Fizz Cup inport TYC group 1

Seven boats at the line in group 1 of the Fizz Cup 2011 inport races at Tradewinds. EmmanuelMara Resident, Liv Leigh, Miwha Masala, Ox Seetan, Porter Tracy, Sandra Absent and Ziz Kidd.

Miwha ahead of the pack.

Tradewinds had prepared a special soup for todays contestants. Lotsa shifts, local puffs and lulls plus a nasty cross course current. That's all part of a good race, and it really didn't seem to bother Miwha.

Ziz Kidd hunting...

Everybody sailed nicely; Miwha had no problems in taking the first place in heat one and two. There were a few situations, but no protests. However, that was about to change.

Waiting for the gun.

Aggressiveness increased quite alot in the third heat. Not only did we have several rule 11 situations before the gun; As you can see below, everybody wanted the pin.

15 seconds and going into a tight squeeze at the pin.

We also had a few rule 10 situations in the race. First at the top mark was Liv, looking good in her Pink Fizz. Sadly she bumped into Miwha after rounding. Miwha protested, but Liv was unaware. Since we all saw the situation and heard Miwha protest, we had no choice but to DSQ Liv;

Liv and her Pink Fizz ahead.

This might be problematic, as it does not adhere to the rules, specifically rule 61.1. Since it is common in SL to handle the situation as we did, I suppose it is ok in the Fizz Cup. More on this in a separate post. In any case it is hard to DSQ the first boat after such a well sailed race. More DSQs: Porter hit the finish mark and failed to correct, and Ox failed to do a complete 720, so Ziz Kidd wins the third heat.

Just another shot from a start. Note the spectator platform to the right.

All in all it was a great day at the race track. Lotsa action, close race and a pinch of drama in the third heat. Add beautiful weather - as seen right above - and it "virtually" doesn't get much better. Results are on the official FizzCup site here. RL Sailors beware. You probably need to read the NOR and the SI in order to understand the points, but the ranks are also there.

Thanx Silber and Joro for judging and keeping an eye on things. You guys made my first inworld RD-ing a pleasure. Gotta love that Flying Fizz and all the lovely sailing, it brings us.

Ready!

After a quite a few training races, I guess TYC is ready for the Fizz Cup 2011. Right before I went to sleep there was Miwha, Silber, Bea, Porter, Quirky and a few more out there, trying to figure out the local winds and currents.

Morning at Tradewinds

I just love the colours of the Tradewinds Waters in the morning. Dunno who it is in that ACA in the back, but it sure was nice of them to sail by, right when I had the camera out.

Fun Fizzin

The Flying Fizz Cup 2011 is coming up. I won't cover it in it's entirety, but I will show bits and pieces from it, because it is a massive event in a hitherto unparalleled boat, the Flying Fizz. Not only does the Fizz look good. It feels good, and it is hard work to make it fly. Fun, fun, fun...

Waiting for the evening breeze to kick in.

Yesterday we had a little training session south of Tradewinds. Loads of fun. Windshifts, puffs and lulls, currents and waves making it really hard to sail. For my part, the waves kept pushing me off course. Thats something I need to work on. Usually the Fizz is pretty steady on course, but these waves... jeezzz.

Prestart is hectic.

In one race we all kinda met in a huge traffic jam at the top mark. Most of us collided with someone, and some even hit the mark.That didn't spoil the fun; Everybody just said sorry and carried on. It was just a fun race, so no points at stake at this time. I was off to bed after a few races, but I took a couple of shots before I left.

Converging just before the gun.

Mihwa showed up, and joked about the huge waves getting her seasick. Well, I hope it was a joke, hehe. Otherwise, what mess. Don't wanna think that thought to end. Anyway, here's the "gun-shot". Well, - close. Noone was over early.

Bang, and they're off.

Business as usual. Winning the start is half the race, so look at the picture above, and guess who was first at the top mark. While you're guessing, I can just throw in an explanation of those weird blocks above the boats. They are sailnumbers. Don't ask. That's just how it works. By the way, todays course is an up down course. Gate and finish at the bottom.

The first top mark rounding.

You guessed it. Looking good there. So winning the start is good. Finding the path is also good, and trimming. This boat needs constant attention to the trim. That's another part of the Fizz fun; Crewed racing, shared trimming. Fizz Cup 2011 however, is singlehanded. Next shot will show the runner ups, while number one is off flying the kite.

More top mark roundings.

However, that didn't last. A bad gybe just before the bottom mark converted into a capsize. That enabled number two to overtake and stay ahead for the rest of the race. Make no mistake. These sailors know their stuff. One little error, and the others are roaring past you. Trust me, it's intense.

Thanx for all the fun guys...

