Today got started very early. We needed to leave the dock by 6:00 am to make the start line on time.
The motor out was peaceful, as I said, Winter Harbour is a beautiful bit of rugged country!
The breeze was out of the North East today, light, maybe 7-8 knots shich meant a spinny start. We got a very good mid line start and had the kite up in short order.
As mentioned earlier, the RC and PRO wanted us to get out and around Brooks before the forcasted Gale was to arrive later this morning. Only the very fastest boats were able to sail through the transition zone just a couple miles up from the start. The rest of us were left with very light conditions and even drifting for a good hour.
Finally we managed to get a breath of air and were off, slowly at first but within an hour or 2 it was blowing 20 and out to sea we headed.
We were one of only 4 boats in our division to escape first, with Kiva / Kotuku and that darn Hobbie chasing hard but we had a good head start on the rest of the boats.....actually they were never to be seen again till morning.
We planned to head out to about 30 - 35 miles offshore to get some current help. We were not alone as it seemed everyone else had the same plan. We were pacing Kiva, sailing slightly higher but they had some speed on us, but net result was even. We would be sailing with them all afternoon and into the dark of night.
The breeze continued to build it was a steady 25 maybe gusting to 30 but managable. The bigger issues were the seas. They were quite short and steep, and very confused. They were coming from 2 and sometimes 3 different directions. This made driving very difficult and the boat was left to just slam hard from wave to wave, shuttering every 30 seconds it would seem.
At around 11:00 pm, we were going along when our instruments decided to fail again. So now we have no vision, no numbers, a reef and #3 up in what seems like a building storm. Down below we have very cold crew, some sick, some unable to function. The little voice inside me reminds the boat will always take more than what the crew will so I am quite confident in the ol' girl. She is doing great, and so are we.
We do our midnight check in ( we are required to check in to the Coast Guard every 6 hours with a positional grid system provided to us the by the RC and a status report ) We hear of some boats really struggling with sea sickness, one boat hit a whale and had to return to Winter Harbour, one boat lost power and feared they would lose instruments - we laughed at that one as we already had that issue - many boats taking on water, boats losing wind vanes ect.........but none the less, most were coping.
To sail at night is quite an experience! To do so with no instruments in a gale in large confused seas is another. We keep track of a port bow light of a competitor. By keeping it in the same spot under the main sail we know we are sailing high enough or too high. We can see the luff of the main and keep it with a nice speed bubble or back wind to help understand heel and boat speed.
At around 3:00 am we see a bright light on the horizon. At first we think it is the sun but it is too early for sunrise. We then figure it must be a cruise ship, but we are 40 miles off shore, really a cruise ship out here????? It is getting closer and Don and I can't tell if it is going to cross us or not. We try to slow the boat up but again that is hard to do without crash tacking. Then we hear there horn, is that for us? We are with Cu Na Mara just to leeward of us and are watching them as well. Finally we can tell they are not going to cross us but it was a nervous few moments! A second ship came shortly after but followed the others path and there were no issues.
Finally the lights turned back on around 4:15. We had survived and actually done quite well. At 6:00 am for the roll call we were rewarded with news that we were in the grid closest to the finish for division! Bot bad for a bunch of blind sailors!!
Then it happened, around 6:30 the forcasted switch to a westerly came and we were set up perfect for it. We had 32 miles to go, straight down wind and the breeze was down to a nice 15 knots or so. The bad news was the sea state was both for and against us.
We scrambled to get more hands on deck and get a kite set up. We did so and were off, surfing along doing 10+ knots! Then the unthinkable happened, the sprit broke off after just 15 minutes of down wind fun! It broke roughly a foot in front of the exit point of the boat. We were dejected, that's it, were done I thought. Well I have to say the guys did an amazing job getting the boat back to Uecuelet, under jib and main only! We couldn't surf the boat beyond hull speed to protect against water pouring inside. So we watched painfully as boats sailed up from behind us and either pass us or make up time to correct over us.
We finished the leg in roughly 31 hours, we lost at least an hour as boats that we saw when we first put the kite up finished an hour or more ahead of us.
We still finished 6th for this leg, just 12 seconds back of Night Runner.
But the real story is of how our crew pulled together and came up with a plan to get a new sprit built to allow us to continue on with the race and how our fellow PRYC club members back home made it happen!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day 7 - Port Hardy to Winter Harbour
Tension is in the air to start today's race. We are now setting out to cross the infamous Nawhitti Bar and rounding Cape Scott. These waters have been known to blow the windows out of boats, proving a piece of water to show a lot of respect for.
