Century Club: Jonathan Nepini

Out on Neptune's Wager for the Vice Commodore's Cup. A pretty light crew for a 35 footer in heavy conditions, but we made do just fine. I invited a very experienced sailor from the club, who trimmed main and advised on tactics. We started the race in 20kts of breeze with a reefed main and partially furled headsail, and sailed a wide but clean upwind leg. We had a bit of trouble with T-Bone in the way at the mark, but we drove around and set up for the downwind leg under genoa. We started sailing angles, but switched halfway through to wing-on-wing. We sailed the second two legs similarly, and managed a clean finish. 

The second race was a longer distance race up to the bridge and back, with a triangle thrown in for extra measure. The wind had backed off some by the start, so we rolled out the full genoa, nailed the start, and set off on the long beat to the bridge. We got in a tacking duel with Barba Roja, and for a brief period controlled most of the fleet. Barba Roja fumbled the mark rounding, and we got around clean and set a spinnaker for the long downwind run. The breeze picked up as we went, but we managed a nice tidy douse, right up until the end when we had an unanticipated jam with the jib sheets. Despite the jam, we got around and finished the triangle, and ended the race under a fast wing-on-wing run.

A fantastic day on the water, with solid crew work and learning all around. What a great way to spend a Saturday!

The weather cleared out and I decided to get an evening paddle in off Forest Landing before starting my week. Nice but breezy conditions made for a great upwind workout, followed by a pleasant ride back. I enjoyed sightseeing, and found a cool new boat in the neighborhood. A nice way to relax and unwind before starting another busy week.

Paddled off Leonardtown Wharf today. Light breeze until I rounded the corner, where wind was funneling up Breton Bay. A pretty great workout paddling upwind out to Mulberry Point, and enjoyed just enough breeze and waves to get into light surfing conditions on the way back. I managed to get the board to top out at 6.3kts. I caught a gorgeous sunset as I was getting packed up as well. 

Decided to get a quick lap in after being out of town for the weekend. I started off Clarke's Landing into fierce, gusty conditions. I hugged the shore for half an hour up to Forest Landing Cove, hoping for a speedy downwind run back. Unfortunately, the wind died off by that time, and I was left doing a bit of work paddling back. Beautiful golden hour light and a great workout!