Nationals- Day Two

Ok, lets see how much I can remember...

Woke up this morning very sore, I haven't been this sore since the first 20 minutes of Kiel. Forecast was calling for 5 to 10, I praise the gods and head off to the YC. It's a bit cooler than yesterday, and first warning is at 1150. For the first race the wind was coming out of 220 and it was probably only 8 to 10, it was awesome. My start was meh but I did my best to keep up. I felt pretty good. Race two I think the wind was coming out of 230, maybe 10 to 12, even better. This was not a fun race, at the start I was going for my spot on the line and I bumped a guys stern with my bow, not smart but not a big deal, and most people would let it go, as would I. But this guy called protest, I didn't want to deal with crap so I did my circle. I think he was a Canadian, either way a total wanker! So off the start I was a bit behind, but I put my A Game on and went to work and was doing pretty well. I then came to a starboard tack boat that I noticed at a bit too late, so I went for a quick tack. Now remember that I'm wearing my old lifejacket with the buckles on the straps, (my Zhik is probably in Africa now, I'll never see it again) and as I went into the tack and out the other side my buckles got caught on my mainsheet and right over I went. It was horrific, it played in slow motion, like I was watching it overhead. I think I lost 10 boats, and I hadn't even reached the first mark yet! From there on out it was just catch up. Race three was gnarly, and again I learned that all weather forecasters are habitual liars, and should never be trusted. It cranked up to 20, maybe 22, and was a hate mission! It was time to man up and make the best of it, so I bladed the sail out, ease the main a bit, and got on with it, this race was all about staying upright, which I did so I'm pretty happy about that.


Also,my boat didn't feel so loaded up today, and it felt like it actually wanted to go somewhere. I have noticed that I get alot of centerboard wobble compared to the Euro boats, I'll have to have Tony fatten it up to class max, and I seem to have much more weather helm than in Europe, so I might have him check the balance of my boards and make sure they are aligned. I really don't feel like buying a new boat, and I doubt my Dad does either.

Time for bed, gotta rest up, lots of work to be done tomorrow.