Flying Scot 2010 NAC - Part 2

Part 2:  Monday was scheduled to be day one of the qualifiers but severe storms from the  outer bands of hurricane Alex kept the fleet in port waiting for a break in the weather.  Without a moment lost Sam joined a group of other juniors gathering empty cups, cans, tape and string and before you know it a beer-can boat design and build challenge was on and the pool races began to the delight of the fleet lined up on the patios and porches cheering on!   Around 3:30 the RC abandoned for the day so we got changed into dry cloths and joined the fleet at the clubhouse and for a fish-fry and welcome party with a live band, local beers and door prizes.   

Tuesday the start was moved up to 10:30 to allow time for the required 3 races.  It was pouring torrential rain as we arrived and prepared the boat.  The clubhouse opened a lunch buffet so we could make our lunches and they would be delivered out to the race course, what service!   Harbor start was delayed for a few hours while the worst of the storms passed and then we launched and headed out.  By this time the wind was lighter and we completed the first race about mid fleet while getting ourselves organized on the boat.   Lunches were delivered and then we lined up for race two.   Winds were starting to build and we went about adjusting the boat taking advantage of the advice and suggestions offered by locals and sail makers in the days before.  We lowered the main until the cunningham grommet was nearly on the boom the tightened it, the outhaul, halyards and jib sheets.  Amazingly, the boat felt completely under control and perhaps for the first time ever we experienced confidence instead of fear in the heavy gusts as we sailed upwind.  We were slow compared to most of the other boats but we were in control and enjoying the ride and that’s all that mattered at that moment.  Just as we rounded the windward offset mark for leg 4 Sam was on deck prepping the pole when a squaw line hit from behind.  Luckily for us we had not yet set the chute so we hunkered down in the corner for what became a screaming reach towards the leeward gate (now finish line).  It was pouring rain and the wind was howling but it was warm and we were in control and it was a wild thrill ride side by side with many locals hooting and hollering as we all made our way to the finish.  And the beauty of it was Sam and I were all smiles.  We may have been among the last boats to cross the finish line (the race was abandoned) but we had just sailed the most exciting ride together.   When the storm passed the winds died down and many of the sailors headed back to the clubhouse only to find that races 2 and 3 were still to be scheduled.  The sea breeze filled in and we completed races in medium-heavy wind and chop, in control but slowly.  Our berth in the challenger fleet was now secured and we felt ready for the races to come.  That night we enjoyed dinner at a local dock-bar fish shack where we ran into many others from the fleet.