Fwd: [505-usa-west-coast] CGOD Regatta Post Mortem
Blaine Pedlow
The Pacific Northwest 505 region just finished an epic weekend of sailing at the Columbia River One-Design regatta hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association in Cascade Locks, OR. The regatta was held from 26-28 July. Six teams made the trip from Washington, Canada, California, and one local sailor! Numbers were likely more limited this year as teams begin traveling to Europe in preparation for 505 Worlds in Sweden.
Friday:
After a short postponement on shore, the breeze started out light at around 10 kts at the start of racing. Racing was extremely tight as the fleet compressed downwind as the fleet headed into the current. The racing started out as a sit run but quickly transitioned to wire running by the end of the first downwind as the breeze increased. The wind was puffy, with large velocity differences across the course. Elsa and Blaine got off to a great start with a race that they controlled from start to finish in the variable conditions described above. By the time the second race started, the breeze had filled in and was gusting into the high teens and low twenties. Rich and I found our stride and were able to piece things together for the next two races of the day. Miles and Lily started their impressive string of consistency and methodically scored seconds throughout the first two days. Special recognition to Lily Grimshaw is required who did amazing in her first ever 505 regatta! The Gorge conditions are always challenging, and she managed it like a seasoned pro.
After racing Aaron hosted the entire fleet at his house in Hood River where the whole group enjoyed grilled food and refreshments. It is always super fun to get all the 505 racers together and demonstrates the camaraderie that we all have on and off the water. I could not think of a better group of people to hang out with!
Saturday:
Saturday had more typical Gorge conditions, wind in the low 20s with higher gusts and a strong current flowing upwind. The fleet completed three races where the fleet slowly thinned due to breakdown and capsizes. Elsa and Blaine were quick throughout the day, but suffered an unfortunate breakdown in the first race when they broke one of their spinnaker poles. They did a great job sailing back in quickly, replacing the broken pole, and coming out to win the last race. Ian and Declan O’Leary did an impressive job with some consistent sailing to get third in the first race of the day. Capitalizing on the mistakes of other teams was clearly the name of the game. Post racing, most of the teams were camping at the marina and enjoyed a fun night in camp.
Sunday:
On the last day of racing, the fleet complete one race in extremely challenging conditions. The wind was steady around 25 kts and gusts were certainly higher than that at times. Blaine and Elsa again showed their speed, but this race was one of survival. By my count, every team capsized at least once. Ryan and Patrick were able to gain positions on the last run by keeping their mast dry. After the race, most teams made the decision to sail in given the intensity of the conditions. Rich and I even broke our rudder hardware while deciding what we were going to do. This led to some eventful moments as we got our sails down and got a line to a crash boat for the long tow in.
As always, I want to thank the staff and volunteers at CGRA for hosting a wonderful event. The Columbia River Gorge is also a truly fantastic place to sail. If you have never made the trip, please consider making the journey next year. It is simply epic racing in an epic location.
-Clark Hayes
From: Tim Murphy <tmurp...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 1, 2024 at 10:02 AM
Subject: [505-usa-west-coast] CGOD Regatta Post Mortem
To: 505-usa-west-coast <505-usa-w...@googlegroups.com>
Thanks Clark for the fantastic and timely report. Made me feel like I was there. For those of us not at the regatta, sounds like we missed a great event. See you all soon.
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Ryan Nelson
On Aug 1, 2024, at 12:39 PM, Aaron Ross <ar7...@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks Clark for the nice write up. I’ll have mosquito repellent next year.Aaron
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<image0.jpeg>On Aug 1, 2024, at 10:08 AM, Blaine Pedlow <bpe...@gmail.com> wrote:
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<CGOD Regatt Report 2024.docx>
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