race report
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 Michael Quinn focuses on his sail in the El Toro Seniors' second race on Sunday. ©2012 norcalsailing.com |
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Richmond YC Small Boat Midwinters February 6, 2012 In what seems like a hamster wheel of winter weather lately the one thing that everyone is learning is how to race in light and fluky wind. During three hours of actual racing on Sunday at Richmond Yacht Club's Small Boat Midwinters the keys to winning were solid concentration and trying to keep boat speed up in very trying conditions.
An example of the fickle wind was on the El Toro course inside the Richmond breakwater tucked away from currents. They held five races and at each start the wind ticked off 70 degrees so that by the time they finished the last race it had gone around in a full circle.
Richard Taylor, PRO for the middle course just inside the Richmond Harbor breakwater, commented that, "At least I got in ONE windward/leeward race this morning, as apposed to reach-reach. It's been a challenging year, with light and shifty wind."
On the outside course by Southhampton Shoals finding the favored side was a challenge and once off the start line fleets split apart right away with each boat trying to figure out where the wind would be next. Despite the slow weather this year, the RYC Midwinters have gained in popularity and this season has 302 entries from 34 yacht clubs and have new or resurging one design fleets like the 5o5s, Daysailers, Hobie 20s and Coronado 15s. The last race of the season is on March 4th so dig that dinghy out from the yard and go racing.
For results and more, see www.richmondyc.org.
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