Golden Gate Midwinter - Race No. 5 ( 5 Races, 1 Throwouts )
On a glorious and sunny day, Horseplay grabbed a bullet by leading the race from start to finish to win the GGYC Midwinters. Going into the race, Horseplay was in third, five points behind Arbitrage and two points behind Whisper and one point ahead of Bald Eagles. A blowy 16 knot wind out of the NE had the racers start by going to Blossum, Harding, Blackaller and Finish. Horseplay won the start at the pin end, tacked away and lead around the course. Bald Eagles escaped with the first group of five followed by another group of seven that included Arbitrage and Whisper. A ripping 3 knot flood made for an interesting reach and rounding at Harding. The second pack tried to climb the ladder by gybing behind Alcatraz for tide relief. But the extra distance offset any advantage and the fleet rounded Harding in a long parade. A few places were changed as the fleet sailed to Blackaller. Most of the fleet that sailed the rumb line got taken by those going higher and faster to get across the flood sooner. Experienced pros Jitterbug and Arbitrage overtook Whisper, Walloping Swede and Nantucket Sleighride by going high. Bald Eagles stayed with Horseplay on the high track and protected thier flank for a fine third place finish that vaulted them over Whisper for third in the series. 18 boats showed up for the fifth and final race. Final standings had Horseplay winning by one over Arbitrage, Bald Eagles in third followed by Whisper, Orion, Jose Cuervo, Wind Dance, Nirvana, Ultimatum and Hazardous Waste. Congratulations to all that participated in the 2001-2002 GGYC Midwinters.