That wasn't all bad, because it allowed the owners and crews time to greet each other on the water. It also allowed plenty of time for swimming.
The race committee, led by Jed Kelly, smartly selected a 6-mile course to the North Shore of Long Island and back that would hopefully allow the entire fleet to finish before the dreaded TLE kicked in.
Even light air races can be exciting. It was a port favored start. A collision between two well-driven boats during the 5-minute countdown cost GOLDEN-EYE her mizzen and she withdrew from the race. As the final seconds evaporated, two boats essentially lost their momentum mid-line. While it created an opportunity for them both to be pushed over early by a number of us, that would have required de-powering, which would have been an expensive move in light air. The only smart choice was to go around the obstruction while keeping speed.
As Golden-Eye was coming in on port, we chose the conservative starboard approach with a plan to tack onto port as the gun went off. Alas, SALTY and GOLDEN-EYE collided just before NOR'EASTER got to the line only to meet the 2-boat obstruction. We navigated well through it, but it cost us time and the win of the start. ANGELITA, driven by Sam Croll with John Rousmanier on board started wisely at the committee boat with clear air. As the gun went off, she elegantly tacked over and extended beautifully to take the lead.
NOR'EASTER and Van Brown's NEITH pursued, while the NY 30 BANZAI tried to make the most of her sizable main. The boats rounded G23 and headed back towards the finish. As the Committee boat came into view, NOR'EASTER began to close the gap on ANGELITA, but to no avail. ANGELITA earned the first place trophy, with NOR'EASTER and NEITH taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Jeff Cohen was on board the lovely Friendship Sloop NATANYA, owned by Joe Hliva, and took a number of great photos. Here are a few:
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| The John Alden schooner ADVENTURER |
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| MARY LORING (blue) above the MARA E. |
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| The NY 30 BANZAI - the only NY 30 originally painted black |
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| The S-boat DANAE |
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| ANGELITA - the Winner! |
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| NOR'EASTER pre-race. Note us swimmers at the transom |
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| Ready |
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| Get |
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| Set |
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| Go! |
