- Day 1, Saturday October 21
San Francisco greeted Fall Dinghy racers with a sunny, warm day on Saturday, although this is not a recipe for great wind on the Bay. The 9 29er teams and sailors from 6 other classes spent most of the day socializing, playing frisbee, and fiddling with their boats until 3pm when the westerly finally filled in at a raceable level. The fleet went out for one evening race in a comfortable 10-15 knots and a farily strong ebb.
Finn and Alek Nilsen setting up for a start
Max Frasier and Alex Bernal had a nice start at the pin and were leading Jen Glass and new 29er sailor Adam Bennett at the first weather mark. Unfortunately for Max and Alex they hadn't checked the course carefully and rounded the mark to port. Jen and Adam, knowing the course, rounded to starboard and took the lead. Max and Alex realized their mistake, doused the spinnaker, and rerounded the mark correctly, but not before letting other teams inbetween them and Jen/Adam. Jen and Adam were able to maintain their lead on the 3 lap, very long (over an hour!) race. The fleet finished and were able to derig just before dark.
Ali and Richard in between races at one of their first regattas
- Day 2, Sunday October 22
A light westerly had already filled across the Bay as the first teams arrived at St. Francis Sunday morning. Only a short wait was required before the fog sucked in under the Golden Gate, bringing with it 10 knots initially, building to 18-22 knots. The ebb was running hard today, creating areas of steep, close chop that would suck down any 29er bow that got too close. The conditions were a lot of fun, and a few teams provided entertainment with some great pitch poles.
The ebb running just outside the pin made starting at the pin end VERY important as the closer you were the more the "elevator" pushed you upwind.
Max and Alex had great wheels upwind today, taking two bullets and the lead of the regatta by one point. Jen and Adam swapped finishes with Danny Cayard and Max Binstock to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Max and Alex (yellow kite) lead Jen and Adam (green kite) and Max and Danny (red kite) to a leeward mark
When asked after Sunday's racing how they were able to win both races today, Max and Alex responded "We just tried not to slow down".
Adam, after his windiest and wildest 29er experience, couldn't stop commenting on how fast he'd gone, and how much fun it was to fly off waves in the 29er. I think he's hooked!
Visit Chris Ray's website for more photos.
Full Results
