This holiday would not normally be a school day, BUT thanks to Hurricane Irene we have to make up some lost time. We get to gain some more sailing practice too.
This is appropriate since Columbus Day commemorates one of the great sailing achievements in history.
Should we expect that after our precision sailing demo this Saturday, that we could get all the Javelins close together and on the same point of sail for a picture?
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Here's some of the 'blue-book' sailors mixing it up in the FJs.
Good news: today we have a bunch of new sailors who are ready to step up to the 'sports cars' of the fleet after sailing the Javelins.
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These next two photos show how one skippers puts an agressive move on another. Instead of simply following in FJ#1's wake and 2nd-hand wind, FJ#1 cuts to windward and passes.
Of course, both boats would be moving faster if the sail trim were a little more accurate, the boats being held flat, and weight a little more forward in the boat. It's also disappointing to see these two skippers NOT steering with the hiking stick.
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This passing move works for several reasons. By turning closer to the wind (but not quite close-hauled), FJ#2 generates more apparent wind. This will be especially helpful in lighter breezes.
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Not satisfied with beating FJ#1, the team in FJ#2 chases & passes two of the Javelins, this time on a close-hauled course.
In way this is a shame, because the Javelins sail well and a skillful skipper & crew have in the past humbled the FJ sailors... and the team in #2 are making some mistakes that another boat could take advantage of.
Next time we sail, let's get more of those FJs in the water! The weather is not turning cold yet but the days are getting shorter!
...posted by Assistant Coach Doug King
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