Q: What was your interpretation of the wind and wave conditions?

A: On Saturday, we thought the wind filled in to 13 - 16 knots at the start line. It turned out to be significantly lighter at the finish line. Pretty flat water all around. On Sunday, similar range only steady even at the top of the course. The waves were more significant, with moderate chop by the second race. We judged the chop to be moderate because upwind, the waves would significantly slow the boat down.


Q: What was your rig setup and were you happy with it?

A: We increased the rig on Saturday one setting above base. It definitely hurt us in the lighter breeze at the top of the course. We also sailed with the blade for the first leg of the second race which was definitely a mistake. We changed sail on the downwind leg. On Sunday, we stayed with the genoa, but tightened the rig one setting above base for the second race. We were happy with that set up.


Q: How was your upwind boatspeed and height?

A: On Sunday, we were happy all day. On Saturday, we were slow in the light stuff due to our rig tune.


Q: Especially when your boatspeed and height were good, how were your sails trimmed and what were you focusing on when driving?

A: I tried changing things this weekend, inspired by Ryan Cox. The change was very disruptive in the first race on Saturday. Once settled down, the boat felt great. I moved farther forward, basically sitting almost on top of the winch. I would literally have to lift my leg up to grind the winch. I usually play the main sheet more than the traveler to depower the main, but it was extremely difficult from that far away. I went back to playing the traveler. We also focused on playing the jib trim more. For example, with every thing else max depowered (backstay, etc), we would travel down and ease the jib, then run the windward jib telltales luffing. Ryan emphasized this balance of power, and of course he was right. I used to play the main sheet more because I would otherwise max the traveler to leward. I think this was because the jib was still powered up. With better balance, I never came close to maxing the leward travel.


Q: How was your downwind boatspeed and depth?

A: When in clean air, we were very happy with our downwind boatspeed.


Q: What was your downwind sailtrim?

A: Last year, we really increased our focus on driving the boat with crew weight. Our tactician does most of the moving and for the most part we drive the boat by telling him to move left or right. When DDW or driving to leward, we try to maintain at least 5 degrees of windward heel. More windward heel really felt faster and of course deeper. In the conditions this weekend, we really never felt vulnerable to rounding down.


Q: How were your starts?

A: 18.2( c) Not overlapped at the zone. Sometimes boats who are not We kind of pulled off port tack starting on 3 of the 4 races. That is crazy, but the pin was heavily favored and there was no option but to go right. It payed off twice for sure, but it was nerve - racking.


Q: How were your tacks and jibes?

A: Driving the boat with crew weight is essential. We try, but of course we could do better.


Q: How were your markroundings (driving and boathandling)?

A: At least on two occasions, we lost inside room at the leward mark to a boat behind us. I really think that got set up by not rounding the windward mark wide and tight. Wayne Clough and David Wiard were out watching us. Wayne told me he was amazed at how much time we would loose by dowsing too early at the leward mark when the ebb was kicking.


Q: What were your primary tactical objectives regarding weather conditions?

A: Get right upwind. Maintain inside position downwind, but also get closer to shore if possible.


Q: What was your over-riding strategy for the day?

A: Clean air is almost always the first priority.


Q: Did you have any boat to boat tactical encounters that were significant?

A: Since downwind we never sailed to the left side of the course (facing downwind), inside room needed to be established at the windward mark. On two occasions, we missed that.