“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” C.
Dickens.
I was going to recall the entire race, but I think hitting
the highlights (and the low lights) is a better way….
So, a few random thoughts and impressions:
- I have done a number of
Swiftsures in the past, but not in about 20 years, and never as the
Skipper. The good news is that the
basic course is still the same, and the experience is still a highlight of
the year.
- The inner harbour on the
Friday before the race is a fantastic place to see people and boats.
- The beer lines at the
Skipper’s Meeting are too long!
- They need more dishes at
Lure.
- 7am boat time is EARLY! But breakfast wraps are a big help!
- A long start line is a big
plus when sharing the start with 70 footers.
- Going through Race Passage
against the tide is a whole lot better when there is a good breeze.
- There are big gains to be
made for those willing to go right in on the rocks.
- Look out for the Orcas!
- Don’t get too fixated on one
aspect of the changing conditions.
- Be willing to adjust your
strategy as warranted.
- If all your competition is
splitting from you, cover the fleet!
- Sailing in super light air
is a huge challenge, but big gains can be made.
- The Code 0 can be a major weapon. And having the apparent wind be almost
90 degrees ahead of the true wind direction is a weird experience the
first time it happens. And
depressing when the ride stops.
- The best place to be when
the drifter is hoisted is down below in a bunk.
- You can’t really suck a
hard boiled egg through the shell.
- Chocolate covered espresso
beans are the best candy.
- 12 hours is about the
limit that a group of 12 people can stand going absolutely no where before
they start to go stir crazy and pour water on each other (in the rain)!
- Pulling the plug and
quitting a race is never easy, no matter how desperate the situation is.
- It’s a long way from Port
Renfrew to Victoria, even under power at 7 knots.
- 11pm on a Sunday is not a
great time to try to find food in Victoria.
But seriously, as I said on the way in to the harbour, I am
very impressed by the effort everyone put in prior to, and during, the race. The group did very well together, and everyone
got along and did their best.
The foredeck team in particular did a fabulous job keeping
things straight, even when there were three sails on the foredeck.
Again, I appreciate the effort from everyone, and I look
forward to sailing with everyone again.
Henry