Snipe Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship at Boston - Day 3
by International Snipe Class 23 Sep 2021 19:08 PDT
21-25 September 2021
Today's races were built around the forecast which ran the gamut from 5 knots to 20, and which proved to be true.
The fleet headed out in beautiful wind of 8-11 that quickly had rain squalls roll through, leaving an unstable breeze and a challenge for Matt Hill and his Race Committee to set a proper course. After a recall start, followed by AP for 2 hours plus with little to no wind, the wind finally settled into a South Easterly with 8-11 knots and mostly sunny skies.
Race 5 found Brazilians Rodrigo Stephan de Almeida and Gustavo Baiano lead from the start and gave credit to a Brazilian sailors quote, "when the wind is the strongest you should work really hard and hike a lot" which we did in his honor. Gustavo continued that "we were really fast downwind!" Finishing in second behind them was Ernesto Rodriguez and Kathleen Tocke (USA) and third was Arthur Blodgett and Gracie Howie (USA). Regatta leader Diaz/Brotons (USA) sailed their throw-out race, which kicked in after race 6.
The RC started race 6 immediately following the last finisher returning to the start area. Race 6 was signaled with an Olympic course with puffs to 20 at the weather mark. George Szabo and Dianna Waterbury were caught OCS and the rest of the fleet was off, with Rodriguez/Tocke taking an early lead which they extended to a horizon job. Sailors had from 10 to 20 knots and changed gears as they hit the puffs and lulls. Second across the finish was Matias and Constanza Seguel (CHI) followed by Alfonso Garcia Bringas and Andre Guaragna (MEX).
With the drop race now factoring in, Diaz/Brotons (USA) remain in the lead with 16 points followed by Blodgett/Howie (USA) with 22 and Rodriguez/Tocke (USA) who moved up after a stellar day (2-1) which moved them into 3rd with 23 points, throwing out a 22nd in race 3.
Racing continues through Saturday with 9 races scheduled. Tomorrows forecasts looks ominous with winds exceeding the Snipe wind limit (25+) and heavy rain.
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