Brownsville Race-WSSA No. 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) three points back. Prior to the last race around Blake Island, we had been leading the series by three points. More about that later.

The forecast was for light winds and sunny skies. The wind at the start was northerly at about four knots. We got an excellent start, close hauled at the pin end. On the beat to the Agate Pass mark, we started stretching out a good lead. "The Boss"(J35) went east and got a good lift toward the first mark, even though they should have been in more adverse current. They rounded the mark about 150 yards behind us. We had a good spinnaker set and headed toward the leeward mark at University Point.

"The Boss" had some good puffs and sailed past us. We jibed toward the west into better winds and closed some on "The Boss" near Battle Point. South of Battle Point, we sailed into a convergence zone were a new southerly wind was competing against the fading northerly wind. We put the jib up and tacked east toward Bainbridge Island and the new wind. We passed "The Boss" and set the spinnaker for what looked like a run toward the start/finish line. The wind lightened ahead and once again "The Boss" passed us. Then the wind came northerly again, so up with the jib and down with the spinnaker. We sailed above "The Boss", but the still sailed ahead of us to finish the shortened course in first. Thanks to my crew of Jim, Michael, Walter and Kathleen for the good work in this race and the series.

Following the race, an anonymous donor sponsored a post series party/barbecue at the marina's facility. The final results for the series put "Dulcinea" (J105) in first overall, "Great White" in second and "Emerald Lady" (Catalina 27) in third.

Complete results can be found here: http://www.wscyc.net/WSSA/2011/series%20standings%202011.pdf and http://www.wscyc.net/WSSA/results.htm

Now for the "rest of the story". We were ahead in the series up until the sixth race(Blake Island Race, June 18th). The series allows one throwout for the series(best 6th of 7 races). We did not place well in the first race of the series in February and I had hoped to use that race as my throwout. But, I got an offer to race in the Van Isle 360, a 580 mile, 10 leg race around Vancouver Island. The last leg of that race started on 17June and we finished 18June. Obviously I did not race WSSA No.6, the Blake Island Race. I was scored as DNC(Did not complete) for that race and had to use it as my throwout and count the series first race in my scoring. Going into the last race, "Dulcinea" had 12 points and "Great White" had 15 points counting the first race. There was nothing I could do to finish the series ahead of "Dulcinea" in fact they did not even need to race the last race to win the series.

I have two "rules" to winning the West Sound Series:

1. Consistent good finishes.

2. Race every race.

"Dulcinea" followed both rules, I broke rule 2.

This was one of our best series yet. We had great speed and placings(except for the first race). I have raced the WSSA series since 1978 when it was started. I have won it six times in two differant boats. There is always next year!

We nailed the start: on time and up to speed right at the pin end with clear air! Photo: Ben Braden

Sailing into the convergence zone. We eventually passed "The Boss", but they passed us again and finished ahead of us. Photo: Ben Braden

Our course for the day.