What a great run Team Turicum had for the 2014 Swiftsure International Yacht Race! We had a full crew onboard totaling 11 which made for many hands. The day started out with scattered clouds with sun and a forecasted 10-15Knt wind building to 20-25Knt afternoon and dropping to 10 in the evening on the Juan De Fuca. These favorable conditions made for an "interesting" start as some of the over excited boats cycled in the start area.
At the horn blast, Turicum powered up as we beat towards the opposing current and around race rocks. We won, and lost a few tacking battles but ultimately broke free of the current's grip and headed along the coast for Neah Bay at Cape Flattery. We chose a more coastal route although this would mean higher longshore current to work against for a few hours in order to take advantage of the lift off the land. We watched as a few boats headed for the depths of the mid channel to escape the grip of the current but ultimately would lose to low wind. We read the water right and made our break from the pack to cross towards the mid strait and our goal.. Early estimates made us rounding our mark at approx. 23:00 to make our mark and turn for our run home. Just after 20:00, under a beautiful setting sun and wind strong on our sails we spun around the navy ship and popped the chute. The wind caught the spinnaker and we surged towards home.
Under the setting sun, we had decent wind. Although steadily dropping, the team worked constantly to keep the spin full and at ultimate trim. Wind shift and sail change.. Up went the A spin. Slowly we moved forward 2:00.... 3:00... like so many boats that ultimately would drop out of the race, we fought for VMG. 4:00, wind starts to climb! Just in time as the tide once again is against us. Entering Race Passage with little wind and an unfavorable current is never a good combination.. The choice was made to play the back eddies in the bays prior to entering the passage. It works as we dedicate and slide along, just off the rocks and picking up the eddies to push us forward.... Just like so many things, especially with sailing, a trick like that only works if you dedicate and move right along the shore... In and out we go until we enter Race Passage in a good back eddy. As we slip right along the rocks, and entering the passage, an unexpected current grab forcing an unexpected tack which pointed us for the rocks but within a stone's throw, Turicum came around and the wind pulled us into deep water, out of the passage and away from the current.
Victoria is in sight, far off, early morning, but its the home stretch! Time for a hot chocolate to warm the cool bodies and of course a chocolate bar to boost the energy for the final push. The home stretch was slow as we stayed within the wind lines, trying to avoid the glassy water.. A few tacks and gybes and before we knew it, we crossed the finish line. 23hrs and 57 mins, first time the boat has completed this race in less than a day!
Big thanks to the inspection dock volunteers which greeted us with hot soup. Amazing how good food tastes after a run like that. Was great to reflect on the race under the morning sun as a team and watch the finishing boats come into the Inner Harbor one by one.
Cheers to the Swiftsure 2014!
