Whale of a Sail Regatta 2007
This last weekend, Jen and I went to the Whale of a Sail at Lake Carlyle. Friday, Jen and I arrived at Hazlet campground around 2:30pm. We got there early to get a good campsite and to sail the 15-20mph forecasted wind. I rigged my 9.5 on the Pacer and hit the water as fast as I could. I slowly cruised out to the wind line. The wind was offshore at the campground so the wind line was way out there. Once I hit the wind line I was well powered up. I sailed over to the other side of the lake to try and meet Ken at Coles Creek. About 3/4 of the way over I couldn’t go downwind anymore because I was overpowered. In fact, all I could do was sail upwind with the sail sheeted out, but still planing. I decided to head back to the lighter winds near the campground. I made a second run about a half hour later and was able to get over to where Ken was. I didn’t stay over there long though because the water was way too choppy for the barn door sized pacer. I sailed about two and half hours then packed up to head over to the Race Registration.
The next morning the wind was excellent, but it was fading fast. We started the race with pretty decent wind, but the wind completely shut down on the second upwind leg of the race. In the light air my Pacer was no match for the classic longboards that everyone else was riding. I had to pump considerably to not be pathetically behind everyone else. No more races were held that day due to the lack of wind, but the party went late into the night. I could still hear the live band playing when I turned in around 12:30am.
On Sunday I decided to not race since I would be too far behind everyone in the light winds. Chris talked me into borrowing one of the classic longboards laying around. It was Ted’s board (Thanks Ted! ). In the first race of the day I came in fourth place. In the second race I finished first. I managed to get a real good start off the line. Ken was right there with me. Ken beat me to the windward mark, but I caught him on the downwind leg using some light pumping. I got shadowed by quite a few boats with spinnakers so everyone else was catching up. I pumped like crazy after rounding the downwind mark and seeing everyone right behind me. Ralph was gaining on me fast with his 10.5. I had to pump to hold my position, but Ralph was still gaining on me. He went above me near the finish, so I pumped as hard as I could to try and make him bear away. He decided to go under me instead. At that point, I thought he was going to try the same tactic on me, so I pumped as hard as I could to keep him in my shadow. He ended up bearing away to get his speed up and I continued to pump so I could make the pin without tacking. When the race committee yelled out “windsurfer 414? over the loudspeaker I was ecstatic and exhausted. What a way to finish off the weekend!
