Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:00 pmAs Jon mentioned, the course was short and the first mark was often tucked in a corner.
However, the worst pile up was simply my fault. I approached the first mark on port with one boat on my left hip and two behind and to my right. The four of us were approaching at a high speed and then got lifted up towards the mark. I ended up entering the four boat circle on port. This is my RED zone. Danger. With the boat on my left hip, I realized I'd have to sail past the mark and wait for that inside boat to tack. I focused real hard on the relative distance and speed of that near boat. I focused on keeping my own boat speed up. As we were just about abreast of the mark I hear STARBOARD.....YIKES! A starboard tack boat I had not even seen. I tried in vain to rapidly tack onto Starboard. Fortunately there was no severe boat contact, but my rig got tangled with someone and then others got caught up in the mess. I retired from the race and others got redress. My lessen learned is to keep looking out in front of your boat. Especially when entering a RED zone where your rights and bail out options are few.
I failed to see a starboard tack boat. My eyes and thoughts were glued to my boat. I failed to look out in front of my own boat and get the big picture.
Richard Hedderick
However, the worst pile up was simply my fault. I approached the first mark on port with one boat on my left hip and two behind and to my right. The four of us were approaching at a high speed and then got lifted up towards the mark. I ended up entering the four boat circle on port. This is my RED zone. Danger. With the boat on my left hip, I realized I'd have to sail past the mark and wait for that inside boat to tack. I focused real hard on the relative distance and speed of that near boat. I focused on keeping my own boat speed up. As we were just about abreast of the mark I hear STARBOARD.....YIKES! A starboard tack boat I had not even seen. I tried in vain to rapidly tack onto Starboard. Fortunately there was no severe boat contact, but my rig got tangled with someone and then others got caught up in the mess. I retired from the race and others got redress. My lessen learned is to keep looking out in front of your boat. Especially when entering a RED zone where your rights and bail out options are few.
I failed to see a starboard tack boat. My eyes and thoughts were glued to my boat. I failed to look out in front of my own boat and get the big picture.
Richard Hedderick