Forecast were all for light wind and had me worried. Borrowed a 110l board from Mineral as my largest is a 95 Sonic. Had a trial with both in Lancelin on Thursday and thought the big board would be great, and the extra rocker / soft rails compared to the sonic would be better.
Turn up at ledge for 9:00 registration. Nothings ready so chat and wait. Im first in line (my only first for the LOC EVER). But they need a pre-reg for testing so I lose that one. Anyway I get one if the 5th worst start spots on the beach. Those 5 or more after me get the best one, luck of the draw. Finish registering by 10 and back to Lancelin to pick up family etc…
Get back to Ledge about 12, starting to worry when all around me are rigging 9s and 8s as Ive got a 5.8 KA Koncept (thanks Troppo) or a ratty old 6.2 (did the LOC in 2007 or 8 with that one). But figured as long as I could waterstart and float I would get there.
Did the usual test run with 30 minutes to start, If I cant get back to the start line its another “not enough wind” year and DNS. First 200m out Im thinking “no way I will get back to the beach – beer in a car on the beach is the best choice”.
Then I hit the windline (at 400m of the coast) and am planing. Head back and land on beach at 15 min hooter. Came in at the upwind side but my start position is downwind. Try to get through crowd to other end, it’s too hard to get there so I end up in the sand hills about half way, which is much better anyway. (Politely mention to a a few photographers that I might be running over them if they stay where they are – they move).
Stroll down to beach, chat to another like minded sailor as we jog upwind to the top corner. Wait for a clearing and putt out. All good so far.
Made it over the first break and then pick up a huge lump of weed (Thats right the 6 fins that Mineral gave me included several weedies but I just put in the biggest fin !) So after trying all the shaking jumping tricks I drop of the board clear the weed and away again, now Im planing (30 seconds according to the GPS). As I get further out I realise that even though its got good rocker etc.. this board and big fin dont jump well (sorry Mineral) – water start from that and make mental note to steer AROUND breaking waves from now on.
Got the first jybe, usual technique of keeping out of harms way. Head down for second, this is better now Im going properly. Shallow reefs a worry as is spotting that tiny orange flag / boat. The fields so spread out its hard to guess where to go.
Got some jybes and dropped some after that, felt the fin tip at least one rope. Did a double back and extra 2 jybes to avoid the shallow reef on the second inside one (not my fin – have to look after it). But I can see the reef there, all that white water.
Are we there yet – is now my dominent thought. But looks like it will be a finish. The breaking wave on the way to the last outside mark is a good one. I think I have seen that break from the beach (out the back of Eddy island) but not really what we want now. Go a but higher to keep clear of that after the first one.
Coming in to South Passage its just white water and without knowing where you are its hard to line up any landmarks. Just know I need to be further north and work that way as hard as I can, never much wind in there so putt along. Catch some help with swells and keep pushing north for the channel. Then can see the inside markers and know that Im nearly there.
Head in and its a nice clear run to the beach (looking for cray ropes all the way). Fall of backwards with a nice splash and jog/stagger up to the finish. There’s still people here so its must have been a good race.
Wife, family and friends at finish, great feeling.
The timing ladies inform me Ive lost the bracelet – dont know where it came of but thought the ankle was a bad place to put it. All that kicking while treading water is bound to dislodge something on your leg.
Forget to enquire about my time or place, but make sure I tell the desk people that the bracelet was lost and that Im not !
Another great Ledge to Lancelin, by far the biggest board I have ever used in one (in fact not counting beginners gear the largest I have ever used). Pity it wasnt windier early – as one with a strong wind warning, 20-30Knots (like the day after) AND that much swell would be huge.
I dont know if it was because there was a lot more swell/chop or if it was just that I was on such a large board but that was definitely the hardest one I have done.
The GPS only recorded the first 52 minutes, would havebeen nice to see the path into South Passage. There were a few guys inside and upwind where I wouldn’t liked to have been. One was coming out and then jybed and headed back in only to drop it.
I had that back hand out spinnaker thing happening and just kept going north to avoid the reef.
Bring on 2011
Sail L8
Finish 99
Time 58:44
