The site of the races was within a mile or so of the shore giving a gorgeous view back at the mountainous island.  The old mining village of Rio Marina is situated by the shore in the cleft between huge hills or small mountains. Stacks of tan and pink buildings with red tiled roofs and green shutters are stacked tightly against and on top of one another along and up the slopes of the hills behind them.  From a mile off shore, all appearances of modern civilization are invisible.  The view of the village from offshore appears as though from the 1500’s.

The regatta was characterized by winds from 6-12 knots, rarely more or less, warm water and warm weather.  Wet and dry suits were forgotten.  There were a few Germans who were apparently still cold from their homeland who initially wore dry suits, but soon learned to dress more appropriately.   The seas were flat with only occasional rollers and chop, which was amazing considering this was open water with 10 miles and more to the mainland.

Race course positioning left room for improvement, in that virtually every race resulted in one side being so favored that sailors were forced to the layline on that side.  One would have to go as far as possible toward the shore before tacking.  Tacking even 100 feet farther from the shore than a competitor frequently resulted in being passed.  After finishing races, one could look down the layline and watch a procession of 30 boats come straight up the line.

THE RESULTS

So how did Crewboy and Skipper do in this idyllic setting?  OK,  but they have done better in the past.  The first race of Europeans seemed to set the tone of the regatta when they hit the pin at the start.  Successive races consisted of learning and relearning that one  had to go to the shore on the left when the wind came from the Northeast.  When the wind came from the Southeast one generally had to go to the shore on the right, but just often enough to keep them confused, one had to go left.  The regatta allowed them lots of practice in playing catch-up.

The strangest race of all was the last in which over half of the fleet was disqualified during multiple black flag general recall starts.  At least 6 boats were possible winners of the regatta before the last race but then 3 of them were tossed out.  It seemed a following current and the extremely aggressive starts characteristic of the European FD sailors was responsible for this.  Skipper and Crewboy didn't understand this behavior since it was patently obvious that most boats were over the line by 50 feet or more long before the start.  People seemed to figure that since everyone else was over they could ignore the black flag.  They found out they couldn't!

Ultimately, of course, the big question about this trip you must be asking is:  “HOW WAS THE PIZZA?”  Crewboy and Skipper report it was VERY OK!