Race to Alaska Escort Boat Service: PT to Victoria 6/4/15

Pedromo · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 2:22 pm Post subject:

Harvey, I join the others in thanking you for the "report". It made me wish I was 40 years younger...
Bob, I'm with you the those tri's will be tough to beat, but the Proas are my sentimental favorites.
Fair winds to the fleet...!!

hardee · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:02 pm Post subject:

Daily updates for the race are to be listed here:

http://r2ak.com/daily-updates-2/

hang on, it's going to be a trip.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:16 pm Post subject:

15 minutes after the start and several boats are out of the harbor making 4 knots, and breeze shown as only about 5 knots. Going to be very interesting. So many factors in the strategy. as well as the weather, rest, food, number of people aboard etc.

NORO LIM · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:27 pm Post subject:

The 6-paddle outrigger canoe is first out of the harbor. It can sail some, but once the multi-hulls hit the wind in this more southern portion of the race. . . Looks like high pressure with N winds for a while. Can't wait to see what happens in Johnstone Strait. It will be fascinating to see which boats choose which routes to the fist checkpoint at Seymour. The hunt for wind and current begins!

hardee · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 4:04 pm Post subject:

Sure would be fun to have some sort of video uplink (Think NASCAR) here with views from each of the boats for the next 10 days.

Don't forget to hit the refresh button on the tracker page. Laughing

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

NORO LIM · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 5:54 pm Post subject:

Was there some horse race recently? Who cares! This is waaaaaaaay better. Thumbs Up

Thanks again, Harvey!

Bill
Formerly on NORO LIM

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 9:34 pm Post subject:

Tain't the Triple Crown for sure! But the boats have really spread out at about 6 1/2 hours into the race, and some of the lead sail boats are running at over 10 knots (part of that is current)--be nice to have current overlays, as well as wind!) But those sneaky Soggy Beavers, are still to be watched.

I ended up making a note book page with summary of the characteristics of each team/boat/crew, so I could keep it straight! The light winds are going to make it a more interesting race. It will also be interesting how the single handers do, as time goes by. Too bad, that there were not several classes, with one being single handers. But what a group of talented sailors and voyagers!

rjmcnabb · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Following r2AK progress online took me down to Thieves' Bay breakwater (North Pender Island) at 1800. The part of the fleet that took Swanson Channel was there, seven or so boats, but too far offshore to see much. Most appeared to be multihulls under spinnaker and spanking right along. I thought one looked like it was turning into Otter Bay (maybe for overnights?) Only one boat had turned early to go up Sansum Narrows, west of Saltspring Island. Many of the rest took Boundary Pass south of South Pender Island.
When I got home I see that two of the early boats I had seen had turned into Captains' Passage, heading north of Prevost Island. All will end up in Trincomali Channel soon, with a number of overnight anchorages available on Prevost and Galiano.
One monohull, near shore, seemed to be doing well against the multihulls - until they dropped sail and motored into Thieves' Bay. Local boat. Confused

This is kinda fun.
Rod

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:50 am Post subject:

What a day Exclamation

Can't imagine what those Soggy Beavers must feel like after 9 hours of paddling, well, yea, but not for another 10 days or more.

I agree, it would be nice to see the currents there too, and pix of the boats when you click on them too.

Glad you all are enjoying this.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

NORO LIM · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:06 am Post subject:

Looks like they've been at it all night. This morning they are facing 16 knots right on the nose with decreasing room to tack as they approach Seymour. Will be fun to watch, for sure.

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:34 am Post subject:

I just checked with a friend in Comox and the 16 on the nose is the predicted low for the day. Looks like it will build to 25-35 through the day and into tonight. That is going to be really interesting as they get into those narrow passages. Bigger boats will be favored through most of the day and there will be some grouping at Seymore for the slack times ( 1030 this morning and 1630 this afternoon, 2330 tonight and 0545 tomorrow morning.

Not likely to have to deal with any fog with those breezes.

Prayers for safe travels, sane heads and sore muscles.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Paddle-2tc · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link Harvey, I am enjoying their progress. It is starting to look like each team is in their own race. Spotted the lights of Team Elsie Piddock sailing by off Nanaimo at about 1am this morning. An amazing race!
Bill

ghone · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:33 pm Post subject:

Local favorites on Mail Order Bride , Wayne Gorrie and Janine Bell and team will love these conditions
They have optimized their trimaran for heavy air sailing
They are well known for driving hard and are my pick to win it, thier old F31 would routinely clock 25 knots plus in the strait, this new boat is likely quicker
The kayaks and small boats and rowers only will not like today and tonite
The proa should scoot today also
Lets all pray for everyone's safety and well being
George

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:21 pm Post subject:

George, Did you get to see the MOB crew in Naniamo this morning. Looked like they were close. Sorry I didn't get to meet them down here on the dock. Saw the boat. It looked ready and fit.

Those soggy Beavers are incredible, as are all these folks. Wish I was hanging around up at Seymour for a day or so. Could get a nice close look. Got that at the start but was kind of busy,, not much picture taking time.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 6:57 pm Post subject:

North to Alaska, c 1962 with Frankie Lane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDkJu8-WcFw

And for the crew on tea, Team Elsie Piddok is closing on Seymour Narrows. This was a tough stretch, all head winds.

Ah ..... what horse race Shocked

Harvey
SleepyC Moon