Rolex Miami OCR

The opening day of the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club proved difficult for the race committee and the sailors alike. An approaching cold front caused the unsettled winds to veer right all day with occasional showers and a strong thunderstorm on Biscayne Bay today.

Race one, scheduled to start at 11 am was postponed as the race committee was in preparation. Finally, the gun went off and Team Challenge US was off to a great start. It was apparent with the cloud pattern that the breeze was preparing for a big right shift. Conservatively working to the right, the team rounded the top mark in fourth and surfed down the run rounding the left gate for the next upwind. There was a course change of 40 degrees to the right and only a few teams to notice! Quickly calculating Suzy realized, “The marks should be right on our bow.” Sure enough Team Challenge US rounded the top mark in the lead only to find out that the race was abandoned at the finish.

Race two saw a slight increase in velocity and slightly more right hand shift. Alison, Icyda and Leech were slightly bow back at the start in the upper third of the line. Half way up the beat they were in the right after bailing out after the start. The clouds were moving fast, however, and suddenly the breeze was pulled left by a light rain shower. Finding themselves on the wrong side of the course, they fought down the run catching half of the fleet. A conservative second beat helped to maintain their position in the race. Team Challenge US planed to finish in 8th on a reach just before the storm and suspension of races for the day.

Team Challenge US [Betsy Alison, Lee Icyda and Suzy Leech]