What was formerly Annapolis Race Week, is now known as the Annapolis Labor Day Regatta. This has its pros and cons, but something that stood out as a pro for anyone with a family is that the racing is now only held on two days of the 3 day weekend. Finally, we have a day off to spend off with friends and family like most other normal adults.
The competition was strong this year and it seemed that while the usual suspects were making up the lead pack in each race, there were several races that leaned unexpectedly towards a few other boats including Avita who is typically short handed and Infectious Smiles (former Better Mousetrap) who is relatively new to the fleet.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a regatta with the breeze in the low to mid teens from the south, clear skies and few power boaters.
On the first leg of the final race of the weekend, a bizarre and scary incident occurred. Somehow during the tack, the new active sheet became entangled on Barry at the mast. As Brad trimmed on, the noose tightened around Barry’s neck and pinned him against the mast. I ducked the genoa through the tack and looked back to see Barry laying on his side gripping the line attempting to keep it from strangling him. I reached him and helped him clear the line from his throat right about the time Brad blew the tension from the winch. This could have turned out far uglier than it did and we barely missed a beat… I grabbed Barry’s lucky hat before it flew overboard, put the spinnaker pole up, and hoisted the spinnaker for the next leg. Whew…
