USA 4 Windsurfing Campaign

Ronstan Challange Day 2 Course Racing

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:45:00 +0000

With 2 days of racing already under their belts, the SF Formula fleet lined up for another day of Epic day of racing on the San Francisco city front. The 19 board fleet was joined by 20 kiters for 4 more course races in conditions that ranged from 10-12 knots gusty winds and a strong, flat flood tide in the morning to ridiculous 20-25 knots overpowered conditions in the afternoon.

Preparation was the key to Sunday's racing where the race was won before it even began...on the beach, in fact. With a first possible start at 11:30- a bit earlier than most sailors were used to, most of the fleet was haphazardly rushing to get on the starting line.
I made sure to arrive by 10:15 and had both the 11 and 10 rigged and ready to go.
At the last minute, I decided to take my 11.o as the holes where pretty sketchy on the inside of the course. The flood was ripping as well, adding another dimension to the already challenging conditions. As I sailed the course before the first start, it was obvious that the middle was the way to go as the puffs coming down the city front were less than frequent and certainly not dependable.
PHOTOS BY: SERGEI ZAVARIN
In race 1, I lined up on port tack with most of the fleet- getting off the line well to the middle of the Bay. We sailed for eternity- overstanding the layline by what seemed like a mile to over compensate for the flood and light air. Wells and I had a good lead with our 11.0s but Eric was sailing smart and staying in the puffs to keep the pace.
On the 2nd lap of the double windward leeward course, I was in the lead and had to call the layline again with both Eric and Wells putting the heat on from behind. I knew I had one chance as those guys would certainly sail beyond my line to be certain to make the mark.
It looked good but as things lighted up near the mark and the flood pushing my down, I had to tack back and was parked for the next minute watching Wells and Eric sail away.
The rest of the fleet floundered helplessly in the holes near shore armed with only their 10.0's.
I found having the extra power in the 11.0 was enough to get through most of the light stuff and by sailing smart, you could avoid most of the bigger holes.
Race 2 started much the same with the fleet getting off on port tack. I certainly didnt have the best angle upwind off the line but I was able to hold my own- going for speed in the flood tide. Ben looked like he was going to put together an impressive race footing off to the corner but got stuck in a hole and didnt get going again. Up front, it was Wells and I making sure we both overstood the top mark and stayed in the velocity. David got the jump on the last leg and was looking good heading on the finish but things lighted up on the bottom on the course and he had to gybe back for some pressure. Meanwhile I saw it happening and got to the pressure first and rode the puff down to the finish in first.
Sometimes, its all about being in the right place at the right time.

After a planned break on the beach around 1pm, it was still too light for the kiters to race so we headed back out after a 30 minute break. I knew the wind would be coming up. It's San Francisco after all but could I risk the 11.0 for 2 more races in the breeze. Sure enough like clockwork, just moments before I had to decide what to take on the water, the thermal kicked in and the Bay was full of white caps. I knew quite well, the 10.0 was going to be enough so I switched rigs, fueled up and went back out for more racing.
Race 3 kicked off with a squarer line and more of the fleet charging the line on starboard.
Again, I got a good jump and squeezed out hitting the sea wall first and getting a clear lane for the long beat to windward. I held my own but the fleet was charging hard and the top 5 arrived the top mark and got away clean. David and I were in the 2nd pack, back 10-15 seconds but caught an amazing puff driving us almost right down to the mark as the guys ahead got stuck in a light patch and all had to make an extra 2 gybes to get back on course. Eric was deep enough that he got away clean with only 1 gybe and rounded just in front of me at the leeward mark. Back upwind for the 2nd beat to windward, the chop and breeze were starting to come up but this time around the flood wasnt as strong. We kept the same order, with Eric taking the bullet and myself in 2nd while Sylvester snuck into 3rd for a strong showing.
By the time race 4 rolled along, the breeze was well into the mid 20's with some stronger gusts coming down the course. The chop had built from a smooth morning flood tide to a vicious combinations of swell, recreation boat traffic and voodoo chop.
I pulled out everything I had and put it all into the 4th race- nailing the start and leading at every mark to take the final bullet. Upwind, my legs were pumping like pistons, absorbing the chop while trying to keep the sail sheeted in hard with every gust. Downwind was like riding a bucking bronco- flying straight through the chop with my foot firmly planted in the chicken strap- even going as far as putting in in the backside of the leeward strap when things really got ugly. I watched in hidden delight as both Ben and Wells were stuck trying to manhandle their 11.0's in the big breeze. Crad finished strong right behind Eric and 2nd while Sylvester snuck into 4th- never finishing far behind the pack.
PHOTOS BY: SERGEI ZAVARIN
With the kiters anxious to get more racing in, John Craig send the formula fleet in while the kiters got 2 more course races in- in prep for their upcoming Worlds next month.
2 bullets and a 2nd and 3rd were consistent enough to take the afternoon win and the w-end overall title for the US Windsurfing NRT.
Overall-very happy with the progress in both light and strong winds.
Although I didnt think I had the best angle or speed in the fleet, but I made what I had work well and got around the course the fastest.
Next up is the US Nationals in the Gorge- starting next Wednesday with most of the SF fleet heading up.

Ronstan Challange

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Sometimes speed alone is enough to get you across the finish line in first.
Other times, you find yourself tripping over your own 2 feet.
That was the case for Saturday's long distance race- from a start set just off the St. Francis down to the Berkeley pier and back.
The fleet of 20 formula boards and 20 kiters had a 3 knot flood tide to pull them along on the down winder to Berkeley but fought the same opposing flood tide on the return trip.
As I headed out to check out the course 20 minutes before the start, I saw some decent puffs coming down the Bay but the inside was still unreliable- either hit or miss.
Photo credit: Shawn Davis
I decided it would be better to start on port and get out to some steady breeze in the middle of the Bay. That worked best and C-RAd, Mike Z and myself port tacked the rest of the fleet and made our way up the first beat. Mike Z put the pressure on immediately and squeezed me off forcing me to duck and go for speed. As we rounded the windward mark, it was Mike Z, CRad and myself off in the front of with a commanding lead. I was the first the break off and gybe as the middle of the Bay was looking lighter. I found a nice ribbon of breeze and some favorable current along the city front but was weaving my way in and out of commercial and recreational boat traffic and stuffed my nose and went down on the gybe back. A quick recovery and I found myself matched up with Mike Z for the lead again. Downwind Mike Z was able to push deeper but I had more speed. With every puff I was able to make some ground in the smooth flood tide as we blazed downwind towards the Berkeley Pier. Once we hit voodoo chop, I knew it was time to gybe but with my sail bagged out to the max from the smooth water we just came through, I knew I would have my hands full. I tucked the 10.0 in and made a good transition but the powerful sail just slipped right out form my hands as I popped it over to the new tack.
Wells took the opportunity to jump into 2nd as we made last deep reach to the bottom mark- set deep- just to the north of the gap in the Pier.
Back up wind, Mike Z and Wells had a good 30 second jump on me but both had different strategies for the next leg. Wells went for speed, not angle while Mike Z went for angle (but of course kept his speed!) I took the route in between them in what I though would yield the best VMG. As we made our way up towards the eastern tip of Angel Island, I made some real progress with great speed and caught Wells on the first tack. A few more tacks and we made our way up towards Point Blunt where the wind was really howling as it accelerated around and down the towering hills of Angel island. 25-30k with stood up chop directly on the bow of the board made for some survival sailing. I was keeping the pace, evening gaining on Mike Z with speed but I decided to split tacks from him and head back to what I thought might be some back eddies on the coast of Angel Island. Immediately after tacking, I realized I was too far up the coast for any flood relief and was forced to sail in the opposing tide as Mike Z made his way over towards Alcatraz in less tide, immediately putting some distance on me.
In hindsight, I should have stayed with him, knowing I had better speed but got greedy.
If there's one rule to remember in sailing, it's to always stay between your competitors and the next mark.
As I made my way back across the middle of the Bay on starboard tack, Mike Z had a good lead on me and covered for final beat. Meanwhile, out of nowhere, Ben Bamer pulled a horizon job banging the Angel Island corner and had a commanding lead to finish in 1 hour and 16 minutes. Mike Z was next just under a minute behind while I held onto 3rd with the rest of the fleet pushing hard and making up ground on the last leg.
Sunday's schedule is for more course racing on the city front.
Report and photos to follow.

San Francisco windsurfer missing- please help!

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Our good friend and fellow windsurfer form Crissy Field- Paul Mann has gone missing.
Its been almost 4 days and no word- even after extensive on the water search and rescue missions by the Hood River sheriff and his friends canvassing the town with photos and signs. Please help by keeping an eye out for him if you're out there!!

Several SF sailors were in the Gorge this past week for a summer trip and wedding.

Paul was last seen with his friends on a stand up paddle board on Friday July 3 at roughly 12:30pm at the Hook in Hood River Oregon in calm, light wind waters. A windsurfer spotted the paddle board floating approximately 150 yards from Jensen Beach. A passing kayaker was able to help get the board (and paddle) to shore return to the rental shop. The police were contacted and a search began immediately.

Paul is 5'4" - 5'5", tan, fit, dark hair (slightly thinning hair...), and brown eyes. He was wearing a black nylon baseball hat, sunglasses with red croakies, no shirt, white board shorts with big blue flowers (old navy). The shorts had a faded orange whistle and keys in the pockets.

The Sheriff and his crew have been in search with boats, divers and a plane. Please help us by keeping an eye out for him if you're out there!!

If you see, or know something please call the county sheriff's office 24 hour number at 541-386-2711.

