Well, ah, hum... I guess I could allow Hank to show a little of his "Big Adventure" on MY blog site, even though he raced without me! He sailed on a Leopard 44, her name is "Snow Leopard". Apparently, she is pretty good, brought Hank and her crew back safe and sound... hummm...Hank sure talks a lot about her... should I be worried??
anyway... here is his story....
Swiftsure Yacht Race 2014... racing from Victoria, BC... up the Strait of Juan De Fuca...
over 180 race boats on the entire course!
our race course...
The Cape Flattery Race for Multihulls (PHRF handicapped yachts)
• Start to Neah Bay and return to Finish – 101.9 NM
our boat...
"Snow Leopard" was chartered from Island Cruising, out of at Port Sidney, racing with a compliment of 9 crew members.
My vacation trip starting point was at Port Sidney, arrived on Wednesday.
The "vacation" trip agenda:
- Wednesday: Arrive at Port Sidney - BBQ at the dock, getting settled in and getting to know Snow Leopard.
- Thursday: Leave dock in the morning, sailing to Victoria. Learning to handle Snow Leopard.
- Friday: relax around Victoria, took "Snow Leopard" out for safety orientation, rising and dosing the sails, etc., attend the skipper's meeting.
- Saturday: RACE!
- Sunday: RACE! and back in Victoria for dinner and rest.
- Monday: take "Snow Leopard" back to Sidney.
Below is a picture of the crew taken at Victoria, at the Safety inspection dock
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| Hank is on the left. |
Thursday: Sailed over to Victoria, getting acquainted with the crew and "Snow Leopard".
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| Crew getting to know each other at the BBQ. |
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| Some of the other members of the race at the BBQ at Port Sidney |
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| "Snow Leopard" with her new asymmetrical |
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| Leaving the dock at Port Sidney |
Good thing the Snow Leopard have only 4.5' draft! at low tide there must be only a few feet of water below her keel, if that, before she hits the bottom.
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| John and Neil Jr & Neil Sr |
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| where it all happens |
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| Victoria Harbour - Boats arriving for the race |
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| Rod and Larry getting ready for the another day of training... |
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| Jason Bowman accept award at the skipper's meeting |
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| Jack Sparrow visiting Snow Leopard |
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| and we're off to the races |
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| one of the sailboats gliding by in the very light winds |
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| Passing Race Rocks |
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| At the safety inspection dock - soup for all! |
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| some of the other multi-hull sailboats. |
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| Picture perfect! |
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| Flying the spinnaker was a lot more difficult that expected. at times, it took 6 crew members to put it up! |
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| Great food aboard - being prepare sailing in 15-20 kt winds |
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| crew taking a rest (no sleep at night) under motor, it was found that sleeping in the rear cockpit was a lot more restful than in berths next to the engines. |
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| Great sail on the way home to Sidney, lots of wind!! :)) |
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| on the trip home on BC Ferries |
Well, we did not finish the race! :(
The start line was perfect I think, we were on time, at the right starting point... just a great start!
Below is our track line, you will notice we had a bit of difficult early in the race... the crew learning curve. Once we got it together, and the winds agreed... we were off again.
I the middle of the course going to the mark, the winds picked up to 23 - 25 knots... now reefing the sails. Snow Leopard handled the waves and wind without problem. However, the cat sure does rock a lot (three crew member got sea sick). I was ok, but on the verge myself. when the winds exceeded 20 knots, we needed to reef the main sail. If the cat is overpowered, she does not sail well at all, just placing too much strain on the rigging. She does not heel at all, so she just side slips with little headway.
Night sailing was interesting... in the shipping lanes now, with lots of traffic. All eyes on our instruments. To bad it was not a full moon!
Early morning... light winds, the current taking us to the mark.
Around 11:30 am, we called in that we were unable to make the mark by noon (zero winds) . If we did not round the mark by noon, we would be recorded at "DNF"(did not finish).
We motored the entire trip home, flat water all the way!
We arrived back in Victoria around 5:00 pm, just in time for a nice dinner out in the town.
Next year, we will try again!
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| "Snow Leopard's tracks |
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