Day 2 was a good big picture day for us on the Roma. I say that because although we are still 1 point out of first for the regatta, we’ve moved back into the Medcup lead by 1 point. So a positive day when viewed in terms of overall goals.
The fleet was held inshore for a while waiting for the breeze to build today. Once the AP was lowered we were one of the first boats off the dock and eager to get into some practice sailing. Before our warning we were able to accomplish a good amount of upwind work, a set, a nice downwind session, and also some time on distance work. Our practice was in a slowly building breeze of 10-12 knots.
Race 4 was started in 12-14 knots, and we had a good start which we were able to extend slightly into a 1st place position at the top mark. The wind built into the run and was now up to 15-17 which is right about where the effort level gets big. At the bottom of the run we were set up for a right hand “kiwi” drop and had a last minute change to an “easy” left. Only the easy part didn’t quite happen because Endessa snuck in for room at the left mark which added plenty of excitement between the two Latin tempered teams. The boats were quite close and protest flags flew. After the rounding we were able to force them off our hip and re-establish a lead which we held onto for the remainder of the race. Puerto Calero had a bad 5th place race, and so the point swing for the Medcup was starting.
The between race “grande casino” was again time short, as the 52’s were off on a coastal race. Our workload was reduced slightly because we re-used the same A2 on both runs. All cleaned up we were ready for race 5 with plenty of time to spare.
Race 5 started in 14-16 knots and built to near 18. We had an OK start and did fine on the beat to end up second at the topmark. We we’re a bit divided in our attention between battling with Endessa for the race lead, and covering Puerto Calero for the Medcup lead. In the end we gave up a position on the 1st run, and another on the 2nd beat. In our battle to cover Puerto Calero we also drew their anger when they perceived that we tacked too close on a leebow however the on the water jury decided no penalty was due. We kept our cover on Puerto Calero to finish ahead of them in 4th place. A disappointing waste of opportunity to build a lead in the big battle but a point gained never the less on our main rival for the Medcup.
No protests were heard onshore so the races counted as the finished which is always the best way for our sport to work. The on the water judge is a big help to resolve the majority of the protest opportunities before they reach land. I think this also helps to keep the shore more a friendly place where we all can relax a bit.
For me, many of the maneuvers were quite tight timing wise so I had plenty on. With my fingers taped together after the dislocation yesterday I was at a bit of a disadvantage in grip on my left hand, but the pain was low in the heat of the battle. All good fun.
Light forecast for days 3, and 4 so hopefully we will get to test some of FYD’s promising light air improvement work.
Patrick Shaughnessy
SASKIANNA, Classic Bruce King Design - New England
S/Y SASKIANNA is available for charter in New England, summer 2009
S/Y SASKIANNA
57' Classic Bruce King design Sloop
Year Built: 1985/Recent refit
SASKIANNA is a light, airy, comfortable charter yacht with a layout well suited to couples and family cruising. Her classic fine lines, traditional hull, beautiful brightwork, and teak decks turn heads wherever she goes. Below decks her white enamel paint and varnished teak trim echo the classic interiors of Nat Herreshoff. Her modern elegance truly sets her apart.
SASKIANNA can accommodate 4 guests in 2 cabins.
The Master cabin has a queen size bed, a single bed, shower and toilet. The guest cabin has upper and lower singles beds. SASKIANNA is fully air conditioned throughout. Crew share companionway, heads and showers with guests.
Rate:
Get ready for a fabulous week!
S/Y SASKIANNA
57' Classic Bruce King design Sloop
Year Built: 1985/Recent refit
SASKIANNA is a light, airy, comfortable charter yacht with a layout well suited to couples and family cruising. Her classic fine lines, traditional hull, beautiful brightwork, and teak decks turn heads wherever she goes. Below decks her white enamel paint and varnished teak trim echo the classic interiors of Nat Herreshoff. Her modern elegance truly sets her apart.
SASKIANNA can accommodate 4 guests in 2 cabins.
The Master cabin has a queen size bed, a single bed, shower and toilet. The guest cabin has upper and lower singles beds. SASKIANNA is fully air conditioned throughout. Crew share companionway, heads and showers with guests.Rate:
- $8,500/wk, plus all expenses
Get ready for a fabulous week!
Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book Saskianna
View Saskianna's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
View Saskianna's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
Day 1 from the Medcup Portugal in Portimao
We were the first boat out sailing on day 1. We spent plenty of time sailing up and down in a very light but slowly building breeze. These are the conditions that we worked hard to improve at FYD. The changes seem to be quite good and I don’t think we lack for pace in the light. The race start was postponed a bit as the breeze stabilized enough for racing. We finally got into our sequence about an hour later than planned in a 15 knot plus wind.
We had a good start to race 1 and established a 1 or 2 boat length lead that we carried around legs 1, 2, and 3. Unfortunately the team on Puerto Calero passed us on the final run with some nice surfing. Bummer to have the race end that way after leading for 80% of the race.
Between races is full on action as you need to be pack and wool multiple spinnakers, flake headsails, rig tune, and race debrief and plan. The breeze was up a bit going into race 2 and we were pretty pressed to be ready in time for the start.
Race 2’s start saw us pushing Airis up toward the line but we were just a tad too far behind them to force their position such that they would be OCS. We ended up directly on their transom across the line and were forced to tack away to right immediately. We reached the topmark in 3rd and stayed that way until the 2nd beat where we forced a penalty on Puerto Calero in order to pass them. The altercation was tacking too close and the on the water jury penalized them immediately. Their turns put us in second, where we stayed until the finish.
The between race action was even a bit more frenzied after race 2 because the TP52’s were done for the day. Because of that our time between races was even shorter. After the full clean up we only just hoisted the jib 3 minutes before the start. Our starting position was penalized for sure as we limped off the line much slower that the boats around us. We managed to keep our heads however and turn the race into a 2nd. The breeze was up in the 3rd race to around 24 knots so we saw some nice downwind action, routinely sailing 17-20 knots is always fun.
My day was hard but fun. We were already aware that our team would be weighed at the end of the day so food and water had been very scarce during the day. Big breeze without food and water is always hard. My job on the boat as a pitman includes grinding during the hoists and gybes so there is plenty of fast paced action with and occasional rest upwind. Afterwards I was definitely dehydrated and tired. I also managed to dislocate my index finger on my left hand which makes gripping quite painful. Anyway after some food, water, and ice we’re off to do it again.
Forecast for day 2 is for a competing breeze to lighten and die around 1-2. The building breeze should be a bit later today than yesterday so maybe we won’t quite get into the solid big breeze we saw yesterday. Stand by for an update from day 2.
Patrick Shaughnessy
We had a good start to race 1 and established a 1 or 2 boat length lead that we carried around legs 1, 2, and 3. Unfortunately the team on Puerto Calero passed us on the final run with some nice surfing. Bummer to have the race end that way after leading for 80% of the race.
Between races is full on action as you need to be pack and wool multiple spinnakers, flake headsails, rig tune, and race debrief and plan. The breeze was up a bit going into race 2 and we were pretty pressed to be ready in time for the start.
Race 2’s start saw us pushing Airis up toward the line but we were just a tad too far behind them to force their position such that they would be OCS. We ended up directly on their transom across the line and were forced to tack away to right immediately. We reached the topmark in 3rd and stayed that way until the 2nd beat where we forced a penalty on Puerto Calero in order to pass them. The altercation was tacking too close and the on the water jury penalized them immediately. Their turns put us in second, where we stayed until the finish.
The between race action was even a bit more frenzied after race 2 because the TP52’s were done for the day. Because of that our time between races was even shorter. After the full clean up we only just hoisted the jib 3 minutes before the start. Our starting position was penalized for sure as we limped off the line much slower that the boats around us. We managed to keep our heads however and turn the race into a 2nd. The breeze was up in the 3rd race to around 24 knots so we saw some nice downwind action, routinely sailing 17-20 knots is always fun.
My day was hard but fun. We were already aware that our team would be weighed at the end of the day so food and water had been very scarce during the day. Big breeze without food and water is always hard. My job on the boat as a pitman includes grinding during the hoists and gybes so there is plenty of fast paced action with and occasional rest upwind. Afterwards I was definitely dehydrated and tired. I also managed to dislocate my index finger on my left hand which makes gripping quite painful. Anyway after some food, water, and ice we’re off to do it again.
Forecast for day 2 is for a competing breeze to lighten and die around 1-2. The building breeze should be a bit later today than yesterday so maybe we won’t quite get into the solid big breeze we saw yesterday. Stand by for an update from day 2.
