Race Day Sailing

The forecast for yesterday was for light winds. That along with another Maui Race Series race had me thinking I would just stay home and chill. But, the wind unexpectedly picked up mid-day so I decided I'd brave the race crowds and go sailing.

The upper lot at Kanaha can be a zoo on race day with most sailors rigged 3 or more sails. The buoys are set directly out from the Uppers launch site.

I took out my 4.5 and headed downwind of the race, just after Phil McGain, Matt Pritchard and a few others in the pro fleet came ripping across the finish line. I sailed just outside of the outside marks. Watching the race from the water on the outside offers a different perspective. The 4.5 was barely enough power most of the time and I had a hard time working my way upwind to the start area. After an hour or so the wind seemed to be dropping a bit, so I waited for a break in the heats and sailed back downwind to the launch. Went out again later after the races were over, but by then it was definitely 5.0 so the 4.5 wasn't really working for me. Good fun nonetheless and better than staying home and chilling.