Paul's girlfriend Michell has started a blog to get out the latest info:

http://paulmann.typepad.com

Also see: iwindsurf thread

Monday afternoon update:

Tribute to Paul tonight at Crissy Field at 7:30PM. We will have a raising of sails in Paul's
honor since we'll be at his favorite spot hopefully having enjoyed his favorite sport earlier. So, if you're going to sail today, DON'T DERIG. If you're not going to sail come prepared to rig one of your sails and be ready to go by 7:30pm. At 7:30 we will gather on the sand at Crissy and simultaneously raise our sails in his honor and have our moment of silence and think good thoughts about him.

From Michell

As the search for Paul continues, I think it would be very special if we can all get together tomorrow, Monday July 6th at 7:30pm to share in a moment of silence and to help focus our thoughts on getting Paul the help he needs. So many of you have reached out and asked what you can do to help and now we need you to act. Our intention is to bridge the cap between Hood River, San Francisco and any other place you may be on this earth.

San Francisco - Crissy Field
Bring a candle, a cigar, a guitar, a bong, a bottle of wine, beer, a picture of Paul or whatever you feel would be appropriate to help pray/channel your energy to get Paul back to us.

Meet at Crissy Field for a moment of silence at 7:30pm. Tell your friends and family to join you - we really need all the help and support we can get.

Hood River - The Hook
Bring a candle, a cigar, a guitar, a bong, a bottle of wine, beer, a picture of Paul or whatever you feel would be appropriate to help pray/channel your energy to get Paul back to us.

Meet at the Hook for a moment of silence at 7:30pm. Tell your friends and family to join you - we really need all the help and support we can get.

Tuesday update:

Our search ends

Sadly, earlier this morning (Tuesday July 7), the Sheriff's dept. recovered Paul's body from the Columbia river. He was found near the Event Site.

Thanks to everyone who tirelessly helped with this search. Whether it was by plane or boat or kayak or windsurfer or jet-ski or forming a circle of friends or raising your sails or sending your thoughts and prayers, you helped find our friend Paul. Thank you!

2009 San Francisco Classic videos

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Some great video footage from the SF Classic.
At the start:

And finally form the kiters perspective:

+ SF Kite racing development:

Learning to foot for speed in the flood

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:59:00 +0000

Sunday's course racing provided a building breeze and sunny skies with 15-20k by the 12:00 first start off the St. Francis Y.C.
We ran 3 triple windward leeward courses for plenty of upwind downwind racing in a building flood tide.
Racing was tight between 2nd and 5th- changing back and forth with CRad, Wells and myself all trading spots in most of the races.Thanks to Shawn Davis for the photos- more at his website.

In front, it was Al who took 3 bullets with amazing speed and no mistakes all day.
I learned so much about my VMG in the course of the day, that my upwind style changed completely by the last race. By running the sail a bit flatter than normal and much longer harness lines, I was able to really go from a pinching set up to a footing set up- which worked so much better in the flood tide and flat water.
Ben was dominating with this set up but he was left hung to dry at the windward mark- which was set just inside the windline and left the heavyweights watching the light guys pump away.
I struggled in my first 2 starts to get a lane off the line on starboard and maintain my position going into the seawall. After the first tack, the positions were pretty much set, baring any major mistake. Al and CRad both had great speed and found themselves in the top 2 positions. Wells- who is fresh on the F4 fin program- really stepped up the pace and was there at every mark rounding.
Photo credit: Shawn Davis
Race 1 started with a few guys on port tack and the rest on starboard. I was 1-2 seconds late pulling the trigger and fought for a lane. I ducked down taking some sterns to try to get to the wall first but was in 5th by the time we got the the top mark- set in a big hole. The fleet sat parked- exiting in pretty much the same order they came in.
A quick downwind and upwind saw the parade to the middle and we ended up in the same scenario- parked at the top mark. This time I saw Wells- escape by sailing deep around the mark and getting the a puff that wasn't even available 20 feet away.
Another quick down and up and I found myself in the same position, taking the rounding wide and keeping in the wind and catching up from 5th to 3rd on thet rounding.
Race 2 saw the wind build to 18-20k. A few more port tackers on the line this time with Ben and Al pushing the top mark again. I got screwed at the top mark in what can only be described as a hole from hell as the top 4 guys sailed away and I never got back in the game.

photo credit: Sergei Zavarin
Race 3 was run at 1:30 with the gust coming in a bit stronger.
Most of the fleet was well powered on the 10's.
I decided port was the way to go and got off the line well and had to match Ben's speed low angle in order not to get rolled. The difference was amazing as both our VMGs proved very fast upwind. At the top mark, CRad, Wells, Ben and I all came in hot just behind Al.
The lightweights escaped and got back to the breeze. 2 more upwind and down winds saw me putting everything I had to stay in the game with Wells and CRad and finally got the best of them on the last upwind by footing for speed with better VMG as the big puffs came down the course.
I managed to pass CRad on the last downwind and get off a better gybe and get going sooner to finish the last race in 2nd.
With Al clearly ahead taking all 3 bullets, it was a 1 point difference between 2nd and 4th with me getting the short end of the stick in 4th. Sometimes, that's how racing goes.
Overall, still happy with performance and new technique in the flood tide.
A huge round of thanks to the St. Francis Y.C for providing the resources and facilities to run 2 great days of racing on the city front. The race management is world class!

Almost forgot about Friday night racing at the club a few days ago.

Adam got some good video.
Enjoy

SF Classic

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:13:00 +0000

The SF Classic is one of those races that gets me every time.
Billed as the oldest long distance windsurfing race in the World, it is a marathon endeavor putting competitors in some of the roughest spots on the San Francisco Bay.
The history of the race is almost more legendary than the race itself with the likes of windsurfing icons like Robby Naish, Ken Winner and locals Bard Chrisman, Steve Sylvester, and Mike Z all putting the names on the trophy over the years.
For a very interesting read on history of the event as well as development of the sport in it's peak years- check out the article Paul Henekin wrote about a mid fleet perspectice of the race from 1979-1989.
With 15 mark rounding from outside the Golden Gate Bridge, across the Bay 8 times and finally through the Berkeley pier AND BACK- there's always something that's gotten the better of me year after year.That is until this year.
Surprising even myself, I led around the course at every mark and took both the SF Classic and the UN Challenge- for the best upwind time from Berkeley to the finish line at the St. Francis Y.C.
Stoked is how I felt as I crossed the finish line nearly 5 minutes ahead of Mike Z and David Wells on the return trip home!
We had spend the previous week preparing for the Classic by running the top half of the course- getting down to Pt. Blunt and finally coming back home in winds exceeding 30 knots.
That training really helped me push the entire race- knowing to take each leg as its own race and concentrating on the feat in front of me.
Of course, when you're racing across the entire Bay- you cant forget about the big picture.
The tides played a huge factor in both the upwind and downwind legs of the course.

photo credit SERGEI ZAVARIN
The Formula fleet started around 2:15 in a raging flood tide.
My goal was to start on port and get out to any ebb- well at least out of the flood!
I won the start, having to duck 1 starboard tacker and taking the rest of the fleet.
Both Al and CRad had better speed on the first leg and sailed from below me to get outside the bridge first. We all tacked on what we thought was the layline to the red nun but it was apparent, the flood was going to get the best of us.
Al hit the flood tide first and immediately both CRad and myself tacked back once we realized it would take a few more tacks to windward to get around the windward mark- set in a huge patch of raging flood tide and voodoo chop. We both overstood the top mark- knowing quite well that once we hit the flood tide again, any progress to weather was in vain.
Again, I think being familiar sailing in the crazy voodoo chop helped.
I knew that you had to keep your power going through or else you were done.
That meant really bagging the sail out to get the most power and keeping the board moving.
I made sure to overstand the port layline again- making sure not to get swept down into the mark.

As I made my way back through the voodoo chop and downwind, I saw most of the fleet struggling in the first of many tests that would put some separation from the leaders and the rest of the fleet.
The mark boat set at the north tower was unusually deep and I had to make 3 gybes to get around it.
It too was set in a tide line made up of boiling, stood up waves with no easy spot to gybe.
Leading the reach to the Presidio shoal bouey, I knew I had to put some money in the bank so that I had some room to heat things up as it got lighter near shore.
Sure enough, the plan worked as I came screeching to a sudden stop in a few hundred meters from the next mark as the wind whittled down to just a few knots of breeze.
My nearest competitor- Al- was well to windward facing the same scenario but having to go dead downwind to reach the mark.
I got in and out as fast as I could and back up top outside the Gate.
This time, we had some company as the kiters were making their first attempt at rounding the top mark.
With considerably less upwind angle than the formula boards, it was a maze of sorts to find my way to the layline again ducking and pinching through the kite fleet.
I used the same strategy of overstanding and spending as little time upwind as I could in the flood tide.
It worked and I was off again in the lead.
I decided to gybe early to get back into the flood downwind and made my way to the mark set way inside the north tower.
Reaching down to Anita Rock, the flood tide made a velvety smooth water state where I really sent it deep- again making sure to compensate for the lighter breeze near shore at crissy field.
At this point, I had a pretty good lead but it was still early and anything could happen.
Soheil, Al and Wells were all pushing hard coming down from the bridge as I made my way across the Bay towards Angel Island and the next mark- Harding rock.
It was all pretty routine from there- if you can call beam reaching in 15-20k with a formula board routine.
I went from chicken strap to the double chicken- trying to find a comfortable position in each one of the reaching legs that sent us from Blossom Rock to Blunt to R2 to R4.
I tried to keep on eye on David and Al behind me but still had at least a half leg advantage but knew the pressure was on.
Going deep after R2, I kind of stumbled upon the Berkeley pier and the next rounding.
Mark X on the Olympic Circle lined up perfectly with the camels hump on Brooks Island.
Baring disaster, I knew I had it wrapped up and took the last leg easy to gain some needed strength before the next upwind.
Wells caught up considerably and was only 7 seconds behind at the finish gate.

