Article: Written By Bill Hardesty
Team Point Loma Outfitting wins the first regatta of the Jaguar Series. Bill Hardesty, Mark Ivey, Eric Shampain, and Mary Anne Ward win in a close fought battle that was decided in the last race between 3 top international teams. Easterly winds prevailed all weekend with 6-10 knots on Saturday followed by 15-18 knots on Sunday. The strategy was to get to the upper Left of the course. The debate was, how do you get there!!! Winning the pin was too risky with the boat slightly favored but starting at the boat would often put you coming into the mark from the right.
Team PLO used similar strategy all weekend with a port end start in a decompressed part of the line. This allowed the team to get out into the front row and look for the chance to consolidate right if needed. If the left was looking good half was up the beat then we would continue heading left. We look at the course in percentages and when you have used 80% of your starboard tack then it is time to get onto port. Any further then 80% risks getting pushed out to layline.
A three way tie told the story of the last race. Team SLAM driven by Jud Smith and Vince Brun were tied with Team PLO in a who ever wins out of the three wins the regatta. Jud split right looking for more wind, Hardesty left and Brun up the middle. In the end it was Hardesty just ahead of Jud finishing 4th and 5th respectively in race 5. Team PLO wore RC Spray Tops and Long Johns, seamless base-layers, Hissar Shorts, and Evolution Zipper Fresh Top.