Patrick Shaughnessy
Semi Production Super Yacht Launched
Dutch Yard refuses to name latest superyacht launch
Amels a member of the Damen shipbuilding group has delivered their fifth in the line of LIMITED EDITIONS AMELS 171, semi custom yachts. The 52.30-metre yacht, designed by Tim Heywood, has an interior styling resulting from collaboration between Laura Sessa Romboli and Nuvolari Lenard. The yacht, which the company refuses to name was completed in just eleven months after her hull built elsewhere was moved into the Dutch company’s Vlissingen complex. The yacht is managed by Imperial Yachts of Monaco.
There are currently nine projects under construction at the yard, whose Order Book has scheduled deliveries into 2013. Photo credit: Arthur Lavooij
Tropical Storm ANA & Hurricane BILL - Yacht Updates
With the threat of TS ANA & Hurricane Bill coming our way, we decided to sail our own boat over to Curaçao but then ANA was forecast to pass to the south of us and thus getting in our way, and as BILL was to miss the islands to the Northeast, we stayed put in St. Martin. ANA became disorganized and then spread out more like a tropical wave.
We heard from Gus & Marcella (catamaran MAROLANGA). They went to their hurricane hole in Vieques (Spanish Virgin Islands) and had lots of heavy rain & lightning. Their poor cat Sasha hid under a shelf and tried to make himself very small. They stayed there to wait out Hurricane Bill which fortunately gave our islands a wide berth. Marcella wrote today to say that they've "only had some little gusts and some rain. Not too bad…Now we getting a little bit rain from the tail of Bill. Outside are still waves 7-11 feet, so we waiting until tomorrow with sailing to Puerto Rico. Wind we have practically zero."
They are going to go into the boatyard for a little bit for new bottom paint and this and that. Marolanga is one of the few yachts chartering in the Virgin Islands through the summer season.
The trimaran PROMENADE went to their hurricane hole in Virgin Gorda, BVIs. Here's a photo of Bazza & Simeon tying lines up to the mangroves.
Kerry is very happy to be back at their dock now that the storms have safely passed by.
Charter Yacht BLITHE SPIRIT is down in Trinidad where Dominique & Michel are growing tomatoes while in the boatyard!
Dominique didn't have to tether down her plants as Trinidad is theoretically out of the hurricane zone and Bill was nowhere close.
John & Heidi, owner-operators of the charter yacht ANTILLEAN, are also in the boatyard in Trinidad. No pictures yet, but Heidi says that she has a crop of 30 tomato plants that she's grown from seed. Sounds like there's a little farming competition going on down there :)
Leslie & Charles of PHAEDRUS wrote to us last week... "We just got to NC on Friday and have been busy doing odd jobs, like cleaning the deck & pulling weeds out of the walkway. It's very hot here, but hopefully the temp will go down on Wednesday". Sounds like the equivalent of scraping the hull :)
STORM PETREL is chartering in New England this summer. Laura is Illinois doing a few house projects and nursing, while Phil is aboard Storm Petrel based in Falmouth, Buzzards Bay. They had a great repositioning trip, taking only 10 days to get there from St. Thomas. Phil's advice for us was: "To come north, just set your autopilot to 355, and enjoy. The spring trip is usually easy, no winds over 30 kts, seas calm... Fall is much more of an adventure!!!!"
So, if you want an affordable, fun charter, aboard a yacht with LOTS of local knowledge of the New England cruising area, look no further than Storm Petrel. Short charters, weekend & daysails, too. Contact Paradise Connections and we'll set you up!
A couple of weeks ago, Eric from ALOHA MALOLO wrote to say that they were "going to the Statue of Liberty today if we can get this RV through the traffic. I miss the ocean and Saltydog but we are visiting many past guests who have invited us to stop by on our trip."
Charter yacht HANALEI BAY is on the hard in Trinidad. We received a call recently from Diane. They miss being on the water but they have a beautiful view of it from their patio in Vancouver BC. They had front row seats for the annual fireworks festival, The Celebration of Light, from their pieds-à-terre.
Kim & Rich from the charter yacht QWEST wrote to us from the boatyard in in Fajardo, Puerto Rico where they were working on the boat and getting it ready to leave while they go to the States for a couple of months.
