Day 2. After 2 hours under postponement and a trip across the lake on the Redline water taxi. The decision was made to head out. The race committee saw a hole in the weather and we might just sneak 2 races in. The weather looked like it was cooperating and the sun was shining with a 13 knot breeze that was freshening. Teams were anxious and the first start resulted in a general recall. Teams regrouped and once again everyone went left looking for better breeze and wave relief. Rollers had formed during the morning and driving into 4-5 swells proved to be a challenge. Once again Tac Boston and his team showed the way with Jim Pearson closely following in second. Kieth Ziegler and the kids from bayview on Kieth's new boat were close behind. Junta, rumbulion, redline, Scram Pocket Rocket all rounded in a pack. The kite run was great with boats hitting double digit speeds. Tac finished first Slippery second. Kieth third and Free ride forth. The second race of the day started the same as the first. Nitro and Dragon Bait were over early and had to head back but we all headed off on a 15 knot breeze. After another pounding upwind we enjoyed a ripping downwind run. Tac still lead the fleet with Slippery second. I was not able to look arouind but I think Rumbulion and Kieth Ziegler were next around followed by Scram, Junta, and Redline. Ominous cloulds appeared on the horizon as we were pounding toward the windward mark. It was a race to see if we could round the weather mark before the weather hit. Twelve boats finished a shortened course as a huge sky consuming rolling black cloud approached. Some smart skippers bailed for the race thinking they could not outrun the storm. At this point we should have created a speed challenge because the best speeds of the day were recored on the run back to the breakwater. With some reproted speeds of 14 knots under main alone with all crew huddled at the stern. The fleet was hit with the full brunt of the storm. Instantly the boats who were left outside the breakwater were instantly on their side. Looking around all 14 boats were blown over• Redline had a crew washed off the boat and stranded in the water. A mayday was called for the MOB. The Bayview boys on #173 lost their rig and the Coast Guard had them drop the rig over the side because it was wrapped around the keel. A total of 3 mayadays were called. The fleet sailed in with jibs and partial mains doing 5 knots.
A great banquet followed with lots of Rum and beer to dry everyone out.
A high pressure low is predicted for tomorrow with more wind.
