Antigua Sailing Week - Day 5, 2013-05-03

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Today was the final day, number 5, of the Antigua Sailing Week and it came very close to becoming a no-race day due to light wind conditions. The weather forecast was borderline and had the winds come according to WindGuru and other online weather prognostication systems it would have been day ashore for everyone, but once we were on station the winds at the surface were between 3 and 7 knots and the wind speeds at the masthead were more constant and higher at 5-6 knots.
After measuring the variable directions for a good hour our Race Officer, Alfred, finally decided on where to set the start marker and, by doing so, implied that we would indeed be having a final race on this wonderful Caribbean day. The starts all went well except the final one, where we delayed it and reset the mark in order to make it a fair start as then winds had backed a bit. After the final start of the day it was decided that we'd shorten the course and had to race at speed on the catamaran in order to make it in time to finish the first competitors who were completing the race. We made it, with only seconds to spare, and were on station to mark the finish times of the first yachts coming in. We then had a lull and anchored in 160 feet of water (my hands and arms ached from preparing the anchor rode) but we didn't drag at all despite the deep waters and finished all the classes without a hitch.
I didn't get as much opportunity today to take finish line pictures, since I had duties aboard (we lost James and Carrie who had to zip off to finish the big boats at the original finish line) but I did at least manage to photograph a couple of boats.
After the races I retired to Zanshin to edit some of the pictures and get away from all the excitement at the docks. I was listening to blues music while editing the first day's race picture when I heard an awful noise coming from above. At first I thought someone was torturing cats in public but soon I realized that there was a bit of melody to the threnody of noise and it suddenly dawned on me that someone was playing the bagpipes. Indeed, there was a yacht motoring up the channel with a bagpipe player on the bow. I'm now one vision closer to being able to say “Now I've seen everything”

