Today marked Day 3 of the Antigua Sailing Week; we were now a well-oiled committee machine with two race days under our belt and no significant quarrels or problems that we didn't manage with minimal stress. Today we had two guests aboard, one of whom, Egil, is an ISAF International Judge for the competition so we were on our best behaviour for while; but he was only there in an unofficial capacity so we reverted back to our normal mode in short order.
The seas were surprisingly lumpy despite the settling winds and I had my camera attached to a tripod and managed to take many pictures of the sky with tips of sails visible or of the water with a bit of hull because of the rocking motion of the catamaran; but some of the pictures could be cropped and weren't too fuzzy for use.
Spirit of Athena and Slippery sailing around the start area prior to raising their jibs for the first race of the day. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Spirit of Athena and Slippery warming up
Zipping around on a dinghy [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Zipping around on a dinghy
The buoy to which we are attached for the duration of the race this day. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Committee Boat Buoy
James, Jane, Alfred and Hans checking the prevailing wind direction and speed prior to putting down the start mark. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Wind check
Some of the yachts sailing around (sans jib) to get a feel for the winds of the day. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Competitors warming up
Our pre-race briefing while on station at the start position. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Crew briefing
The start marker has just been dropped and the boats have begun checking out the line prior to the races. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Yachts checking out the start line
Paul Wyeth at the start line [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Paul Wyeth and crew
The professional photographer getting into position and preparing his equipment prior to the start. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Paul Wyeth preparing
Race crew concentrating on the line between the committee boat and the start mark. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Concentration while checking the line
The committee power boat resetting the start marker to a position somewhat higher upwind to make the line as close to a 90 degree angle to the prevailing winds as possible. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Setting the start mark
Yachts racing downwind with spinnakers out, coming up to the finish line. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Downwind racing finishers
Distant boats are heading our way on their downwind run towards the finish line. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Spis on the horizon
Ambersail [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Ambersail
Ambersail coming to the finish line. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Ambersail
Ambersail crossing the finish line. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Ambersail
Full-speed finish for Ambersail for the second race of the day. [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Ambersail
Arethusa [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Arethusa
Arethusa [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Arethusa
Spirit of Athena [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Spirit of Athena
Spirit of Athena [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Spirit of Athena
Spirit of Athena [17°0'0.56"N 61°46'37.13"W ]Spirit of Athena