By Jens Lange:
The International 6 Metre Class World Championships started Sunday (September 17). The weather had significantly changed from the days before, during the 6 Metre Pre-Worlds, with the fleet seeing very light winds, rain showers on and off and significantly lower temperatures. The Race Committee worked very hard to find a course with consistent wind direction and managed to get two races in for the first day. The starting line was kept very long and allowed all boats to find a clear path in the low wind pressure. This was a day where good sense for wind shifts and a bit of luck paid off, and the 1935 Bjarne Aas designed SAGA of Kimo Mackey came away with the win. The second race took place in light but more consistent easterly winds, which was equally challenging. LUCIE played the wind shifts and fleet positions changed numerous times. At the end of day one, the Olin Stephens designed GOOSE came out on top for the classic fleet. Off the water after racing, The Worlds Opening Ceremony took place, hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club with greetings from the First Nation.
Monday, September 18, day two of The Worlds started with the AP flag being hoisted onshore, as there was very little pressure, oscillating directions, on English Bay. It took a while to get out and when the fleet finally got to the proposed starting area on the west side of The Bay, a big fat shower came through and took out what little wind was there before, and 45 Six Metres bobbed around waiting for the breeze to build up again. It took a while but finally a northeasterly wind developed. The course was set up for the new direction, and the third race of the regatta finally went off. The wind shifted back and forth and the windward marks had to be adjusted throughout the race. The classic fleet played both sides of the course to seek better pressure around the light showers, which were still in the area. LUCIE fought hard and finished in ninth place, just to shake off and go straight into the fourth race of the regatta. This race saw a very tight start, most of the fleet had chosen the committee boat side of the line to start, and three boats got pushed and had to bear away. It was a little touch-and-go for LUCIE and another boat, but she redeemed herself with a full circle around the committee boat and was off to chase the fleet, passing one boat after another and ultimately finishing in eighth place overall.
We’ve had mixed results so far, but LUCIE is going very fast and there is lots of potential for the next races. Day three of racing (Tuesday, September 19) got cancelled after a few hours of waiting for breeze on shore, but our fifth race is scheduled for this morning at 11:00.
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