Yeah!! Sailing is over for the Frostbite season and my Christmas card are done! We had a three week delay caused by Ed being dizzy, no wind and then way too much wind. The season drew to an end under bright skies and a nice breeze. The wind was blowing out of the North west. It felt a lot warmer on land than it did once we got on the water. I was happy I wore all of my foul weather gear and brought my warm hat with the ear things. I switched hats after my beloved Mount Gay Rum hat almost ended up where my Master Blue Jay Class Hat and One design Regatta hat went.
After a brief delay due to a problem with the horn system we started racing. Only three Blue Jays were out, but today would determine who finished first. At the start we were neck and neck with Chris and his crew Chris. We rounded the top mark first and struggled to stay ahead. We took the first race and tried to learn where the best places on the course would be for the next races.
At the second race Ed and I caught a lucky lift on the first mark but were second around the marks trailing Chris and Chris. We were faster downwind but we couldn't break through his stern wake. We took second in that race.
In that we were all tied up, the third race was crucial. We were looking for a good lift to the first mark but it never got to us. We were second around the mark. Downwind Chris and us were jockeying for boat speed, an inside overlap and better breezes. Dick had all of us by staying more in the center of the course. At times, Ed and I were becalmed while the boats around us had wind. There was wind everywhere except in our sails. We rounded the mark to leeward and inside Chris. They were taking us up and we were keeping clear. We were in our own little race while Dick was sailing clean and straight to the mark. He beat us all to the mark but was overpowered by the other two Blue Jays who had crews. It was our closest race yet and came down to the last tack. We had a great tack and finished the day, and the season first.
It's a great way to end the season and always great to be that close to have the last day determine the winners. Hey Chris, we may have some more completion for you next season. Your faithful crew might just go and race against you, unless you had him sign a non-completion agreement!
We're trying to keep the Blue Jay class going. Ed and I will be out there, Chris and his child with Chris and his child too. Dick will come out also but we would like to have more people come out. I know of a couple of Blue Jays that can be leased or bought. You may also consider sharing the season with another driver and crew. I know it's hard to commit to every Sunday from October until December. We are a friendly group, a good place to start racing and a good place to still race but be easier on your elbows and knees. Because we can sink, we're the last to go out on a windy day and the first to come in if the wind gets heavier. I know faster boats are out there and newer boats can be more fun, but sailing a classic has a lot going for it. You can purchase a Blue Jay for around two thousand dollars and have a fun racer that will serve you for years to come. You will have a fleet to race against all year long and a Blue Jay can be raced with or without a crew. Don't mention this to Ed, I want my spot in the spring!
You may be wondering what's next for our website. We have lots of things in mind. First of all, if you have a great story, send it in and we'll post it. Some of our best and most read articles were sent in by our readers. We also might do some writing on the new rules. For beginners, how about a synopsis on the rules you need to know to start racing. The Etchells will be going south for the winter and we would love to hear from them. PS, frostbiting starts the first Sunday in March, it doesn't seem that far away when you realize that it's in about 13 weeks.
