Whidbey Island Race Week-Days 4 and 5

It is now saturday night and I finally have time to catch up on days 4 and 5 of Whidbey Island Race Week.

Thursday was day 4 and the weather was spectacular. The winds cooperated and we got 3 good races in. Our team work on "Surt" was good and we sailed with the rest of our class for much of the day. On one race we had a small infraction at the start and had to do turns. When completed, we were back in the race. Race 3 was our best showing with a 4th in class. The winds improved during the day and topped out at around 15 knots.

Part of the crew of "Dulcinea" busily at work rigging the boat before the start of racing on day 4.

And the rest of the crew of "Dulcinea" relaxing in the cockpit of "French Latte" before the start of day 4's racing.

Quiet at the docks before the crews arrive.


The parade to the starting area.

Day 5. This is the last day of racing and I have heard that it is usually a shorter day of racing, giving the crews a chance to start their deliveries home.

Also, traditionally, gremlins prowl the docks during the early mornings of day 5 and perform renaming ceremonies on many of the competing boats. while most of the new names are "R" or "X" rated, I have included a few "G" rated ones in the pictures below.

"Stupitity" is ex-Tantivity




This used to be "Delirium"


And after a competitor hit the committee boat on day 4, "YC5" got a a new name and some caution tape.

Day 5 did have only 2 races. And once again, the weather was warm and the wind steadily increased during the day, eventually topping out at around 20 knots. We had a little trouble with a couple of jibes and found ourselves again in a slight infraction at a turning mark. Once again we did turns and cleared ourselves and the other boat was extremly gracious in accepting our error. Later another boat fouled us and did not clear themselves with turns. The skipper had to take that to the protest board. Don't know the out come of that one.

I had a great week racing on "Surt" and thank Mike and Chris for having me on their boat. Also to the crew of Walter, Jeff, Lee, Jerry, Kathleen, Connie, Lezli and Dolly: It was fun sailing with all of you! And especially to Dolly: thanks for providing the great gourmet sandwiches!

The experiance of Whidbey Island Race Week was great. At times it was silly. It was fun getting to see some of my great sailing friends that I often only talk to boat to boat. It is fun to share tales of our racing and sailing exploits of over 30 years and to reconnect with my old mentors. There are so many highly experianced sailors at these events. The organizers keep the shore activities moving along nicely and the race committee does a fantastic job of keeping the 9 classes of boats organized and started.


More info and results can be found on:

http://www.whidbeyislandraceweek.com/

Oh, yeah, the trip home turned into an odyssey. I left Oak Harbor at about 1630 and waited through three ferries from Keystone to Pt Townsend. I finally got home at about 2330. Long day!