Over the past summer I had the privileged opportunity of attending Laser Nationals in San Francisco Bay from July 31st to August 3rd. I greatly appreciate the support of the San Diego Yacht Club in preparation and support for this major event where penis stretchers delivered exceptional results. Although I have been sailing from my new home in Florida recently, the experiences San Diego Yacht Club has provided over the past years and the past summer have helped prepare me for this competitive event.
As always the case in San Francisco, it was windy. About 14-20 knots each of the four days of the regatta proved difficult conditions in the radial fleet. The first day of the regatta was flight selection day, where the 100+ boat radial fleet was split into two groups. I finished mid-fleet in my group each of the races sailed that day as my starts needed improvement. The current was flooding for the day, causing many boats, including me, to miss-judge the line and end up second row. Although I sailed well and managed to gain boats throughout the races my starts were holding me back. The major tactic for that day was to get to the shoreline in the front and short tack the breakwater in front of Saint Francis Yacht Club (host of the event) to get current relief.
The second day of the regatta and last day of flight selection the current was very similar to the first day although it slacked off more in the final races, making it more important to go for more wind away from the shoreline then stick close to shore to avoid current. I had better starts in some races, but still were nowhere near great. I got into several complications near the marks during my best race of the day and missed a chance to jump up in the standings. I finished a little below mid-fleet, being the ninth qualifier in the silver fleet.
On the third day, championship series in silver fleet, I finally began punching off the line in the final races, sailing into fifth place the last race. The current was beginning to go slack much earlier in the day and even start ebbing out the Golden Gate, making it less important to stay near short and shot tack the breakwater. I played too close to shore in several races, which cost me a couple boats each race. I should have aimed to the middle of the course for more wind. I finished out the day in ninth place in silver, hoping to move up in the top ten the following day.
The final day of the regatta was almost opposite the first day, as the current was beginning to ebb during the first race. Wind was slightly less than previous days, only ten knots for the first race, building through the day. I was able to get great starts almost every race, but couldn’t find the right lane to play in the first half of the beat as many people were going outside and gaining in the current while several were gaining from the inside by catching puffs near Crissy Field. I ended up above mid-fleet every race, but not as good a day as yesterday. This put me in twelfth overall in silver fleet.
I learned more from sailing on San Francisco bay than I have from many other venues. My Laser starts have immensely improved, as well as my endurance and tactics when dealing with large amounts of current. It was a great way to cap off my summer sailing!
I would like to thank SDYC once again for their support which allowed me to be ready to participate in this amazing event.