West Sound Corinthian Yacht Club Brownsville Race-WSSA #7

Saturday was the seventh(and final) race of the West Sound Sailing Association(WSSA) series. Going into this race, Dulcinea(J105) was the leader overall with us on Great White(J35) four points back. After the last race around Blake Island, other potential front runners like Falcon(Cal 9.1) had fallen many points behind.

This race is in my home waters near Brownsville. But it is far from a favorite. The race starts off the Brownsville Marina breakwater, and is typical, the wind was shifty and light, with a large westerly component blowing out of Burke Bay and off the SW shore line. Up until our 4 minute signal, the wind was blowing lightly. We were a bit late for the start, but when the starting signal was put up, the wind dropped to zero. We were the farthest upwind of the rest of our class and coasted above Tantrum II(Schock 35). We could see the wind just upwind and when it finally reached us at about 5 knots, we took off in the lead. After some close crossings with Dulcinea (J105), we rounded the weather mark at University Point in first. Downwind toward the leeward mark at Pt Bolin, Dulcinea sailed passed us and rounded well ahead. I did not sail very fast downwind and tried to keep left away from the flooding current in Agate Pass.

On the beat back, the wind lightened and we started gaining on Dulcinea. We stayed close to the left side of the course near Battle Point looking for the port tack lift along that shore and kept gaining on Dulcinea who stayed out more in the middle. At the start/finish line we were 10 minutes ahead of Dulcinea as we started the second lap. The wind built back to 5-7 knots. We maintained the lead around the mark at University Point, but once again Dulcinea gained on us going downwind. We rounded the mark at Battle Point and headed toward the Brownsville mark again. This leg turned into a close reach. The committee shortened the race at the Brownsville start/finish mark for a race of 11.4 NM. Dulcinea finished about three minutes behind us and since we owe them four minutes, they corrected on us for first overall and first in class. We saved our time over everyone else for second overall and in class.

For the series, Dulcinea was the series winner and we were second. Complete results can be found at: http://www.wscyc.net/new%20site/WSSA/index.htm

WSSA sponsored an after race picnic in the marinas park with drinks and eats provided by an anonymous donor.

We did have a good race, and even though the winds were light, the sun came out in the afternoon and the day was warm. Thanks to my team of: Jim, Ron, Peg, Kathleen and Michael for working at keeping us moving.

The course for the race. A complete race would be: long lap, small lap and long lap. We completed a long lap and short lap.
Spinnakers approaching Battle Pt. on the first lap. Left to right: Dulcinea, Great White and Tantrum II.
Photo: Rachel H.