It's a good thing I was off to bed. The racing could have carried on for hours, and it probably did. Many of these sailors have signed up for the Fizz Cup, and getting to know the local windshifts is key. Anyone who watched the AC race yesterday - Go Artemis - they will now how much it means to find the right path.

What a fun night. Back home to Tradewinds for me, and then off to bed.

The Fizz Cup will be covered on slsailing.co; Official notes, results and changes will be posted on the dedicated Fizz Cup site.

Vanity is fair

Can anyone guess, what this is about? From the title? I expect old salts can. Here's a hint. It is a majestic and classic sailboat. Well, maybe not as classic as Roar Ege, but hey... Classy. Sails like a dream, looks like a dream, and this particular one is famous for having a certain kind of motive in the spinnaker. It looks like this:

Clay Ellison at the tiller; Dacron sails...

Yes, I have photos of the spinnaker, but first: Guess! I was really at Tradewinds to check the winds and currents for the Fizz Cup course, but something extraordinary caught my attention. Well, extraordinary and familiar. It is allways fun to see a faithfull replica of a real boat, but if it is a boat or class you've felt as u sailed it, it is even more special. 

Heading north, old style sails

I immediately called the builder and asked for a demo, and naturally - he was happy to pop by and show off the wonderful boat. As you can see, it comes with loads and loads of pretty details. Big and small.  Zoom in and have a look at the shrouds and the halyards. Just lovely. The sails come in two flavours. Dacron sails as depicted on photo one, and old style sails, which we went with for most of the afternoon. Beautiful. Now, lets see that spin.

Get it now?

Not yet. Here's the hull and the sailno. If you consider yourself an old salt, this is your last chance to guess. While you think about it, I can tell you that Clay Ellison, the builder and owner, isn't related to Larry "All Candy Diet" Ellison. Just in case you wondered... and so without further ado, here she is... "fully dressed":

Let's see that spin...

Huh! It is a beautiful replica of the real thing. It doesn't get much better. Absolutely Fantastic boats, and they race them still. Right off my home coast. Look at that mast, and tell me how your stomach feels about climbing up there. No? I'd never wanna go there.

Just me enjoying the ride.

Still not guessed it? Long, sleek, extremely classy 12m R-boat designed and built by William Fife III around 1936. These are the last hints, so if you haven't got it right by now, you're a landlubber. Scroll down to learn it is of course the Vanity, which you can see here.

Back at Tradewinds...

So, here we are after a fantastic sail in the waters south of Tradewinds YC. From a sailors perspective there are tiny adjustments to be made, but we are in the perfectionist category here. As a cruiser it is absolutely fabulous, and I suppose it will turn heads and also pick up girls anywhere you sail. I know it picked me up. Thanx for a wonderful afternoon sail, Clay.

PS: If you're a sucker for classics, u might like the J-class too.

Late evening hydrobike ride

There's so many fun things to do, and so many of them happen to be at Tradewinds Yacht Club. This time it is time for a ride on a virtual water bike, a so-called Hydrobike...

The free hydrobike dispenser at Tradewinds

I've tried waterbikes a few times in RL. This one is a little different, because you don't sit as if in a gocart. It is more like a real bike.

Ready, set...

Shorts, bikinitop, click sign to get a bike and hop on. Note the side-by-side tandem beside me. Perfect for a romantic ride with a picnic basket. There is an island just a few minutes from here...

GO!

I am off into the sunset. It is rather swift. Easy to ride, and very easy to steer, and should you get tired, there is even a Heineken in the basket. A big one.

How about a Tour de Tradewinds??

Lots of tiny details. Underwater details too. Propeller, rudder and what not. Very nicely made, and the sound reminds me so much of my summerdays on Lac d'Annecy. As a kid I waterbiked my butt off on that lake.

See? Big Heineken!

What a fun little thing this is, - and totally free. Do you know where to try it? Yup, - right... Tradewinds Yacht Club, where the fun begins... Ciao.

Size matters

Yesterday I was out sailing, minding my own business with a brand new and exciting update of the Bolero; More on that later. All was good until I received a call from Zim, my motorhead friend. He was heading up to Tradewinds YC in a huge tanker, and he wanted me to see it. So I did, and here it is...

Zimzalabim and his tanker heading north...

Zim heading north, just out of the Blake Sea. The ship is heading N, so the Blake is SSE on the photo. It is a big ship. It actually looks taller than Spyglass, the island on the right side of the photo. And the space... The bridge is decorated like a living room. Office desk, charts all over the walls, millions of don't touch knobs and gizmos, kitchen, a big and comfy couch and what not.

Captain on the bridge; Note the balloon in the back; We're up...

Down below there are cabins decorated like luxury cruise cabins with huge beds, office desks, internet, art on the walls and a fabulous view over the ocean. Couldn't really take the time to photograph it. The waters are pretty shallow, and Zim didn't know he local waters very well. That's why my arm says go to port here.

