RC Break

We're off to take a bit of a break. We'll be back in an hour or two and will bring everything up to date upon our return.

Time Bandit checks in

Barb Brunius from Time Bandit checked in with RC at 1:37 pm this afternoon. They are past Neah Bay and crossing to the Canadian side of the Straits. They have 11.8 knots of wind and sunny skies.

Mummbo Jummbo at Neah Bay

Blaine Gould called in from Mummbo Jummbo at about 1:10 pm. He says they are sailing by the seat of Arden's pants and enjoying wine, cheese and crackers (must have been a tough night - since we all know Arden wouldn't allow that much weight on the boat!). They are near Neah Bay in light conditions.

Starting to hear from boats

Rattler has called in from La Push. Weather where they are is cloudy with gentle seas and a light to moderate breeze. They say they lost sight of other boats during the night and haven't seen anyone this morning. We heard from them at about 12:50 pm.

Seattle VTS check-ins before 1 pm Friday

Three boats have checked in with Seattle VTS before 1 pm Friday afternoon:
Anam Cara;
Time Bandit; and
Riva.

Boats in the race are required to check in with Seattle VTS when they turn the corner into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

We are hoping to see those boats at the finish late this afternoon or some time tonight.

Time Bandit accidental EPRB trigger on Thursday

Yesterday Eric received a call from the wife of one of the crew on Time Bandit. It seems that she got a call from the coast guard telling her that her husband's personal EPRB had gone off. She was unable to reach anyone on the boat. Neither could the coast guard. Apparently no one was monitoring Ch 16.

Eventually a navy plane went out to try to get TB's attention - they buzzed TB a few times, e're told that folks on the boat waved to the plane, but no radio response. A ship was dispatched from Gray's Harbor... then a helicopter buzzed TB. Finally they got them on the radio, just to find out that there was no emergency.

Eric says that was very scary couple of hours while this resolved.

RC even got a phone call from Rya to let us know that the Coast Guard was trying to reach TB during the afternoon. Thanks to Rya for letting us know.

Note to everyone, if a Navy plane buzzes you, turn on your radio!

Apologies for the lack of posts/Race Start

Well, your offshore RC has been having computer intenet problems. Thanks to Stephanie from Swiftsure, who just spent a couple of hours with the folks responsible for our internet, we now actually have internet! Yeah Stephanie.

Yesterday the race got off to a picture perfect start with 5 boats crossing the line together. A few boats were late to the start, having been late to leave the docks in Astoria. Eric said that there were swells of 4-6 going out the mouth of the Columbia and things settled down once they got out into the ocean.

All 17 boats did finally start in 10-15 knots of west wind,.

Time Bandit added to entries

Time Bandit's race entry has been received and they are now listed as racing this year. Rumors still abound regarding the Lessley's entry, will it be Freewind, or are they going to take the faster California Girl? No word from them yet.

We've heard that certain other boats are entering... but time is running out and entries have not yet been received. Don't forget the deadline is April 27 at the Kick-off party.

Kick-off Party

Join the Offshore racers at the annual kick-off party on April 27 at 6:00 pm at the Deschutes Brewery. Our thanks to Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl for hosting the party this year and supplying some tasty snacks.

Deschutes Brewery Portland Pub
210 NW 11th & Davis
Portland, OR 97209

More entries posted

Check the sidebar for the latest entries for the 2009 race. Rumors are that Time Bandit, Mummbo Jummbo, Freewind and Ya Shure are also planning to enter, but as of this morning, their entries have not been received.

Don't forget, the absolute final deadline for 2009 race entries is the April 27, 2009, kick-off party.

Race Entry Deadline less than month away

All you racers out there need to get your entries in for the Oregon Offshore. The entry deadline coincides with the annual kickoff party and is less than a month away. The kick-off party this year is on April 27, 2009 and is the last chance you have to get your entries in.

The Kick-Off party will be held at the Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl. Racers, crew and everyone else is invited to join us for the event starting at 6:00.

2009 Offshore Dates

Planning for the 2009 Oregon Offshore has started. The race will start Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the mouth of the Columbia and end on Sunday, May 10, 2009 in Victoria.

Eric Rouzee, the Rear Commodore for CYC will be in charge this year.

Race Packets will be available shortly at http://www.cycportland.com/OOR%20Home.htm

Sorry it's taken so long, but I'm new to figuring out how to blog things... finally, here are the results for the 2008 Oregon Offshore, showing everyone's placing in fleet and overall, along with all of your corrected times. There is probably a more elegant way to do this, but at least I finally found out a way to do it!

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhd57spg_0gbcr2jf3