DS Fall Invitational Day 2

This was our DS Fall Invitational which is a two day regatta.  I did not race my DS on Saturday since I was helping with RC for the J80 Nationals.  I sent my DS out to race with Frank Robb skippering and Mary Sophia Smith crewing. Day One photo of Frank and Mary Sophia racing Morning Glory added here.  

The second day of the Invitational I skippered my DS Morning Glory and Mary Sophia Smith crewed.  We had a great time.  Mary Sophia kept saying she was re-learning the choreography of gybing the spinnaker.  She has crewed for me before and we got into a great rhythm very quickly. It was a steady Southerly Breeze which was building througout the day.  

Unfortunately on our last rounding of the upwind mark prior to heading to the finish of the last race of the day I heard a loud noise.  I looked up and around trying to figure out what broke and then I immediately felt a loss of steerage.  My rudder head had broken in half!  I sailed past the mark to the East and asked Mary Sophia to throw out the anchor.  One of the support boats came over and I recognized Ted Morgan (a SSA member).  He was pleased that we had settled ourselves and could get our sails rolled and just chill for awhile until the race was completed and one of the RC boats could tow us in. 

It wasn't easy steering with the paddle on the way in!  I thought to myself - I do know what my first winter project will be!