June 24. The TBird Roller Derby continues

Post date: Jun 26, 2009 9:20:47 PM

Wednesday, June 24 brought another session of Wednesday night racing at RVYC, and once again the weather gods accommodated.  The day started out with rain, then dried up in the early afternoon, however the lack of wind had the waters of Oak Bay looking like glass.  As we gathered at the Club for racing the skies had turned to blue, and first zephyrs of a westerly began to appear. By the start of racing it was up into the mid teens with higher gusts, and VERY SHIFTY!

Six Tbirds were on the line at the start with Leprechaun closest to the pin, and Cool Breeze just below her. Farther down the line were Sirocco, Kolus, Scooter and Owl. The pin end boats headed left while those at the boat end (Owl and Scooter) duked it out in the middle. Complicating matters was the Div A fleet which had completed their first circle and were mixed in with the 'Birds. It is quite intimidating port tacking across the bows of an Aeordyne 38 in 20 knots of wind!  Cool Breeze was the first "Bird to the weather mark, followed by Kolus and Leprechaun.  With Scooter on starboard tack, Owl tried a close duck, however Vidas miscalculated, and he T-boned Scooter, slicing into the cabin top.  The sturdy Booth built Scooter sustained some cosmetic damage, but continued racing.  Owl withdrew to lick her wounds.  Was this an error in judgement, or an intimidation tactic leading up to the Regionals on July 4/5? We shall see.

Racing continued in the shifty, and lightening conditions.  Cool Breeze held on to her lead, and Scooter fought back for a second place finish, followed by Leprechaun, Kolus, and Sirocco. All in all it was a great night of racing for most of us, especially given the light conditions an hour before race time.

With one more Wednesday night to go before the Regional Championships, what further carnage can emerge? Stay tuned.  Next Wednesday is Canada Day, so come dressed in red and white, bring your toques and plaid flannels, and remember that if you see Owl or Leprechaun anywhere nearby remember to yell "Starboard, eh!"

Reported by John Edwards

Cool Breeze 1060