I put the petal to the metal again and never let up the next 1 hour and 2 minutes it took me to reach the finish line at the St. Francis Y.C.
I knew I wanted to protect the right side where there would be less adverse flood tide and maybe even some ebb so I tacked with Wells and Al as it began to lighten up on starboard tack at the bottom of the course.
I had good angle on both of them lost track of them as we sailed up upwind towards Angel Island. At this point we were going through several conversing tide lines but I managed to spend the most time in the ebb- taking a route tacking back and forth between Angel Island and Alcatraz.
I was forced to tack earlier than I wanted with an inbound freighter coming down through raccoon straights but took another hitch back- almost all the way up to Harding where it really looked like I overstood the finish line but as I sailed across the Bay for the last time, I was well positioned for the adverse flood as well as one last obstacle- a red and blue ferry headed upwind straight in my line to the finish.
Should I cross or duck?
Not wanting to blow the lead I had worked so hard for all race, I took the conservative approach and ducked and squeezed past the finish line to take the bullet.

Arnaud was on the race deck capturing racers as they came across the upwind finish.

I think having equipment that I knew worked was another factor of my success.
Im pretty confident with the 2008 north 10.0 to provide the best range in the conditions we faced. I had the sailed dialed. I was running a 67 cm kashy xs fin on my starboard 160.

The kites were not so lucky and never got pasted the presidio shoal doldrums and had their race abandoned.
Sunday is another day of course racing with al least 3 races on the schedule.
Report to follow

Summer Solstice

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:17:00 +0000

This weekend we celebrated the summer solstice with the longest day of the year and 15 hours of sunshine both Saturday and Sunday.
The winds couldn't have been better, well sort of, depending on where you were.
There's an old saying that if you want the wind to be light- schedule a race- specifically a slalom race!
We had the perfect location in the middle of the SF Bay with a huge group of other sailors- celebrating the solstice at Treasure Island.
The first Cal Cup Invitational reach race was set for Saturday afternoon but alas with 15 sailors fulled rigged for slalom and potentially formula, the wind failed to come down the Bay and fill in by 3:30 and the race was called. Sure enough just as I de-rigged 3 sails, the wind started filling in.
I decided to bail and hit up the city front where Crissy Field was going off in 20-30k and huge swell at the South Tower. I managed one of the best session of the year, lit on my mikes lab slalom board and north warp 6.3. The stacked up 4'-6' swell was pumping set after set just inside the Gate with the wind line extending all the way into Ft. Point Bay allowing you to ride the sets way deeper and longer than normal. I spend a solid 30 minutes gybing back and forth between the South Tower of the Golden Gate bridge and Ft. Point while the tide pumped a river of flood like a moving moving sidewalk. By 6:30 the gust were into the 30's and I couldn't keep the momentum of gybing every 30-40 seconds - despite some of the best swell of the year.
On Sunday- despite being lighter, it was still a solid day. I squeezed out a late session on my big slalom gear lining up with a few locals tuning up for the US Nationals next month in the Gorge. By 8 pm when I left the beach, the sun was still above the span of the GG Bridge with another hour of day light left!
Ive been making sure everything is in good and tuned order this season with 5 rigs to manage between formula and slalom.
New harness lines,
Reinforced boom heads,
Double Chicken strap on the formula board,
Marked settings on bases and booms.
Lately, Ive been sailing the slalom gear with a waist harness and feeling pretty fast.
Its a different feeling than using a seat harness where you can essentially sit down and swing from the harness lines. The waist harness pulls from your core and you use your whole body against the force of the sail. That usually means shorter harness lines.
On the bigger sails, especially this years north warps, Ive been running the harness lines much further back on the boom as a result of the flatter more slalom like feel to the formula sails. You need to tune the 09 warps very full and powerful to get the most out of them. That means alot of tack strap pressure to put shape into the bottom of the sail. Also the sail requires almost no outhaul at all- with the sail touching the outhaul cleat on the boom and even the harness lines upwind. Any tighter and you start to loose angle upwind.
Also Ive been experimenting with wider booms the last 2 seasons.
The idea is the boom isnt draping as much over the boom downwind- especially in lighter conditions when you really bag the sail out. This also helps keep a clean twist all the way up the sail.

So far the modified HPL back end works best with several additional layers of carbon reinforcement this season. The Maui Sails boom works great as well but has a lot of swing weight and is still very wide and the furtherst point out.
This week-end will be a marathon of racing with the Friday Night Series at StFYC and the SF Classic on Saturday and more formula course racing on Sunday.
Break out the endurox recovery drink!

Racer's responsibility to know the rules

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Sailing is one of the few competitive sports that leaves enforcing the rules essentially up to the participants. To make this work, however, racers actually need to know the rules and feel comfortable and knowledgeable enforcing them!
Once you begin to understand them, the game charges completely. You begin to take advantage of more opportunities because you know the rules and a protest becomes a means to ensuring fair sailing, not something that is looked down upon.
The fundamental principle of the Racing Rules of Sailing lies in sportsmanship. It says that when competitors know they have broken a rule they will promptly take a penalty or retire.
However, an important thing to remember is that in most cases, a sailor must actually be protested by another sailor or the RC to be disqualified!
So if you see somebody breaking a rule and don't protest them, you are just as guilty as not following the rules as the person who you think has broken a rule.
On the same hand, if you know youve broken a rule, the proper thing is to take a penalty or retire.
As the old saying goes, 'You haven't won the race, if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors.'- Paul Elvstrom

An interesting scenario happened 2 weeks ago at our CALCUP series where the rules came into question and as a result of several emails with our local rules guru and US Sailing judge, Bryan McDonald, several important lessons were learned.

The course was a typical windward leeward with a start/finish line in bottom 1/4 of the beat. At the skipper's meeting, it was noted, the finish was was closed during the downwind portion of the course.
Upon finishing Race 2, another sailor came up to me saying I was disqualified because I sailed through the finish line.
I tried to recall the downwind leg and remember seeing another sailor inside of me when going downwind. Between the races, I went over and talked to the other sailor and to the best of our collective knowledge came to the conclusion that he or I did not sail through the finish line.
At this point, with out any protest lodged by the accusing sailor, I thought the issue was over.
When the scores where published (nearly 10 days later), I noticed I was scored a DSQ for race 2.
Informally, I sent an email to the RC asking what was up.
Their response: 'We saw you sail through a restricted area in addition to another sailor reporting the incident.'
'OK,' I thought, well maybe I did sail through the line with out really knowing it since the RC and another sailor said they saw me but it is certainly not in the spirit of the rules to automatically DSQ a sailor without a hearing.

I dug out the rule book and looked into rule 63 and found that if a race committee thinks a boat has broken a rule, including for instance not sailing the course correctly, it must protest the boat. The Protest committee will then call a hearing, find the facts, decide if a boat broke a rule, and penalize her if she did.

The next logical step for me would have been to apply for redress since my score, through no fault of my own, had been made significantly worse by an improper action or omission by the RC.
No protest was filed by any party, including the RC and yet I was DSQ'ed from a race.

I again consulted our local rules guru for consultation and he agreed- the RC had no right to penalize a sailor without a hearing (outside starts and finishes.) In addition, if other sailors think they see a rule being broken, it's up to them to protest. No protest = no grounds for DSQ.

Upon pushing the issue further, the RC came back with another sailor saying they saw me sail through the line (but again no protest.)

The evidence was beginning to stack up that maybe I did sail through the finish line without knowing it and maybe the proper thing for me to do would be to withdraw from the race but with out a hearing and no protest by either the RC or other sailors, it was well within my rights to continue to ask for redress and have my results reinstated.

I decided not to push it any further (against my better judgment) and try to use the scenario as an example to learn from.

Here's what I learned:
The rules are up to us to enforce.
If you race without really understanding them it's not really fair to yourself, your competitors or the sport.
As a competitor, you have the responsibility to uphold the rules.
Sportsmanship (RRS 2, Fair Sailing) requires all of us to abide by the rules, to take a penalty or withdraw when required, and to make sure our competitors abide by the rules.

Unfortunately, the “official” Rule book reads like a typical legal document and is often a confusing, and very uninteresting (boring), document to read. Fortunately, several books are available to explain what the rules mean, and why they apply to specific situations.

The best I have come across is:
“Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing” by Dave Perry, published by US Sailing.

“Paul Elvstrom Explains the Racing Rules of Sailing” is the “Bible” of sailing explanations and should be the centerpiece of any racers library.

“The Rules Book” by Eric Twiname, currently edited by Bryan Willis and “The Rules in Practice” by Bryan Willis are the most popular and are perhaps the easiest to read and understand.

Also are some great blogs that will keep you updated on the rules:
The Racing Rules of Sailing: Look to Windward: http://rrsstudy.blogspot.com
North Coast Windsurfing: racing explained by a mistral prodigy sailor.
Updated Cyber learning of racing Rules
UK rules Quiz

Of course, the rules are available online at:
ISAF website
More specifically, windsurfers also follow Appendix B of the RSS whicn can be found here.
And finally if you find yourself racing at a PWA event, forget everything mentioned above and just get around the course as fast as you can as there are no racing rules- only broken bones!
More about no rules PWA @ G-42 blog

Friday night racing at the St Francis

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Last Friday night saw some of the closest racing all season with Eric and I duking it out in front and ending the night after 5 races tied for first with 6 points a piece.
Racing started with most of the fleet on the 9.0's as the wind was a steady 18-20 knots but with big gust coming down the course. For those of you who haven't sailed in SF, 20k here is like 25k in other parts of the world. Like the gorge, the wind is denser here- giving a stronger punch. Combine that with a crazy ebb, boat traffic and SW gust coming down hard off the Presidio and most sailors choose to sail on their smaller rigs for better control.
Despite the gusts, I've got my 10.0 dialed in to where I can sail it pretty overpowered- even with a 70 cm fin, pinching upwind and straddling the chicken strap off the breeze. I hold off for the 9.0 until it gets really hairy.

