Black Magic on the move on Heron Lake

Shortly before the start of the race, Carol Anne and Gerald faced a major challenge when the pedestal (which holds the mainsheet, boom vang, backstay control, pole topping lift and downhall, tore out of the floor of the Etchells. Carol Anne and Gerald used the topping lift to keep the pedestal attached to the boat, but were limited in their ability to sheet the main as tightly as they'd like. Nonetheless, the fast-moving boat made for a beautiful sight on the waters; a nicely trimmed boat surging upwind is a gorgeous thing.

Before the race could begin, we had to collect boats, many of which had a hard time seeing the anchored committee boat against the background of the eastern shore of Heron Lake. Here is Black Magic, powering out into the lake after exiting the Narrows.


USA 125, the Etchells Black Magic, comes out of a tack shortly after the start of the Summer Breeze I regatta at Heron Lake in northern New Mexico.

The sloop Black Magic accelerates out of her tack.