video: Where's the wind? (Frostbite racing results - 2/5/12)

Frostbite sailing at Edgewood Yacht Club from Stuart Malone on Vimeo.

Despite flat conditions, with almost no wind, the Frozen Few kept their boats moving in whatever breeze they could find. Boats sailed forwards, or backwards, or were pushed around by unfavorable current. Getting to the start line was tricky. Some racers were called for being over when they were still trying to get to the correct side of the line. Race Committee mascot, Baci, cheerfully barked and howled encouragement to sailors from the safety boat.

In the first race, Dave W miraculously slithered out and away from the midst of a major pile up at the first mark, baffling the competition. How did he DO that? Dave W finished first for the day. Jeff L finished second, and Dave S finished third for the day.

This week Stuart, on Race Committee introduced a new "tennis ball race" . Two tennis balls were tossed into the water. Racers could scoop up a ball and toss it at a competitor's sails or hull. If the target was hit, the target boat would have to do a 360.  If the target skipper caught the ball when it was thrown, then the throwing skipper had to do the 360 instead.  Racers were under no obligation to pick up a tennis ball. There were some tosses made in the last race.

In one race, a boat pursuing Catherine had nearly achieved a cover, when both boats realized they were running to the wrong mark.  Catherine escaped, and came in 2nd in the race; but the pursuing boat wasn't so lucky, and its skipper was having a hard time remaining cheerful.  Catherine says that in the matter no tennis balls were thrown; and that chocolate will be used to affect mending the rift..

Stuart picked this week to begin creating video documenting the day's racing.  This week's result was a little strange because the racing took place so slowly: almost as if in a  Zen-like trance. Video sometimes came out seemingly as still photos. (We do not know why.)

Visitors:  Ray W brought his daughter to watch the racing from the dock. Bill G came out to sail, but did not compete in any races for the day.

The Race Committee completed 4 races for the day (T, W, T, W with tennis ball.)