Frozen Few

After strong gusty winds the previous week, the milder wind this week seemed like a welcome relief...until we got out on the water and realized that there was almost no way to determine which direction the wind was coming from. The race committee set up the course for a southwest wind, but then ended up running the course backwards for the first race because the wind seemed to be coming from the north. Except then it changed (or did it?), and the second race was run as if the wind was from the southwest again.

A busy day for the race committee as skippers worked hard to keep their Sunfish upright. Wind conditions were just within the SI guidelines for gusts, but it didn't take long for it to start breaking equipment and capsizing boats.

Wind: NW 7-24 knots
Air temp: 41°F
Wind chill: 30°F

Wind: NE-E 3-12
Air temp: 50°F
Wind chill: 46°F
Water temp: 50°F

...and a perfect score to go with it! Steady winds from the south created predictable conditions and consistent results, which was a big change compared with last week. Jeff and Dave L. rejoined the fleet for the second day of racing, and Dennis helped out in the race committee boat with marks, photos and scoring.

Wind: S 5-12 knots
Air temp: 66°F
Wind chill: 66°F
Water temp: 54°F

The first day of frostbite racing for the 2012-2013 season started a little late on Sunday while folks got their boats and rigs down to the dock. Ray P. brought his new (well, new to him) Sunfish to join the fleet, and Beth rejoined us after several years of absence due to grad school.

A river of light air ran down the course for the entirety of Sunday's racing, leaving skippers searching for the best wind and the favored tack. Boats on a solid layline one minute would be in irons the text.

Wind N-NW 4-10 knots
Air temp: 55° F
Wind chill: 55° F
Water temp: 57° F