Race For The Cured Ham

How hard could it be to start when you've been given an exact 

start time?  In the middle of the photo, we're balls to the wall,

with less than a minute and a half to the start, wishing we would

have tacked and started the approach twenty seconds earlier.

In the end, that could have made the difference between fourth

and third.  Shoulda Coulda Woulda.

The starting sequence, as per PHRF.  This way, whoever

crosses the line first wins the effin race.

Pedal to the Metal.  We were fast as shit

from start to finish.  It all boils down to sail

trim and boat speed.  I'm convinced that it's

better to foot than to point. 

Pearson sailboats dominated the racecourse.

Boats of all shapes and sizes participated in this pursuit race.

Dead center again, we were on track to working our way

through the fleet with a combination of sail trim, traveler

play, crew weight distribution, 

and full attention paid to lifts and headers. 

This guy is, week in and week out, the boat to beat.  

This is indicative of the wide range of competitors' boats.

Gosh darn Snake Stick, who was given the dubious distinction

of starting first, held out for the majority of the race and finished 

third.  A few seconds before us. 

Dead downwind  (my favorite.....not) finish.

We crept up on Snake Stick and went ahead

yards before the finish, but they eked it out at 

the short end of the line.  

Val sailing Providence II, the boat to beat.  Had there been 

300 more yards to the finish, he may have beaten us.

Antny.

Paul used to sail a Pearson 303.

Captain Bill, Tall Oaks Yacht Club Commodore.  A visionary,

a driving force behind the TOYC machine, a race official

extraordinaire, a 50/50 raffle-meister nonpareil.