Formula 18 Argentina: BA Week 2011, Day 1-2

Today we had 3 races on the usual choppy conditions with current and 12-14knots , but we raced near the city on a different area that has even more steeper chop and more messy waters, several capsizes too.
Photos: Jorge Cousillas / www.elojonautico.com

Rookie helm on the A fleet
I had too many mistakes and some begginers moves combined with my somehow consistent good dowind legs that put us 3rd on the first one behind the “Euro/Yankee” Tour guys, Smith-Heuser and Mehl-Aragones, following the rythm and finishing close.
2nd was a disaster with a failed bareaway where I didn´t control (the very special Wildcat) and I ended upwind! to avoid capsize.. I’m still managing the timing on this extreme fine rocket, plus some bouncing upwind between optimal course and ended 4th. Cruz and Mariano were quite ahead on this race.
Ian had some issues on his spi pole and had to quit the las two. Juan is riding with a new crew this event (Lucas Smith training for Panams) and having hours together, like us.

Last race, 3rd again but not quite close to the top two as the first but at ease on the rest.
Considering my little time on the Wcat and with Esteban (One of the top helms of the fleet and owner of Mischa’s ex blackie)  plus new SI Main/Jib from Erquy Esteban acquired last week it was a good day. 

The top fllying Spi we are using is Mischa’s 2010 red Ullman…nice combo! jeje …those two need to get some beers together and look forward for the good of the class, I’ll invite! 

Still much to ‘trim’ on the helm and manouvers though, Esteban for sure would do better with a trained crew and him helming, but it is a really good experience for both, having a good time, and I’m learning again to race at top level, last time was in Mexico racing H16, in the Arg F18 till now it was all building/delivering and then sailing with different cews, but I’m pushing hard to improve each day. Pics to come,

Update Day 2: Only one race today due to heavy offshore super gusty winds (29 knots registered gusts), Smith-Heuser with another bullet. We had a full frontal pitch going to the course on a gust, and we were racing not comfortable, recovering at the end but scored a poor six.
Several pitchs, one spectacular and dangerous on the windward mark bareaway with Ian falling down over the hull, luckily he is Ok, only a spreader bar to replace.
Conditions weren´t that hard as no waves but the bareaways on the prestart or in the way out/in to the club  were challenging, racing it was more than Ok, only I had a semi pitch Korea style on the mark but we recovered big time .Wind was incresing beyond manageable at the finish and the RC dropped racing for today.
Long SBA 2011 championsip with 5 days of racing, South Americans starts next week within this same event. top ten results:

—–
BA Week 2011 – Powerfull image of Top World Laser sailor Julio Alsogaray. For Rio 2016 maybe we can have him on Multis…
Photo: Jorge Cousillas www.elojonautico.com