I sent this off to my e-mail list so here it is for you too
Greetings to All
The 31st annual run of the Patos Island Race is now history.
The weather was beautiful.
sunny 10 c and a 5-15 knot breeze.
32 boats entered in Three races
Long course of 67 miles had 2 divisions.
Short course of 43 miles a single div and the 17 mile day race a single division.
We were in Div two with 3 more J-30s and a J-29.
The weather dictated a downwind spinnaker start and the reported 4-500 spectators on the piers and shoreline were treated to a grand spectacle of coloured sails in 3 separate starts spaced over 20 minutes with 10 minute intervals between starts.
The run down to Beaumont Shoals was terrific with a steady breeze and boat speeds over 8 knots at times. For all that we found ourselves near the back of the fleet at the turn. A well executed spinnaker takedown saw us quickly on a beat in 15-17 knots apparent wind. We found the boat going well with good speed and pointing well inside all the other boats as we began to get back into the fleet with a number now to lee and behind us. The fleet tacked up to us and we debated whether to stick to our plan of going to the San Juan island shore or to tack as well and consolidate gains by covering the fleet. We decided to stick to the plan.
The first hole swallowed us up as we got close to the shore and we came to a near stop while we watched the fleet sail away. Now we thought , that this is a good day out in the sun, so don't worry, enjoy! Three hours later we are second or third last in the fleet as we approach turn Point on Stuart Island but we could see Vampire in our sights and as we made the turn we were a minute back but not many other boats to be seen except those miles ahead half way to Patos and the two behind.
In Boundary pass we hit the tidal stream and and made good time. we to the left and Vampire, another J-30 skippered by good friend Don Millie, to the right.
The second hole appeared across the course and we slid to a halt but with a 2 knot current in our favour. It was there we met 4 other boats from the short course who had already made it around Patos and were on the way back. Vampire got the first breeze on the right and sailed away doing a horizon job on us as we bantered and chit chatted with the Crew of Gypsy Dream. Finamlly we got our breeze 40 minutes later and were were on our way. Still only 18.30 and ahead of schedule, with another 2 hours of daylight to go.
We had a quiet gentle spinnaker run along the backside of Patos with no other boat in sight. We did not know at the time but a number of our division were around the island ahead of us 2 miles in front. As we emerged from Patos to head home we saw the sails of the 2 boats behind just as the approached the island so they were now 2 miles back of us.
The wind now filled in nicely and we were still on a close reach or beat to the Saturna Island shore as we followed our plan. The current was still flooding against us now for another hour as darkness descended around us . It was a clear starlit night with the sliver of the brand new silver moon just descending in the West with the stars above. At times like this all other thoughts are removed and peace and tranquility reigns. It is good for the soul. As we progressed and approached the entrance to Plumper sound we noticed that there were more and more running lights showing around us. Could it be the fleet. The water was unruffled. The wind was a, unseen but felt on the cheek and back of the neck, a cool caress. The current was with us and we glided through the water at a knot or so with our speed over ground 2-3 knots. Now we passed a boat over there a quarter mile and those over to port we could see green lights and not stern. And on we went. We counted 15 sets of the running lights and we had passed most and crept on our way passed Bedwell trying to keep to the Southern Pender shore to mitigate the ebb current now against us.
Other boats were now moving and a couple of larger boats glided passed us. Could we make it down to Canoe Rock and around Moresby where the flashing yellow light of 3 in sequence followed by a pause beckoned. We tacked to head for the gap only to find we were being flushed down by the current to the wrong side. There were now 10-12 boats trying to make it around and they were spread from Moresby to Haro straits trying to find enough wind to make the passage. We tack back again and head out along the Pender shore some more and now another boat crept up and passed us and turned for Canoe Rock. We continued a while longer and now Canoe rock was abaft the beam, (I like that terminology!) We turned again for the passage and again we were being swept back. We continued to debate whether to continue but then we felt the wind. Imperceptibly the boat picked up speed. Our angle to the pass improved, and so it went as a slightly freshening breeze got us around the rock and the turn for home. Coal Island was the next mark with its flashing Green. We had passed a number of boats and in light air we raised the spinnaker again and on a close reach made good progress. We were now hearing boats call in to the committee as they passed coal Island. By golly we were not so far back now. We overtook another boat and it looked like another J-boat and indeed it was, as here was Vampire again. We finally made the Coal Island turn for home to the finish. We douse the spinnaker and with the Genoa set made for home on a close hauled course. Vampire behind a half minute. With a freshened breeze we were making better time and now 5- 6 knots. Vampire eased off and picked up speed and now overtook us. I knew he had a new headsail and I thought wow it is really making a difference. What I did not know and could not see was that they hoisted the kite again and flying it at 55-60 degrees was able to make the mark ahead of us by a minute. Well sailed to Don and crew. What I did not see was Natural High just ahead of Vampire. Congratulations on 1st in Div and 2nd overall.
Later at the clubhouse at 3 am Don told me that he heard people saying the
J/Boats would place well. I thought well I would at least be the middle of the pack. At 4.30 am I saw John Windas, fleet captain, post the results and what do you know Don was right.
Emma was first overall, a Ross 9.11 (30 footer), Natural High,J-30 was second, Vampire, J-30 was third, and Radiant Heat (that's us) was 4th over all on the long course. 5th was District 9 a J-29 and 6th overall was Limelight the final J-30. It was a good race for the
J/Boats this year.
The second division was a Clean sweep for the J-30's being 1-3 as listed above. With RH a third.
Many thanks to a willing and cheerful crew, Paul, Barbel and Fred. All the hard work paid off, and it was a lovely outing however it was valued. It is a lovely part of the world and being fit enough and able to enjoy such an outing is a blessing.
Those of you that followed the link can see the progress of the race on the tracker and can get a map of the location and see the whole race as it progressed. You still can as the link will be saved and online to review. Here it is again.
http://patos.swiftsure.org/ cheers
Tony