Kim wrote "One of the high points of our summer is the Bean Blossom Blues Fest that we going to in Brown County, Indiana, next month. We'll be spending lots of time playing our ukes and jamming with friends. We don't have any photos (yet), but here's a link to a video of a jam from last year's Bean."
So, back now to Bob & Sheila at Paradise Connections... Due to the recent storms our plans have changed a little, but we intend to pick up our mail soon in St. Thomas (thanks Reefco!) and then sail towards Curaçao. We did Hurricane OMAR last year and we don't want to do that again. Quite a scary night... Especially when you have this boat dragging down on you during the stormy night of a category 3 hurricane!
Nope, don't want to do that again :)
We heard from Gus & Marcella (catamaran MAROLANGA). They went to their hurricane hole in Vieques (Spanish Virgin Islands) and had lots of heavy rain & lightning. Their poor cat Sasha hid under a shelf and tried to make himself very small. They stayed there to wait out Hurricane Bill which fortunately gave our islands a wide berth. Marcella wrote today to say that they've "only had some little gusts and some rain. Not too bad…Now we getting a little bit rain from the tail of Bill. Outside are still waves 7-11 feet, so we waiting until tomorrow with sailing to Puerto Rico. Wind we have practically zero."They are going to go into the boatyard for a little bit for new bottom paint and this and that. Marolanga is one of the few yachts chartering in the Virgin Islands through the summer season.
The trimaran PROMENADE went to their hurricane hole in Virgin Gorda, BVIs. Here's a photo of Bazza & Simeon tying lines up to the mangroves.
Charter Yacht BLITHE SPIRIT is down in Trinidad where Dominique & Michel are growing tomatoes while in the boatyard!
John & Heidi, owner-operators of the charter yacht ANTILLEAN, are also in the boatyard in Trinidad. No pictures yet, but Heidi says that she has a crop of 30 tomato plants that she's grown from seed. Sounds like there's a little farming competition going on down there :)
Leslie & Charles of PHAEDRUS wrote to us last week... "We just got to NC on Friday and have been busy doing odd jobs, like cleaning the deck & pulling weeds out of the walkway. It's very hot here, but hopefully the temp will go down on Wednesday". Sounds like the equivalent of scraping the hull :)
STORM PETREL is chartering in New England this summer. Laura is Illinois doing a few house projects and nursing, while Phil is aboard Storm Petrel based in Falmouth, Buzzards Bay. They had a great repositioning trip, taking only 10 days to get there from St. Thomas. Phil's advice for us was: "To come north, just set your autopilot to 355, and enjoy. The spring trip is usually easy, no winds over 30 kts, seas calm... Fall is much more of an adventure!!!!"So, if you want an affordable, fun charter, aboard a yacht with LOTS of local knowledge of the New England cruising area, look no further than Storm Petrel. Short charters, weekend & daysails, too. Contact Paradise Connections and we'll set you up!
A couple of weeks ago, Eric from ALOHA MALOLO wrote to say that they were "going to the Statue of Liberty today if we can get this RV through the traffic. I miss the ocean and Saltydog but we are visiting many past guests who have invited us to stop by on our trip."
Charter yacht HANALEI BAY is on the hard in Trinidad. We received a call recently from Diane. They miss being on the water but they have a beautiful view of it from their patio in Vancouver BC. They had front row seats for the annual fireworks festival, The Celebration of Light, from their pieds-à-terre.
Kim & Rich from the charter yacht QWEST wrote to us from the boatyard in in Fajardo, Puerto Rico where they were working on the boat and getting it ready to leave while they go to the States for a couple of months.Kim wrote "One of the high points of our summer is the Bean Blossom Blues Fest that we going to in Brown County, Indiana, next month. We'll be spending lots of time playing our ukes and jamming with friends. We don't have any photos (yet), but here's a link to a video of a jam from last year's Bean."
So, back now to Bob & Sheila at Paradise Connections... Due to the recent storms our plans have changed a little, but we intend to pick up our mail soon in St. Thomas (thanks Reefco!) and then sail towards Curaçao. We did Hurricane OMAR last year and we don't want to do that again. Quite a scary night... Especially when you have this boat dragging down on you during the stormy night of a category 3 hurricane!
Nope, don't want to do that again :)
Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to start planning
your sailing vacation
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
your sailing vacation
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
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