The start line today is huge, probably 1 mile long or more. There is tug and log boom that delays the start by 10 minutes followed by yet again another general recall. The port side of the line is heavily favored but you need to cross it on port. Our second start was maybe our worst of the entire race, we are probably the last boat to cross the line.
The breeze builds to a nice 10 knot Westerly and many of the boats hit the shore early. We don't think this is right as the tide is pushing us out so we stick to the middle of the bay, and quickly find ourselves mid fleet. By the time we round the corner and enter Goletas Channel we are in 2nd place, a great recovery.
We have about 15 miles of upwind sailing till the bar. We can see in the distance a dead spot and what we think is a big leftie coming out of it. Well being out front we get to be either hero's or zero's and though we do ok, boats that were well behind us took the right side and came out ahead.
We hunker down and work the shores till we get to the bar. Well once we are there the breeze is at best 5 knots and the seas flat, oh as we turn left, so does the breeze, we are still going up wind! Will this race ever have a different point of sail? Jockingly we re name the race - the UPWIND van isle 360!
The breeze completely dies, we are drifting with about 10 miles to go to Cape Scott. We have caught our fleet with only Rubato and Kiva ahead, but not by much.
The wind does fill in and we enjoy a great dinner and gorgeous sunset rounding Cape Scott. We turn left, find the Coast guard vessel that will escort the fleet down the treacherous West Coast and begin to settle into night sailing. Oh did I mention we are still going up wind.
As night comes we are solidly in 3rd, sailing with Kotuku. We decide to head out to see if we can find more wind.
The night is rather uneventful, the breeze is light, maybe 5-10 at best ( remember we still don't have any instruments, we are navigating by paper charts and an I Phone! Around 2:00 am Kotuku lee bows us so we tack away and that was the last we saw of them.
As day broke we struggled to find boats. We could see a large number behind us but we were missing a few. A few, namely Opus and the Hobbie had taken the shore route and snuck past us. We tacked into shore ASAP and got a nice lift to pass Karina II but the leaders were in and we finished 6th.
We motored into Winter Harbour and found our private dock and the owner's Pat and Phil of Winter Harbour Cottages. The met us, got us power and water and showed us to our cabin.
The weather couldn't have been more peaceful and scenic. A great meal ready to go by Nick had the guys full of food and we began to work on the boats electornics again.
We walked down the boardwalk to the general store ( also the post office and liquor store )that afternoon where the local merchants put on a great bbq for all.
Talk that night was that a gale was forcasted for tomorrow's leg down the graveyard of the pacific past Brooks Pennisula so we were going to start an hour earlier to get around safely.
The start line today is huge, probably 1 mile long or more. There is tug and log boom that delays the start by 10 minutes followed by yet again another general recall. The port side of the line is heavily favored but you need to cross it on port. Our second start was maybe our worst of the entire race, we are probably the last boat to cross the line.
The breeze builds to a nice 10 knot Westerly and many of the boats hit the shore early. We don't think this is right as the tide is pushing us out so we stick to the middle of the bay, and quickly find ourselves mid fleet. By the time we round the corner and enter Goletas Channel we are in 2nd place, a great recovery.
We have about 15 miles of upwind sailing till the bar. We can see in the distance a dead spot and what we think is a big leftie coming out of it. Well being out front we get to be either hero's or zero's and though we do ok, boats that were well behind us took the right side and came out ahead.
We hunker down and work the shores till we get to the bar. Well once we are there the breeze is at best 5 knots and the seas flat, oh as we turn left, so does the breeze, we are still going up wind! Will this race ever have a different point of sail? Jockingly we re name the race - the UPWIND van isle 360!
The breeze completely dies, we are drifting with about 10 miles to go to Cape Scott. We have caught our fleet with only Rubato and Kiva ahead, but not by much.
The wind does fill in and we enjoy a great dinner and gorgeous sunset rounding Cape Scott. We turn left, find the Coast guard vessel that will escort the fleet down the treacherous West Coast and begin to settle into night sailing. Oh did I mention we are still going up wind.
As night comes we are solidly in 3rd, sailing with Kotuku. We decide to head out to see if we can find more wind.
The night is rather uneventful, the breeze is light, maybe 5-10 at best ( remember we still don't have any instruments, we are navigating by paper charts and an I Phone! Around 2:00 am Kotuku lee bows us so we tack away and that was the last we saw of them.
