Montague Harbour Race, Sunday September 6, 2009

The first race of the C Series brought great optimism as winds of up to 20 knots were predicted for the race period by Big Wave Dave. At the 10am skippers meeting all looked well, but as the 10.30 am race time approached, winds began to lighten and there was some concern that the race-day jinx was going to hit us again. With the rain also thankfully easing, seven boats crossed the start line for the tack out of the harbour and out towards Captain passage. JJ Flash took an early lead with Caliente and Boomer close behind as winds dropped below 5 knots and became shifty. JJ Flash continued to lead as the boats approached Captain Passage but chose to tack into shore at Welbury Spar to join Final Dash and Boomer who appeared to have favorable winds. Caliente tacked out away from shore and benefitted from some stronger winds that were filling in and entered Captain Passage ahead of the other boats with Electra making up ground having gone way over to the Saltspring shore before tacking across the the Passage.

Up went the spinnakers as the wind speed picked up in Trincolami Channel and boats had difficulty maintaining control as the wind speed increased. Caliente was knocked over on a number of occasions and barely managed to carry her spinnaker as the wind went forward but maintained a lead going into Montague Harbour. Final Dash was forced to run deep and gibe back. Caliente extended her lead through Montague as JJ Flash having declared no-flying sails was forced to go wing-on-wing. Final Dash, Boomer and Electra also made up ground and Irie could be seen catching up to JJ.

As Caliente approached Sphinx Island it became clear that the wind was continuing to build and a double reef was put in the main for the beat back across Trincomali to Captain Passage. Winds gusting to 25 knots began to cause problems for many boats in the fleet that were carrying too much sail. JJ Flash lost ground as she tried to change headsails, Empezar struggled also to deal with sail changes. Caliente entered Captain Passage well ahead of the fleet and raced across to the Sisters only for winds to go light in the harbour but after a few gibes managed to cross the line at 1.13.02 - a fast time for this race.  Electra having chosen to follow the Galliano shore made great gains against the other boats and was the second boat to enter the harbour, well ahead of Final Dash and Boomer. JJ Flash was next across but did not record a time - then a long wait for Irie and eventually Empezar who finished at 2.43.04.

On corrected time Electra beat Caliente by 1 second an amazingly close race, which given the accuracy of our finish times could have gone either way. Boomer was third followed by Final Dash, Irie and Empezar.  

Pete McGovern. Fleet Captain Racing.

Prevost Challenge update:

Four boats have tried the Round Prevost Challenge so far this year. In order of corrected times (TOD, with standard PHRF handicaps):

Electra 1:59:45
Oasis 2:17:54
Imp 2:22:23
Impossible 3:08:43

Remember that all boats who enter this event will be eligible to win a bottle of vintage single malt scotch at the Annual Awards Night. This is a simple lottery, so no matter how long you take to get around Prevost, you have the same chance as all the others.