Before
the race.2009 "Margarita Run", October 3, 2009
Before
the race.
Windsurfer Fleet 18 has an end of season race called the Margarita Run. The race starts in the main lagoon at Foster City and goes around bridge pillars to the East and then to a beach at the southwest at the end of Cutter Lane. Conditions can be very challenging because of the turbulence in the airflow over and around the townhouses that line the banks. In higher wind the turbulence is a bigger problem because of the increase in the "gust range". This year the predictied wind was 30 to 40 mph during the hours the race was to be held. The course was shortened, Foster City Boulevard bridge has been the rounding mark on the east end, it was dropped and the turning was made at Shell Blvd. bridge. The return race did not include Shell Blvd. bridge and just went around the weather mark up near the gazebo. It was still a very difficult race. This year the sail used by each competitor was their choice.
Three of Fleet 18's best were not in attendance, Rolf was in Germany, Mark and Dick were AWOL also. There were 5 competitors: Keith Walker, Spike Leonard, Mike Harrison, Kristine Taylor and Glenn Taylor. For Mike and Kristine this was their first attempt to sail the event.
The race started at 1:20:06 PM as recorded by Heather Hogg, who kindly joined our group to help with food and beverage transportation and data recording. Heather also took the great pictures shown on this page.
The finishers at the party end of the race (the 1/2 way point) were:
1. Keith Walker, @ 2:00:20 PM - 6.6 sq.m. sail
2.Kristine Taylor, @ 2:02:50 PM - 5.5 sq. m. sail
3. Glenn Taylor, @ 2:03:55 PM 0 6.6 - sq. m. sail
4. Spike Leonard, @ 2:07:08 PM - 6.3 sq. m. sail
5. Mike Harrison, @ 2:19:50 - 5.5 sq. m. sail
Keith is first to finish at the half way point.
The return race was harder, mostly upwind with gusts to near 30 mph. All competitors made it back to the main lagoon around the weather mark and to their launch point but only three crossed the finish line and only one of them was in "standard sailing position", Kristine.
Glenn was first to cross but, as you can see below, his position was "standard" if you consider only this day.
Keith got the "First to Beach" prize, and Kristine has to be considered the overall winner though Glenn, Spike, Kris, Kieth and Mike were all in the near vicinity of finishing at the very end.
Kris reads the windspeed, 18-20 with gusts to 28!
A memorable event!
Kris is an artist too! See her bronze animal art here: