Archive for July, 2007

Web-based cartography

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

This is an interesting article (for anyone with an interest in maps!)

I’ve got Dad to thank for that!

It talks about how the internet is changing the way we think and use maps and map-based interaction.

I know I couldn’t imagine going back to a time without google maps.

Via Bob Sutor

A Podium Finish in the "IX Semana Asturiana de Vela"!

Wednesday, July 25th, 2007

We managed to finish third overall in the “IX Semana Asturiana de Vela”, so a podium finish for the second year running!

595 from the bowHere’s a brief summary of how the three days went for us, for anyone interested!

Friday

Race 1: 2nd
Race 2: 3rd

We gave our new sails their official debut, and we went pretty well. Race 1 saw us leading around the windward mark, but we slipped back a place going downwind and never managed to claw it back.

Our start in race 2 was a shocker! To get back up to third was a good effort, but you can’t afford to start from the back and win!

595 from the sternSaturday

Race 3: 5th
Race 4: 5th

A frustrating day. We seemed to find all the holes in the wind, and my attempt at tuning of the mast to better fit our new sails didn’t help. I wasn’t happy with how well the boat was pointing on Friday, so had looked to get a little more bend to flatten the main, but I think we went with the rig too tight in the end.

Both races gave further evidence that our starts are an area to work on. Enough said!

595 new sailsSunday

Race 5: 3rd

Sunday’s format was slightly different from the previous two days, a longer course, and sailing with the big boats. This made for some interesting moments! We got a reasonable start (for a change!), and we had good speed and we pointing well, after further playing with the rig tension. With hindsight we made the mistake of not covering (arguably!) the quickest boat when we should have, allowing him to get ahead picking the shifts better than we did. Having said that, another 500m of track, we’d likely have caught them, as downwind we were quick.

595 new sailsSo, all in all, three good days of sailing, despite the light winds. I’ll post links to any photos I find.

Update: Photos added!

New Sails

Thursday, July 19th, 2007

595 new sailWe’re really chuffed to have new sails in time for the next regatta this weekend!

More to come, including photos!

Update: Photo added!