The regatta left Triumph with some new scars as a gybe simultaneously pulled the valve knob off the backstay hydraulic panel and tossed it overboard along with the pump handle.  Best we can figure is that the line from the traveller system looped around the knob while the mainsheet grabbed the handle in some bizarre fluke of random events.

Crew were not exempt either as Ken found himself stepping into the foredeck hatch during a kite takedown and bruised some ribs.  A real trooper, he was back on duty immediately and in for round 2 on Sunday.

We managed very consistent results placing 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 3rd for 12 points and a final position of 2nd Place Overall for Premier Class.

Before the next regatta I may need to adjust the ratio of lead to kryptonite in the keel. . . .

Military grade kryptonite slows other boats in the vicinity. Courtesy of Lex Luther Corp.

Checking the match with template #2.

Longboarding the epoxy

Triumph’s biggest adventure this season will be the MHOR 2011 which starts July 10.  The next few weeks will be very busy as I prepare the boat to meet the ISAF requirements.  We have a great crew lined up.  I’ll do some more posting in the next few weeks leading up to the race.  Right now I’m off to buy a secondary bilge pump. . .

Here’s a taste of Jude’s work:

Shiny New German Mainsheet System.

OK, well its been a busy couple of weeks.  After my last post Rich & I managed to install the new Sailtec Hydraulic pump, replacing the broken T6 unit with a T5, and completed the German Admiral’s Cup mainsheet conversion.  Bob & Judy at Sailtec rushed up a new hydraulic in time for us to take part in the Victoria Day Weekend, Armdale Opener – having missed the previous weekend’s Icebreaker Race due to strong wind coupled with a slack and lifeless backstay.  Although the new hydraulic worked brilliantly, we couldn’t match its performance on the course.  Our first race was abandoned at the leeward mark as we made negative VMG flying the spinnaker from the masthead, sheets and guys loose in the 25 knots of wind.  Sometime later, with the halyard wrap untangled and the demon spinnaker banished to the V-berth, we tucked our tail between our legs and made for home.  The next day halyards & forestays received strict orders to maintain separate quarters and a much more exciting race was had.  In fact, it appeared we had won until someone pointed out that we neglected to pass the Hens&Chickens buoy to port on our drag racing reach to the Arm.  Seems we hadn’t properly assigned navigator duties.  Live & learn.  The following weekend we took our lessons with us to the RNSYS Opening Regatta.  With navigation duties more solidly assigned and halyards and forestays kept asunder we managed a 2nd & 3rd place finish in the 2 races on Saturday, placing us in 1st place overall for Premier Class.  The weather on Saturday had been relatively warm and quite sunny with strong breeze that proved favorable to the boat.  Sunday was a disappointing day of fog and rain with no wind and the racing had been essentially abandoned with boats headed home when a light breeze built up in the Arm and the decision was made to race up to the Dingle and back.  A fifth place finish in that race knocked us out of 1st but through some feat of calculus by the RC left us with a very respectable 2nd place overall in Premier Class.  In the end – it was a great weekend, spent with a great bunch of people in one of the best ways that people can enjoy one another’s company – on a sailboat.

Stand by – more good times to come!

Skipper & Shipwright

Rich - tools, beer & a great attitude

Great weather down on the Arm today found us working until dusk.

End of a great day on the Arm

Erik Koppernaes

Last Friday, Erik was putting the finishing touches on the new jib.  This evening we should get to try the new wardrobe out in our first Wednesday evening race.  Stay tuned.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm, and goes Fishin'

And, another great day of racing on Pine Island Sound.  In the last 2 days we’ve completed 32 standard 5 minute start sequences and 16 windward-leeward races.  Light to moderate breeze yesterday and this morning built up to consistent moderate wind this afternoon making for more lively starts and mark roundings.  Lunch time workshops concentrated on tactics with video review sessions allowing each boat to bask in its moments of glory and revisit those moments less glorious with great commentary from Bill.  Bill, shooting video from the Hunter helicopter, is also occasionally the voice from the great beyond on the upwind leg – “you’re pinching!”

Class of 2010 - Photo courtesy of Colgate Offshore

Wednesday Sunrise

Morning tactics review with Bill.

Emphasis today was on starting tactics and “rules of engagement”.  Once again the air was quite light in the morning but a decent breeze built up in the afternoon for us with fairly steady 8-10 knots of wind.  Continuing on the theme of repetition we completed 28 start sequences over the 2 sessions on the water with 10 boats mixing it up on the  line experimenting with a variety of the tactics discussed in the classroom.  The Port Tack Approach technique proved to be quite popular with at least half the fleet fighting it out at the heavily favoured pin end of line in the afternoon.  Although we did perform a few short windward-leeward races, the emphasis today was on starting.  Tomorrow should involve a greater synthesis of starting and racing.  I’d love to share some pictures of the boats on the water but there really is no time for photography once the boats leave the harbour.  The fun continues.

The Colgate 26 fleet, Captiva Island, FL

Arrived in southwest Florida on Saturday evening to attend the Colgate Offshore Sailing School, Performance Race Week here on Captiva Island off Ft. Myer’s.  We’ve had 2 days on the water now, beginning Monday.   The Colgate 26′s are similar to J24′s but with a longer cockpit and an open transom.   The weather has been pretty good so far with conditions improving greatly from the torrential rain on the weekend.  Mornings have tended to be pretty light air.

The day is split in two by a Trim & Tactics Seminar series with Bill Gladstone of North Sails.  The afternoons on the water have had much more lively breeze.  The first 2 days have been on basic techniques of tacking & gybing, spinnaker sets & douses and mark roundings with an emphasis on repetition.  At the rate we’re going we’ll have completed a seasons worth of maneuvers by the end of the week.  Tomorrow should be the beginnings of starting line techniques.