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Post by Admin on Nov 4, 2017 2:03:56 GMT -8
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viv
New Member
Posts: 32 
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Post by viv on Nov 6, 2017 14:31:53 GMT -8
Hotlaps at Starstrider - Quick notes for Trudeau skippers (and other "big boat" skippers) This is a difficult run for the larger Trudeaus.... Especially at start. How do you build up speed when you must steer through such a narrow channel? Well... there is a line, a fine one, that you can sail, scraping past the rocks on the right and the invisible extension on the left, both hazards killing your speed if you touch them... The first one actually sends you onto the second one (machiavelic laughter) absolutely ruining all hopes of a good start... (I lost 4 knots there after such treat) To find the right line, sail into the channel from the West cutting through the island in Coviello, it is "phantom"  Touching the helm as little as possible, you can get to the line with a real decent speed... My best was 7m/s, 13.5kts. Unfortunately, my Hotlap had timed out so I had to go about it again... Next difficulties are the many shallow zones and underwater surprises... I believe I thoroughly scraped my keel around the lighthouse at #4, but the boat kept moving so it was OK, I guess. Finally, beware the 4-sim corners... Don't be too aggressive or you may end up spiralling or flying or swimming.... Keep some distance and it should be OK. One last thing.. luck plays a bit too, as this last run showed for me... Got some funky simcross all along, but kept going despite some real bad crashing scares! Fair winds, dear fellow Hotlappers!! |
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viv
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by viv on Nov 8, 2017 11:09:38 GMT -8
Hotlaps at Starstrider - Quick notes for... Fast Cats Not too difficult here for the cats. This course is made for them ! One simple task: (fine) trim well to maximize speed at all times Main issue is the weather: laggy conditions, especially around the start area, make sailing fast harder, even impossible at times... The other issue is the traffic: the run is a roundtrip, so expect crossing others, sometimes on much slower boats  As the faster boat, I usually try to stay clear, but sometimes time is short to react! Be prepared! And point resolutely in one direction when crossing the other boat so the other skipper understands you're going to her/his left (or right) ! Finally, I believe the spot to make the difference is around the lighthouse at #4. Keep the pressure in those sails as you bear away and gybe by playing the sheets, first progressively out, then quickly in as you point up again. Shallow waters are not an issue with the cats, so round the mark as tightly as possible  One last comment: try to maximize speed on the start line by going as far as necessary to the West so your tack and speed are stable as you enter the channel from Coviello, just like sailing a slow-to-accelerate Trudeau A short prayer should ensure you get a clear shot at the line (no hitting the borders, no boat in the way,...) Else, abort, regroup, repeat... Cheers and Bon Vent ! |
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