[Rhodes22-list] Race results -

[Wally Buck]

A while back I mentioned I joined the Yacht Club at my Marina. They  race 
the first Saturday of every month. Last month the race was called off due to 
lack of wind. Yesterday I had my first race since I was a teenager sailing 
my Laser. There were only 10 boats and I came in sixth before they adjusted 
times. After they figured out all the results I wound up in second place 
overall, first in the cruiser class (non-spinnaker).  They gave me a 295 
PHRF.  I had suggested a 310 but there were several complaints from some of 
the other 22 - 25 foot boats that I pass on a regular basis. J

The winds were rather light at the start, around 5 - 10 knots but picked up 
as the race went on.  I had a terrible start because I realized at the 
5-minute call I didn't have my tiller extender handy (it is removable). 
After ducking in the cabin I found it; but it took me a minute or so and I 
was way out of position. I was the last boat off the line and 30 yards plus 
behind the nearest boat. On the first upwind run I passed a Hunter 23 (or 
22?), Compaq 23, O'Day 222, O'Day 27, and a Bennetau (sp?) 32!  The Bennetau 
later passed me on the down wind run. The racer class had a J80, J24, San 
Juan 34 (I think) and a San Juan 27.  I was the only boat sailed solo. The 
J80 always wins and it won this race as well. They have a three-man crew and 
race all over the East coast.

They had a Belmont Stakes party (open bar) afterwards at the clubhouse and 
the Rhodes 22 (and skipper) got quite a few compliments. I really did well 
going up wind and I got really lucky on a wind shift that caught all the 
leaders on the wrong side of the river.  I use a rope as a tiller tamer and 
was even able to keep on track when I had to jump forward and reroute my jib 
sheets inside and outside of the shrouds. Not bad for an IMF Main and a 125 
Genny.

Wally

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