Saturday before the Luau, we raced a 2-handed race around the Dam Course. The Race Committee cheated a little and we started the Pursuit start in 2 mph of wind. The wind was out of the East at that time and had been predicted to be out of the West. We set a starting line so no one had to start in someone else's bad air. After about 30 minutes, the lead boats were approaching Stone Island, as the RC was discussing how to end the misery. And just like that! The wind came in from the West at 6, gusting to over 12.
This got the first boats to Goose Island near the dam after about 45 minutes of reaching. As always happens at the island, the winds got crazy and the lead boat, Itch, got in a hole where it was passed by the eventual spinnaker leader Craig Dooley. Kenny Cooper and Gene Loveless took their C22 to victory in the non-spinnaker fleet, beating out the class favorite Sam Beckman who brought in rock star C22 owner, Craig Klick. The race ended up getting finished between 3:00 and 4:00, just in time to get everyone to the Luau party!
Bob Keim
PRO