In race 1 I took the lead off the line and rounded Anita in 1st with the pack close behind. Charging the downwind leg with full force, I rode the puff down as much as I could to the beach and gybed when it looked like the breeze was dying off some. At the leeward mark, I still had control but sailed the last leg all the way to the seawall, letting Eric tack first and just edge me out at the finish line as we crossed with both of us overlapped and shooting the line! Sometimes the inside lift works here but sometimes, if you're at the layline- youve just got to go for it and take your chances!

Race 2 started with a bit more pre race strategy as the ebb was starting to kick in stronger. You could no longer just line up to the side of B, hang out for the last minute and charge the line but rather had to make your approach with a bit more caution. This meant, going a bit further downwind of the line and during the last minute, let the ebb carry you up to the line. This approach worked well as the rest of the fleet was having to dive down the line as they got sucked up and were too early in their approach. I was left with a smooth lane upwind to climb and get upwind well. Eric actually called the layline a bit better than me and arrived at Anita 10 seconds before me but I gybed a bit sooner and caught a puff to ride down and get to B ahead and in control. I didn't let the mistake of the last race happen again and tacked as soon as I hit the layline to the finish and took the bullet.

Thanks to Shawn Davis for climbing down on the rocks and capturing some great photos.
The complete collection can be found at his website

Race 3 started with me pulling the trigger 2 seconds late and having both Al and Chris to leeward and just ahead. I went into pinching mode but couldn't stay there for too long and had to dive below them for clear air. This actually turned out well as half way up the beat there was a persistent header which favors the leeward board as we got headed. My speed paid off and I rounded the top mark in 3rd behind Al and Eric but with course C called, I just had to wait for one of them to make a mistake as the tactical options were limited in this multi gybe and reach course. As expected, they didnt make any mistakes and sailed to the first 2 spots while I crossed the line in 3rd with CRad just behind.
Race 4 was another close one with Eric and I but I missed out on calling the top layline and Eric got the jump on the downwind. Pushing hard, I was making my move and looked like I might have a chance but fumbled my gybe just before B and was left man handling the 10.0 and rounding up in a big gust. I got everything in control again and held off Wells who was putting on the pressure in 3rd.
The wind lighted up some race 5 where I had a good advantage with the 10.0 and didnt have much pressure as Eric was caught over early in the ebb and had to restart. I sailed conservatively making sure I didn't blow anything and took the final bullet of the evening to finish strong!
Despite our fleet numbers getting smaller, the level of sailing has gone way up this year. The fleet is on a more level playing field in terms of equipment with most of the top sailors on far better fins than the last 2 seasons. The result is everybody is getting their stuff dialed and going fast. There's no one sailor who has a big advantage anymore but rather its the sailor making the least mistakes thats winning- as it should be!
Also- check out the new race camera mounted at the StFYC with full view of all the racing action!
Adam was there as well to capture som eof the racing on video:

Thaks Adam!

As smooth as butter

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Last nights session just came together as I didn't get on the water till 6:45 but was the last off at 8pm with the sun still going down under the Golden Gate Bridge.The tide line was amazing to watch along the city front course as the woodies made their way up the beach past the Presidio shoal in their Wednesday night StFYC series.
I sailed the Friday night course a few times and practiced transitions on the inside- gybing around B and rounding X..
There was a river of flood @ X that made any small mistake at least a few board lengths lost to leeward.

3/4 of the way up the beat to the bridge, the water was as smooth as silk in the middle of the Bay with a decent 2-3k flood tide running through.
The tide line is an interesting thing to sail over and through- all sorts of weird eddies and a wall of water to sail over- in this case, a mere 6".
The board chatters beautifully in these conditions- absolutely flying off the breeze with an extra 2-3k of board speed with the current.
Its time like these when I Iook around and realize the beauty of this place.
The marin headlands are just soaked in an intense Pacific orange glow.
No one else around for at least a 1 mile radius.
A few dolphins make their way towards the ocean against the incoming tide.

As I approach the south tower, things lined up completely different as the tide line was a 2-3' sea of voodoo chop.
My goal is to get around the red nun buoy just outside the tower.
I power through the zone- in what can only be described as a sea of intensely moving moguls.
The only way to approach this is to charge through- 100% committed!

I turn the corner with my foot firmly planted in the leeward chicken strap as wind has strengthen to the mid 20's
15 gybes later and I'm back Crissy field but resist a few minutes longer with a few Anita rock roundings. The flood slightshots me around as I practice a few more gybes off the beach
Adam was there to capture a few of the runs.
Thanks!

SF Formula racing in full swing again

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:45:00 +0000

As if 6 out of the last 7 days powered up on formula gear wasn't enough...
The last 2 days saw 10 more races in the Friday night series and a competitive day of formula racing at the Calcup in Berkeley.
The quiver is beginning to get more dialed in as I put more time on each sail, fin and find the best settings. So far, Im really happy with the results and performance just needing to capitalize on calling my laylines better and of course nailing every start.
With the development and progression of F4 fins, the SF fleet is really pushing again.
Locals, Al Mirel, Chris Radkowski and Ben Bamer have been getting the fin line up to speed with some good results.
Al kept the heat on friday night with consistent 1, 1, 2, 2 results while I had a series of 1, 1, 2, 3 to finish 1 point behind Al for the night. Eric was right up there with his custom Mike Z fin but decided tried to make a quick switch down to 10 in race 4 which saw him late for the start.
In race 1, I was hot off the blocks, getting a good start but overstanding the top mark with Al and Chris in tow. Eric, always keen to nail the laylines- got a jump with David and Jean to lead around the course with a close finish of the top 5 boards within 10 seconds.
Race 2 -4 saw a constant battle back and forth between Al and I as we both had similar angle upwind. After the 3rd race I moved my mast track back a 1/2" and found a bit better upwind performance. I seemed to have an advantage downwind with the bigger sail - especially as we came in side where the wind was lighter. I still believe the kashy fin has a more advantage downwind in terms of speed but its the guy who gets around the course fastest that winds the race.
racing photos by Arnaud Lepert,
The Friday night series is more about board handling, transitions and calling laylines than anything else. You may be the fastest but if you can't nail the start, and make every tack and gybe with consistency, you'll be left wondering what happened as the fleet sails by.
The final race saw the RC putting the kabash on any chance I had for a decent start with a call of 'USA 4 over early.' I quickly made my way back for a dip restart and powered back through the fleet to round the top mark in 5th and make my way downwind with a nice puff at the beach that the leaders were too early for. As we gybed around B, Al and Eric were out in front and I almost overtook them off the breeze but simply ran out of room on the last upwind leg with no options left.
Saturday was the 2nd CalCup series of the season after the last attempt was skunked at Coyote.
The best part of the day wasn't necessarily the racing but seeing the St. Francis junior windsurfing program being run off the Berkeley docks. There's a new generation of young kids taking up the sport with the help of the St. Francis Yacht Club. They've now got a trailer full of Bic Techno's and trainer rigs and are on the water at least 1-2 time s a week. It was also great to see several new faces and sailors taking part in the B and C fleet.
As we waited for the tide to come in and allow the formula fleet to launch off the docks, it looked like the wind was coming up to a decent 15-20k around the corner.
Almost all of the fleet was on their 10's as the Berkeley chop adds another dimension to board and sail handling.
Race 1 saw Chris and Al and at least one other sailor try to port tack the fleet. I had a really great timed start at the boat with not much competition as the rest of the fleet was a bit late.
As I worked my way up the left side of the course out in front, I kept looking over my shoulder trying to find the top mark. I knew I was getting close but realized I had overstood some when the guys below my tacked and laid the mark. There went my lead but still, I was able to come down with speed and round in first and keep control of the rest of the race. Sylvester caught up to 2nd and put some pressure on the last leg but wasn't quite enough.
I thought Id give the port start a try in Race 2- only because it eliminated the chance of overstanding the top mark as you have to tack 3/4 of the way up the port beat when you hit the Berkeley pier. As Al, Chris and I ducked the starboard tackers, we all made our way up the course with similar angle. Downwind though is where I pulled away and tried to reel in Steve and Eric in the lead. I positioned myself for a good leeward rounding and started to climb well to windward. Eric, Steve and myself all came into the finish pretty close. Eric was the first to tack and nailed a port end finish grabbing the bullet from Sylvester and putting myself in 3rd.
Race 3: I beleive I rounded to top mark in 1st again with a sizable lead after a good starboard start and good 1st 2 legs but overstood the layline for the last bottom mark and Sylvester capitalized from behind and we were coming into the leeward mark and were pretty close and well lit. I was the inside boat but didn't quite have the overlap yet so had to back off to give Steve room to gybe on the last mark rounding. In doing so, I tried to carve sharply and dropped the rig. Fortunately, the rest of the fleet was 20 seconds behind and I got up to finish 2nd.

