25
M
onday dawned and we had an early start as we were due to collect our new
sails from North, but sadly Hurricane Harvey appeared to have got in the way
and there was no delivery. Many frantic phone calls and emails later, and they finally
arrived just in time on Tuesday morning. Thankfully a beautifully cut main and jib.
After some assistance from Tom Reed (USA 111), who kindly made us the loop for the
whisker pool, we were ready to go racing…
We had pre-agreed with the Regatta Chairman, George Cathey, that he would
purchase the sails at the end of the week, so no folding and bringing them home. All
worked out well in the end.
There were three areas to race, Knox near Angel Island, where the practice race was
held, The Olympic Berkeley Circle and the SF City Front. Day one, Monday, the PRO
gave us three or four practice starts and then we had three short windward/leeward
races to get us comfortable with our boats and the other competitors and of course
him, what a great idea. The tides here were very strong as we started, and in strangely
defined lines. The leeward mark was set in rather a windless area near to Angel
Island, which reminded us of the Cowes Norris nudgers, so we came out of it well.
This was the first time that we noticed the water temperature, a year round 13 °C, so
all your warm gear was required, especially in Claire’s case. GBR 734, Pilgrim/Elise’s
team are your authors - Julian and Claire Sowry and Doug Neville-Jones; a life-long
friend of us both and a racer in various classes. Most recently J80’s but also X boats
and lots of big boat racing, but he admitted to racing Merganser at Cowes Week with
Catherine Munro-Kerr.
Hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club, Tiburon. 28 Aug – 1 Sept 2017
