Well, what can I say... after weeks of preparation and anxiety... the race is over! Our race lasted over 26 hours! Drifting over the start line at 11:00am Friday March 29, 2013 ending with a screaming finish with my jennaker flying at the finish line.
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My crew arrived with all smiles, with their gear stowed away, ready to "hit" the water. With the forecast of light winds, Hank decided to put up my 160 genoa, instead of my standard jib.
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| replacing the jib with the 160 jenoa.. |
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| crew getting Tarka ready for the race. |
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| the crew... Alan, Hank, Ian and Jason |
Now on our way, loaded up with fuel, food, gear, and a little of excitement.
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| Backing out |
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| big wave good by to the grounds crew |
Coming to the starting line was a very nice cruise... no wind, flat water, with a bit of a head current.
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| flat water eh! |
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| Looking towards the start line |
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| a total of 75 sailboats mulling around the start line. |
As you can see from the photographs... lots of sailboats of all sizes and colours.
We were the third group to cross the starting line...25 boats in all; doing the short course (55 nm).
We did have a bit of wind, but that soon petered out... now drifting with current.
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| Jason and Ian. |
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| What can I say... no wind! |
We made it to Entrance Island at dusk... giving us a beautiful sunset.
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| Sunset over Entrance Island |
Needless to say, it was getting cold out, so the crew donned their wooly's. We found that the catalytic heater works very well.
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| crew getting their cold weather gear on |
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| cold eh! |
Just after sunset, we were startled by a huge splash astern... then another splash at the bow. At first we thought it was a killer whale beseeching right beside us, but no... maybe some dolphins... but no, it was a group (we think) of sea lions! They buzzed us for over twenty minutes, giving a wonderful show. You can see them flying by underwater due to the water bubbles and the phosphorescence in the water.
Each of the crew took turns catching a cat nap here and there, most too excited to get any real sleep.
Watching the moon raise out of the ocean, and sailing under a full moon with little wind was picture perfect! Hank tried to take some pictures but was too dark.
Sunrise was just as beautiful as the sunset. The winds were still light to nil... but as time drew on the land breezes were kicking in, and finally, near the finish line, the winds picked up, enabling the crew to fly my jennaker.
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| Sunrise over Vancouver |
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| Moon still shining over Straits of Georgia |
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| Jennaker flying now. |
All worked out well with a wonderful finish, with my jennaker flying high.
We finished 10th out of 25 sailboats in the short course! I guess that is not bad for a 40 year old!
We motored to the safety inspection station, at the West Vancouver Yacht Club... passing the inspection of course!
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| finally a bit of a breeze! |
Motored home, unloaded all the gear, resting now... waiting for my next adventure.... Swiftsure Race out of Victoria!
Til then...
Tarka out!
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