Flexi Flyer 2 wins the Regatta Pro Winters Series 2007

With 6 sailed races (two were abandoned) with scores of 1-1-2-2-x-x-1-(4) for a total of 7 points. Smokin' was second on 9 (or 10) points.

Google Calendar for Flexi's schedule

I've started a calendar for Flexi's racing schedule (etc). This might be a useful tool for keepng up to date.

Runners

Runners, originally uploaded by fwallenberg.

We've finally updated the runner system on Flexi. Previously the runners went to a cleat at the back of the cockpit. This caused a number of problems. First of all the cleat wasn't strong enough to hold the runners and we'd have to leave them on the winch (which makes it hard to set up for the next tack). Secondly it was almost impossible to uncleat and the driver would have to stand and pull straight up during the tack in ordet to release the runner. This new system allows everything to be managed with ease by the main sheet trimmer and/or the offside trimmer.

Flexi Flyer in Berkeley

Flexi Flyer in Berkeley, originally uploaded by fwallenberg.

We keep doing good in the Friday Night series (although last night wasn't one of our better performances).

Flexi-Flyer wins division in Frank Stone Cup 2005

Flexi Flyer downwind finish, race 1 or 2, originally uploaded by fwallenberg.

This weekend Flexi won Division J (PHRF) in the Frank Stone regatta with a 2-1-1-1 series.

The first race we were unable to avoid a luff by Petard just after the windward offset mark (rule 11, 17.1 does not apply). As a result we had to sail clear and do our two turns. We almost managed to catch Petard again, finishing only seconds behind them. However that meant we weren't far enough ahead of Harp on corrected time. In the second race we were once again close to Petard on the first upwind leg (with them protesting us in a port/startboard situation, this protest was disallowed). We had an interesting situation with Two Scoops at the end of the first (or second) downwind leg where they pushed us to the starboard gate and then fell off to round the port gate, clearly in violation of rule 17.1. We were focused on our rounding and didn't see them fall off or we would have had yet another protest.

On Sunday the division was down to four boats and the winds were up. We finished both races way ahead of any competition. Our downwind sail handling felt good (less rolling than Saturday, probably due to a flatter chute).

Tonay has put up pictures from the weekend here. The latest version of the rules are available in PDF format here.

Midwinter 05, Champion of Champions Race

March 27, 2005

While we eventually had to abandon the race having broken both the jib and spinnaker halyards we did have a great start. The following picture is taking from the committee boat roughly 5 seconds before the start.



27 seconds later we are surfing downwind with the spinnaker (almost) all the way to the top. Note that there isnt another boat in sight despite a 10 boat fleet and the shot being taken from he committee boat.