Chichester report

Standard: 1. Kurt Wessels, clockwise 2. Simon Bell, counter-clockwise 3. Mike Bishop, counter-clockwise

Radial: 1. Ashley Vincent, counter-clockwise

There's a write-up with pictures at Norcalsailing.com. It is currently the cover story:

http://www.norcalsailing.com/

And for when it is off the cover here is a direct link:

http://www.norcalsailing.com/entries/2013/06/23/chichester.html...#.UcfA1fZ4Ykg

There are some things I can add to the norcalsailing story:

The iWindSurf instrument at Robert Crown State Beach had steady 10 knots gusting to 15 from noon till 4pm. The instrument says there was a shift from west to north-west around 2pm. It was light in the estuary at the start of the race, but not a drifter. It got puffy and shifty in the estuary at the end of the race, but was never strong. This was definitely a "blue square" event in terms of sailing conditions difficulty. Getting under the bridges might be considered an advanced skill, and "black diamond."

There ended up being 12 entrants that started. There were 11 finishers. 11 started counter-clockwise and 1 started clockwise. Two racers that did well were scored as DNS by the RC because they did not check in via VHF as SI 10.2 required. OK, so that was Jim Christopher who won the wrong way. Jim says he's sailed the Chichester 7 times. He won it the right way the first time he sailed it, then he won the wrong way 3 other times. The other SI 10.2 DNS was Jacob Hiew who was the 4th finisher the wrong way. Jacob is on the Cal sailing team. He graduates soon so hopefully he will remain in the Bay area, buy a Laser, and join the fleet :-)

It took me about 3 hours 30 mins. I started 2+ mins late, and Kurt was also late for the start, easily 30 seconds behind me probably more. Kurt said he had the current with him going under the first 3 bridges, but faced opposing current at Bay Farm Island bridge. Kurt went way left on his beat on the outside, to get into ebb. Some Laser sailors missed seeing him on the outside. I wasn't sure he had the tide in his favor at the bridges and was keeping an eye out to see if he'd got through and saw him out there. He also said that going east on the Estuary at the end of his circumnavigation, the wind was occasionally strong enough that sometimes he planed. There were also little 8" waves which he was able to work. Towards the very end of his circumnavigation someone from a different boat handed him a beer.

We launched from Jack London Aquatic Center. Laser sailor Dan Ouellet, who also teaches small boat lessons to disadvantaged kids for Oakland Parks & Rec, welcomed us to the facility. He hooked up a hose for us to use afterwards. He is considering teaching a class to 6 adult sailors who have extensive crewing experience and are interested in small boat skills. That would be next summer, but let your rail-meat friends know. Thanks Dan !

Stephen Orosz stood by and helped while someone was capsized while sailing downwind. Their mainsheet came off, and they had trouble righting their boat. Stephen stood by until a chase boat arrived and didn't seek redress.

There was one complaint about SI 2.4, the change to propulsion rule. SI 10.3 was not complete enough and should have said boats need to be inside the starting box. There was some disagreement with having to monitor a VHF while sailing, but EYC is pretty firm on VHF requirements.

EYC seems interested in running the Chichester again next year. There is no particular need to run this event during Sailstice. So perhaps Lasers will take over the EYC lawn next year. Back in the day, Bytes and Laser IIs participated in the Chichester. So maybe Bytes and Finns could be included.

West Coast Sailing Grand Prix