UC Irvine Club Sailing Team

Day 3

It was raining when we woke up. We all anticipated this, but didn’t realize how miserable it was until wewitnessed it.  As a former coach once said, “F-ing east coast.” Despite the rain, we all managed to roll out of bed by 8, eat a heartybreakfast of Wheaties, milk and yogurt, and leave the hotel by 8:30 (Brian wasalready dressed in his full spray gear).   The team headed downJacob’s Rock to begin what would end up being a long day of racing. Geared up for the rainstorm and with our anteater flag proudly flying from ourstern, we headed out to the racecourse.  Race Committee had warned us thatthey would try to finish the rotation by the end of the day, meaning we wouldbe completing 7.  Showers scattered throughout the day and breeze was upand down all over the course.  After four races, placing 6th, 6th,4th, and 8th, we hit the USCG sailing center for a shortbreak.  We ate lunch and took a quick bathroom break, then headed outagain to the course.  We were able to pull off two good starts and place 3rdand 2nd in the next two races.  Going into the final race ofthe regatta, the wind began to die and we had problems getting off the startingline, but were able to successfully play catch-up and finished in 7thplace.  After the race, thunder roared as we sailed back to the docks. At the end of the day, we finished 6th overall, with Boston Collegeplacing first after beating out St. Mary’s in a tiebreaker.  We came backto our hotel for quick showers and to change into nicer clothes for the awardsbanquet.  Overall, we are happy with our position and we all learned muchinformation to bring home with us.  We are now planning a tourist trip toexplore the east coast tomorrow before our flight back to Irvine early Mondaymorning.

http://www.collegesailing.org/nas/fall09/sloops/