Cool Change just finished. Blue Martini is next.
Welcome to Victoria, Cool Change!
Welcome to Victoria, Cool Change!
Makai Finished! Cool Change & Blue Martini Are Close Behind!
It's a blast to the finish when the wind is up! I really feel bad for Kinetic V after watching all these fast finishes today. It's all a matter of timing I guess (and wind....and tide!).
For those that don't know, Kinetic V was leading Rage to the finish line early this morning, but sailed into a hole that, eventually, cost them the race.
Maybe next year!
For those that don't know, Kinetic V was leading Rage to the finish line early this morning, but sailed into a hole that, eventually, cost them the race.
Maybe next year!
They'll Be Comin' around The Corner When They Come!
The last few remaining boats in the 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race are closing in fast on the finish!
First in line will be C fleeter Makai, now just a few miles away from the finish at Victoria Harbour.
Makai is making great time, 7+ knots, and should be across the line within the hour.
Following close behind Makai is Cool Change and Blue Martini, who have both passed Race Rocks and are heading for the finish at speeds between 6 & 7 knots. It won't be long now!
At the turn, passing through Race Passage, are Cantata and Passepartout, making great time with lots of daylight left.
Around the corner, close behind, is the C & C 35 Mark III Thirsty... Alan Bergen and crew are probably pretty thirsty right now for a dockside beverage after 2 & 1/2 days at sea!
We'll keep you posted as the last boats cross the line and more pictures and videos from the racing come in!
First in line will be C fleeter Makai, now just a few miles away from the finish at Victoria Harbour.
Makai is making great time, 7+ knots, and should be across the line within the hour.
Following close behind Makai is Cool Change and Blue Martini, who have both passed Race Rocks and are heading for the finish at speeds between 6 & 7 knots. It won't be long now!
At the turn, passing through Race Passage, are Cantata and Passepartout, making great time with lots of daylight left.
Around the corner, close behind, is the C & C 35 Mark III Thirsty... Alan Bergen and crew are probably pretty thirsty right now for a dockside beverage after 2 & 1/2 days at sea!
We'll keep you posted as the last boats cross the line and more pictures and videos from the racing come in!
Watch The Race Live From The Race Rocks Remote Controlled Video Cam!
Riding The Tides Towards The Finish
We've focused quite a bit in this race on tides, currents, and their effects on the racing fleet and tactics.
First, we saw a huge tidal ebb flow out of the Columbia River "mushroom" for much of the start of the race.
This allowed the boats on the northern edge of the fleet to benefit early with a lee bow push upwind, northwesterly, and out to sea.
Then, last night, we saw the brutal effects of the tide and current change at Race Rocks, and how devastating the effects of combined light winds and strong currents can be, even on the biggest, toughest competitors.
Today, it's a different story. We've got the last few remaining boats riding in on a nice gentle flood, or incoming tidal current. Today, the flood tide will help push the fleet towards the finish line until about 9:30 pm tonight, and won't turn to an ebb tide until after midnight.
Given that there are still three hours of daylight left today, it's safe to assume that we should see most of the boats finish before midnight tonight.
Then again... You never know. Lady Eileen better start leanin' a little more.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: The time limit for this year's race expires at 1000 hours PDT (10 am), Sunday, May 15th.
First, we saw a huge tidal ebb flow out of the Columbia River "mushroom" for much of the start of the race.
This allowed the boats on the northern edge of the fleet to benefit early with a lee bow push upwind, northwesterly, and out to sea.
Then, last night, we saw the brutal effects of the tide and current change at Race Rocks, and how devastating the effects of combined light winds and strong currents can be, even on the biggest, toughest competitors.
Today, it's a different story. We've got the last few remaining boats riding in on a nice gentle flood, or incoming tidal current. Today, the flood tide will help push the fleet towards the finish line until about 9:30 pm tonight, and won't turn to an ebb tide until after midnight.
Given that there are still three hours of daylight left today, it's safe to assume that we should see most of the boats finish before midnight tonight.
Then again... You never know. Lady Eileen better start leanin' a little more.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: The time limit for this year's race expires at 1000 hours PDT (10 am), Sunday, May 15th.
C Fleet Standout Makai Blasts Past B Fleet & Heads For The Final Turn
Makai, an Ericson 32 owned by Jack Coulter of Portland, has distanced itself from much of B fleet and is now closing in on Race Passage and the finish.
