- Day 1
Saturday dawned gray and gloomy. In a big flood tide, the Committee took the fleet way out onto the Bay in front of Alcatraz. While waiting for solid breeze, a few boats nearly got flushed onto the submerged rock near the starting line. Tactics for this course were very different from the usual City Front flood tide, because relief at the beach was too far away. Courses were long 3 laps, over 5 miles in length. As the wind built and flood turned to ebb the sailing became more demanding--and chilly. The leaders were Reed/Malouf, Heineken/Noble, Morgan/Kuschner, while new fleet members Flick/Kozinchik, Fraser/Lange, Simpson/Foster, Cayard/Binstock and Dan Brandt's new crew, Nina Veggi, all experienced the 29er on the Bay.
Brooks/Brian and John/Matt get a good start.
- Day 2
Sunday was bright and sunny with an early westerly. The City Front course was more conventional, just like what is expected for the Worlds. In 12-15 kt wind and flood tide, the beach was favored, but with the 29er's high speed, the track was wide enough to play the wind and current gradients. The Heineken/Noble team dominated the day, winning every race, followed by Bernal/Goldsberry (in the two races completed), Reed/Malouf, Morgan/Kuschner, and Gardina/Paul Heineken.
Jen Morgan and Mike Kuschner sail downwind in one of their first regattas together.
This was a great regatta for all parts of the fleet. The leaders sailed very well on the World's course. The middle of the fleet learned from the leaders and the Bay, while the newcomers had a great time experiencing the 29er's performance.
By Paul Heineken
Final Results