As day broke we struggled to find boats. We could see a large number behind us but we were missing a few. A few, namely Opus and the Hobbie had taken the shore route and snuck past us. We tacked into shore ASAP and got a nice lift to pass Karina II but the leaders were in and we finished 6th.
We motored into Winter Harbour and found our private dock and the owner's Pat and Phil of Winter Harbour Cottages. The met us, got us power and water and showed us to our cabin.
The weather couldn't have been more peaceful and scenic. A great meal ready to go by Nick had the guys full of food and we began to work on the boats electornics again.
We walked down the boardwalk to the general store ( also the post office and liquor store )that afternoon where the local merchants put on a great bbq for all.
Talk that night was that a gale was forcasted for tomorrow's leg down the graveyard of the pacific past Brooks Pennisula so we were going to start an hour earlier to get around safely.
Day 6 - Telegraph cove to Port Hardy
This next leg seems strange for some reason, oh that's right, it is because a weak low pressure system has developed and the sun has gone and so has the 15 knot NW breeze.
We mill about looking for the best place to start today's race. The left side is favored as it closer to where we want to go by about 1/2 a mile, but the right side has some inflow breeze.
We practice putting the kite and decide that a middle start is best and as soon as possible will try the kite.
As predicted the rigth won out and a few of our boats screamed away while others sat going no where. We were in the middle.......After about an hour we finally cross the start line and are starting to get the kite filled. Finally we feel we might be able to make some hay in the race.
After about 3 more hours we have moved up and only one boat is ahead of us but we have only gone 3 miles. This doesn't look good. We slowly start to see and hear boats dropping out. In this race if 50% of the boats that start do not finish the leg will not be scored.
Lunch comes and goes and we are passed by Kiva. Normally this wouldn't surprise us but he did so going backwards! At 1:00 it seemed that like everyone had the same feeling and the iron lungs were tunred on. We had better that 22 miles to go and only 4 hours or so to do it.....racing for today was over.
A few competitors however got themselves in hot water as they broke a safety rule in that you need to carry enough fuel to power yourself to the next port. With today's technology on board, the trackers didn't lie and you couldn't hide the facts. Boats were turning back, going to other ports and even one had fuel delivered to them. Needless to say a few harsh words were spoken that night at the awards ceremony.
Port Hardy see's a lot of new crew arrive, so is the half way point of the race. The so called " easy legs " are done and now we head off shore!
First up - "THE BAR"
We mill about looking for the best place to start today's race. The left side is favored as it closer to where we want to go by about 1/2 a mile, but the right side has some inflow breeze.
We practice putting the kite and decide that a middle start is best and as soon as possible will try the kite.
As predicted the rigth won out and a few of our boats screamed away while others sat going no where. We were in the middle.......After about an hour we finally cross the start line and are starting to get the kite filled. Finally we feel we might be able to make some hay in the race.
After about 3 more hours we have moved up and only one boat is ahead of us but we have only gone 3 miles. This doesn't look good. We slowly start to see and hear boats dropping out. In this race if 50% of the boats that start do not finish the leg will not be scored.
Lunch comes and goes and we are passed by Kiva. Normally this wouldn't surprise us but he did so going backwards! At 1:00 it seemed that like everyone had the same feeling and the iron lungs were tunred on. We had better that 22 miles to go and only 4 hours or so to do it.....racing for today was over.
A few competitors however got themselves in hot water as they broke a safety rule in that you need to carry enough fuel to power yourself to the next port. With today's technology on board, the trackers didn't lie and you couldn't hide the facts. Boats were turning back, going to other ports and even one had fuel delivered to them. Needless to say a few harsh words were spoken that night at the awards ceremony.
Port Hardy see's a lot of new crew arrive, so is the half way point of the race. The so called " easy legs " are done and now we head off shore!
First up - "THE BAR"
Day 5 - Hardwicke Island to Telegraph
The days are starting to all look a like now for sure. Not only because we have settled into a nice routine but because, honestly, every day is a carbon copy of the day before. We leave the fish farm and it is blowing about 10 TWS from the Northwest ( we are guessing as the instruments still aren't working ) and during the pre start the breeze builds to a steady 15!
Today we have a slightly confused start line and with some current behind us, we have 2 general recalls, did I mention the starts are very competitive! Unfortunately our first start was the best but as others got to see what some did getting right to the shore right after the start, it was getting more difficult after each re start to get our lane.
