DF95 Series #14

Very brisk west wind near B rig initially. Significant waves and incoming tide as well. By the last race, we were down to 6 boats attesting to the wind strength.

Today was Henry DiPietro’s day with 4 wins and a third place finish. Henry quickly figured out the course and dominated with several of his wins significantly ahead of the fleet. Rich Field had a good day as well finishing second overall. Rich had 1 win and 4 second place finishes. Bill David grabbed the last win and had 2 seconds and a third.

Others who finished the day included Al Sampson, Kim Hanna and guest Trevor Perkins in that order.

There were several breakdowns and drop outs as well as tight sailing at the windward mark at the south end of the course. We chose to run the course twice around giving us two long windward legs.

With temperatures in the mid-seventies, low humidity, and strong winds from the west, it was no surprise that 12 members brought their boats to the cove this morning. Judy, once again, started and scored the races in her usual flawless way.  Many thanks, Judy.  As I had sold my boat, I brought binoculars and helped where I could. Connie Sampson was there to give a cheer to number 44 and Village resident Don Fraser came down to see what we got up to on Thursday mornings.  We welcomed Trevor, the son of member, John Perkins racing number 83.

Rob set the course: Starboard around the orange mark, the downwind to the green mark, taken to starboard, twice around and back to the line. 

I thought of calling this write-up, “Tales of Attrition”. You’ll see why.

During the warm-up sail before the start, Rob’s boat had a breakage of the line guide at the rear of the boat and couldn’t race. so he took on the role of Race Director, called the starting infringements, acted as line judge, called the finishers, helped members with tuning details and, to cap it all, gave everybody the secrets of successfully negotiating this course. Well done, Rob.

So then there were 11

In the first race, Pat failed to finish and didn’t race again today

So then there were 10 and so on down to the surviving six at the end of the six races.

Here’s what Rob wrote: (paraphrased a little) “Very brisk west wind, significant waves, and incoming tide meant competing in fabulous but challenging conditions. Today was Henry DiPietro’s day with 4 wins and a third place finish. Henry quickly figured out the course and dominated with several of his wins significantly ahead of the fleet. Rich Field had a good day as well with one win and 4 second place finishes to finish second overall today. Bill David grabbed the only other win and had 2 seconds and a third”.  Thanks, Rob.

Al Sampson, Kim Hanna, and Trevor Perkins had the only other boats afloat at the end of racing. They finished 4th 5th and 7th, with David Vigeant in 6th place. He had the only rescue of the day when his boat tangled with, as he put it, “heavy seaweed”

Paul Mercer, Jim Kelly, Al Meyer, and Pat Donovan all had problems and retired.

The full results are on our website mhbmyc.org

Solings take their turn next Tuesday, August 23rd when the tide will be at its lowest just about start time. 

DF95s will dazzle again next Thursday, August 25th when the tide will be low and turning at 12.41.

Stay safe, and well, and have a great weekend,

Derek