Race 4 was a bit fuzzy and I cant remember any details except some excitement on the first layline when I tacked onto port and immediately realized Percy was coming in hot on starboard just as I got up to speed. We both slammed on the breaks to avoid a collision and as quickly as I could, sailed a 360 to clear myself from the foul and was on my way again. Putting myself that far back, I didn't have much a chance to catch up with the leaders and simply joined the parade around the course. Noticeably absent was Eric who was TKO as he went over the handle bars and broke a batten and had to sail in to make a switch.
Finally Race 5 saw action from the Bay areas most famous footer- Ben Bamer. As many recall, Ben is smoking hot on the course but as luck would have it- usually has his share of disasters to deal with. Earlier in the day, he was set back with a broken mast.
Not to be put down completely, he managed a clean start in race 5 in the middle of the line and footed to the left with better speed than everyone above him. As you would expect, Ben had to overstand the top mark somewhat to compensate for his lack of angle. Now with the top 4 guys tacked and laying the port layline, Ben makes his way over all of us and just kills us with his bad air. One by one he sailed over us and gassed us and was able to just squeeze around the top mark. Eric was the only other one to make it around the top mark as he was the first to get gassed and immediately went into pointing mode. Al, Chris, Steve and I all had to double tack to make the starboard rounding. After that it was simple a parade but think I managed to pick Chris off to finish 4th.
That should have been enough to put me in 2nd or 3rd for day- depending on Al and my throwouts.
Overall though, Im happy the way the season is progressing nearly 2/5 of the way through it already. At this point, Im not necessarily looking for victories (although they are nice) but still trying to find every opportunity to improve and make advances in my setup. The goals for the season are to finish strong at the US Nationals this July in the Gorge and hopefully make a better performance than last year at the World Championships in Spain this September.
Thanks to Emmet for CalCup photos

An ounce of prevention..

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:17:00 +0000

There's been some chatter on our calcup yahoo groups lately about reinforcing the front end of your formula boom head. Call it preventative maintenance or just plain common sense. The result gives you a bit more confidence in your gear- giving you the opportunity to push harder + prevents the opportunity for catastrophic failure. A lot of racing has to do with preparation before the race even begins.
To top it off, the cost of replacing a broken boom with a new one is about 10x the cost of the repair. Finally, any chance you have to upgrade to the Maui Sails head will be well worth it. The Streamlined head is still way better than the stock heads but comes with its own set of issues. No sitings yet of North's new ifront boom end but it looks like it wont work on a beefed up boom.

Several California sailors have put there 2 cents in at the same time I was about to embark on my latest carbon endeavor. Thanks to Soheil, Joe Roth and Royce for contributing to this instructional guide to reinforcing a formula boom head.

What you'll need: 2 part epoxy, electrical tape,(peel ply- optional), bi directional carbon, plastic mixing bowl, plastic gloves, foam brush and squeegee.
1. Begin by taking off the existing boom head.

2. Remove the boom grip for about 2 inches back from the front (gives you more area to wrap and beef up). Use a rough file.

3. Sand exposed carbon boom arms to rough them up and also to remove any grip glue in the area you will be wrapping.4. Next comes the Carbon prep.
Cut a strip of carbon about 3-6 inches wide and long enough to wrap continuously from one side to the other (grip to grip) with some overlap.

5. Do a dry test wrap with this strip to get a feel for how you will be wrapping, and to make sure you'll have enough carbon for full coverage.

6. Put on some gloves (more than 1) and do the rest of the steps in the garage and/or over some plastic and paper where dripping epoxy resin won't upset your wife or girlfriend or landlord!

7. Mix your 2 part epoxy resin well. I used West Systems regular curing speed (not the slow cure stuff...), that you can get at West Marine.
Incidentally, I bought my carbon cloth at Tap Plastics.

8. Use a brush to coat the to-be-wrapped areas of the boom with a thin layer of epoxy.

8.1 If you have a long, 6' or so, flat surface on which you can lay out the 3" to 6" wide cut strips of carbon over a piece of plastic or a couple of layers of wax paper.
Then pour some epoxy over the carbon strips and using a small plastic epoxy squeegee or foam brush and completely wet out the tape and squeegee off the excess.
Next roll up the wet carbon strips onto a cardboard roll (covered with packing tape so that the epoxy doesnt soak into cardboard)

9. Unwrap your cloth tightly around the boom from the tube you wrapped it on, ensuring that it wets out with epoxy as you go. Use your wet brush to add epoxy to any dry areas. This is a messy job-especially with the loose ends of carbon, but use preseverance and work quickly to avoid the epoxy from hardening too much.
10. Once you've gone grip to grip with your carbon wrap, use some peel ply cloth and/or electrical tape to TIGHTLY wrap over your wet carbon wrap job. This will squeeze out excess resin and cause your carbon to adhere firmly to the boom head without any voids. This is called the poor man's vacuum bag.

11. Let the whole thing cure overnight, and then unwrap the electrical tape/peel ply bandages. These don't stick to the cured epoxy, and should peel off fairly easily.

12. You might want to sand down any rough spots so that your boom
won't cut your hands during normal handling.

13. Now, your old boom head will not fit because your boom arms are
fatter where you wrapped them, so you will have to either retrofit an
aftermarket head meant for fatter booms, or somehow modify the
bushings from your old head to make them thinner. Depending on which
boom head you have, the manufacturer might have thinner bushing
available (Streamlined and Maui Sails boom heads have 2 or more
bushing thicknesses available). You might still have to sand or shim
these in order to get your boom head to fit as your wrap job is custom
and not any particular known thickness.
The result of all this is adding a few years onto your carbon boom.
Im pushing my 5th season with a blue HPL boom I reinforced several years ago.

*This great tip was sent to me by Anders Petersson- who knows a thing or 2 about carbon endevours:. Great stuff, but I would add one final step. You should protect the reinforced boom head with a clear coat of polyurethane. Most brands of epoxy are unstable to UV radiation and will eventually break down if exposed to sun light. An added benefit is that the clear coating makes the carbon look much nicer.-

Power Sailing

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:50:00 +0000

Its been one of those weeks.
The wind has been relentless.
Everyday, if you want it, it's there...waiting for you.
25-30k on the outside.
Gust so strong, you ask yourself what the hell you're doing sailing formula gear.
Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

That was the case the last 2 days sailing op'ed on the 9 and 10m north warps.
The new 2009 north's have a reduced clew and shorter booms.
The result is amazing control both upwind and downwind.
The 9.0 and 11.0m 2009 sails rig much flatter than previous year's versions but the key, it seems is to run them fat with lots of tack strap pressure and a negative outhaul. I also immediately moved my harness lines back 1/2'-3/4' to get some additional power. So far, running the downhaul at or past the max mark hasn't yielded any significant gains- even in the most stupid conditions.
Wednesday we saw some big puffs come through with most the the guys on the 9.8's steadily powered. I was able to really capitalize off the breeze, sailing the 9.0 in absolute control- not giving up anything. Upwind, in the lighter patches, standing the 9.0 up right easily transfers the power to speed. Im really amazed on how good the shorter boom and clew length add to the performance and handling of the sail.
Saturday saw a 2nd session on the new north 9.0 in what seemed like a steady 30k westerly at the beach with gusts pushing well beyond that on the outside. In that much wind, it's all about control- no matter what gear you have. Holding it down was a handful but manageable. Pinching upwind was the key. Downwind I was in the super chicken just trying to keep the board under control. Transitions were the toughest but if you made them quick and popped the cams, it all seemed to be ok. I even ran a 64cm C3 D series fin from a few years ago that just kept the board flying with out ever being too much.
Sunday saw another very overpowered session on the 2008 10.0. I kept this sail in my quiver as it was such a solid performer last season, I didn't want to let it go. A 10.0 is the bread a butter of any San Francisco Formula sailors quiver. It's got to perform well in both the upper and lower limits of its wind range. Saturday, I rigged the sail with a 550 mast vs a 520 and although it felt different, but Im not convinced it was any slower. Again, I was running a smaller fin but the kashy 68 was still alot off the breeze. Upwind, it's possible to really pinch this set up and sail effectively but Im beginning to realize a smaller fin is essential for more control and speed off the breeze- especially as the sea state increases.
Despite the breeze outside, this weeks trend has been lighter on the inside- perfect for testing the 2009 north warp 11.0. Paired with the 72-2xxs kashy and 70xs kashy, this set up with the starboard 160 has been unbelievably easy to sail fast. I had angle right from the beginning by really running the sail as full as I could. With the shorter boom, the 11.0 seems like it can handle more wind and still be sailed in control. Maybe its that new sail feeling, but the sail pumped so easily and felt attached in every condition. I haven't felt a sail this good in a long time. Perfect from the get-go.
The starboard 160 has been a real workhouse in all conditions- sailing very comfortably in the most overpowered gnarly SF voodoo chop that Bay can throw at it and still easily finding the groove in lighter 11.0 conditions. So far, its matched up as well or better than the L8 and exocet boards in every condition we've seen so far.
2 more upcoming races this week with a Friday night series at the St.Francis and a CalCup on Saturday. Let's hope the wind continues.

Meanwhile the collegiate dinghy nationals continue all this week at the StFYC with the womens championship continuing to May 27th and the co'ed championship from June 1-3. The racing was in the lee of the harbor today with great viewing from marina green and the wave organ. As usualy, Shawn Davis was there to capture all things nautical. http://www.picyourshot.com/gallery/7551409_DeY37/1/545772623_KGeNv/Original

Buy Steve's racing quiver

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:05:00 +0000

For sale:
2007 north warp 9.0 in mint condition.
2005 north warp 10.0- good deal for someone looking to get into formula for cheap!
2005 north warp 11.0- good deal for someone looking to get into formula for cheap!
2005 north warp 5.8 complete rig with 430 mast, alum base and boom

Kashy 70 cm xs fin- only if you want (and can afford) the best
Techtonics 60 and 64 cm g10 formula fins

F2 105l sx medium slalom board + 36 cm g10 fin- great all around slalom board- 6.3 to 7.8 range
F2 125l sx large slalom board + 42 cm g10 fin- light to medium wind slalom board 7.3-10.0 range

Contact me @ bodnersp@gmail.com for additional info and prices

Another Friday night of racing on the SF city front

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:04:00 +0000

With just 2 points separating the top 3 racers after 5 races, last Friday night's twilight was as close as they get. So close, that it came down to the last tack on the last beat.
Eric looked like he had things wrapped up as he rounded the last leeward mark in front with myself and Al in close pursuit but Al's countless years on racing on the city front course paid off as he called the lay line to the pin and jumped from 3rd to 1st in the last seconds of the race edging both Eric and I out to take the final bullet and series.
I made a few sloppy calls- overstanding marks, getting called osc and even getting tossed like a little girl in race 3- which set me back a few points and grasping for anything I could get.
In this fleet, you need to sail consistently and smart to finish on top.