Well we did ok and as was the usual scenerio, after 5 - 10 minutes the fleet spreads out and we get to see where everyone stands. We look pretty good, but there is a big transition zone just ahead. Boats that look terrible to start with get flushed around the corner, others that looked great are stopped and the middle, well it wasn't much better.
We were unlucky here as we ended up with only 1 boat behind us after the restart, others that were just 100 yards ahead or less got away by like a mile, never to be seen again. But we dig in and remind ourselves that there are still 20 miles to go, there must be some passing lanes ahead and to stick with it.
Well the breeze builds to the high 20's and we make some nice gains, but today was just not our day. BUT today we were escorted by schools of dolphins and even a near by sighting of a hump back whale. It was spectacular to see the dolphins playing in our bow wave, litteraly so close we could almost grab them........but back to racing:(
As mentioned today was not a good day for team Cinco. We just couldn't get out of our way. Soon it became apparent that we were running out of time to finish the leg. After all that work today to get scored DNF would be awful. So we pushed and pushed and managed to squeeze in with less than 5 remaining in the time limit. This gets us 9th for the day with 4 boats scoring a DNF.
This stop in Telegraph turns out to be one of my favorites. Nice docks, we have a great cabin right on the wharf and Darcy has made us a roasted chicked dinner.
A tough day on the water is still better than most anything else!
Today we have a slightly confused start line and with some current behind us, we have 2 general recalls, did I mention the starts are very competitive! Unfortunately our first start was the best but as others got to see what some did getting right to the shore right after the start, it was getting more difficult after each re start to get our lane.
Well we did ok and as was the usual scenerio, after 5 - 10 minutes the fleet spreads out and we get to see where everyone stands. We look pretty good, but there is a big transition zone just ahead. Boats that look terrible to start with get flushed around the corner, others that looked great are stopped and the middle, well it wasn't much better.
We were unlucky here as we ended up with only 1 boat behind us after the restart, others that were just 100 yards ahead or less got away by like a mile, never to be seen again. But we dig in and remind ourselves that there are still 20 miles to go, there must be some passing lanes ahead and to stick with it.
Well the breeze builds to the high 20's and we make some nice gains, but today was just not our day. BUT today we were escorted by schools of dolphins and even a near by sighting of a hump back whale. It was spectacular to see the dolphins playing in our bow wave, litteraly so close we could almost grab them........but back to racing:(
As mentioned today was not a good day for team Cinco. We just couldn't get out of our way. Soon it became apparent that we were running out of time to finish the leg. After all that work today to get scored DNF would be awful. So we pushed and pushed and managed to squeeze in with less than 5 remaining in the time limit. This gets us 9th for the day with 4 boats scoring a DNF.
This stop in Telegraph turns out to be one of my favorites. Nice docks, we have a great cabin right on the wharf and Darcy has made us a roasted chicked dinner.
A tough day on the water is still better than most anything else!
Day 4 - Campbell River to Hardwicke Island
Today started out with a quick stop at the fuel dock to splash some fuel for the 10 mile power through Seymour Narrows as well as make sure we can get to Telegraph Cove, the next possible stop for provisions.
This leg takes us up through Johnstone Straits and we get the privilege of staying at a fish farm with a preparred salmon dinner. But first we have to get there.
We powered along and met up with the boats that left too early to get through the Narrows. We hugged the shore real close and were just able ( maybe 1.5-2 knots to spare ) to get through. Amazing to think that at some point this pass will run up to 16 knots!
The start is just around the corner in Deepwater Bay. We had plenty of time and proceeded to run the line and get a feel for the starting conditions. It was roughly 10 knots during the pre start but quickly became 15+ so we decided to reef to keep ourselves out of trouble. This proved the right move as being able to maintain control during these starts is key to staying out of trouble. Actually Dragonfly was hit by Night Runner just after the start.
This leg takes us through some very pretty country. It also makes for some challenging sailing as the breeze funnels and built to the high 20's and with a following tide, made for some very steep chop.
We ate it up and were doing extremely well. But these conditions were not for everyone and one boat, a multi named RUFF DUCK, loses her rig. They manage to cut it away but are forced to retire from the race and we see them heading back towards Nanaimo.
