Winds were forecast for 23 knots plus gusts for much of the day, so the race organisers kept us waiting from 10:30 (the normal time for leaving the harbour) until after 15:00. By that time, the winds were still 20 knots, but there was a possibility that they would die down - gradually. So we had just a single race. 33 boats braved the elements.
In view of the high winds, we reverted to the older Dacron Salis. On heading out from the harbour, we had a long planing reach to get to the start line. Chris remarked that the amount of planing in half an hour was equivalent to a year at the Welsh Harp where we normally sail.
The conditions did get quieter after the line start, but we still had a few hairy moments going down wind and nearly gybing without warning.
We were quite near the back most of the time. However, we did manage to overtake one boat in the last few moments of the last leg - we came planing in on a Reach to the final mark, whilst other boats were just Running. As a result, we overtook another boat and ended up with 31 points.
We are currently lying overall 37 out of 44.
Tomorrow is a rest day; that will give us time to fix the centre board which keeps popping up.
Thursday will be 3 full races!
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