl, with three seconds to their credit. Perennial favorites Allan Carscaddon and JoAnn Jones came out smoking with bullets in the first two races and another in the last race. However, a 13th and a 9th kept them out of contention. Once again Jasper Craig proved he's no slouch in the IC, finishing 5th for the day despite missing race 1. Other highlights include Phil Grotheer crushing everyone in race 3 and Ross Dierdorff sailing away with race 5 (despite a broken tiller extension).

So, the winning theme is consistency pays in a series. My crew, Lesley, was pretty worried that Allan and JoAnn were going to walk away with another easy victory after the first two races. I assured her that there was plenty of time for a comeback. I recalled the last day of the 1996 season when Macy and I were duking it out for the championship. I came out with bullets in the first four races, and then proceeded to fall apart (and capsize) while Macy sailed around me. So, I now find myself trying to make the "percentage move" - the move that pays off most of the time, and the move that keeps you out of trouble. Visualize the future, especially at mark roundings, and put yourself in the most likely spot for success.

I should also state that there were two other factors that helped us out of out of many poor starts. The first was great crew work. Lesley really knows how to move around in the boat. She also kept the the vang trimmed perfectly for the varying conditions. The second major factor is our downwind sailing technique. The conditions were perfect for sailing by the lee with the weather rail near the water. The fastest way downhill in an IC in consistent breeze and flat water is slightly by the lee with the board up. Lesley was very tuned into trimming the vang and board for the wind conditions. When a puff hits, put the board down and trim the vang harder to dampen roll and help steerage. As Allan points out, once you have positioned yourself with the fleet, sail at the bloody mark! Sailing across the course for breeze rarely pays in an IC.

We're off next Sunday to observe the Christmas holiday, but plan on sailing in the next millennium on January 2, 2000! Best of luck to Matt and Cecily who will travel up to Manhasset for the New Years Regatta to represent our fleet. If all goes well, they'll be out sailing at 0000, 1 Jan '00.

Jesse Falsone