St. Petersburg One Design Regatta 2013 - Fluid in first run
by Canadian Sonar Team on 20 Feb 2013
St. Petersburg National Offshore One Design Regatta Sail Canada / Voile Canada
http://www.sailing.ca/
The St. Petersburg National Offshore One Design Regatta 2013 witnessed a fluid run from new Canadian Sonar Team, who finished second overall in their first open regatta.
New Canadian Sonar Team Tingley, Campbell and Lutes is already bringing in podium results with very few regattas under their belt. The trio recently finished second at the St. Petersburg National Offshore One Design Regatta.
'What a regatta! The St. Petersburg National Offshore One Design (NOOD) regatta started last Friday. It was our first open regatta as a team, and our first time flying a spinnaker.
Open regattas are different from disabled regattas, because instead of a whisker pole setup, spinnaker is released for the downwind legs. Sonar Team Canada also welcomed their fourth crew in Bryant Wood, a promising Laser sailor from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, to fly the spinnaker.
Sonar Team Canada
The first day was light and shifty and after four races we were sitting in second. The second day was windy, with the breeze increasing from 10 knots to a breezy 30 knots. After one race, the race committee sent us in for the day. We sailed well and moved into first with one point separating us from second.
We entered the last day primed to race and hold our position. The northerly flow behind the cold front made for a crisp morning. With the temperature at 9C most of the Southern sailors were shocked, while we felt rather at home. The wind was blowing 13 to 20 knots, with big shifts and gusts. We had a long day ahead to make up for unsailed races the previous day.
During the first race of the day, we broke our spinnaker pole on the last downwind leg but managed to place second. After some make shift repairs the pole was workable and we could use the spinnaker, albeit with some difficulty. By the last race, we were still in first place, but by only a single point. After the start, we were forced left and got caught by a big right shift. We finished the regatta a point behind the leader and in second place overall. Disappointed, but left hungry for more.
A big thanks to the race committee and all the volunteers. A special thanks to Bryant Wood for joining us!'
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