US Olympic Trials - October 2007

Photos

Day 1
On the opening day of the Finn trials for the US Olympic Sailing Team the fleet completed two races in bright sunshine, long swells and 6 to 12 knot winds out of the West.

Before the fleet left the shore Olympic Sailing Committee overseer Serge Jorgensen, PRO Jeff Johnson, and Chief Judge Pat Healy each gave a briefing on key points for competitors to be aware of.  The evening before at an elegant opening ceremony, the race committee, the judges, and the organizers had individually been introduced to the Finn competitors.

The first start was postponed for a short while as the RC waited for the wind to finish a jerky swing to the right. The course given was windward leeward twice around.  At the start the wind was 260º at six knots with puffs feeding from the right. A clean start saw most of the fleet heading right.  Those that sailed out on starboard toward the ocean before going right seems to get into better wind while those along shore seemed to have a better angle. The exception to this was Louie Nady, who went deep left, and Forrest Gay decided to go with him, because you never discount what Louie is doing even if it is contrary to the rest of the fleet.

At the first windward mark, the wind had built to eight knots. Zach was first followed by Geoff, Bryan, Darryl and the Kernal. Darryl gybed to go left, and the Kernal decided to go with him, while Zach, Geoff and Bryan went right where they picked up more wind and opened up on the pair to the left.

On the second beat, the fleet began to separate more without any major position changes at the front of the fleet. One key factor going upwind was the big under swell.  One had to heel slightly to leeward going up the wave to steer the boat into a current generated wind increase.  At the crest the apparent wind velocity decreased and counter to intuition, one had to hike the Finn to windward to steer it off down the back of the swell.  Some one who was not adept at this was just going slower.  After the run to the finish, the order remained much the same.

Henry Sprague was sixth followed by Andy Pimental, Ian Cook, Chuck Rudinsky, and Chris Rabb.

Bringing up the rear was David Stouffer in a fully restored 1962 Newport with a Royce wooden mast, wooden boom, wedge vang, styrofoam flotation in the bow, and original Dacron sail. The modern boats are half again as fast, but it was wonderful in everyone's eyes to see such a classic out enjoying racing in the beautiful conditions.

For the start of the second race, the wind had gone farther right to 275º, and velocity had dropped back down to seven knots. Zach and Geoff got a great start down toward the pin end, tacked immediately and were crossing the fleet on port with Geoff bow out on Zach. Zach tacked away, and Geoff kept going. On the right, Phil Ramming started by the committee boat, immediately tacked to port, and went deep right with the whole fleet slowly falling in behind him. Phil is understood by everyone to be the smartest local with his knowledge of currents and winds around Newport Beach. Andy Pimental went with him but had a touch more speed and height and tacked for the mark before Phil did and was able to lift up forward and in front of Phil to lead the fleet to the mark.  Louie again started left and went hard left but this time the tactic lead to disaster.

Notable at the start was a violation of RR 42 by the famous Chris Rabb, which the jury found worthy of applauding by yellow flag. Chris also got into a duet near the windward mark with Scott Mason, but their antics were so entertaining that the jury must have decided not to flag them.

On the run, Andy, at 190 pounds, just sailed away from Phil, who checks in at a bit more than 190. Behind these two were a crowd of locals with the addition of some outsiders including Mike Visser. Of the leaders, Geoff rounded sixth ahead of Bryan, Zach, and Darryl. On the run, the leaders were able to leapfrog some of the local guys.

By the second weather mark, Zach had established his position in second, and Geoff and Darryl were duking it out for third.  Amazing because starting the beat, Geoff was ahead of Zach, who he must beat to gain the trip to Qing Dao, and Geoff didn't make sure he stayed ahead of Zach.  The wind had increased to 11 knot by this time.  Most had been very still in regard to RR42 and didn't go after the one pump per wave as much as they might have.  One who was working in some hard pumps was Bryan Boyd but Henry was right by him using only a very delicate touch steering the waves and he was keeping right with Bryan.

The finish order was Andy Pimental, who had extended his lead to close to a minute, followed by Zach. Next were Geoff and Darryl in an almost dead heat, then Bryan. Goeff had taken Darrell past the starboard lay line to the finish and with two hard pumps on waves just got past Darrell. Phil Ramming hung on for sixth, followed by Chuck and Forrest.

It was noticeable on some runs that when two Newport Harbor Finns got near each other, the amplitude of the gyrations of the masts seemed to increase.

Leading now is Zach (1, 2=3), then Geoff (2, 3=5), followed by Andrew (7, 1=8), Bryan (3, 5=8) and Darrell (4, 4=8) tied at 8 each.  Henry and the Kernal have 13 and 16. Chuck Rud, Ian, Phil Ram and Andy Casey follow with 18, 20, 21 and 26.
 

