Taking it to another level
It’s interesting how things change year to year in this class. The standard is constantly moving, and the boats and ideas are getting better and better…
Today we finally had access to a reasonable launch area, and about 15 or so boats took to the water over the course of the day. The breeze peaked at close to 30, but was fairly consistent 20 plus till late in the afternoon. If you can call 30+ degree wind shifts consistent.
This is going to be one challenging event.
I sailed early against Arnaud, Mikis, Bora, George, Nathan & Rohan. A few quick trips up and down showed up some pretty stark results, with Bora clearing out downwind to a 400m+ lead. Afterwards Nathan reckoned Bora was 3 knots faster in a straight line downwind, but Bora was putting it down to good pressure.
It won’t take long to work out which is which.
When the other boats hit the beach, Arnaud, Nathan and I took to gybing and tacking practice in some big waves and big pressure. Nathan pitchpoled a few times downhill, as did Arnaud. Upwind my tacks were woeful, but improved a bit towards the end – enough to pull off a foiling tack – but completely by mistake. Nice. More work to be done there over the next few days.
The adjustable on-the-fly ride height looks like it’s the go, given Dave dominates in Australia using is, and now Bora and Amac have fitted similar systems to their boats with early promising results. Finding a machine shop or a left-hand tap and die to do the same in the next week – before testing and then racing with it – is probably a bit much to ask…. but not impossible.
There’s been a fair reshuffling of the form guide already. The pressure and expectations might be starting to mount…
The second session of the day was not so good for me. We waited for the breeze to moderate a touch before heading out, but my tiller adjustment wormscrew parted ways early on. I foiled back home hiking over the front wing bar to keep the boat in the water, then packed up to effect a quick repair.
More to come tomorrow, with hopefully a bit less wind.
August 4th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Are you guys sailing small rudders?
August 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Having things adjustable is one thing, knowing what to do with it is another … If you a have adjustment and don’t know what to do with it, it can make you slower.
@Karl you should read Rohan’s blog to find out about his rudder developments
August 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
yep bang on bruce. that is why i recommend having a cleat on the mainsheet for people that cannot sail. means they have it in the right spot at least some of the time.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
@ Bruce thanks but Rohan’s blog doesn’t mention anyone other than himself having a new rudder, by my read anyway.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:32 am
ciao scott
please put some pics on the blog of the adjusting system, just for those who are not there at the worlds
ciao, grazie
August 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Please keep the daily bogs coming. For those of us stuck in work they are critical daily reading. Good luck!
August 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
How many Rums last night?? Remember this is training for Vegas.