CAPTAIN PASSAGE, 3rd October, 2004


Yesterday was a very pleasant day on the water, but it was just that and not much more.
Seven boats were out but the wind was fickle at best. We delayed the start to 1015 and
had a slow beat out of the harbour. At the Sisters the wind veered to the South and the
day looked promising. YEOMAN found a tack along the Second Sister shore and took the
lead.

Once clear of the Sisters the light wind diminished and finally came in from the North
however I doubt if anyone saw better than 3.5 knots. There was very little change in the
height of the tide during the day but this did not prevent a strong ebb current at Bat Rock.
ALACRITY was first to round and tried hard to work over to Prevost, but it was not to be,
the wind failed us and we drifted towards the fish farm at an alarming rate. By the time
YEOMAN, AQUILA MIA and WESTWIND were at the mark the current had slacked
considerably but without a wind this was not much help.

By 1330 engines were being started. JEEKERS! and WESTWIND kept going and were
rewarded with a spinnaker run to U62 and on to Welbury. Being the only boats left in the
race they elected to shorten the course to Welbury and home but even so neither boat
completed within the time limit. The race was abandoned.

THE CAPTIAN PASSAGE RACE WILL BE RE-RUN THIS SUNDAY THE 10th OCTOBER.

For the balance of October we now have:

10th Re-run Captain Passage
17th Channel Isles #3
24th Jack Langdon Reverse Handicap
31th Re-Run Portland Moresby.

Bob Jones
ALACRITY