Most everyone started on their 11's as the inside was still not filling in completely and with Jean on the RC calling the course, we knew we would be running some old school multi gybe courses.

In race 1, I scored the first bullet edging C-Rad out on the last leg. He had some amazing acceleration upwind with his F4 D series fins, squirting out from the fleet at the start but I managed to get the tactical advantage, with inside lift on the first beat upwind. On the downwind, we saw some big puffs roll through which sent Al and Chris back to the beach after the race searching for the 10's. Eric stuck with his 11- which would be the right call as the night progressed. I managed to squeeze out everything I had with my 10 but in the light stuff, it just wasn't enough.As they say, rig for the lulls, survive the gust!
Race 2 saw more close action at the front of the fleet with Eric, Al and I finishing 1-2-3.
I over- cautiously overstood the top mark thinking it would be light up there again but in doing so, lost my chance to stay in the top pack. I clawed back through the fleet with some good sailing, staying in the breeze the rest of the race.
Race 3 saw Eric and David got to the top mark in the lead with the 11's. By overstanding, I cam in hot- edging out C-Rad and Al but as I turned the corner, I had nothing to pump with and Eric and David sailed away with their bigger rigs. Nothing to do but wait for the next puff and finish 3rd.
Race 4 was the craziest of them all with the wind up in the high teens and bigger southerly puffs coming down from the Presidio hills. I thought I had the perfect start- fully powered at the gun and the mark but Jean with his eagle eyes on the race deck called me over early and I had to dip back through the line to restart. Clawing my way back through the fleet, I found myself at the top mark in 5th but as luck would have it, Al and I scored a personal southerly puff which drove us straight downwind along the shore as the rest of the fleet gybed to the outside. As we gybed over towards the outside as we were sailing course C, Al went down hard as a classic SF puff took him out.
Thinking to myself, "ok, Ive got this wrapped up" (from last to 1st in a matter of 1-1/2 legs), overconfidence struck and I went down harder than Ive in a long time- getting catapulted over the front- ending up fulling twisted hooked in my rig upside down.
Shaken, I got up fast and managed to squeeze out another 3rd by sailing smart the last leg and tacking immediately after the leeward mark in search of the breeze and catching a few boards in the process.
Determined to finish strong, I put everything I had into the last race, but again again made 1 too many mistakes to get into the lead. By overstanding the top mark, I let Al really catch up. Eric had a nice jump but coming down from the last gybe mark, it was getting lighter and I almost sailed right over the top of him but with the layline quickly approaching and Al riding the next puff from behind, I hesitated on the gybe and let Al sneak in there. I backed off giving the 2 some room and myself an opportunity to pinch up and go for angle the last leg. I was eeking as much as I could out of my kashy 70 and bagged out 10 for plently of climbing angle but Al made the first tack. I held off for another second but he managed to get going just a hair faster and was on his way. Trying to determine the best VMG with Al a few board lengths to leeward, I went for the angle again but just not enough as we finished within a board length of each other.
Another great night racing on the SF city front...no place I'd rather be!

more spring training on the SFcity front

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:42:00 +0000

From the a week and a half of fog to regular thermals again...that's more like it!
The weather system finally switched around so that we are getting a regular sea breeze again with 15-25k in the middle of the bay but the inside has been sketchy and shutting down early.
That was the case for last Friday night's twilight series @ the StFYC.Just 4 races could be run as the fleet struggled to get around Anita rock in the building flood and dying breeze of the last race.
It was a tough call on what to rig as Eric and I rigged our 10 and 11's near the sea wall while the breeze was still pumping but signs of big holes were everywhere on the inside of the course. I ultimately choose the 11 with most of the fleet following suit.
Race 1 got off with the fleet heading heading upwind from mid line with Al and I getting a good jump at the start. I rounded Anita in first and led on the downwind only to have Al follow and immediately tack after the leeward mark to get out of the flood and into better breeze. I tacked as soon as I saw it but it was too late. Al got the bullet with myself and C-Rad following in 2nd and 3rd. Eric was buried in the fleet behind Wells and Jean- powered on the new Aerotech sails.

Race 2 started with a similar scenario as the puffs were more infrequent on the inside but as they say, timing is everything. Eric got a great lift to climb on the fleet as most of the guys started mid-line to get out to the breeze. Eric even tacked early and made the Anita while the rest of us overstood to come in with speed. The puffs were a handful with the 11.0 but we needed the exta power downwind as it lighted up.
Taking advantage of the lessons from the first race, Eric quickly tacked over after rounding the leeward mark to get the outside advantage and grab the bullet in race 2. Nothing to do but follow and cover the fleet for another 2nd.

Race 3 started in similar conditions but again Eric timed the inside puff to his advantage while the rest of us searched for better breeze down the line. As it lighted up, I was amazed to feel that my 2005 11.0 still had the power and speed to get around the course. As tempting as new sails are every year, I still think there's some advantage to knowing your gear season after season. The 2005 north sails were a great vintage as both Micah, Jimmi and Seth were involved with the development. The 11.0 had lots of low end grunt and still works great- almost 4 years later!
The starboard 160 was going well in the light stuff as well with the track back a bit further around 3/4 of the way back in the track and booms at eye level.
But not quite enouugh to get out in front as Eric managed another bullet in front of myself, Al and Chris and Jean rouunding out the top 5.
As Race 4 started, it was evident, the inside was really lightening up, so I made the call to get a good start at the pin end with speed.
30 seconds to go and I was ducking below the fleet in the middle of the line to get down to clear air.
15 seconds to go- almost clear of the last board parked on the line.
10 seconds- speed up, hooked in, feet in straps.
5 seconds- building speed down the line- approaching the pin and fast.
Gun- head up for angle and speed while trying to gas the guys behind me struggling to get going in the light stuff.
Youve got begin you run much earlier than expected in the light stuff as it takes longer to get going.
As it turned out Eric was right there with me to windward as we both got a good jump on the fleet behind. It was really light up top and the decision to tack was not one I was looking forward to making as it looked like we would be stuck in the light stuff. Eric tacked first and I continued for another 20 seconds. It was obvious Eric was not making it but soon enough I realized as well that I would fall short so I tacked again to the outside to get more breeze. Again I came across with some speed after tacking and it looked like I would make it but not quite as another light patch hit the fleet. I tacked AGAIN but quickly tacked back as I saw a small puff coming downwind. I immediatly got up on a plane and rounded Anita and was off downwind as the fleet sat parked at the top mark. That was it as I got around the rest of the course to take the final bullet and the day's racing.
------
With the breeze back in action and the rest of my gear finally delivered form Europe, I managed to get my slalom kit back in order for several days of training on the city front. The 7.3 is an awesome combination with the medium 105l F2 board and does almost anything in the light to medium breeze. I'm not sure you can go wrong with this combination for all around great slalom sailing! With a 42cm fin it drives upwind nicely in as little as 14k.
36cm fin sends it downwind like a bullet in anything windier.
In the lighter stuff, Ive been running the large 120l slalom F2 board with my 9.0 with the efficiency of an 11.0 and formula board. True it doesnt go upwind as well as a formula board but pumps up and drives thru the lulls easily. While the rest of the Crissy crew swims their small gear in from the outside, Ive had some great ligh twind sessions on the edge of the wind line over the past few days with this combo- even getting up to the bridge on Sunday evening and storming downwind in the flood tide. In San Francisco, its not a matter of if you can sail but when and how small to rig!
Ive scored 7 out of the last 7 days with awesome sessions.
I get more days on my 95l mikes lab slalom board and north warp 6.3 than any other combo.
Having a narrower tail board drives thru the voodoo chop better and can carve a tighter gybe in OP'ed conditions. Moving the booms to below medium on the boom cutout and adding another 1cm of down haul makes the 6.3 able to handle puffs into the 30's
As usual, Shawn Davis was there to capture some great shots this past week.
Be sure to check out his latest photo blog posting @ www.shawnrdavis.com/blog
as well as his 2009 windsurfign gallery @ http://www.picyourshot.com/gallery/7337961_gTTuj

Into the white...

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Sometimes it doesn't blow 15-25k out of the west in San Francisco.
It's rare- but with a clearing wind, the regular thermals shut down and instead we had a southerly 5-14k, oscillating breeze with some ripe tides and plenty of fog for the 2009 Elvstrom-Zellerbach regatta at the StFYC this past w-end.
2 days of tactical light wind racing was the call for the 5 dinghy and board sailing fleets taking part in this w-ends regatta.

David Wells captured some good shots of the dinghy fleets racing before our warning late in the afternoon. With all 6 fleets racing on the same course, it became a crowded affair- as you can see from the photos to follow. David's sailing album can be found here. Interesting enough, the 505 fleet was loaded at the front with Paul Cayard & Howie Hamlin. Check out Pauls' report @ CayardSailing.com
Saturday's light-wind zephyrs left the formula fleet ashore while the Finn, Laser, Laser radials, 29'er's and 505 raced a windward leeward course- starting in the middle of the shipping channel up to a windward mark just in front of the club. Finally around 2:30 Percy and I ventured out with our Hansen 12.4 and North 12.3 rigs to show that it could be done. Sure enough the rest of the fleet was out with their big 11m rigs. Percy and I had a big advantage with our bigger rigs but there was still plenty of holes to get caught in. By lap 2 of 3, I escaped from the rest of the fleet who got stuck at the top mark with no wind but my angles downwind weren't even close to getting any VMG towards the leeward mark. The 12.3 has a lot of grunt- especially off the breeze but was no match for what was coming next. At that point, the RC abandoned the race and the real fight began to get back to shore in the huge ebb and non planning winds. Adam was the only smart one in the group when he figured he'd mount his 10.7 onto his superlight board. At least he was making headway on the way in!