The waters in Falmouth are flat and barely a whisper of wind is moving around as I dinghy to the start boat in the morning. (2011-05-03 08:14:13 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/10.0, 1/200s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'49.91"N 61°46'19.21"W (facing W)]	Hans using binoculars to see if the other committee boat and the boats around it are doing any better on wind. (2011-05-03 09:16:39 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/10.0, 1/50s] ISO 100 Focus 1.50m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Our team is waiting aboard Katzenellenbogen for more wind, currently it is light and variable and borderline for a race today. (2011-05-03 09:16:47 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/10.0, 1/50s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	The crew of the powerboat waits for information on whether to set the start mark and where it should be put. (2011-05-03 09:17:51 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve using his high-tech wind measurement tool along with a bearing compass to determine where the elusive wind is coming from. (2011-05-03 09:21:27 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Steve's backup wind measuring tool getting some use, just in case it reads differently from the main device. (2011-05-03 09:26:36 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 1.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Where's the Wind? (2011-05-03 09:27:04 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus 0.50m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve once again measuring the wind. (2011-05-03 09:28:03 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 3.16m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve counting down the time to the racers. (2011-05-03 09:28:55 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 3.76m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Winds of about 5 knot barely cause a ripple on the waters by Falmouth Harbour in Antigua on the final day of the 2013 Sailing Week. (2011-05-03 09:30:16 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 7.94m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
On the day before, "Ambersail" had wrapped her keel around our mooring line, and today we pulled it in all the way to discover that Ambersail's bottom paint is indeed red. (2011-05-03 09:32:16 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/640s] ISO 100 Focus 3.16m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	A crewmember being hoisted up for some last-minute work. (2011-05-03 09:33:46 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 15.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve using a bearing compass and his high-tech wind measuring tool for a final direction check prior to setting the mark. (2011-05-03 09:34:52 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 0.89m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve measuring the wind speed at 3.7 knots; this was during a bit of a lull as I didn't see it go much lower all morning. (2011-05-03 09:41:49 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 3.76m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	After much back-and-forth with the changing wind direction, Alfred decides upon a location for the start line. (2011-05-03 09:44:58 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 3.76m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Alfred calls a postponement for the last race group. (2011-05-03 10:37:25 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 1.50m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Steve with a raised postponement flag sounding the air horn. (2011-05-03 10:38:56 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Counting down the minutes and seconds to the final start of the races. (2011-05-03 10:39:32 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 2.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	James holding up the last class flag of the day. (2011-05-03 10:39:59 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus 1.50m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Relaxing a bit after the final start and watching the competitors race off. (2011-05-03 11:38:10 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/100s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [16°59'37.51"N 61°49'55.81"W ]
We had to move quite a ways to the changed finish line and then I had to drop the anchor chain and about 200 feet of line in order to anchor on this spot - we didn't drag. (2011-05-03 11:38:25 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/60s] ISO 100 Focus 0.79m) [16°59'37.51"N 61°49'55.81"W ]	Robbie, the owner of our Committee catamaran, Katzellenbogen, aboard the boat after the races. (2011-05-03 14:13:34 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.5, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 1.68m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Our trusty catamaran seen from aft at the Falmouth docks after the final race of the 2013 Antigua Sailing Week regatte. (2011-05-03 14:54:53 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.5, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 4.73m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	On of the SAR RIBs coming to the docks on the final day - we're all happy that SAR's services weren't needed. (2011-05-03 14:54:50 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.5, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus 7.94m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Arethusa (2011-05-03 09:19:34 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Digicell Challenger (2011-05-03 09:20:14 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 15.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Digicell Challenger (2011-05-03 09:25:24 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Kick 'em Jenny (2011-05-03 09:29:40 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	I was alarmed when I heard these bagpipes as I initially thought that someone was torturing a bagfull of cats. (2011-05-03 15:01:52 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'46.07"N 61°46'34.66"W (facing S)]	This competitor, Jig Saw, came motoring through the anchorage with a bagpipe player (I use the term "playing" loosely) on the bow. (2011-05-03 15:02:10 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'46.07"N 61°46'34.66"W (facing S)]
What else could happen - bagpipes being played on the bow of a boat motoring in Falmouth Harbour? (2011-05-03 15:02:13 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'46.07"N 61°46'34.66"W (facing S)]	The start mark is just by the distant power boat (the pin boat) and one of the videographers is getting a shot of the action as the final race of the series gets unders way. (2011-05-03 10:49:21 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus 4.73m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Competitors gingerly approaching the start line. (2011-05-03 10:49:24 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	And they are off, only one boat was over the line and needs to return (it isn't 53444, but GBR9804R) (2011-05-03 10:49:40 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Final Race - Start Line 3 (2011-05-03 10:49:46 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Sumatra starting on the last race. (2011-05-03 10:49:55 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Wings and Scarlet Oyster at the start. (2011-05-03 10:49:59 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Milanto trying to turn back for a restart without getting in the way. (2011-05-03 10:50:01 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/640s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Milanto still attempting to get back through the racing boats in order to restart. (2011-05-03 10:50:57 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Final Race - Start Line 9 (2011-05-03 10:51:04 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Wings and Jaguar racing and Milanto in the centre turning back for the start. (2011-05-03 10:51:07 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Final Race - Start Line 11 (2011-05-03 10:51:14 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/640s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Sumatra beginning the final race of the day and of the regatta. (2011-05-03 10:51:31 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.6, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	And they are all off, almost (2011-05-03 10:52:48 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/1000s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Milanto returning past the start line, having finally found a path through the starting boats. (2011-05-03 10:52:56 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/800s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Milanto finally off on course after passing back over the line and restarting as the final starter. (2011-05-03 10:53:38 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus 15.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Maximizer (2011-05-03 09:36:53 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus 10.60m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Maximizer (2011-05-03 09:39:11 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Milanto (2011-05-03 09:28:27 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Quokka giving the committee boat a wave after finishing. (2011-05-03 11:54:05 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Light winds on the final day. (2011-05-03 09:38:24 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Yachts beating upwing on the first leg (2011-05-03 10:53:49 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Selene (2011-05-03 09:31:45 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/160s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Selene (2011-05-03 09:32:55 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus 15.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Southern Child on her final finish of the races. (2011-05-03 11:55:30 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.8, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Starry Night (2011-05-03 09:18:18 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 15.00m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Starry Night (2011-05-03 11:37:06 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/200s] ISO 100 Focus 21.10m) [16°59'37.51"N 61°49'55.81"W ]	Visio Optik (2011-05-03 09:30:54 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/400s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Whisper (2011-05-03 09:22:21 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Whisper (2011-05-03 09:24:16 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]
Whisper (2011-05-03 09:28:40 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Whistler (2011-05-03 11:56:49 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.8, 1/250s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [16°59'37.51"N 61°49'55.81"W ]	Wings (2011-05-03 09:26:07 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/500s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]	Wings (2011-05-03 09:37:45 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.0, 1/200s] ISO 100 Focus 21.10m) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]

Panorama at Falmouth Harbour on the still morning of the final race day of the 2013 Antigua Sailing Week. (2011-05-03 08:14:41 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/10.0, 1/125s] ISO 100 Focus ∞) [17°0'29.82"N 61°48'21.26"W ]