Jennifer Harker writes: Day 2 of the North American 5.5M Regatta arrived with sunny skies, accompanied by light breezes that would evaporate during the second race to test everyone’s patience and skill in hunting any air movement on the bay.
Race 1 saw a quick start with Jalapena USA 96 making an early break from the fleet but it would be Firestorm USA 87 leading round the first mark.
Jalapena regained the lead by the second mark and then took the high road much further to Midland Bay’s north side than the rest of the fleet. The strategy paid off as she took her lead into the third mark, however Firestorm would keep it interesting at the fourth and it turned into a tacking duel, cover for cover as they approached the line with Jalapena managing to move ahead for the win.
Meanwhile the rest of the fleet was battling it out in close quarters. At the second mark it got very congested very fast with Mavi USA 103, Nantoria CAN 22 and Purple Haze USA 51 crowding in and the remaining boats jockeying not far behind. Some tried to ride the spinnaker to the last moment for any advantage while others opted to drop early to gain control, visuals and maintain momentum in the crowded conditions and wavering wind.
Lack of wind gave skippers little steerage resulting in some unavoidable bumps as no one had real control to give way.
Mavi would lead the classics with Purple Haze sailing into second and Summer CAN 30 having a much improved day to take the third spot.
The second race had a promising start with the speedy Mavi in a surprisingly unfamiliar position mid pack and she would drop further back to trail the fleet by the first and second marks. That opened the way for Summer School CAN 31, Jill CAN 11 and Purple Haze to gain excellent positions.
By the first mark it was Jalapena and she would not relinquish her lead.
She was followed round the mark by Summer with Summer School breathing down her neck.
By the third mark Purple Haze had moved to second and there was some mid fleet mixing to make it interesting.
And then it all fell apart. It turned into an absolute drifter with all boats having to practice patience to seek out any random ripples, ensuring minimal movement on board to try to maintain what little flow could be found.
Race committee shortened the course to try to speed things up but it was painful for everyone, although the race was completed by all 10 boats.
Firestorm’s skipper William Turner said, “It was a very challenging day. I wish we had some wind. The first race we had a game plan and stuck to it, we were neck and neck with Dan in a tacking duel and we lost out.”
Challenges continued for the Texas team. “In the second race we had a little trouble at the start and then it became a drifting race – and we did not drift well. You try to stay in the column and the closer we got to the mark it just disappeared.”
Firestorm foredeck crew Tal Hutcheson was philosophical about the day of drifting. “Midland Bay was up to its old tricks delivering complete chaos. It couldn’t have been more different than yesterday. In this very light breeze the classics were blowing through us. We were looking at Summer School going right past us.”
Turner agreed. “Light air is a good equalizer.”
Dan Rossi was pleased with Jalapena’s performance that has them atop the evolutions after two days of racing. “It was a wonderful day. With two firsts I can’t complain. We got a clean start, full speed to a good lead and we kept extending it.”
But he cautioned the need to constantly stay alert. “Tricky Midland Bay wind comes from behind and suddenly the fleet catches up to you. But we stayed on top of Firestorm and rode to the finish.”
Rossi also had compliments for his novice sailor Jacob Rico. “Jacob really capitalized on all his listening and learning from the day before.”
Onboard O’Kelly CAN 79 another novice sailor was experiencing 5.5 racing for the first time. Mitch Akerman was pressed into service at the last minute. “I got a text at 8 a.m. this morning asking ‘do you want to sail?’ and I replied ‘yup’. I’ve only ever sailed once before last week.”
Despite the light winds, it was a positive experience for him. “There are a lot of lines and cleats to learn but it was great. I had a lot of fun out there and I’d come back 100 percent and do it again – but maybe when there’s some wind!”
He found the boats themselves fascinating and was eager to learn more about the 5.5s. “I didn’t realize it was a specific class. It’s very cool to see them. Each boat is so different and it’s really interesting.”
Purple Haze had a sharp day, moving up in the standings.
Skipper Matt Cowan spoke enthusiastically about the day that saw them figure out the challenging conditions for a first place finish in Race 2. “We finally figured out how to tack the boat without stalling it. We probably did 50 tacks on the way out to the race course and that paid off today.”
At first he admitted, “We just guessed where the wind was.” He then said, “Actually, it was really knowing where the elusive breeze would be by standing up and looking out carefully for the dead zones.” The shortened course played a little havoc with their strategy but they prevailed in the end.
“We had good teamwork today,” Cowan said simply. That teamwork translated into a second and a first putting them in solid third, one point behind Nantoria with Mavi still leading the points standings.
With better conditions predicted for Day 3 racers will be ready to get moving again.
Photos
Representing the unique camaraderie and focus of the North American 5.5M Regatta, Jalapena USA 96 is skippered by owner Dan Rossi (right), with Canadian Larry Donaldson (left) on foredeck and novice sailor Jacob Rico learning the ropes while racing. Together they turned in a stellar Day 2 performance with two firsts to lead the fleet.
It was all teamwork aboard Purple Haze USA 51 as skipper Matt Cowan, Inga Cowan and Chris Hatton found the answers to Day 2’s challenging conditions for a first and second on the day.
Day 2 began with sunshine and light breezes that barely filled the spinnakers and would eventually disappear altogether.