F18 Training Clinic

Yesterday, we had a training clinic for F18s put on by AustinCats.net and 2WireSailing, our local AHPC dealer. The forecast was for freezing temperatures, light wind, and clouds, but we were delighted as it was warmer than predicted (but still cold), with good wind (8-14, gusting as high as 18), and bright, warming sun for the whole day! The basic format was starting practice, tacks and gybes, then a few mock races. Until Stefanie, my new full-time crew, moves here from San Francisco, I've been sailing with Jim, a seasoned catamaran sailor. He and I teamed up for this training, and we both definitely learned a lot in the process. Here is some video of  Team FSM racing from the event:


Starts

• Good, pin-favored port tack
• Solo port tack
• Only boat not over early
• Over early
• Good start, right in the mix
• Another good start
• Excellent start, with Jim driving

Tacking

• Light air, not our best

Gybing

• In dying wind

Racing

• Not the prettiest windward mark rounding (very end of clip)
• Leward mark rounding at front of fleet
• Last minute tack and windward mark rounding
• Nasty mast bend on another boat, leeward mark rounding
• Tacking in the middle of the fleet with Jim driving
• Windward mark rounding (end of clip)
• Leeward mark rounding (end of clip)
• Close leeward mark rounding with Jim driving (2/3 through clip)
• Beating upwind,  header gives us a huge lead!
• Upwind (in the lead), mark rounding
• Downwind (in the lead), mark rounding, but troubles dropping the kite!
• Last windward mark rounding of the day
• Last leeward mark rounding of the day, overstood with an early douse (end of clip)

Overall, it was an amazing day! We followed the sailing with a review of all the video led by local catamaran sailing guru, John Tomko. I learned quite a bit in the Q&A, and look forward to putting it to good use when Stefanie moves here. After the talk, Philippe, AustinCats.net member and local francophone, made us an amazing meal which capped everything off quite nicely!