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Every now and then we get stories you, the faithful reader, about sailing going on your part of the world. We like to share them because, well, we can, and because we think it is interesting to hear/see what other folk are up to in their neck of the woods. Here's one from a reader who prefers to go unnamed. - Ed Racing, Texas style on Galveston Bay slows down in the late summer to generally, evenings and late afternoons to escape the light afternoon winds and of course the heat. Once fall rolls around, though, things start heating back up and traditionally the Galveston Bay Cruising Association's Compass Bank Regatta becomes the first full-scale regatta of the Fall. GBCA dates back to 1947 in the area and despite the word cruising in its name, the club grew over the years into a full blown racing organization, much like the Cortez Racing Association familiar with the Left Coast crowd. This year's Compass Bank Regatta finally took place October 5th and 6th, rescheduled after Tropical Storm Faye forced a last minute change from its traditional early September schedule. Déjà vu all over again looked to describe the early October date as Hurricane Lili headed towards the Gulf Coast last week before speeding up and targeting Louisiana just to the East on Thursday. The early forecasts looked good with the season' s first cold front pushing through Saturday Night providing good wind, but by the Skippers meeting and kickoff party Friday Night that front had stalled and the forecast now read SE 5-10 for the entire weekend. In addition to the Compass Bank perpetual trophy, the Spinnaker Fleet winner and most dominant One-Design boat crews would walk away with new shades courtesy of Boyd at Dirty Dog The classes reflected the usual participation in Galveston Bay races, heavy on PHRF boats with a couple of One Design classes mixed in. The strong local Level 70 Class with usual class favorites, a Tripp 36 Predator and J35 Leading Edge did not sail as a class, instead forming the backbone of the PHRF A Fleet. PHRF B, including two J27's a Tartan 10, Steve Hammerman's J80 Hammertime and an always-competitive Pearson Flyer fielded nine boats total. The One Design classes included Galveston Bay's resurgent J24 Fleet and the J105 Fleet which continues growing in the area. In addition a wide mix of PHRF Non-spin boats made the line including a new Grand Soleil 39 raced by Brad Robbins a longtime fixture in the Non-Spin class. Racing started on schedule Saturday in under 10 knots of wind from the Southeast and initially it seemed the right side of the course would be favored with a land effect lift coming off Eagle Point. As the wind stayed light, especially after the first windward mark rounding boats heading to the downwind right side corner found more wind and used it with great effect. The 5th place J24 at the windward mark, Tuxedo, banged the right corner hard and approached the leward mark neck and neck with the class leader who stayed in the middle of the course. The wind would fill in as the day progressed topping out around 12 knots in the afternoon. Especially considering the lack of air early and the 12 noon first gun, the Race Committee proved top notch getting off three races the first day. One common complaint amongst Galveston Bay Racers is the abundance of delays by some local Race Committee's, so getting three races in on a mostly light air day gets noticed. The first day ended with the J35 Leading Edge one point ahead of the Tripp 36 Predator and 2 points ahead of another J35 Rowdy in PHRF A. PHRF B standings showed Adios, the Pearson Flyer 2 points in front of the J27 Viper and well ahead of 3rd place Hammertime. The J24' were tightly packed, but newcomer Jim McPherson with a crew of visiting Brazilian J24 sailors led the pack. Malcolm Bremer's J105 Babe swept the J105 races and 2 boats were tied at the top of the non-spin fleet. Day 2 began with an hour-long postponement while some storms blew through the racecourse. Once the starting sequence began it was in 5 knots of wind from the South. Shortly after the start the wind disappeared altogether near the windward mark as all classes converged and began a tedious floater of a race. One quick wind line worked it's way down the course from the Committee Boat providing the strange sight of Non-Spin boats wing on wing approaching the earlier starters slowly working their way to windward with whatever wind they could find. These light, shifty conditions persisted for the next two hours as the race came to it's conclusion. Of course upon completion of racing for the day, the wind finally filled back in from the South to the frustration of the entire fleet. Final results showed Predator winning PHRF A, Adios in PHRF B and the overall Fleet Spinnaker winner. Babe continued it's strong showing, sweeping the J105 Fleet, Jim McPherson's no name J24 in that class and Triple Play, the new to the area Grand Soleil 39 finished atop the PHRF Non-Spin fleet. In hindsight the Compass Bank Regatta ended up a fairly typical Galveston Bay Race on Saturday. . A great PHRF turnout, mostly S-SE winds, not to strong and great fun had by all. Sunday was difficult, but the Race Committee stuck with it and made sure to get the race in despite the challenging conditions. Now everyone looks ahead 2 weeks to the highlight of the annual offshore racing calendar, the Harvest Moon Regatta, a 150-mile reach down the coast to Port Aransas. Fall has arrived in Texas and the racing just gets better. 10/09/2002 |
