NYC Shakedown Series #2 – It’s Fast Company Yet Again

The second race of the Spring Shakedown Series was held on 2/20/20 in very wet and gusty conditions. The winds were east northeast at 18+ knots over a 6.03 mile course. Many of the boats started out with reefs in their mains. Fast Company got the best start and never relinquished that position. Weatherly was not too far behind Fast Company for quite some time. The squalls made it tricky and at the lighthouse buoy Fast Company was first around followed by Bonjolea II, Weatherly, Ozone, Speedy, Kato and Papa Au. Somewhere in the thick of things there was Double Espresso with Charlie on the helm. Later Weatherly tacked shortly after rounding the G-11 buoy and Ozone kept going straight towards the cruise ship which paid off as when they next crossed Ozone was in front. Fast Company parked it at the Kalapaki buoy on the next leg allowing the other boats to catch up and Ozone was now right on their heels (literally). But Fast Company pulled away again and continued gaining. Kato only had 3 crew so they probably should get 1st place in the non-spinnaker class (if we had one…). On the last lap Ozone’s jib came out of the track from the bottom to half way up, held only in place from coming out completely by Jake Bernard on the bow. This did slow them down quite a bit. Weatherly had their spinnaker sheet end up in the wrong place which slowed them down too until they could gybe.

Fast Company’s foredeck work seemed to make a huge difference as they continued to gain and they finished in first place. Ozone crossed the line second but ended up third behind Papa Au with the correction time (must have been that beautiful new spinnaker!). In the club class it was Speedy, Weatherly and Bonjolea II. The conditions were so severe that our shore photographer Charlotte couldn’t get any pictures and hopefully Pam got some from the boat (nicely covered over and protected in the cockpit of the lovely Iwa.)

A delicious and spicy Mardi Gras dinner was provided by Bonjolea II which included shrimp creole, crawfish etouffee, rice, cajun spiced corn on the cob, salad, fruit and French bread.

The third race of the Shakedown Series will be held on Thursday 2/27/20 with a start time of 5 pm. The public is invited to watch the races and to socialize with the race committee at the Nawiliwili breakwater parking area.

-Chris

Click here for complete results on the racing page.

Click for more photos by Pam Zirker