West Sound Report

Write up for West Sound regatta on June 29-30, 2024

by Jackson McCoy

After managing ferries on Friday evening, teams arrived to coffee and expected lack of wind at West Sound. The wind forecast for Saturday was to fill from the S eventually… and around noon race committee run by Taylor Smith and team set a great course in a seemingly light but building typical ~S breeze. The first race was a rollercoaster, with wind from the N and S meeting at a couple of marks with big extensions in the fleet and then compression and lead changes – a tricky race taken by Grant/Stella. The wind settled from the north at 3-7 knots for most of the day, with significant oscillations and tight racing. Lisa/Jay won the successive three races dominantly, winning the day. Julia Jaynes and I won the 5th race. After a solid performance all day Brian/Theo won the last race winding up in a three-way tie for second with us and Grant/Stella.

In addition to running great races, Taylor is also an expert fisherman, catching spot prawns before the competitors meeting. In what was a first-time experience for all, freshly BBQed spot prawns were handed out between races. As it started to rain we got back to the dock, and OIYC hosted a great BBQ dinner complete with ice cream under their covered patio. There were many more firsts as well, as this was the first Tasar regatta for Julia J., Chris & Justin, Theo, Kit, and Hayden. This was also the longest consecutive stretch of racing for Miles, Audrey, and Ellie with all 3 participating in Anacortes race week, coming to 7 consecutive days of racing. 

Sunday we had a stronger, but still light/medium, breeze from the S when we arrived. There an on time start at the agreed upon time of 10am with four races scheduled. Although the running joke of the weekend was that SIs were never published. Racing felt even tighter and more fun than Saturday, with Hayden/Farzana taking the first race and Ellie/Kit first to the top mark in the second race. Many stayed out for an additional practice race after the 10-race regatta was complete as the weather was so nice (some were too anxious to get to the ferry line, myself included). 

Thank you to our wonderful hosts, OIYC, Julia Soes & Taylor Smith, race committee, and Chris & Justin Wolfe for putting this event together. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again.