March 24, 2009

Welcome to Shackleton Race 9! Okay, you got me - there is no such thing. Well maybe that's what we really should start calling the Free For All Regatta. After all, it is kind of an epilogue to our famed winter series and in general (except for last year due to my tardiness in ordering the trophies) is the day we hand out our annual Shackleton awards (black tie affair -surely there was coverage on the "E" network?). But the main reason we should call it Shackleton Race 9 is because for whatever reason, we seem to have difficulty pre-selecting a Free For All race day that doesn't end up having dreadful sailing conditions just like some of those in the Shackleton Series. With a 70% chance of severe storms predicted for this year's gala event, we decided to postpone the race 24 hours. Well, as hindsight always has eagle eye vision, it would turn out that the severe storms never really developed and Saturday ended up as the better day for sailing, temperature wise. Because, even though there was a nice wind on Sunday it was downright cold! Not as bad as Shackleton Race 8, but honestly, we are ready to sail in something a bit more comfortable - something that requires some sunscreen, shorts, and t-shirts!

Well despite the conditions, we went sailing this day. Yes I know a temperature in the low 50s isn't really THAT bad but it sure felt cold after the sunny 70s experienced earlier in the week. And although there were several skippers and crew planning to boycott any grey, wet, gusty, non-Spring like type of weather, there was indeed a nice turnout for this day. And we saw a few new boats on the race course and some boats that we hadn't seen racing in awhile. For starters, Chuck was skippering his Ericson 27 Freya seen here during at the pursuit start. And Chuck was hoping to finish somewhere other than 4th place, which is now officially known as finishing "Chuck", in honor of how often we see Chuck's name (or a boat he is affiliated with) stamped next to the 4th place spot. We are seriously considering adding an additional trophy to the mix - it will be 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, and Chuck. And by the way (changing subjects here for Chuck's benefit as this has happened to him more than once), for those boats waiting around for their turn to begin a pursuit race (which is what we had today) - it is generally considered more sportsmanlike to stay clear of those boats that are starting the race before you instead of blocking their paths and stealing their wind. Granted, it is certainly less FUN, but more sportsmanlike!

Of course you know, despite the conditions, I am going to say it was a good day out there. And indeed, it was a lot of fun today. Making her first race appearance as captain was Mary Bricker-Jenkins on her Cal 22 Socks. And I was making my very first race appearance as crew aboard the same boat. It was a fun boat to sail and the reefed mainsail during the upwind leg turned out to be the right choice for the most part. And that 600 pound outboard motor  was great for ballast on those starboard tacks but would not climb up to the high side on port tacks and thus a liability on those. I am exaggerating of course - it only weighs about 450!

As one can see in the title photograph Andre was out single handing Dutchess.  The Trintella was moving along nicely with the working jib. James and Kristen were also on the course and speeding along in Carol Lynn. And although certainly not the first to embark on such an endeavor, Mark and Michelle were valiantly racing their house. Yes, their live aboard Ericson 29 A Shot in the Dark was out on the race course for the first time in over 2 years.  Spending a few days here and coming up from downriver was our long time friend, Ron Harr sailing his Beneteau 360 Agaliha which is Cherokee for "dude, that is one sweet and shiny sailboat!" Okay, maybe there is a bit of embellishment there - actually it does mean shiny as in sunshine or moonshine. And concluding today's roll call, Tim was of course blazing along in Maniac. We weren't even halfway through the race before Maniac shot into the lead. That is okay though, because just because one crosses the finish line first in this race, even though it is a pursuit race, it STILL does not guarantee any kind of victory. No, the sailboat race was simply a warm up for what would be the real determining factor. And that was a rousing hand of poker.

For you see, this was really a poker race. Quite simply, each skipper is dealt a card in the order of which he or she rounded a course buoy and then the finish line. In this case, 6 cards were dealt and whoever got the best hand would have vaunting rights on today's victory. And what kind of card sharks are we? Well lets just say none of us should quit our jobs and head to Vegas. The winning hand was a measly pair of nines! And of all the boats who participated in this "luck of the draw" poker match, I am still shaking my head in amazement as I type out "Maniac wins again"! Yes, as the cards were laid down, instead of saying "congratulations!" to the victor, all I could say to Tim was, "you mean after all this, you STILL won?" As I rolled my eyes and tossed the remaining undealt cards in the air I heard him inquire as to what his trophy might be for this race. Well there is no trophy for the Free For All and I didn't even let him keep the deck of cards! So there!

Seriously, good job by Tim and everyone racing on this day. The Free For All is intended to be just a for fun type race and only those who are present know who won, placed, and "Chucked". And despite the chillier than welcomed conditions, we all had a good time. Thanks to all who participated!

Photos by Andre Rijsdijk, James Drozdek, and Eric Almlie

Race report written by Eric Almlie ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.