Post #8
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Marina del Rey - California Yacht Club
Ullman Sails' Bruce Cooper (Newport Beach) and Max Skelley (Maryland) hosted a starting clinic for the racers at Cal YC's 2008 North American Championships. Starting at noon with a class room session with different strategies, racers got a good sampling of techniques and styles to get across the start line first. The fleet got to the start area just North of the MdR harbor entrance almost on time at 2:00 pm and were met with ideal conditions of 10-12 knots of wind and a slight wind chop!
Racing several sessions of starts using 3 minute "quick starts" Cal YC's expert race committee team had a perfect set up for more than a dozen practice starts before the grand finale of 2 practice races. Racers practiced with a long line, short line and a line with either end favored.
The RC called over early's as boats were setting up and when the gun fired, there was not a start without a boat being over early (usually 3-5 boats!). The best start for the fleet was when the coach boat (Bruce Cooper and Marylyn Hoenemeyer) put a "no jib" out till 30 seconds before the start! It was amazing to see the boats set up for great starts with the control of the main and not getting to the line prematurly with the extra speed of the jib. The short line really emphasized good boat control and positioning!When the racers met at Bob's house for a great dinner and party later in the evening, all the racers commented on the excellent execution of the starting practice session and the RC work. Thank you to everyone for participating and getting good starts at the Ullman Sails J/80 starting Clinic!
Click the camera to view all the action with Bruce's pictures and video from the Thursday starting practice and races! 