Day 2

Breakfast started under a sky so clear one could see all the mountains surrounding the Los Angles basin.  The Santa Anna wind was gentle out of the Northeast but building. The guys watched video of themselves from the first two races and compared note on those who had kerned themselves in various ways.  The Kernal himself was rather quiet after a good day yesterday but was on the verge of Kerning himself when he asked, "Hey Buddy, do you think I ought to change masts and sails today?"

The Santa Anna caused the Race Committee to postpone the harbor start for an hour until the wind showed what it was going to do.  When the Santa Anna began to die, the fleet of Finns began the long tow to the race area. By 1300 a westerly had filled in at 6 knots.  Coach boats could be seen trailing Finns going upwind all over the start area. Eagle eyed figures were bent forward shouting their views to their Finnster.  We are missing Patrick Weaver and his sense of humor and insight about the realities of Finn foibles, tactics and boat preparation.

Question, "Why is Class President Glenn Selvin just sitting in his Finn and not testing the wind?"  Answer, "He doesn't want to get worn out."

Jury Chairman Pat Healy remarks on how well behaved the Fleet has been compared to all other trails he has been part of.  No protests yesterday.

There are Zach, Andy Casey, Geoff and Scott Mason, all at the pin checking the current direction and velocity.

The first start is recalled when there is a huge bulge in the middle of the line; the current must be less today.

At the second start Andy Casey is at the boat end and goes furthest right.  If the wind goes right, he will be gone.  Those on the left seem to have a better angle almost fetching the mark on port tack but in less wind.  Zach and Chris are in the middle.

Andy tacks for the mark and after a while the wind does go right and those who followed Andy including Darrell wind up reaching into the mark.  The wind is down to 5 knots.  Following Andy and Darrell come George Twist, Brian Huntsman, Donald Jesberg, Ken Luczynski, Chuck Rudinsky, Bryan Nickel, Charles Heimler, Andras Nady, Ian Cook, Scott Mason  and Zach.

Downwind Andy and Darrell pull away and soon there is a big gap between the first seven and the rest of the fleet.

The second beat sees a duel between Andy and Darrell.  Darrell to leeward on the long port to the mark sails out from under Andy and rounds in the lead.  At this second windward mark Geoff is 10th and Zach 11th.  Brian Huntsman has dropped from 3rd to 8th but he hasn't been Finn sailing for two years.

On the run to the finish Darrell and Andy followed by Chuck and George open up a big gap.  A string including Henry, Chris, The Kernal, and Scott are followed by the majority of the fleet in a dense cluster. There were lots of photo finishes. Geoff puts Bryan Boyd between him and Zach in the melee. 

The Santa Anna extends out to the course and it is a question if there will be a second race. The Committee Boat ups anchor and moves seaward towards a solid sea breeze wind line for the restart of race 4.  The course given is a one mile windward leeward three times around.  This sounds long but the reality is that it is only half the size of the Classic Finn Gold Cup triangle course.  Wind is from 265º at what seems a solid12 knots.  As the start goes there is a lull to 8 knots.

Finally a start goes with a left shift during the sequence so those at the pin have a hard time clearing the mark.  Geoff, Zach, Tad, The Kernal and Phil are at the boat end.  They tack and when they are bow out they go back to starboard tack.  Half way up the beat a major shift triggers "N" flag and the fleet is brought back.

On the restart George Twist and Louie go for the pin - where else is there?  Brian Nichol, Jim Hunter, Bill Upthegrove and The Kernal are all waiting to follow.  Mike Visser broad reaches from the pin on port hoping for room to tack and duck in.  Zach reaches over the top of all and times a perfect pin end start.  Mike trails just behind with Henry on his hip.  Two more boats to windward are Geoff and Andrew Casey.  Zach tacks to port and crosses all.  Tacking early under Zach is Andy "the Kernal" Kern.  Geoff, then Andy and then Henry tack right while Louie followed by Ian Cook keep going left.

On the beat 23 go right looking for a repeat performance by the wind. Led by Louie, 17 go left with a big gap of separation.  The question is who is correct. 

Darrell is most correct by six boat lengths ahead of Andy Casey and Zach who are overlapped. Geoff, Andy Kern and Henry are right behind them followed by Phil, Bryan and Chris.  Darrell out runs them all, Andy gets Zach.  At the mark Zach tacks right in Geoff's water.  Gentleman starboard tack Geoff heads up and lets port tack Zach off the hook - actually a collision then would have been bad for both.  Bryan is moved up to round just behind Geoff.  Henry, who used to be "Super Henry", is out run by Phil and Chris.  Just behind Chuck Rudinsky, Philip Toth death rolls in to the cold Pacific Ocean.

At the second weather mark Darrell has built his lead to eight boat lengths but has to double tack at the mark and looses some distance.  Andy has moved out five boat lengths on Zach while Geoff has closed the distance to one length.  There are gaps between The Kernal, Bryan, Phil and Henry who round next. Geoff attacks Zach who gybes away to chase Darrell and Andy.  Andy passes Darrell and rounds a length ahead.   Zach has held off Geoff, rounds and tacks.  There is a gap until Bryan, The Kernal, Phil and Henry round.  Andy K looses his sheet at the mark while Phil does a classic job of rounding a leeward mark.

Andy, Darrell and Zach drag race right and tack just short of the starboard lay line.  Darrell is to windward, Andy and then Zach to leeward.  Andy tacks first and then Zach who both go behind Darrell.  When Andy tacks for the mark he has over stood slightly.   Zach tacks right on the lay line and Darrell tack a length in front of him.  They round the mark about a length apart and the drag race to the finish is on!  Behind them is a gap to Geoff, who has over stood the mark and is reaching in, Bryan and the Kernal.

On the run to the finish Darrell and Andy are low on gas so Zach really works the boat and pulls away to take his second win in the Trials series.  Quite an impressive duel between the three from start to finish with Geoff hanging on by his fingernails.  Bryan and Andy Kern are showing good sailing ability also.

Pat Healy say the jury is impressed with how well everyone is racing with no protests today either.

Everyone is pretty tired and most are relieved to be asleep by nine.
 

Day 3

We (all the committee, judge and towboats) head out on schedule and find a glassy slick ocean as if one of the oil platforms has sprung a terrible leak.  At noon the slick is still there and a postponement is signaled.

On board the press boat is Vince Casalaina who is here to video interviews with major players and racing for Gary Jobson and ESPN.

At 1430 the RC anchors further off shore into a gentle seabreeze that is filling in from 230º.  There is a mustard yellow brown haze over the water every where one looks toward shore.

A start goes at 1440 but Darrell Peck (USA 81) is way over the line and many follow causing a general recall.  In reality he did everyone a favor because the sea goes slick again and any race would never have made the time limit.
 

Day 8

Today's race saw a dramatic finishing duel between Zach and Geoff on the run to the finish.

It also saw The Kernal get kerned by the Judges.

The night before brought rain showers.  The question this morning was how far the system had moved East.  The tow out was delayed an hour and the overcast was thinning as the fleet traveled to the course area.  Another wait on the course area until 1400 when the breeze settled in at 6 knots.

First try was a general recall.  There would have been consternation if the committee had identified those few behind the line and just sounded an individual recall. 

Just seconds before the start, the Jury whistle sounds and a loud voice says, "Sail Number 78, Rocking.  Two circles please."  The Finns all say to themselves, "What is going on? The Kernal isn't here?"  The Jury was just missing Andy on the starting line.  It was the most repeated story at the post race hamburgers and beer.

Second try is blown off as a big shift right occurs after the sequence starts.

Third try is under a black flag.  Bill Upthegrove is over by more than a boat length as are Glenn Selvin and Tad Springer.   Geoff and Zach start at the boat while Henry, Casey, Phil Ramming and Pimental head left from the pin.  Darrell is more to the middle and starts right early.  300 yards from the pin everyone is headed right on port except Phil who is headed deep left.

Halfway up the beat Casey is poked out in the middle and Peck seems to surge ahead on small shifts.  A group of eight is left.  10 are in the middle, 10 are to leeward along the beach and the rest are right middle.  Zach is staying to the right of Darrell working shifts.

At the first weather mark the wind is 260ª at 4 knots.  Scott Mason leads, Bill Bissell second, Darrell third followed by Chris Raab, Zach, Geoff, Casey, Don Jesberg, Henry, Bryan, Ian, Mike Arrigo , Conrad and Forrest Gay.

On the run Zach passes everyone, working the angles on shifts. Geoff passes Bill and Chris.  Darrell falls back behind Chris, Don and Bill.  There are changes through out the fleet.  Being clear on a good angle means a lot.

On the next beat Geoff and Zach get into a loose tacking duel with Zach staying to the right of Geoff where there seems to be slightly more wind.

At the second weather mark Zach rounds ahead followed by Scott Mason, Geoff, Raab, Don Jesberg, Bill Bissell, Darrell, Mike Arrigo, Casey and Henry. 

They all stay high on the run with Zach trying to work to leeward of them. Geoff also goes lower.  Chris, Bill and Darrell stay high. About two thirds of the way down Geoff is even with Zach who gybes to starboard and crosses behind Geoff.   Both then pass Scott.  On the last three hundred yards, with increasing frequency, Zach attacks and Geoff counters.   Geoff pulls ahead to win the race. Next are Scott, Bill and Darrell.

A very good race with Geoff keeping the pressure on from start to finish.  Two races remain to be run tomorrow.  Zach has a good cushion but it is never over until it is over.