Clouds Part for the CYC Midwinters

Although we’ve opened this story with a misleading headline, the racing at this weekend’s CYC Midwinters was remarkably good given the rainy forecast. About 60 boats showed up despite rainy nights, and luckily for them, the gaps in the rain fell conveniently during the afternoon racing hours. It was just about perfect.

Both Friday and Saturday nights were rainy, but as the 12:30 starts approached, the weather backed off, the skies brightened, and the breeze was steady on Saturday, and lighter on Sunday but enough to get everyone around the course.

The ebb was a significant factor, teaching a couple of boats about being upstream in light air as they left bottom paint on the anchor rode of the committee boat. Fortunately all boats were cleared of entanglement in time to keep everyone reasonably on schedule. The only hiccup was a General Recall for the aggressive Class C, which collectively misjudged the strength of the ebb vs. light air and crossed the line early en masse. Most of them got it right the second time.

Due to the strong ebb, the starts off Knox buoy appeared farther southeast than we’re used to. We’re not sure if it’s true, but one buoy was definitely off station on Saturday, as three classes found rounding Mark 6 off Fort Mason was not possible because the mark was not there. Without a mark in place, Saturday’s race for PHRF 3 and 4 and Express 27s had to be abandoned. (Note to YRA) Courses using Mark 6 were wisely not used on Sunday!

Foul weather gear was the fashion for the weekend, but for those hoping to use the rain to rinse the salt out of the gear it didn’t work out. The rain on the race course never materialized. That chore will have to be saved for another rainy day.

For Sunday’s light air, several classes spent lots of time avoiding getting sucked out the Gate as they battled to round Easom buoy. It was just a sign that more people wanted to spend time with Hank.

The weekend was another reminder of why we sign up to go racing. Without a race commitment on our schedule it would have been easy to wake up on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, look out the window, and decide there were better things to do than go sailing. Thankfully we were signed up, had willing crew, and were rewarded with two great days of racing. We’re looking forward to next month, and pledge always to remember how great it is to get out on the Bay, despite gray clouds and questionable forecasts.

There are 277 boats signed up for Saturday’s Three Bridge Fiasco! Yes, there are a few showers predicted for the morning. Are you going to let that stop you? The deadline to sign up is this Wednesday, the 24th. Rainy days are always good for puzzles, and one of the best puzzles of the year is solving the puzzle of the Three Bridge Fiasco. You can sign up here. If you’re lucky you have another chance to rinse the salt off your foul weather gear.