First Race Won     > main list > previous news > next news   20060902 - With most of the racing sailboats participating in the Tri-State race, Shellshock stays in Chicago. And it was fortuitous of them as they went to start line for the MORF sponsored Dominic Marano regatta to find that they are the only ones racing in the spinnaker section for the two windward/leeward races. For this race, the boat has the a six person crew, Steffi, Min, Ariane, Vlad, Jeremy, Anthony - the upper limit for racing. In the first race, Jeremy takes that helm, while Anthony is up on the foredeck. It was a perfect start as Shellshock crosses the line first, seconds the horn sounds. With the wind blowing 10-15 knots and seas reaching 2-3 feet. The first leg was sailed with the best possible boat speed. On the downwind leg, Anthony sets the spinnaker incorrectly - the head of the spinnaker should be underneath the spinnaker sheet otherwise the lazy sheet will be outside the spinnaker. To correct this problem, Mr. Marty has to reset the spinnaker lazy sheet by brining it behind the tack of the sail and in front of the furled jib. Unfortunately, the lazy sheet gets caught up at the block at the end of the retractable bow sprit pole. The only way to fix the problem is for him to go out on the pole, fetch and untangle the line. He accomplishes this task right before rounding the leeward mark. Take down was executed flawlessly and max boat speed was achieved on the second and final upwind leg. Boat handling was being done at a level Shellshock has never seen in a race, until the gybe of the spinnaker. With the spinnaker entangled, caused by a broken jib halyard (read: more money to spend some end of season), the boat limps across the finish line to her first victory with a half filled chute. The second race was helmed by Anthony, with Jeremy up on the foredeck. As this was Mr. Marty's first race start under the helm, the boat speed was not max'd as Shellshock crosses the start line. But no worries, because this is a J/92, and this boat can accelerate up to speed fairly quickly. Jeremy's foredeck work was performed very well, but coordination with cockpit crew causes an early douse, leaving Anthony only a main to reach and round the leeward mark. And once he does, it is full speed again as the forgiving Shellshock gets right in the groove and right up to speed. Excitement is what racing on Shellshock is all about, and she gives a show of strength to the rookie skipper, Mr. Marty. On the last downwind leg, Anthony was reaching for the main sheet to let out the mainsail, when a puff comes across the starboard side and takes the boat down. It took the boat so far down, that Jeremy was pushed up against the shock cord that spans the double lifelines - toe rails and spanning shock cord up on the foredeck have been useful safety equipment. Anthony was thrown to the other side of the boat as he watches water come in from side of the boat and into the cockpit. The boat finally righted itself after Mr. Kharaz released the spinnaker sheet. With only one boat in the spinnaker section, Shellshock, by default gets her first win. On both races, Shellshock comes in second in the whole fleet, under Tempest, a Frers 30, sailing in the jib and main.   > view gallery > race 1 results (pdf) > race 2 results (pdf)