Last weekend we participated to Hermanö Runt 2022. Unplanned and spontaneous. I was itching to race and couldn’t quite resist to one of the most fun regattas along the coast. Hermanö Runt is not shorthanded race, but it allows for shorthanded yachts to participate and what the hell, could I just sit at home? No way.
My usual co-skipper was off on vacation, so I asked Claes, who normally races its own J/80 “Tyra” to join me and show me some tricks.
Yet again, I hoped for “easily manageable” winds and got a strong breeze.
Forecasted 20 to 24 kts wind at the start, increasing off-shore and backing 10/20 degrees later during the race. Our routing showed predicted a nice leg upwind, some reaching with chaotic seas, a broad reach on the edge to be able to carry the asymmetric and then plenty of reaching in flat water and among rocks.
The short close-hauled leg was a tough one since we decided 1) to carry our medium jib 2) not to reef, neither main nor jib. We found a good trim and sailed fast, considering the lack of meat on the rail and the chop. Here we caught up with several boats that started before us. Unfortunately we could not keep up with some upwind machines like the Smaragd.
Once rounded Måseskär, we sailed above the rumbline to compensate for the south-westerly current. We went too far off though and the cross seas made for a shaky and wet ride.
After the next rounding, it was finally time for some downwind. With choppy seas and 26/28kts wind we were unsure if we could fly the asymmetric at 130 degree TWA and we waited until the angle opened up a little more. By that time we had already lost several places.
In the end we chickened out. Still fun surfing and topping 15kts boat speed.
It sucks, but double-handed and with the pair of us having never sailed the boat together, we played safe and had fun.
The next 2 legs were fast. From Gullholmen, through the channel South, rounding Buskär buoy and back to the finish line.
Here there were nor strategic neither tactical choices to be made. Just hold on tight and sail as fast as possible on a beam reach.
Fun race. Beautiful sunny and windy day on the water. Great pre-sail party at Hälleviksstrand and after-sail at Käringön.
There’s nothing else I’d rather have done. In spite of the results 🙂