French Creek – Jun 7
The first leg from Nanaimo proved to be an easy sail. After a fabulous start Myrrh was one of the leaders into the first wind hole where all of the boats, including the late starters piled up. Some went inshore, some stood out, we took a middle track, but no one appeared to have an advantage. There we waited "for a second start"(fresh wind), except, as Mikey commented "What happened to the party after the first start?"
The wind gradually filled from the South and boats spread out trying to find the best line into the changing tide. Myrrh took a conservative middle position before gybing and running inshore. This proved to be a good move as we gained a number of places over the offshore runners. The wind remained constant at about 10knots. We constantly monitored current looking for signs of the slack preceding the ebb current that would help us on our way towards the finish line at French Creek.
Coming into the finish the boats inshore of us picked up a stronger favorable current and freshening wind. We saved our first "everything went wrong moment" spinnaker gybe until we were right at the finish in front of many local spectators. Skipper almost kept his cool!
Results of the first leg: Myrrh, out of 14 in Div 2 finished third behind Diligaf and 1st place Tryst.
Dave
