I was hoping to get the Mac race summery done then update the race results, but the Mac summery is taking a lot longer than I expected. Let’s get everyone up to date on the other races.

Friday night August 8th was the Moonlight race. It started in very light air and got lighter, the course was shortened but it almost did not help. After lots of work the breeze started to fill in. We ended up third.

Saturday August 9th was the CCYC to JPYC race. Race was 10.8 miles south to Jackson Park. Cyclone placed second and the top three boats were within one min and all the boats were within two min. JPYC put on their anaual Jazz party and buffet. Killer soul food was provided Dixie Kitchen and bait shop.

Wednesday night racing was back on August 20th. We were short on crew so we raced JAM (jib and main). Cyclone placed second and it felt good to be back racing on Wednesday nights.

Sunday August 24th was the last CCYC Invitational and Cyclone took third and as a result placed fourth in this series.

Wednesday night, August 27th we raced or attempted to anyway, Started out with 5-10 kts or wind and got lighter and lighter, us and 30 other boats managed to get around the last mark when the wind shut off and left the eerie sight of all the boats floating on still water. Only one R19 and five offshore fleet boats finished, we were not one of them. So for the Wednesday night C series Cyclone placed second.

Saturday August 30th was the last Weekend race. Cyclone was the rabbit and we never looked back. After rounding the windward mark, raising the spinnaker getting the twist out, NancyS started flying it and the red and white sail never looked better. We were looking over the setup to find out why this sail, which has never been fast or look good, was suddenly rocketing the boat along. That’s when we noticed that when Wally tied the sail on he accidently switched the tack and clew. Turns out that the sail was labeled wrong LOL. Cyclone took line honors but after the PHRF math we scored a second missing first by less than 30 seconds. This placed us in third overall for this series.

I did not keep track of who crewed when so a general thanks to all that helped out.

Just a few more races are left. The last weekend race is this Saturday September 6th, which is the last Commodore’s Cup and there are Pursuit races on Wednesday nights till October 1st. See crewsignup.com for details.

Want to take your friends or family out sailing? Contact me to set something up.

At 12:10 PM today, Cyclone began its first run in the Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac.

Click Here for Details

Saturday was a practice session. Dan and Jordan took everyone through spinnaker setup and then we went over COB (Crew Over Board) procedures. Then we went out of a sail. Once out of the harbor the wind was a solid 18 kts gusting to 28 kts. We reached around a bit but then practiced COB procedures at the west mark. Thanks to Brendon, Dan, Jennifer, Jordan NancyS and Nora for coming out.

Sunday was a bit more interesting. Start was delayed to let the R-19's finish their first race. Wind was 10- 15 kts. We had a good start heading to the left side of the course but the right was favored so we tacked ducking two boats. By the time we got to the first mark (NW) we were 10 boat lengths ahead. We rounded the mark and reached off to the second mark (W). By this time we had a pretty good horizon job going on the fleet. Up went the spinnaker, filling before it got all the way up which meant cranking on the halyard with the winch. On this leg the winds had built to 15-20 kts with gusts to 22kts and there were some very ominous clouds approaching us. We were surfing off the little waves and boat speed was 8-10 kts. A nice rooster tail was kicking up behind the boat. We jibed abound the third mark (S) and and headed for the fourth mark (SE). By this time the wind was a solid 20 kts. We rounded the SE mark got the spinnaker in. Now upwind beat back to the NE mark. Wind kept building, 28 kts then 30, 32, 34, 36 toping out at 39 kts where it stayed for about five minuets. With the backstay, vang and outhaul cranked on Cyclone marched upwind without any problems. Wind then backed off to 30 and we were getting ready to tack when we noticed a Laser II ahead of us and in trouble. We watched them flip the boat then right it then flip it this time dumping the crew in the water. They managed to right it but by then the jib was knotted and torn to pieces. As we went by we asked if they needed help and they accepted. We dropped our sails came along side and took them in tow back to Montrose. All were safe. After we got everything dried out and put away we retired to the club to enjoy some "Dark N' Stormies" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_'N'_Stormy Thanks to Dan, Holly, Jennifer, Marcin and Nora for coming out.

Saturday was the second Weekend series race. We were the Rabbit got a great start and never looked back. First around the first mark then through (fortunately behind the 51 boat NOOD Etchells fleet). Then on to the second mark where we just missed two Farr 40's on the NOOD A circle. Were were the first boat to round the second mark. Then on to the Third mark where we crossed in front of the Etchells fleet and watched three of our competitors weave their way through them. Again first around the third mark and then first to the finish. We managed to put enough distance between us and the other boats to stay in first after the PHRF math. Great job by everyone, thanks to Brendon, Dan, Holly, Nancy, and Scott for coming out. This now puts us in first place for the series with three more races to go.