Wells also captured some shot of me on the12.3 practicing before the race.
The complete album can be found here as well as his witty comments.

Sunday's forecast didn't look much better as the shifty offshore, gusty breeze made for another tactical day of racing. The formula fleet was the last to start in the sequence but I watched the previous fleets making better progress upwind by starting on port and taking the first beat with the outgoing ebb tide. We got off a start with most of the fleet on port- heading out with tide. I was climbing well with Wells, Al and Soheil below me to leeward.
At that point, the fog was so thick, it was anybodies guess as to where the lay line was. Al tacked first and was soon out of sight in the fog. Soheil next and finally I flopped over only to realize a minute later that I was well above Crissy field and had to run downwind against the current to get to the top mark.
Never underestimate the outgoing tide- especially in a light breeze!
David disappeared into the white on port tack- only to be seen at the next start.
I was dukin' it out with Percy who sailed a smart 2nd upwind and got the top mark just before me. He carried on starboard a bit too long after the offset mark and I was able to gybe quickly in between the fleet of lasers and 505's and narrowly escaped.

The 12.3 was really trucking off the breeze and I was catching up with Al and Soheil in front of me on the last leg. I gybed just to the inside of Soheil and carried down a nice puff only to run out of room at the finish letting Al finish a few seconds in front of me.

Arnaud Lepart captured most of action in a great sequence of events as we rounded the offset mark- set in the lee of the StFYC and with the medley of other fleets.
The original can be found here. Thank you for the great shots.

Race 2 started with all of the fleet starting on port tack again. In the middle of the bay, the breeze was up to the mid teens and the 12.3 was beginning to be a handful as I struggled to hold it down in the puffs. Soheil was right below me and not giving up and inch on the first beat. Im not sure the sequence of events next but knew I stayed in the lead and got the bullet in race 2.

Now is when I made the biggest mistake and sailed in to switch down to my 10.0. I thought the wind was coming up enough to warrant the decision but upon sailing back out to the course, realized the 10.0 was way to small- especially at the top of the course where wind was almost non existent.
Again we all overstood the top mark with Soheil doing the least damage to himself and rounding first. I was right on his tail but in the reach to the top mark, it got real light as we reached up to stay planning. Al and David realized the only option was to gybe out and come into the reach mark with some speed. Marion was even in there keeping up the pace. David and Al escaped while the rest of us sat parked at the top offset mark. Percy, with just a bit more power and determination than me pumped up onto a plane and got me for 3rd place in the final race of the day.

Arnaud Lepart was there again as the action unfolded at the top mark.
Some great shot- thanks for the wonderful sequence.

It was Al's consistency that won him the regatta. I may have had better speed but he was right there at every step waiting for the top guy to make a mistake. That's the great fun about racing in this fleet- there's not one sailor consistently winning all the time but plenty of people ready to jump and take the lead. After 3 races, it was Al in first, me in 2nd and Percy in 3rd.
Overall, quite happy with my set up early in the season. Saturday I ran the 72-2 xxs kashy with the base 3/4 of the way back in the track and the booms 75% up- although I bumped them up just before the race which added some additional power. Sunday, I ran the 70 xs kashy with the 12.3 on the starboard 160 as the wind looked like it would come up more. In hindsight, I wished I would have stuck with the 72 and 12.3 combo that worked so well before. Now just waiting for the 11.0 to arrive to complete the quiver.

San Francisco racing: 1976 style

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:01:00 +0000

In preparation for this weekends Elvestrom-Zellerbach regatta on the San Francisco city front, a look back at racing 33 years ago around the same course.

Gotta love the yellow foulies and banjo twang.
If you look closely, you can see a huge break @ Ft. Foint around the 16:00 mark.
Some interesting lessons about sailing in the flood and ebb tide in the classic conditions the SF city front dishes out.

Running on fumes in 25k+

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:24:00 +0000

The title pretty much says it all. For the past week Ive been TKO with what seems like bird flu or swine flu with energy levels @ 50%. Cough, Cough, Hack Hack.
But that shouldn't stop any reasonable attempts at racing, should it?
In hindsight, I probably should have stayed off the water for a few more days but damn was it windy since Andreas arrived earlier last week for some training and racing.
For the first time I can ever recall, Friday night racing was canceled @ the StFYC because of too much wind and chop. True it was gusting into the mid 30's and the chop was nastier than Ive seen it all year but we are men of steel. This is San Francisco. This is the stuff that puts hair on your chest, turns boys into men. Actually I had chickened out well in advance as my 9.0 still hasnt arrived yet and I was going to do RC for the evening but there was still some slalom sailing do be done with the boys.
I rigged up my 6.3 and 95l ML slalom board. Booms low for control. Sail flat.
I managed a hour session before being completely wound.
One thing I did take for the session is the confidence need for gybing in extreme conditions. You've got to commit 100%. There's no other way around it.
Look for a reasonable place to gybe and really carve the board hard while laying the sail down. It helps to oversheet or else you will have too much power going through the gybe.

Shawn Davis was on hand with his camera and keen eye to capture some of the action. You can find more of his shots @ his online gallery

Saturday's forecast looks equally impressive for the first running on the CalCup series.
Against my better judgment, I headed across the Bay Bridge to Berkeley.
For those of you unfamiliar, the CalCup is a local race series that is run once a month in the SF Bay area. The location is determined the day before depending on the best conditions.
Local rules guru Bryan McDonald gave a rules clinic before the race which seemed to opened a few peoples eyes that we actually had rules! This aint no PWA slalom where intimidation rules the mark rounding! We are now racing under the 2009-2012 ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing. Specifically, windsurfers have a special section with some exceptions and special circumstances (appendix B) in addition to all the regular rules.
Nonetheless Eric (44) and Mike Z (ML)still seemed to get entangled with each other in the last race at the start and were both arguing their prospective stories ashore after we came in.
Here's the scenario:
ML to windward and ahead of 44- both on starboard heading to the starting line with 20 seconds to go. 44 accelerates onto a plane and begins to pass ML to leeward. Realizing this, ML pumps onto a plane. 44 heads up and collides with the ML booms and takes him down.
Relevant rules: 11, 14, 15, and 16.1

Rule 11: On the same tack, overlapped: When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

Rule 14: Avoiding Contact: A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible.

Rule 15: Aquiring Right of Way: When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear.

Rule 16.1: Changing Course: When a right of way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear

So how would you decide?
My advice: know the rules well but dont get yourself into a situation where you could go down. Thats always going to cost you.

As for me, the days racing was an attempt in how low I could run my batteries and still survive. Have you ever sneezed more than 4x in a row while running deep through voodoo chop?
Not a pretty sight!
In general, it seemed the right side of the course was favored but limited due to the Pier. Alot of guys were starting on port tack and getting the lift off the pier and tacking over. Mike Z, Eric and Sylvester were pushing the front in most of the races while I had some moments but couldnt put toether a decent series. C-Rad and Al were also showing some great potential dialing in their new F4 fins in the breeze near the front of the fleet towards the end of the day.
Still waiting for my fin quiver to arrive from Europe, I was on a borrowed fin and found some interesting results with a loaner from Sylvester. The IFJU 70 MW XSC had great control but not quite as much lift as the kashys as I was used to in driving the board upwind. I suffered a bit with upwind angle @ the start in the crowd- especially in the chop but found once I had a lane and as the conditions got flatter, the fin worked well.
David Wells managed to snap some decent photos from the shore after finding an USO (unidentified submerged object) and banging his board and fin up. Thanks for taking one for the team.

We ran 4 races of double windward leeward courses and by the end I could barely make it in.
I guess in hindsight it would have been better to stay in bed for another day but the 20k rule usually trumps everything- sickness or in health.

Spring training

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Ive decided to try a few things different this year in my formula program and limit the amount of new gear I rotate into the quiver this season. Blame it partly on sagging economy but also on the idea that you do not need the latest and greatest sails, boards and fins to go fast- but rather time on the water to tune them in. Once you have a board that is tuned into the conditions you are sailing in, you can focus on other things happening around the race course.
Knowing the potential, and limitations of your equipment is far more advantageous that having the latest stuff and having no idea how to use it.
Having a board and rig that you can hop on and ride good from the beginning is priceless.
We are on our 2nd year of using the same boards (since the formula class decided to limit the ISAF certification to every 2 years vs 1) and people are beginning to find out what fins work well with what boards. The trend has been wider tailed boards (F2 Z, starboard 162) that demand more powerful fins. Sean O'Brien has posted a good article on his blog about tuning..definitely worth the read @ carbonsugar.com.
Formula windsurfing has evolved into a light wind racing program geared towards typical European light wind conditions. Major development has subsided in the board design over the last few years but the more powerful softer fins have allowed the wider tailed boards to get going in as little as 6-7 knots. Their limitations, however are control as it gets windier.

