Windxtasy (13853km):
3443 days ago Coodanup, WA, AU iS111, 6.4K 23 pepweed, then 85Sonic, 5.7K, 17 delta
The forecast for today was perfect for distance (15-18 knots all day) and needing a good distance for the year and a good distance for the team I decided to go for a PB. I got so excited by the forecast I could hardly sleep last night (hence the username “Windxtasy”)
The Pinnaroos are not so keen on distance efforts, and a captain’s knock was required to inspire them. For a while it looked like even that was not going to be enough and I would be sailing alone, but Fangys morning condition report – 2 nm run straight through to boundary island in flat water- caught the interest of our chief nautical miler "my foot is too sore to go for distance today", who was further tempted by the offer of a delta fin fron Fangy’s Fin Exchange. Fangy got a rap over the knuckles for that one – from his captain, who said “Don’t lend JJ fins!” It turned out the Mandurah Mob had booby trapped Fangyland in revenge and we had to brave millions of exceedingly spiky grass seeds which get stuck in your clothing while you rig (Now we know why nanna chairs are mandatory at Fangy’s), hundreds of bitey crabs , fin snagging weed, board crunching rocks, fluctuating wind, and a disappearing tide.
The day started badly. I rigged in a lull and then the wind picked up just as I launched (another trap for the visitors) . I was warned by Decrepit who was coming in to change down, but having rigged… One huge 2 nm run downwind and then pinching upwind to wash off speed left me upwind of our start point and being unfamiliar with the landmarks, I wasn’t quite sure where that was. Eventually I worked it out but it was a downwind run to get there (remember I am already overpowered). By the time I arrived back at the launch spot I was leg weary and fatigued and I feared my distance effort had been nipped in the bud.
I rigged smaller, choosing my trusty fave combo of 85 Sonic and 5.7Koncept, and set out again. Thinking my distance effort was hopeless I decided to have some fun in the smooth going for speed runs and nautical miles. Before I knew it I had done 33nm and only needed another 10 to get a PB, so the distance race was on again. When I passed JJ who was going in for refreshments he agreed to keep me company.
I stopped with 48nm on the GPS. I thought I’d have a bit of a rest while I derigged the first set of gear, and then go out again, because I still had plenty of energy left and would have liked 100km. I didn’t want to have to derig two sets at the end of the day. Then I looked at the clock and realized it was late and I still had to drive home and cook dinner. When Decrepit, who was the last on the water, came in I decided to call it a day. JJ valiantly offered to wait for me, but at that stage I would have been sailing directly into the setting sun, the tide was retreating rapidly, and it was getting dangerous.
I ended up with a PB distance and a top 5 alpha and nm. I did do some screaming gybes but always seemed to bottom out on the exit.
Only the second time I have scored over 30 knots on the 85 Sonic. It's not fast in my hands but it sure is comfy!
On derigging I noticed the big board had a hole in the bottom. Good thing I didn't do 86 km on it!
Thanks for the backup, distance buddy! We just made the 100km average (which is what I had in the back of my mind all along).
Definitely a top ten Fangy day!
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Far from perfectly flat yet that Mistral just powers through!! Well......... i think i like it.
