Flying the Battle Flag.
Division 7 Pride; man I look like a sheep rapist in this photo.
The conditions were perfect; drizzly overcast conditions in the morning becoming warm and sunny in the afternoon and 20 knots of wind. We motored out ready to do battle with a large fleet of division 7 boats. As we got closer we decided to go with our big genoa and lash the 110 to the deck incase we wanted to switch. As we motored closer to Passage Island we saw that the wind was building as predicted and we took off the #1 and put on the 110% #2. We considered reefing the main but all was well with it up and the helm was still fairly light and responsive.
Motoring out to the start.
A pretty grey day to start.
Time for a quick sail change before things got started.
Forming up off of Passage Island.
Boats head off to Halibut Bank.
The warning horn blew and we began our start running up and down the line on the north end. We ran into some heavy traffic closing with CRYSTAL DOLPHIN near the line. In the last few seconds we began to harden up and crossed over right on time in close formation with the rest of the fleet.
It was here that tactics started to come in. We were getting a lot of dirty wind off of the boats in front of us so after a short run in close with them we tacked over towards Bowen Island. This turned out to be the right move and we gained perceptively compared with the majority of the fleet that did not come over. We ran right into shore before putting a tack in to round the point of Bowen.
In the past I would always hesitate on putting in new tacks and usually try and put the fewest number of tacks in preferring to follow a simpler course. This race we beat into the waves tacking every half mile trying to stick close to the south end of Bowen for tide relief. We also did not settle on our sail trim and each tack were adjusting the jib car position to get the most out of our sails. The boat handled beautifully loving the stiff breeze. Our crew was rusty and on two occasions we had to put tacks in early when a loaded sheet was released prematurely (good one Dave and Mike). Cheryl’s new role as foredeck girl went well despite being soaked head to foot with spray and falling every three seconds. Despite our “keystone” cops routine we hadn’t made any serious errors.
CRYSTAL DOLPHIN taking off.
Boats beating off the Southeast coast of Bowen Island.
SALUS to leeward of us heading out.
VOLARE crossing ahead of us after a big gain on their part.
Healing over as we beat windward with all the crew hiking out.
Closing in on the mark off of Popham Island.
As we approached the windward mark we found ourselves in a comfortable fifth place behind Marbella which water lined the whole division, Dusty Mauch, Crystal Dolphin, and Surveryor. As the lead boats passed us with whites alone we opted to round and see what it was like before putting up the chute. The rounding went off without a hitch but ED had snuck up on us and was closer than I would have liked. We headed on broad reach at a fast pace under white sails. I thought that this was good enough and judged we we’re probably doing hull speed or better. Despite the boats pace we were not gaining on any of the boats ahead of us nor were we getting ahead of ED.
After rounding the mark ED was on our stern and we could not shake them.
Still we could not get ahead it was time for a change.
A view from ED as we prepared to make our change.
The hoist.
Grinding the kite up took some doing.
Time for the kite. I wasn’t too sure about putting the kite up in 20 knots going down wind in choppy 3’ seas. We slowly prepared everything with me doing foredeck and Cheryl on the helm. David was in the pit and Mike was going to help haul up the sail; it was go time. The kite shot up and filled immediately. It was about 9’ from the masthead. Dave and Mike set about grinding it up the rest of the way. With the jib still flying I flew the kite from the cockpit. With the kite almost at the top of the mast and me ready to hand off the sheet to Mike so I could steer Cheryl lost control.
The boat slid down the wave and broached. In rapid succession we were all knocked down with the boat and then the stern kicked through the wind and we accidentally gybed. All of the sudden we were on our other side. As the boom flew over the mainsheet grabbed Mike and threw him up against the bulkhead but his jacket caught on the cleat above by one of the halyard winches and his arm was being nearly ripped off. With the boat in chaos and the boom flying around Dave jumped down the companionway and hid below decks likely cowering beneath something. I stood there yelling at Mike to let go as he screamed in agony and Cheryl tried to manage the boat which was now racing towards the rocks. After untangling Mike we proceeded to dump the spinnaker into the ocean creating a giant sea anchour. The boat was now dragging the kite in the ocean and the only way we could recover the sail by sailing over towards the sail and pulling it in while the it was not under pressure.With the sail recovered we bore away safely in almost last place. We got the boat squared away and started back on course. Our attention then shifted to Mike who was out of commission laying in agony in the cockpit. When he was sorted out we started trying to race the boat again. Heading down wing on wing we picked up speed. While the rest of the fleet was reaching and gybing we pointes straight at the finish line and ate up the miles. Soon we we’re picking places. As we moved into the final stretch it was clear we were back to fifth. It was amazing that as we crossed the line how close the rest of the fleet was.
The view from SALUS as we are about to go over and broach.
The view from ED as we sail back towards the mark trying to recover our spinnaker from the ocean.
With the final horn we bore away and reached over to Bowen Island. We made our way to the Union Steamship Company Marina; Mike and Cheryl made their way to the First Aid Station. The ambulance attendants recommended he get it checked out so they carted him down to the Water Taxi to take him to Lion’s Gate Hospital via a waiting ambulance at Horseshoe Bay. Being good friends we headed to the bar and left Mike to it. After being assessed he made his way back to Bowen after hitching a ride on a random power boat. From there the night followed it’s natural course.
Mike's war wound.
Cheryl's bruised, um...pride.
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