Tonight we chose the big black genoa despite the wind gusting pre race to over 18 knots. We reasoned that the breeze would die as it does most evenings and I was encouraged by Frank’s support to go for the big one.
We won the reaching start and poled out for the long run to Spectacle Island. A big header made the poled out geonoa less effective than the genoa set to leeward but we hung on to shave Clarke Point by a barnacle and a half. Bearing away we had the fleet behind and a full dose of dirty air from six keen followers. Izzi managed to blanket us and nudge in front around the island but we hung on to their stern all the way to Snapper Island and rounded up harder to have a windward position on them. Izzi tried hard to pinch up under us but the large genoa gives us power and height to hand on in a pinching contest so eventually we prevailed. On the beat to Goat Island we picked the shifts pretty well and also put a loose cover on Izzi.
A good windward work gave us a lead around Goat Island
Around Goat Island we went closer to the leeward shore than usual to discourage them from going above us as they did last week. The strategy paid off as we were able to keep clear air and stay ahead.
The reach back to Humbug was in fresh air and Saoirse was powering along looking for a passing lane above while Izzi was charging along to leeward looking for a passing lane there. Again we were forced to go closer to Greenwich than we usually dare but it paid off with us maintaining the windward position into Humbug.
Saoirse leading Passion last week.
The course the line was a tight beat so we covered both Izzi and Saoirse and held on for a fastest time by the slimmest of margins.
The rest of the fleet did well to catch the three leaders on the way home so for our efforts we scored a second last on handicap.