Club member race report

Jeff Hughes and I were out on the S2 7.9m "Avalon". We were second in our fleet, losing out first to Airloom. Interestingly, despite their waterline we had them cornered until Wing Point or so. At that point, we simply did not have the weight or waterline to punch through the waves whenever we were on starboard tack. We saw that big boy gliding through the slop. They had their chute raised when we were still a few turns away from the rocks.

Good race though. I inadvertently invented a new method of foresail trimming in heavy winds. This technique might not be advisable in all conditions, but I'll try to explain it as best I can: In heavy breeze, trim normally, but do so with your back to the companionway. At the right moment, let a wave pitch the boat such that you lose your footing and fall backwards into the cabin. Make sure the sole is covered with sails and other soft things. As you fall in, hang on like death to the sheet. Properly turned around the winch, the trimming of the sail will slow your fall and the motion becomes something not unlike that of walking backwards over a cliff for an abseil but much faster. If you listen carefully you can hear the winch turning above your own profane screams and the shouts of the crew in the pit who saw you go down. As you fall backwards, your body will essentially work against the force of the wind in the foresail, eventually slowing you down until you land on your back, looking up the companionway at the crew still in the cockpit. If all goes well, the crew in the pit will be able to cleat the winch or perhaps bring it in another couple inches before finally inquiring if you are ok down there and requesting that you resurface with beverages of some sort.

Like I said, this is an advanced technique. I managed to master it on my first try but I would recommend practicing in controlled circumstances before attempting this in a race environment.

-Raz