Cool Change is nearby, taking a wide turn around Race Rocks... We'll see which strategy pays off.
Behind the remaining leaders are Blue Martini, Aja, Cantata, Passepartout, Thirsty, and Lady Eileen.
The time limit for the race expires tomorrow at 10 am; it looks like everyone is on track to finish well within the time limit.
Well, except for Lady Eileen - it might be close for them - she better start leaning a little more!
Cool Change is nearby, taking a wide turn around Race Rocks... We'll see which strategy pays off.
Behind the remaining leaders are Blue Martini, Aja, Cantata, Passepartout, Thirsty, and Lady Eileen.
The time limit for the race expires tomorrow at 10 am; it looks like everyone is on track to finish well within the time limit.
Well, except for Lady Eileen - it might be close for them - she better start leaning a little more!
The Souffle Is Done!
Souffle has finished the race!
There are eight boats remaining on the course.
Congratulations, Souffle!
Here's their course:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov5P8_56yOg
There are eight boats remaining on the course.
Congratulations, Souffle!
Here's their course:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov5P8_56yOg
No Chance This Souffle Will Collapse At The Finish!
Souffle, a Cal 34 Mark I skippered by Philip Lewis, is close to finishing this year's 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race.
Moving along at over 5 knots, and less than a mile from the finish line, it's time to turn up the heat for a few more minutes, then voila! You're done! And just in time for dinner, too!
Moving along at over 5 knots, and less than a mile from the finish line, it's time to turn up the heat for a few more minutes, then voila! You're done! And just in time for dinner, too!
Yahtzee!
Yahtzee has crossed the finish line first in cruising division in the 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
Congratulations on finishing your first Oregon Offshore Race!
Congratulations on finishing your first Oregon Offshore Race!
Souffle Heats It Up Heading For The Finish Line!
Just because you're in the cruising class, doesn't mean you can't come smokin' hot into the finish! Look at Souffle, hitting 6.2 knots in the home stretch! Our compliments to the chef!
Yahtzee Leaves Nothing To Chance & Rolls Towards The Finish With A Full House!
Yahtzee is a crowd favorite entry in this year's 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race for a variety of reasons - kids on board, cruising fleet, new to the race... AND a great boat name!
It shouldn't be long before this family friendly entry reaches their goal!
Congratulations, Yahtzee!
It shouldn't be long before this family friendly entry reaches their goal!
Congratulations, Yahtzee!
For Those Who Missed It - Rage Takes Line Honors Again In The 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
In what was a dramatic late night/early morning finish, Rage squeaked out a slim victory to take line honors in the 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
Congratulations to Rage and her crew for an exciting, hard fought victory!
Congratulations to Rage and her crew for an exciting, hard fought victory!
Cruising Fleet Glides Through Race Passage - It Won't Be Long Now!
Cruising fleet entries Souffle and Yahtzee are finishing strong! The only two boats in the cruising fleet, they are sailing side by side and have just now passed through Race Passage. It won't be long before they join the racers dockside in Victoria Harbour!
Here's some more unique commentary on the cruising fleet by Flamingo Chris:
Here's some more unique commentary on the cruising fleet by Flamingo Chris:
Wy'East Finishes! Another Cascade 36 Returns To Victoria!
It looks as if Wy'East has made it across the finish line!
Welcome to Victoria! You're just in time for tea!
There are now fourteen boats that have finished the race, and ten boats remaining on the course.
Let's wish them all fair winds at their backs for the remainder of the race!
Welcome to Victoria! You're just in time for tea!
There are now fourteen boats that have finished the race, and ten boats remaining on the course.
Let's wish them all fair winds at their backs for the remainder of the race!
Wy'East Updates Their Position - They're Close To The Finish!
Just as we were wondering if Wy'East would update, we got this fresh new position just minutes ago.
It appears that Wy'East has not yet finished, but her finish is imminent - within the next hour. Welcome to Victoria, Wy'East!
It appears that Wy'East has not yet finished, but her finish is imminent - within the next hour. Welcome to Victoria, Wy'East!
Yahtzee & Souffle Cruise Towards Race Passage!
Clipping along at a solid 6+ knots, cruising fleet entries Souffle and Yahtzee are now streaking towards the turn at Race Passage.
