The 52nd Annual NASS Race to Oxford
My favorite race of the year has been the fall race to Oxford. I haven't had the opportunity to do it the past couple of years, but this year I made it. My son hadn't been sailing all season and wanted to get out on the water at least once this year. My able bodied crew, J, agreed to come along. Just three of us makes for a pretty light crew but the Friday afternoon forecasts said we could expect 5 to 10 and partially sunny - perfect conditions.
Saturday morning brought 15 - 20 with rain showers.
We left the dock at 7 am for the ride to Annapolis. The wind was blowing from the N right on our nose making progress slow. We were approaching the check in as the first gun went off. Our start was in 20 minutes. J was asleep as she didn't get in until 2 am. We quickly moved into action - waking up the crew, getting the main sail up and preparing to raise the jib. We figured we better use the #2 with the winds as they were. Oops! The #2 was still in the garage. What we thought was the #2 was the #3 and much too small to go downwind.
I'm not really sure how we did it. I took the helm completely disoriented as to which way was the start. My son changed the sails while we managed to get back over the line as we were early. It didn't help that I thought we were going the other way.
But we were racing. We surfed down the bay with our top speed being 8.2. The winds peaked at 30. Our goal was to be safe and stay out of everyones way.
As we approached the Choptank and rounded 80A we were on a reach. It was still blowing 18 - 20. We knew that we had too much sail up for the wind conditions and when we reached Choptank #7 we would be coming up into the wind. After rounding #7, down came the #1 and up went the #3. The process was impressive. You have to realize that J and I are soon to be 60 so we are not the strongest and most agile of crew, but we are the most committed and we got the job done.
Of course by then we were in the back of the pack.
As we approached the finsih the wind died and so did we. Down came the #3 and up went the #1. We crossed the finish line with the sun shining, the sails beautifully trimmed, moving at an admirable pace. It didn't matter where we finished but that we did finish.
As we rode home we saw the most glorious full rainbow with all the colors. It was the most beautiful rainbow I think I've ever seen.
Then as the sun was setting in the west it went behind a cloud. It looked as if the heavens had opened up behind that cloud and the rays fell upon the water as a sailboat sailed beneath. It was a majestic picture.
What a great day- a memorable race, not because of a top finish, but because of the team, a beautiful rainbow and a once in a lifetime vision.
Thank you Tim. Thank you Joy.
Saturday morning brought 15 - 20 with rain showers.
We left the dock at 7 am for the ride to Annapolis. The wind was blowing from the N right on our nose making progress slow. We were approaching the check in as the first gun went off. Our start was in 20 minutes. J was asleep as she didn't get in until 2 am. We quickly moved into action - waking up the crew, getting the main sail up and preparing to raise the jib. We figured we better use the #2 with the winds as they were. Oops! The #2 was still in the garage. What we thought was the #2 was the #3 and much too small to go downwind.
I'm not really sure how we did it. I took the helm completely disoriented as to which way was the start. My son changed the sails while we managed to get back over the line as we were early. It didn't help that I thought we were going the other way.
But we were racing. We surfed down the bay with our top speed being 8.2. The winds peaked at 30. Our goal was to be safe and stay out of everyones way.
As we approached the Choptank and rounded 80A we were on a reach. It was still blowing 18 - 20. We knew that we had too much sail up for the wind conditions and when we reached Choptank #7 we would be coming up into the wind. After rounding #7, down came the #1 and up went the #3. The process was impressive. You have to realize that J and I are soon to be 60 so we are not the strongest and most agile of crew, but we are the most committed and we got the job done.
Of course by then we were in the back of the pack.
As we approached the finsih the wind died and so did we. Down came the #3 and up went the #1. We crossed the finish line with the sun shining, the sails beautifully trimmed, moving at an admirable pace. It didn't matter where we finished but that we did finish.
As we rode home we saw the most glorious full rainbow with all the colors. It was the most beautiful rainbow I think I've ever seen.
Then as the sun was setting in the west it went behind a cloud. It looked as if the heavens had opened up behind that cloud and the rays fell upon the water as a sailboat sailed beneath. It was a majestic picture.
What a great day- a memorable race, not because of a top finish, but because of the team, a beautiful rainbow and a once in a lifetime vision.
Thank you Tim. Thank you Joy.
posted by Lady-and-The-Sea at 4:55 PM
3 Comments:
Marvellous account of a race. You capture it perfectly.
Thanks Tillerman. It was a good day.
I took some great shots of the Sunday light air start from a property opposite the TAYC. Also posted your link (thanks to Tillerman!)
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