With about 8 miles to go we took a 6 foot square wave dead on and it blew the jib right out of the foil. The guys quickly got the sail down and we threw up the storm jib, only to have it peel out of the foil right away too. We bobbed up and down for about 15 minutes in total before we were able to lash the storm jib to the forstay and carry on. During all this the leaders got further away and many either passed us or made up time against us. We did manage to finish the leg in a softening breeze but ended up finishing a disappointing 10th just 19 minutes back of first, which we know we would have been close to had we not had our first bit of bad luck.
Also to note, when the wave landed in the back of the boat it shorted out our electronics, so we were without boat speed / wind / depth and electronic charts for the rest of the race.
The stay on the farm was fabulous. Our hosts were gracious and scenery spectacular.
This leg takes us up through Johnstone Straits and we get the privilege of staying at a fish farm with a preparred salmon dinner. But first we have to get there.
We powered along and met up with the boats that left too early to get through the Narrows. We hugged the shore real close and were just able ( maybe 1.5-2 knots to spare ) to get through. Amazing to think that at some point this pass will run up to 16 knots!
The start is just around the corner in Deepwater Bay. We had plenty of time and proceeded to run the line and get a feel for the starting conditions. It was roughly 10 knots during the pre start but quickly became 15+ so we decided to reef to keep ourselves out of trouble. This proved the right move as being able to maintain control during these starts is key to staying out of trouble. Actually Dragonfly was hit by Night Runner just after the start.
This leg takes us through some very pretty country. It also makes for some challenging sailing as the breeze funnels and built to the high 20's and with a following tide, made for some very steep chop.
We ate it up and were doing extremely well. But these conditions were not for everyone and one boat, a multi named RUFF DUCK, loses her rig. They manage to cut it away but are forced to retire from the race and we see them heading back towards Nanaimo.
With about 8 miles to go we took a 6 foot square wave dead on and it blew the jib right out of the foil. The guys quickly got the sail down and we threw up the storm jib, only to have it peel out of the foil right away too. We bobbed up and down for about 15 minutes in total before we were able to lash the storm jib to the forstay and carry on. During all this the leaders got further away and many either passed us or made up time against us. We did manage to finish the leg in a softening breeze but ended up finishing a disappointing 10th just 19 minutes back of first, which we know we would have been close to had we not had our first bit of bad luck.
Also to note, when the wave landed in the back of the boat it shorted out our electronics, so we were without boat speed / wind / depth and electronic charts for the rest of the race.
The stay on the farm was fabulous. Our hosts were gracious and scenery spectacular.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Day 3 - Comox to Campbell River
So if you couldn't guess by now, the days are starting to blend together. Weather is excellent, wind is very consistent, 10-20 knots from the NW.
This leg 2 things were discussed at the docks. First, that the RC and PRO need to get a longer start line or we would start losing some boats due to collisions. Second, that at some point, the tide was going to switch directions. Just prior to Campbell River the Flood and Ebbs switch directions!
We prepared for the start but just prior to leaving the dock a request was made from Icon if we had any spare crew! We looked around almost in disbelief and then we figured out that they were short and they wanted Ivan ( Reebooook to us later re named Icon ). Well how could we deny Reebooook so off he went to live the dream.
We could start on starboard tack but barely. We wanted the left side and as it turns out, not many others did too so we had some room today for the first time. Our plan was to get left and find tide relief and hopefully a lift up the beach, and our plan worked as we were nicely placed with bigger faster boats at the corner.
We started to work the beach but eventually were ground down by all the 40+ footers in our fleet. Being 4-7 feet shorted and lighter we need the breeze to be under 10 knots to against these well sailed boats. Well eventually it was time to head out and when we did we were 3rd boat out with just Kiva and Kotuku ahead. We had Opus and Rubato just behind us, nipping at our heels for sure.
Eventually we flopped over to starboard and with the predicted right shift we were left with a 10 mile, no more tacks beat. This was not good news for us as the longer guys could waterline us and we couldn't make up any more ground on the leaders. All we could do was hang on and sail our best and look for a change.
Well no changes came and we basically sailed up to finish line with Opus just ahead and Rubato now even with us and just nosing out, however we owe them time so we weren't looking to place again today. We held off Karina and the rest but Ion, another big boat ( Beneteau 43 ) got us on corrected to finish in 6th today.
The tide really rips in here and Amazing Grace had to towed in as they fouled the pin end on there prop.
At the dock we were welcomed with native local dancing. Another great day of racing, perfect conditions for sure.
