Gorged

The heavy air excitement continued on Day Two of the 2008
505 North American Championship held at Cascade Locks, Oregon. Being
sailed in the Columbia River Gorge, this year’s competition is being
held as part of the Gorge Games. 33 boats have entered, and more than
a few have suffered some wounding in the extreme conditions of The Gorge.

On Friday, the Columbia Gorge Racing Association veteran race committee
fired the starting gun on three races held in breezes ranging from the
low teens to mid-twenties and the usual Gorge two-foot chop. Racing
began early in the morning as the RC aimed to pull off more starts before
the breeze kicked up to nuclear. Courses were windward / leewards twice
around and lasted roughly forty minutes apiece. Competitors were sent
ashore following the third race at 1300 to wait for more manageable
winds. However the thermal continued to develop and the RC had flags
“N” over “A” flying by 1400. Racing was abandoned
for the day.