We always like to say "you're never losin' when you're cruisin'," and these boats have weathered the 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race in fine form. With just hours to go until the finish, these cruisers will be welcomed by the entire fleet upon their arrival in Victoria!
Two of the youngest participants in the race are sailing on board Yahtzee. What a great story this year's race will be for their grandchildren!
We always like to say "you're never losin' when you're cruisin'," and these boats have weathered the 2016 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race in fine form. With just hours to go until the finish, these cruisers will be welcomed by the entire fleet upon their arrival in Victoria!
Two of the youngest participants in the race are sailing on board Yahtzee. What a great story this year's race will be for their grandchildren!
"Ghosts" At Race Rocks?
Those boats that say they're there? Night Runner and Wy'East? Well, they're not really there.
The Race Tracker onboard transponders have occasional "glitches" that make a boat appear somewhere it's not... or was... but isn't any longer... Make sense?
In other words, always check the time of the position reading on the race coordinate pop-up screen to ensure you have recent data.
The reading for Wy'East is about an hour behind her actual position right now, which is much closer to the finish. It might catch up - and it might not!
Night Runner's position indicator puts them at Race Rocks for the last several hours, but we have confirmation that they've finished.
The Race Tracker onboard transponders have occasional "glitches" that make a boat appear somewhere it's not... or was... but isn't any longer... Make sense?
In other words, always check the time of the position reading on the race coordinate pop-up screen to ensure you have recent data.
The reading for Wy'East is about an hour behind her actual position right now, which is much closer to the finish. It might catch up - and it might not!
Night Runner's position indicator puts them at Race Rocks for the last several hours, but we have confirmation that they've finished.
Busy night...
The finish team had a rather busy night last night, and no time to blog with boats stretched out juuuust enough to keep us up until mid morning waiting on the jetty.
Starting around 0117, the finish crew got the call that the lead boats were around Race Rocks but going slow. Shortly thereafter came the hurried call that they were "making good time" toward the finish. Running out the door to be on station for finishers, we then watched the painful duel to reach the finish for just a brief 3 hours.
First to finish was Rage shortly after 0427, followed closely by Time Bandit and Panama Red. Shortly thereafter came Kinetic V, and Anam Cara and hotly on their heels with building fresh breeze was Free Bowl of Soup. The wind continued to build quickly as the sun rose and a thunder storm rumbled out over the western reaches of the island and after a bit of a break we finished Rain Drop, then Hana Mari and Blade Runner, then Night Runner.
Best quotes of the night:
"Race Committee, we are 1 hour out" (sure you are!)
"Race Committee, we are 1 hour out" (sure you are!)
"Race Committee, we are 1 hour out" (this sounds familiar!)
"Race Committee, we are on 'final approach'" (to where? Esquimalt?)
"Race Committee, we hope to be in within an hour" (we sure hope you will be, too!)
"Race Committee, can you give us a little hope here?" (sure... you've got 200 more feet to go! but the breeze is filling in for the boats behind you!)
"Race Committee, I think we've finished!" (uhhh, no... we'll let you know when you've finished, but thanks for helping!)
It was a fun night, but the caffeine is wearing off and it's time to nap while we wait for the next cohort to make it around Race Rocks.
Wy'East Approaching Race Passage!
At 7.3 knots of boat speed, here comes another Cascade 36 Wy'East, rumbling towards the finish at Victoria Harbour. They appear to be close to passing Night Runner at Race Passage.
We're not sure what's going on with Night Runner, but we assume a transponder issue is the culprit.
We're not sure what's going on with Night Runner, but we assume a transponder issue is the culprit.
The Southern Strait May See Some Strong Winds
This, from the NWS:
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
856 AM PDT SAT MAY 14 2016
PZZ131-132-150000- /O.CON.KSEW.GL.W.0045.000000T0000Z-160515T0700Z/ CENTRAL U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 856 AM PDT SAT MAY 14 2016 ...
GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...
* WINDS...WEST 25 TO 35 KNOTS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS.
Gale Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
856 AM PDT SAT MAY 14 2016
PZZ131-132-150000- /O.CON.KSEW.GL.W.0045.000000T0000Z-160515T0700Z/ CENTRAL U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 856 AM PDT SAT MAY 14 2016 ...
GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT...
* WINDS...WEST 25 TO 35 KNOTS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS.