By Bob Putnam
The Race Committee for the AYC 3-2-1 Invitational ran five times as many races on Saturday, as they did the previous day. At the event’s two-thirds mark, visitors from “across the pond” hold a slight lead.
The undeniably excellent conditions on this second day led event co-chair, Derick Lynch, to own up to an erroneous statement. “Yesterday,” Lynch said, “I was wrong to say conditions were perfect. Clearly, today is the definition of perfect sailing conditions for team and match racing.”
The previous day’s northerly breeze which Lynch initially praised died out around noon, allowing only three “flights” totaling nine races to be completed. On Saturday, the early morning southeast breeze of 5 or 6 knots helped the RC kick off racing with a couple quick flights of racing. Then the wind built to a steady 9 to 12 from about 170 degrees, and settled in as the RC reeled off dozens of races. As usual, the skilled RC made several minor adjustments to marks, so that all races were run with precise timing and in perfect alignment with wind and tide.
After 54 races, the Royal Thames YC (10 wins; 4 losses) is atop the standings. Tied for second are the Annapolis Yacht Club (9 wins; 5 losses) and the Newport Harbor YC (9 wins; 5 losses). The other standings are San Diego YC (8 wins; 5 losses), San Francisco YC (7 wins; 6 losses), Ida Lewis YC (5 wins; 9 losses), Chicago YC (4 wins; 9 losses) and New York YC (2 wins; 11 losses).
On this lovely day in the Chesapeake Bay, with Navy F-118 Super Hornets streaking overhead in honor of the Navy home football game just getting underway, competitors could take a short break between races on a couple RC boats anchored on the edge of the course, serving the dual role of rest seating and floating head. Along with discussions of strategy and tactics, comments were made about the unique nature of the 3-2-1 event.
It was agreed the event might be described differently, depending on the viewpoint of the beholder. Spectators, for example, might think the 3-2-1 is sort of like a kaleidoscope – in the way it presents a blur of changing, colorful boat scenery, sails, spinnakers, spinning boats and waving flags.
There was also agreement on how those who work on the 3-2-1 can see it: That’s as a huge jigsaw puzzle, comprising dozens of moving parts. For the large, hard-working team of AYC members, supported by a small number of club staff, there are countless moving parts – developed as they devised the concept, refined details, developed the sailing instructions, acquired equipment, stockpiled supplies, recruited a team and invited a top-level cadre of competitors. There is little doubt among this hard-working posse of 3-2-1 faithful that success of this unique creation absolutely depends upon all the moving parts getting in the right place at the right time.
And finally, there’s the question of how competitors see the 3-2-1. Some of them, as suggested by Vice Commodore Chris Bell, who was present for this discussion, might think of it as similar to ballet. The careful choreography of team race tactics, and the dedication and hard training necessary to perform well certainly are parallel features.
Surprisingly, some of the competitors were somewhat circumspect in how to describe the 3-2-1. There were some initial comments like “exciting,” “challenging,” and “exhausting,” and they seemed quite genuine. But some competitors seemed to want to think more about an answer, as if not quite sure how to comment. Perhaps this reflects how different the 3-2-1 actually is from other competitions.
As more competitors consider the question, a more telling answer will emerge; likely after this regatta’s final horns are sounded and all the sails are furled.
In the meantime, considering the way teams are placed in high-pressure competition in one type of boat, then moved in rapid-fire fashion not only to a different platform but to a different racing discipline, a description offered by one member of the Ida Lewis YC team is as good as any. Competitor Matt Knowles said, “Racing in this event feels like organized chaos.”
Comments