Luckily we had about 5 practice starts yesterday, and a very long practice race. Just getting used to the launching program was good. Basically, there is a ten minute launch window, you aren't allowed to go out early. The start today is at 4:00pm, so basically we want to be rigged and dressed by 3:00pm, with the boat on it's side. At 3:15 they ring a bell and we are allowed to go upright. At 3:30, they ring another bell, and that means we can start launching. Lumix is the "Rabbit" boat, and they have to launch last, but ideally they are on the water by 3:45. The race committee waits for them to sail upwind and down, and then they start the race. One of the most important things we learned yesterday about racing in Sydney Harbor is that the wind is never steady. The lulls are huge, and staying in good pressure is difficult. Anticipating pressure changes is important, as is avoiding the hilly shorelines where the breeze gets weird.
Yesterday our starts got better each time, but we have tons to work on to get up to speed. Here's our list of things to do better today:
- Know the courses.
- Get accurate time from the race committee (this is hard to stay close and not miss a gun, since keeping the boat under control is a full time job.
- Set up early and far back to allow for an easy approach.
- Wail on the Cunningham and Vang as hard as I can.
- Communicate well about mainsheet trim, pressure changes, and body movement.
- Adjust Jib trim more to match the main.
- Faster hoists.
- More perfect Spinnaker sail trim - ease more without collapsing the chute!
- Douse faster, and pick timing better.
Plus we have a work-list for the boat for this morning. Good thing we have some time, the late afternoon starts are necessary to get everything done.
Here's the Program for the week:
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