Geography Lessons

It was quite a sight last night as the Mudhead racing fleet spread itself across Fishers Island Sound.  Everyone had their own idea on which was the favored side on the long downwind leg from North Hill to the Mystic River Can against the flood tide.  In the end, it seems the right paid off for Looney Tunes, Leda and Salud.  The right didn't work for Patriot or Eclipse.  Yet, Ursa Minor favored the left side (or was it the middle?) and Wild Horses, well, it didn't matter much which way they went because speed always trumps tactics.  Horses, Salud, Tunes, Ursa and Leda got the guns and we got another glorious summer evening in the books under a just enough, sunny southwesterly that had everyone home by sunset.  Except, Blue Bayou.

The unusual course (NMPNS) was prompted by two things.  Our mark boat Seagram had to be towed back to her mooring, likely tired from three days of crash boating on the MIYC Junior Regatta.  And an old Mudhead, (not that old) named Johnny Ray, who used to run the WNRS.  He always said make sure there's a windward leeward leg somewhere, even if you have to reach for it.  So, we did.  It brought all the usual geographical elements into play as boats played the current around the Dumplings, looking for a little squirt of speed here and hiding from it there.  

It was a good night for the navigators who had to dig out their charts to figure out just how far inside the green can at West Harbor you can go.  And the crew on Ringle apparently stopped for a lobster dinner near Groton Long Point.  Guys, really, wait for the finish!  Hmmm, Mudcup worthy?   Probably not, but it's been a pretty thin year for screw ups.   

One final note.  Just received word this morning that the efforts of the Mudheads, Thames YC, and Niantic YC have raised about $47,000 for Hospice of SECT.  Good on us.  Good on them.   And now the results with Penalties.