B4G Takes First Bullet of 2008 Del's Series

Puffy winds from the SSW greeted the J24 fleet for the first race of the 2008 Tuesday night Del's series. It appeared that the breeze was coming straight down the course, but the puffs were coming more from the north (gravel pit) so crowding at the committee boat end of the starting line was expected. Sure enough, Blew by U, Maniac and B4G all fought for the boat, with Blew by U closest, B4G just to leeward and Maniac about a boat length behind. Maniac tacked right over to head north for the puffs, and B4G tacked to cover after clearing ahead of Blew by U. In the first big gust, Joyride, which started in the middle of the line had some excitement when they rounded up in the puff and then backwinded the genoa to lay the boat over in a sort of pirouette. Most of the Joyride crew went in the water - but recovered to carry on.

Up at the weather mark, it was B4G first, Blew by U second and Maniac right on their heels. Maniac got by Blew by U when they jibed back north, while Blew by U favored the south side of the bay. Joyride lost their jib halyard up the mast due to a bad knot and called it a night. Ariana also carried south on the run.

After remembering the course, B4G rounded the correct leeward this time and covered Maniac to the finish. Keys to success this evening were starting with speed, easing sheets in the puffs to let the boat squirt forward, keeping the boat as flat as possible (pinching in the flat water , moderate breeze) and connecting the puffs downwind.