Gambas on the helm!

After two exciting and exhausting days in the mountains we couldn't be stopped! For the first time in 7 or more months, we joined the monthly Sunday Club Race at Taal Lake. Inspired by last week's 3rd overall place in the Corregidor Regatta, we dragged our sore bodies onto the boat and over the water, knowing that this is rather practice than competition.

With nothing to lose and a friendly soft breeze Glenn decided it's time for me to helm in a race.

With shaky hands I grabbed the tiller and maneuvered our Cat somewhere near the starting line. Starts freak me out, always. Everybody is fighting for a good start and clean wind. Naturally, the line is crowded, the skippers tense, and the mood competitive. In reversed roles, Glenn is counting down the seconds for me while advising in which direction to steer the boat.

I felt like steering the boat down a pizza slice: starting from the wide crunchy crust to the narrow cheesy greasy tip. Almost magically, I managed to slip our Cat between the committee boat and another competitor. A perfect start, which means a lot!

Just then, the wind basically died! Without any wind sailing becomes a whole different sport. Under such conditions, collecting stamps or holding down the couch become exciting and adventurous activities.

Rule number one in light wind: do not stall the boat! Easier said than done! I glued my eyes to the tell tailes on the jib. Let's keep them happily flying! I held the tiller extension so tightly, I think I squeezed some water out of the aluminum rod!

After what seemed hours, we were the second boat to round the first mark. Hoping for a shortened course, we aimed for the committee boat. No flag on the boat indicated any course change. So we dragged our hulls, leaning against mast and boom to keep the sails from collapsing.

We almost neglected the sound of the horn we heard. It was only then that we realized something was going on near the finish line. Could that be a shortened course? And could we be in perfect position to cross the line first? No way! And yet, we did! Beginner's luck!

Way to go, Gambas!