NYC SHAKEDOWN SERIES #3 – And yes, it was Fast Company yet again

The third Race of the Spring Shakedown Series was held on 2/27/20 with 3 laps in winds of 18+ knots out of the east northeast. Papa Au, Weatherly and Kato had the audacity to do a port tack start by the race committee and they easily cleared Fast Company, Ozone, Bonjolea II and Speedy who started on starboard by the pin end. Kato took the early lead closely followed by Papa Au. But leaving the harbor towards the lighthouse it was Fast Company who took over the lead. At the lighthouse buoy turn it was Fast Company, Kato, Bonjolea II, Ozone, Weatherly, Papa Au and Speedy. Double Espresso was somewhere in the mix near the front (but not using Race Q’s made it hard to tell just where).

The second lap out to the lighthouse had the boats rounding in the same order. But back at the G-11 buoy nearest the Coast Guard Station Double Espresso had spinnaker takedown problems that put them way behind. On the 3rd and final short lap inside Kato, with Kevin Millett on the helm, was able to take the lead after a nice battle with Fast Company. Skipper Jim Saylor said that Fast Company had a block and halyards issue. Ozone and Weatherly also had a nice battle and after rounding the G-11 buoy on the final leg Ozone was in the lead but the junior sailors with Carl Andersson on the helm were outpointing and gaining. Instead of covering as he should have, skipper Chris Jordan on Ozone tacked away early giving the Weatherly crew the lead and the satisfaction of beating Ozone.

At the finish line it was Kato with line honors 13 seconds ahead of Fast Company. But with their 3 seconds a mile handicap due to their custom rudder they relinquished first place in the PHRF Class to Fast Company by 6 seconds. So it was Kato in second place followed by Papa Au in third. On Papa Au Andy Evans took a big hit to the back of his head from either a block or a line and he was dazed for awhile and had a cut with some bleeding. Fortunately he was OK and he was back to work early the next morning. In Club Class it was Weatherly in first, Speedy in second and Bonjolea II in third.

Back at the clubhouse a potluck dinner of spicy chili, ribs, salad, rice, bread, and at least 3 desserts were consumed.

The 4th race of the Spring Shakedown Series will be held on Thursday March 5th with a 5pm start. The public is invited to watch the races and to
socialize with our wonderful race committee and photographers from the Nawiliwili Breakwater parking area.

-Chris

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