While watching the Brazilians finish their season this past winter and spring, I became to notice something- a lot of them were choosing the starboard 160 as their board of choice, for its ability to adapt well in most conditions. Could a 3 year old design still be competitive? I dug deeper and realized that last years world 2008 championship was won on older gear(161 and 2007 rig) that was dialed in- not necessarily the latest gear.Beginning to see a trend, I thought Id put the older, more well proven starboard 160 into my quiver this year instead of fighting with the technical F2 formula board. The 160's narrower tail made it ideal for racing in the SF Bay and Gorge as this summer schedule will dictate. After some searching, I found an almost new 160 and got it race ready with the help of Mike Zaijicek.
The double chicken strap and re gripped deck are a big improvement as the my first few sessions through the SF voodoo chop had me wishing for something more. Paired with the tuned and fast 2008 North warp 10.0, the set up has began to show some real potential.
The board, from beginning has been easy to sail well. I found a good mast track setting just back from the center of the track. My booms eventually moved up eye level to keep the nose of the board from sticking off the breeze.
Yesterday as I lined up with the Berkeley crew and had some great completely wound runs matched against Sylvester, Zaijicek, Percy and Christenson on their 9.0's through some hairy Berkley conditions. A bit overpowered with a 70 xs kashy and 10.0, I was able to hold my own upwind by grinding and climbing in the puffs with my height.
Off the breeze, the fin was manageable in the leeward chicken strap (as I later found out, we were all in, most of the time!) but the other guys proved a smaller fin may be faster in downwind choppy conditions.
The 2008 North 10.0 has a lot of range and I never felt it was too much sail- even in voodoo chop and solid SF gust in the mid 20's while the rest of the crew were on their 9.0's and 61 and 63 cm fins.
My next step is to try a smaller fin with less lift to give me more control in the breeze!

In last Friday's twilight race, I used the F4 E series fin with good success but as the breeze died it lost its upwind drive. Off the breeze, it was still slippery as ever.
Earlier in the week, while training on the city front with Wells and Soheil, the 72 xs kashy felt a bit much upwind in the chop but great off the breeze as it lightened up

So, whats the best board?
Still hard to tell as much is left up to the driver and the specific conditions you are sailing in.
I am seeing very specific set ups that work well in the light breeze and flat water (F2 Z and cut down kashy fins) as well as sets ups that work well when completely lit (L8 and 63 kashy.)
So far, the 160 looks like a contender, maybe not for the lightest conditions, but for an overall easiest board to sail well in most conditions.

2009 Season Opener

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:26:00 +0000

2009 has been a windy year so far in the San Francisco Bay.
It looked a whole lot windier Friday as we were rigging our 10.0's while the city front was full of white caps and bump and jump sailors wound on the 5.0's. Nonetheless, a group of 10 or so sailors took part in the first twilight series of the 2009 season.
The series is run of the deck of the St. Francis Yacht Club along the San Francisco city front.
Unlike most formula races, this regatta is more of a sprint than a marathon.
5 races are run each night around a short course with sailors navigating their way through several buoys, commercial traffic and the famous SF fog.
There is big emphasis on starts, board handling and calling your lay-lines as each race last only 5-7 minutes! All of the fleet starts on port tack as the starting line is immediately next to the shore. The biggest advantage is to win the start on the inside and get the shore lift up to the first mark. Usually only 1 or 2 boards can squeeze out from the pack, but those that do- get to Anita rock first and are off with a good lead going downwind.
The RC can call 1 of 4 courses which involve an extra gybe or 2 around the starting buoys or straight downwind after the windward mark. After rounding the leeward just east of the St.FYC, sailors head back upwind towards the shore and make one last tack to the start/finish line in front of the club. The San Francisco tides usually pay a big part in strategy as the ebb or flood can give you a big advantage or serious setback as you work your way around the course.
Race 1 started with most of the fleet wound on their 10.0's with the wind in the low 20's. I managed a good start but couldn't quite pass Hansen Sails R&D guru Mike Percy as he led around the course. I put the pressure on the last leg and tacked just as Mike hit the shore but as the locals know, the inside boat will always get the lift.
Race 2 started with Eric Christanson, Mike Percy and I all rounding the top mark within a few seconds. As it looked lighter near shore, Mike and I immediately gybed out to get more air but Eric caught a decent puff at the beach and rounded the leeward mark well in front of Mike and I who miscalled the leeward mark layline and had to double gybe to get around. I pulled off 2 fast gybes and managed to pass Mike just before the bottom mark and had clear air to the finish for another 2nd.
Race 3 started with Eric winning the start and me having to foot for speed below him. As we rounded the top mark and gybed and worked our way downwind, the breeze was lighting up significantly and most the fleet got stuck upwind in a big hole. As we extended our lead and just as I was feeling confident nobody was going to catch up from behind, my outhaul broke. A quick tie off on the end of the boom got me going again but my sail was so bagged out I had no control in the gust. I was just trying to salvage the race and finish but pack caught up and passed me at the finish line.
While using last years gear can give you some advantage in terms of knowing your gear, its important to remember to check all your rigging before the season starts!
As they say, your only as good as you can recover!
I had to sit the next race out as I changed my booms on shore but was back for the last and final race.
Determined to get a bullet and finish strong, I kept the pace with Eric in check just above me. I wasnt feeling so good upwind as I was using a high wind fin and had to sacrifice some angle for speed as the wind was down to 10-12k. Eric had the jump as we gybed in front of the club and headed back downwind to the leeward mark. Putting the pressure on, I contemplated my last move as I fought hard to get a lane upwind and squeeze every bit out of my equipment.
Eric tacked early just before the seawall and was well on the layline to the finish. I thought if I could carry it a little further I might have an advantage getting the inside lift and beat him to the finish. Sure enough I managed to squeeze by him getting the bullet and finishing the night on a high note.

After being abroad last season, it's good to be back racing in front of my home club with a great group of friends pushing each other all the way around the course. I'm looking forward to the commoraderie and racing this year will bring.

2008 F2 Formula Board for sale

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:13:00 +0000

This is the first edition of 2 boards, F2 released in January of 2008. I used it for 4 regattas + training over the spring and summer of last season with 1 small repair on the nose. No leaks. 9.2 kg Bone dry! Available mid April 2009 in San Francisco. Contact me @ bodnersp@gmail.com for more info

Spring Equinox

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Today, March 20th is Spring equinox.
The center of the sun is vertically above the Earth's Equator.
It Happens only 2x a year!
Historically, it opens the spring season but for sailors, it represents the end of winter!
And with that come some traditions.

The story goes:
During one particularly harsh winter a small group of these workers led by Bob Turner at Annapolis Harbor Boatyard decided that they would do something about these long, cold winters. They set up a paint tray with some wood and a little fuel to get it started, doffed their socks, placed them in the inferno and broke out an ice cold case of Budweiser. Having done this, they decreed an end to winter and commenced with activities that were more in line with the newly decreed spring season. Mother Nature, having recognized when she had been outdone, acquiesced and banished the winter weather for the season.
I think Ill stick to my traditions and just go windsurfing instead.
Forecast is 15-25k at the Golden Gate.
Happy Spring.

It's all about the flood....

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:26:00 +0000

This week, it's all about the flood!
With the spring tides still quite strong and the regular thermals- not quite here yet, it took more than just the slalom board and 6.3 to get going this week at crissy field.
As luck would have it, a friend dug out some older formula equipment for me to use- while awaiting the rest of my gear to arrive from Europe. Despite, it's age and lack of monofilm SNAP, the ML5 and 11. North Warp from 2005 got me out on the water again while the wind snobs waited on the beach.
Soheil, Lyn, Royce and I managed a few decent runs on Tuesday up and down the city front- lining up and testing speed and angle. Even with the older gear, I remained competitive in terms of getting up on a plane, staying on a plane, and upwind and downwind speed. The only thing that suffered was upwind angle with the narrower board and stiffer R13 fin. The newer generation of wider tailed boards and softer fins allow you to really maximize the formula expereince! The dynamic feel just isnt there with the older gear but thats a tribute to the evolution of the gear over the past 3 years.
The biggest thing I noticed was how you use your gear.
If you are efficient in terms of pumping, transitions and sail trim- you can go a long way...but not quite to the south tower on wednesday as the flood tide prevented us from getting close.
Soehil and I noticed the 'crazy eddies' forming just inside the south tower of the Golden Gate as the flood reforms. It comletely washed me out a few times as we rode the swell in under the midspan. Once we turned downwind though, it was a mgic carpet ride back to Crissy with the help of the 4knot flood pulling us along.
The currents and tides in the SF Bay can do some amazing things. In one area, you might see a jacked up voodoo chop- like a wall of water- then in another area of the Bay, the water is as smooth as butter. Its intersting to note, how your VMG changes as you sail through different tidal areas. Pinching up on port tack in the flood is that way to go- keeping your bow into the current but on starboard tack, youve got to take advantage of the speed the flood offers- even while grunting upwind.
It's never a dull moment windsurfing in the SF Bay with all the different conditions the tides and winds throw at you!

sunset slalom

noreply@blogger.com (USA 4 Steve Bodner) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Its been a blessing in disguise but my one board and sail quiver has got me out on the water 5 days in the last week. The season officially started last weekend with daylight savings kicking in giving us an extra hour of daylight to play with at the end of the day. Combined with a late afternoon ebb at the end of the week, Ive been dialing in my ML slalom and 6.3 north warp. There's something to be said about sailing the same gear over and over- really getting to know how the board gybes and in how much power you get by cracking off and inch or 2 of outhaul.
Just as you get comfortable, windsurfing always seems to dish you a serving of humble pie- even after 22 years of sailing!
I got tossed today- catapulting myself head over heels- still hooked in, lying twisted in a heap- entangled in my rig, wondering what the hell just happened.
Ah but, its all worth it with awe inspired moments at the south tower of the Golden Gate bridge. Friday night I got carried up to Ft. Point on the ebb tide and got the chance to revisit on of my favorite spots. Just outside the south tower was a gnarly set of rolling and breaking waves. 10 meters in at the tower, lay the smoothest water you could ever imagine gybing on. Every few sets, the swell would break through to give you a standing wave to ride all the way over to Ft. Point. Its an exilerating feeling being swept backwards up a wave face while you come charging down the line. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!
I ended the evening off with a rules seminar at STFYC where Bryan and I got some good tipes from Dave Perry about the new racing rules for the 2009 season. Check them out here