Yesterday, Saturday 22/07/2017, we participated in the "Volta das Gererês" Regatta, a traditional course in the Bay of Paranaguá. Participated 15 oceanic sailboats, on a beautiful winter day, with a mild temperature (18 to 20C), little wind and strong currents of tide.
Our strategy was to get away from the juria boat, in an unfavorable condition preferably, but with a clean wind.
This worked. Here is a video made by a competitor who was on the opposite side, next to the juria boat. Our boat can be seen in the background at the final, the only one in the unfavorable sense.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8qUphNSZzvoWr963
In conditions of weak wind, lighter boats take extreme advantage. Our boat is heavy, and we can only get around the first float in the fourth overall position.
We entered the downwind leg and, with great work of the team with spinaker, we approached the boats that were in front of us. After rounding the Gererês Islands and returning to the upwind, the wind had increased and we managed to cross the finish line in second place.
After applying the corrected times, we finished first in our category, of sailboats with more than 32 feet.
Participating in a regatta is like taking an intensive sailing course. You have the opportunity to follow the outcome of every tiny adjustment of the sails, the course and even the positioning of your team inside the sailboat.
I do not know if you live near the sea, but whenever you have the opportunity to sign up for a race, do not waste it. Go as a crew member, even without knowledge, who will learn a lot and have fun.
