Feb 9

3388km

Bonaire Lac Bay. NP EVO6 7.0, iSonic 107, Drake carbon slalom 38. Wind: 18G21 knots ESE

Another workout day. Wind direction was back to 'normal' and with the 107/38 board/fin I had no issues pointing to get to where I wanted to go. The southerly run was still bouncier than I prefer, but better than yesterday. Got a 28.9 max speed but the gust wasn't big enough to hold it for two seconds. Given the conditions, I'm satisfied with the today's numbers as I felt pretty much on the edge during the speed runs and I think the jibes are progressing.

Little-by-Little: Today was a PB for the 7.0 sail for 5x10 speeds by 0.35 knots and my third fastest 5x10.

Tide was a little higher than yesterday so ventured some speed runs into the mangrove. Had one fast run in followed with a nice jibe - I know I must have been dragging weeds for a while but the run in speed and jibe speed were fast enough to slough off the weeds by the time I hit blue water. Felt good  and turned out to be today's Alpha jibe. In analyzing the 'mangrove jibes' in GPSResults, if I had tightened up the jibe exit that was used for my NM, that was the fastest jibe of the day and would have been the Alpha jibe. My jibe focus today in the mangrove shallows was on getting the sail down using Roo's tips and keeping the board balanced when switching feet using some tips from Eddy Patricelli from Big Winds (in the Gorge). It is a good feeling when it all comes together. Now to do it without the weed anchor .

The jibes at the end of the southerly speed run didn't happen. First jibe was biffed when I was startled by snorkeler - had never seen anybody in that area before. Fortunately, not a close encounter but is messed with my concentration and timing. Biffed some other jibes as well so I would have an excuse to float in the water, rest, and practice clearing the race sail. Guess I need more Cheerios...