2020 JJ Giltinan 14-22 March

[Rainbow Spirit]

It's not a close contact sport, well except at some mark roundings, so I can't see why you would cancel the event because of COVID19.

 

[Mozzy Sails]

https://www.18footers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/regatta-pointscore-17th-March.html

Hard to see that 6 point lead being lost. Two races left maximum?

Honda looked very quick today, several times they just scraped out a lane, squeezing out winning group.

 

[Board skiff]

Got to say I’ve enjoyed watching the racing again, and the Honda guys are embarrassing the Aussies in their own back yard, which is always good   But I can’t help thinking the marketing folk are missing a trick.  Compared to the old days the colours, logos and names are much more muted and difficult to distinguish. 

 

[Daniel Holman]

In the 800 a bit of windward heel feels nice and balanced on the helm. 

Julian posted a few times saying it reduces tip losses or something. I'll leave him to explain. 

The downside is you have less weight through your feet, so balance gets a bit tricky. You also have to raise slightly higher on your trap to avoid getting washed away in the lulls (or be better at trimming). 

Most boats have a quite a bit of stability through buoyancy, so the further you heel to windward the less righting moment you have (centre of bouyancy moves out faster than the centre of gravity, so the boat will always bob back upright). That's static buoyancy so doesn't describe the lift from the hull shape passing through the water, but you might understand what I mean.   I feel on a skiff the rigs are quite tall and the hulls less stable, so the weight of the rig over to windward seems to help sooner. Just a theory. 

Yep I'd say its a lot about helm balance - you lose a bit of RM from CoB, gain a bit from rig on top. Generally only works in breeze I think.

Not seen this JJ but last one Honda sailed with a twistier main which meant they weren't inverting, closing slot, and were shedding power from up high etc compared to Aus boats. Certainly seemed to work, as well as the ww heel

 

[Bill E Goat]

the 2020 JJ Giltinan race program. An interesting read with a lot of 18footers history included

https://www.18footers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Giltinan-2020-Programme.pdf

A lot included but a lot left out, no mention of Grand Prix Sailing that took the 18's to a massive national televised audience

 

[MR.CLEAN]

write the paragraph and send it to 'em then!

 

[Bill E Goat]

Grand Prix sailing is "series non grata" to the league.  It will never be mentioned ever

 

[MR.CLEAN]

my bad, now i remember the story.  Part of a Bundy afternoon at rushcutters with 4 hours of Killo narratives RIP.

 

[Frogman56]

Last two races today....

So a full series, but shorter format races.

Wind today less than yesterday, probably around 12 knots nne.

 

[bangbang]

Plenty of those Clean. Except the Resch’s beer was the drop of choice. The narrative was strong in that man. What could possibly go wrong!!

 

[bangbang]

Point score after 7 races with a drop

Final two races today

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Plenty of those Clean. Except the Resch’s beer was the drop of choice. The narrative was strong in that man. What could possibly go wrong!!

he drank the beer, I drank the bundy.  and paid for it later!

 

[desprit]

Well done Honda Marine! 

Let’s hope they get to take the trophy back home and the Aussies have to up their game to get it back.
That would be the best thing for the class. 

 

[Mozzy Sails]

JJ on Aukland harbour? Is that possible?

Clearly with Tech2 on the same equipment as Honda there isn't a big jump in tech. I think Honda just sails so much better. 

It does feel like the aussies are very error prone. For a fleet that races each week you'd think they'd be more race sharp. Maybe not quite the week to week continuity in the teams?

Is there a limit for time on the water, or is it just the practicality of getting three crew together to sail three days a week?   

 

[cbulger]

Yep I'd say its a lot about helm balance - you lose a bit of RM from CoB, gain a bit from rig on top. Generally only works in breeze I think.

Not seen this JJ but last one Honda sailed with a twistier main which meant they weren't inverting, closing slot, and were shedding power from up high etc compared to Aus boats. Certainly seemed to work, as well as the ww heel

What did the 2020 Moth Worlds and the 2020 JJ's have in common?  They were both totally dominated by the boat the sailed upwind with the most windward heel.  Sailing either boat with windward heel requires a higher skill level to avoid digging a wing in during a lull or a header.  Honda was so dialed-in that they could achieve windward heel while playing their mainsheet much less than others.

Commentators said that the Kiwis spent more time practicing vs. racing - compared to the Aussies who prefer to race.   Certainly and number of the top Aussie boats seemed to implode 1 out of 3 races - making mistakes that were surprising for such excellent sailors.   18 are super hard to get around a course, maybe that makes basic speed and boat-handling training more valuable - even for world class sailors.

It would be fascinating to have a panel discussion with Slingsby and the Honda guys.

 

[Daniel Holman]

More twist from less vang (if that is still the case this year) means you move a lot less mainsheet as well, and is more tolerant of steering as well. All assuming you've got plenty of power.