The Dataw Cup Must Go On October 2017

Continuing the Dataw Cup Race, despite having no marina, the Yacht Club decided to use the Beaufort River as its race course. We had an excellent crew with Luke, Jan, Scott, and Cheryl. Not much wind accompanied the racers. With a light breeze behind us, we unfurled our brand new spinnaker in Navy Blue and Gold. We got down to the buoy and rounded it alright, but by then the breeze had died. The tide had changed and was pushing us backward as fast as we could go forward close hauled. Surely we passed the same spot on shore a half dozed times. Painfully the boats inched back up river. At last a little breeze sprang up and we pulled ahead, ever so slowly. Just as we got to the bridge, we overtook the last boat and crossed the finish line with first place honors, only to find that our PHRF put us in 4th place behind all three cat boats, who loved the light air. At least we claim crossing the line first. That's always a good feeling.