This leg 2 things were discussed at the docks. First, that the RC and PRO need to get a longer start line or we would start losing some boats due to collisions. Second, that at some point, the tide was going to switch directions. Just prior to Campbell River the Flood and Ebbs switch directions!
We prepared for the start but just prior to leaving the dock a request was made from Icon if we had any spare crew! We looked around almost in disbelief and then we figured out that they were short and they wanted Ivan ( Reebooook to us later re named Icon ). Well how could we deny Reebooook so off he went to live the dream.
We could start on starboard tack but barely. We wanted the left side and as it turns out, not many others did too so we had some room today for the first time. Our plan was to get left and find tide relief and hopefully a lift up the beach, and our plan worked as we were nicely placed with bigger faster boats at the corner.
We started to work the beach but eventually were ground down by all the 40+ footers in our fleet. Being 4-7 feet shorted and lighter we need the breeze to be under 10 knots to against these well sailed boats. Well eventually it was time to head out and when we did we were 3rd boat out with just Kiva and Kotuku ahead. We had Opus and Rubato just behind us, nipping at our heels for sure.
Eventually we flopped over to starboard and with the predicted right shift we were left with a 10 mile, no more tacks beat. This was not good news for us as the longer guys could waterline us and we couldn't make up any more ground on the leaders. All we could do was hang on and sail our best and look for a change.
Well no changes came and we basically sailed up to finish line with Opus just ahead and Rubato now even with us and just nosing out, however we owe them time so we weren't looking to place again today. We held off Karina and the rest but Ion, another big boat ( Beneteau 43 ) got us on corrected to finish in 6th today.
The tide really rips in here and Amazing Grace had to towed in as they fouled the pin end on there prop.
At the dock we were welcomed with native local dancing. Another great day of racing, perfect conditions for sure.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 2 - French Creek to Comox
So after an exciting day of short tacking the beach going through all our working sails, more than once for a few of them, and paying off the Tantivity guys for our near t bone, we were ready for Day 2.
For this start it was just off the breakwater of French Creek and we had very similar winds as yesterday, solid 15 knots out of the NW. The only real difference was the start line was about 1/3 of the size and one end - the port end, was heavily favoured but on shore ( meaning hard water ahead ).
We again called for a second row start at the starboard end to stay away from trouble. A side note, these starts are just crazy. 41 boats including machines like ICON and Dragonfly that are going 2 and 3 times as fast as you in very tight quarters is not for the faint of heart.
Well as expected there was lots and lots of yelling, even one boat - GEM that tried to port tack the start. After all was said and done, 5 minutes into the race the divisions start to take shape and we are off. We short tack the beach and then take the long port tack all the way off to the Sisters. Going between Denman and the mainland is just too risky we feel.
The breeze builds to about 18 knots so we change to the #3 and are cross tacking a few competitors, namely Dominatrix and California Girl. At Sisters we see our lead boats heading down the middle in what looks like good pressure. We don't want to go to the edges so off we go to chase the bigger faster boats.
Well after lots more tacking and about 8 miles to go in a 5-6 knot NW breeze we hear the unthinkable over the radio.......all of the slow rated boats that went all the way to the edge got lifted, never had to tack and were now fetching the finish line better breeze than the rest of us are letting the RC know they are less than an hour out. We are left to drag race Opus and Night Runner home with Night Runner finishing just ahead of us but not enough to correct over us, and Opus 2 boat lengths ahead ( they rate the same so they get us. )
Comox is a beautiful place. The snow cap mountains seem remarkable low and we enjoy a great meal and a few drinks on a patio near the marina.
We ended up with a 9th place finish but spirits still high and looking forward to Campbell River tomorrow.
For this start it was just off the breakwater of French Creek and we had very similar winds as yesterday, solid 15 knots out of the NW. The only real difference was the start line was about 1/3 of the size and one end - the port end, was heavily favoured but on shore ( meaning hard water ahead ).
We again called for a second row start at the starboard end to stay away from trouble. A side note, these starts are just crazy. 41 boats including machines like ICON and Dragonfly that are going 2 and 3 times as fast as you in very tight quarters is not for the faint of heart.
Well as expected there was lots and lots of yelling, even one boat - GEM that tried to port tack the start. After all was said and done, 5 minutes into the race the divisions start to take shape and we are off. We short tack the beach and then take the long port tack all the way off to the Sisters. Going between Denman and the mainland is just too risky we feel.