Look, a DC3!

Here we are again... crossing the raceline south of Tradewinds. And what's that above us? Looks like a genuine DC3. He didn't radio us, but later I discovered, I actually know the pilot. I sent him the picture. Now, Tradewinds YC is just around the corner, and look who's there...

Liv's looking pretty worried here...

It's "Little Liv", the commodore of TYC. Can u see the little dot with red hair? She looks kinda worried. Ok, we didn't hit the lighthouse, but we did run aground right off the lighthouse. Sat there for a while, while Zim tried to get us free. He finally succeeded, so anchor out. Ofcourse we invited Liv to have a look. She was still kinda shaky going "you guys remember to move this before u leave" again and again, hihi.

I can understand why. It is a huge ship. Lotsa noise, lotsa excaust, lotsa cpu power - to get a bit technical. It is probably the biggest functioning ship I've ever seen in SL. Had it been at the Working Boat Show, there would have been little space left for all the other boats. But you know what they say... The difference between boys and men? It's the price of their toys. Still with me guys? Did I leave u hanging long enough? Ok, so size does matter, but it isn't everything. It seems this boat was a bit too big for Tradewinds. When u've tried upsizing and done downsizing, eventually you will reach the level of rightsizing. Let's leave it there; I just wonder what Zim will bring next to top this.

A little Cat in the North Sea

I've  been meaning to post about this little boat for a while. At the same time, I've been eagerly awaiting a new ocean called the North Sea; A few days back I got a note saying the North Sea was open. What a great opportunity to sail the Leetlecat II from Trudeau! So, - I logged in to Tradewinds Yacht Club and found my LeetleCat. Packed a sandwich and an orangina. Changed to something warmer, because I know the North Sea can be rough, tough and cold; Took off, and here I am...

Me and my LeetleCat in the North Sea.

Whoopsidaisy! Thats not a cat... Right, - it is not a cat as the ones they sail in AC. It is a so-called catboat, and it is a very nice one; A true Trudeau. Classy and with beautiful lines, only smaller than the J-Class. Not a computer designed plastic critter from outer space. Ok, I am sure AC45s can be fun to sail too, but helmets?  Anyway, - cats capsize as we've all seen lately. This LeetleCat does too. So beware; U need to trim correctly and balance the boat. And remember to drop the centerboard, or you won't go anywhere but sideways.

The North Sea ahead.

Palmtrees? Hey, maybe I can take of my sweater. Maybe later. In a post called "Taking off my sweater". Not. Back on track: This does not look like the North Sea at all, but who am I to complain. A nice and warm North Sea is much more fun than a cold one. Never thought I'd wanna go night swimming in the North Sea, but this... As you can see the boat is pretty well balanced. Even on a reach it is dead easy to steer - with the feet. I kinda like that. Much easier for me to eat my sandwich that way.

Leaving the palmtrees behind.

The steering is easy on an upwind course as well; Just remember to reverse the default steering. Most boats in SL will go to starboard, when you push the tiller to starboard. This one is different, and it makes perfect sense, because it is like a real boat: "Push left to go right". I can appreciate that. Only thing is, I've gotten so used to the "wrong" kind of steering. I guess I can be trained back to normal again...

Nice view; The vane works.

The sail looks nice and pretty, and the vane at the top of the mast seems to work, though it does appear to be a bit unstable. Perhaps a vane looks better on a catboat, but I would prefer a Windex. Just as I would very much like to have a few telltales, - or just one. The animation and sound when the sails luff is good, but when the sails luff, it is kinda too late to correct the trim. At least when racing. What else? Oh, wind drift. There is no wind drift. Very unnatural. If I just let the sails flap, the boat will stay still as if anchored. So, matchracing is out. Currents? Not supported either. Realistic racing and tactics are out? I spoke with the builder, so I know it is by design. Also, the waves aren't felt much.

Going back home to Tradewinds YC after a lovely day cruise.

The LeetleCat seats several persons, so it is good for cruising; No bunks, so it's a daycruiser. Balancing is supported. The crew takes part in the balancing, so again... It's actually fun and demaning to sail. Too bad there is no support for wind drift, currents and  telltales. The overall sailing experience? It is good. Very good. Nice sounds, nice looks, many features, - reefing event. Steer, trim and balance, - or capsize. On  top of that, there is a well working mouseview mode allowing you to look around - as in a real boat. All in all this is a very nice little leetlecat boat. A little more lively than the popular Trudeau-One. If you are a sailor, you will like this leetle beauty.

The North Sea? I love it. Set viewing distance to max and see nothing but water. I like. Eventually, it will have several race courses and probably some islands surrounding it. That's very nice too. Now all we need is a ferry crossing the North Sea; Tax-free shopping and London as the destination.