Our twilight race result was rescued by one good move at the approach to Humbug. By sailing wide to leeward of the fleet we escaped the wind shadow of Greenwich and sailed away for a third fastest and second on handicap.
The forecast was for light winds and after the black fleet not finishing last week they were sent out on the same course around Goat Island as the white, green and blue fleets.
At the start we were out maneuvered by French Connection who made sure we did not have room to tack or gybe in front of them to return to the start line so we were 20 seconds late at the start. While we were late we were in the right position and powered up so by Humbug we were up near the front of the pack. Worlds Apart hug the north shore while we looked for breeze mid channel. Agrovation mid channel in front of us did best, was never headed and went on for a well deserved first and fastest. On the work to Goat Island we observed Agrovation on the right side of a couple of good lifts which complemented her good boat speed. Worlds Apart powered through our lee on the approach to Long Nose and French Connection did better mid channel than we did in Snails Bay so by Goat Island we had a bit of catching to do. Wide around Goat Island worked this week and we poled out for the long run home.
Jackpot and Soundtrack from the black fleet overtook us but had trouble getting away on the run home. French Connection and Gwhizz were closer to the bridge while we went just a couple of boat widths wide of Long Nose on the way home. The run was very square and at times over square which gave us clear air with which we were able to keep just ahead of French Connection and Gwhizz.
At Greenwich Point the four fleets merged into one large one and as they each tried to protect their breeze they went higher and closer to the wind shadow. Gwhizz had a good squirt of breeze and charged purposefully into the wind shadow. We slipped away to leeward of the whole pack and had Worlds Apart in our sights.
It was deadly light in Humbug, so light that the fleet was becalmed for long enough for us to get a ten minute break.
Last night was our chance to turn the tables on Izzi and Saoirse who were left out on the course in light air. We have been there before so we know they will come back.
Zig zagging in light air on the way to Goat Island