The breeze builds to about 18 knots so we change to the #3 and are cross tacking a few competitors, namely Dominatrix and California Girl. At Sisters we see our lead boats heading down the middle in what looks like good pressure. We don't want to go to the edges so off we go to chase the bigger faster boats.
Well after lots more tacking and about 8 miles to go in a 5-6 knot NW breeze we hear the unthinkable over the radio.......all of the slow rated boats that went all the way to the edge got lifted, never had to tack and were now fetching the finish line better breeze than the rest of us are letting the RC know they are less than an hour out. We are left to drag race Opus and Night Runner home with Night Runner finishing just ahead of us but not enough to correct over us, and Opus 2 boat lengths ahead ( they rate the same so they get us. )
Comox is a beautiful place. The snow cap mountains seem remarkable low and we enjoy a great meal and a few drinks on a patio near the marina.
We ended up with a 9th place finish but spirits still high and looking forward to Campbell River tomorrow.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Leg 1 Nanaimo to French creek
After a great party on Friday and welcome reception, getting boat and crew sorted, we set out on leg 1 right on time. It was a picture perfect day, blue skies and about 15 k of wind for the start. Most boats hoisted kites for the first leg out of the harbor. We decided it would be better to stay on whites, had our #3 genoa up to the first turn, passing about 10 boats at the first turn left around protection island. Winds built to around. 18 k and we kept going fast and fat. Tacking up the beach, just staying outside the 15 feet depth line made our way towards the finish. Kotuku came awfully close, showing us what their anker roller looked like nearly ending our endeavor early. Another close encounter with night runner shortly thereaftter had Pierre jump out of the way when tier bowsprit seemed to take out his knee just inches inside the pushpit. Disaster avoided by the breadth of a hair. After cooling down for a few more tacks we came up on port to another boat, ducked and kept going only to end up having to duck Tantivy. Well we tried hard, but the boat being overpowered by a gust and our mainsheet guy Tony battling with a knot in the mainsheet we were unable to turn down. Don yelled to them: we can't do it, you tack...! and so they did, close call number 3, we are alive to race another day.
Lots more tacks followed, seeing raven high and dry left us rethinking our strategy of going close to shore and make some good calls instead. We sailed as fast and Hightower as we could, changing eventually up to our #2 and then going to #1 shortly before the end of the leg. We finished just behind Havoc, ending up a 3rd in our division.
A great day to be on the water, perfect conditions and lots of excitement.
We live to race another day - comox will be our next destination.
Lots more tacks followed, seeing raven high and dry left us rethinking our strategy of going close to shore and make some good calls instead. We sailed as fast and Hightower as we could, changing eventually up to our #2 and then going to #1 shortly before the end of the leg. We finished just behind Havoc, ending up a 3rd in our division.
A great day to be on the water, perfect conditions and lots of excitement.
We live to race another day - comox will be our next destination.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Launch sequence initiated...
The boat is on the hard in Steveston as of this afternoon, had the bottom cleaned and is being splashed tomorrow early morning.
We loaded all the safety gear, emergency rudder, sails, inflatable and other important things we need for the next 2 weeks at sea. It is unreal to think that we are just one sleep away from starting our trip to Nanaimo and spending the next 2 weeks on the water, competing and putting all our skills on the line to hopefully gain the edge on our competition.
The vibe is great, everyone is excited and preps are done, we are all ready to go.
The boat, skipper and delivery crew will leave Steveston around 8:30am to arrive in Nanaimo harbour at 1pm, doing last minute preps along the way to be ready for the safety inspections starting at 15:00.
Thanks also to our sponsor Biz Collection making our team outfits possible. Make sure to take look at Fashion Biz for their line-up and contact Damian if you need a hook-up.
We loaded all the safety gear, emergency rudder, sails, inflatable and other important things we need for the next 2 weeks at sea. It is unreal to think that we are just one sleep away from starting our trip to Nanaimo and spending the next 2 weeks on the water, competing and putting all our skills on the line to hopefully gain the edge on our competition.
The vibe is great, everyone is excited and preps are done, we are all ready to go.
The boat, skipper and delivery crew will leave Steveston around 8:30am to arrive in Nanaimo harbour at 1pm, doing last minute preps along the way to be ready for the safety inspections starting at 15:00.
Thanks also to our sponsor Biz Collection making our team outfits possible. Make sure to take look at Fashion Biz for their line-up and contact Damian if you need a hook-up.
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