RCYC Middle Distance Race

Ablissian has successfully completed her first race!  We finished fourth in our class (cruising class).  What a great day - Blain, Robin and I were crew with Peter at the helm.  The start was smooth - we did not have to fight for position much and were able to get off the line cleanly.

We found that reaching with our 150% genoa we were able to stay up with many of the boats flying spinnakers.  We had light wind but were able to make way up river against the current.
As we neared the 205 bridge, we caught the top of the fleet and all spread out across the river looking for wind lanes and current relief.  Soon after, boats flying spinnakers were able to pull away and we stayed even with our NFS competition.

As we neared the mark, we all struggled to make headway against the current.  We went wing and wing, struggled with river position and found ourselves even losing ground at one point against the current.  A tactical gamble did not pay off, and our competition rounded the mark ahead of us.  While we fought to round the mark in a dying breeze, they gained ground with the current in their favor.  It was a light air drift to the finish and we were not able to catch them.

Despite frequent rain squalls, we were able to stay warm in foul weather gear, and fueled by steady chips and beverages, we finished strong.  We are all hungry for more racing; Ablissian has proved she can hold her own!