Star Barcardi Cup - Andrew Campbell cruising up the scoreboard slowly

by Andrew Campbell on 12 Mar 2010 Andrew Campbell's repoprt from the Star Bacardi Cup.

14 in Race 4.

A blustery forecast greeted us today in Miami but didn’t materialize. We tightened our settings anticipating a breezier race but still had good speed as the wind fizzled out as the weather moved across northern Florida. Chris and I broke out to the right hand side after starting near the boat end but ultimately had more breeze on the left over the 2.1 mile beat. We rounded in the mid twenties and watched about seven boats pull off the course after brig labeled dsq for a black flag starting penalty.

At one point down the run we were probably 10th but couldn’t consolidate our efforts ultimately crossing the finish in 14th. Slowly but surely we’re cruising up the scoreboard in 18th before the throwout comes into play tomorrow.

Yesterday's report. Third in race three.

We finally got a chance to redeem ourselves from yesterday’s black flag. We started in champagne sailing conditions: 8-12 steady knots, flat water and 75 degrees near the mid-line mark. Chris and I were able to hold in a tough lane for just long enough that we could tack and cross most of the fleet barring about 15 boats.

When we finally blasted into clear air on port I realized that we were pointed almost at the mark still a mile distant. A drag race ensued and we were able to put ourselves in third around the mark. Our downwind speed was less than the best but we were able to claw back upwind with great pace and height.

After picking the right gate at the second leeward mark we were able to close a four length lead to Andy Horton and James Lyne, leebowing them for the final port tack to the finish to take third in the race. I’m excited and I know Chris is excited as well to be on the podium considering this is his 35th consecutive Bacardi Cup! It is certainly a great reward for a 2 hour 15 minute race.

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