3-28, Grants, 7.0/115L, 5.2/109L

[kenonstott]

Mike and I both saw indications it would end early so we got there earlier. I rigged the 7.0 in some fairly light wind. Mike showed up as I was heading to the water and the wind was really picking up. He chose his 5.2 and that left us both wondering who was right. The 1st half hour was absolutely warp speed 7.0 conditions and I was fresh and having a blast. Then Mike hit the water and was planing right off. After another 45 minutes with both of us screaming around I decided to rig down and get some ibuprofen. It was then for the 1st time I saw Mike come all the way across without planning. It had gone west and I decided to stick it out on the bigger gear. There were lots more great wind lines but, with it more west, we were sailing corner to corner in more up and down wind. I would have done good with my 6.0. It ended abruptly at 10:15 and was north before we could get the sails down. Our premonitions were right and getting there early got us a ton of sailing. Sweet morning. John was skiing and Josh was waiting for UL.

[JimSouthwick]

Somewhat similar conditions at DC although it started later (about noon). Very gusty, even by DC standards. I started out with a 6.0 rigged very flat. That worked for about 3 reaches. Got a few more after loosening the downhaul, but the wind was backing off fast (and clocking around to the West). Air temp: almost 70; water temp 11C(52F).