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Swiftsure-04

2004 Pt Robinson race

Once again the fleet was met with the many challenges of Puget Sound in the Pt. Robinson race. We had 4 boats out in the multihull fleet. DangerZone, Cuttlefish, Dragonfly and Spirit of Emu. After an almost hour delay for heavy fog the racing finally got under way with the large boats doing around Vashon Island starting first. The multihull start saw Dragonfly, Cuttlefish and Dangerzone all on the line at the gun. Dragonfly soon disappeared as they headed out into the middle of the sound then south. Dangerzone and Cuttlefish fought back and forth changing the lead several times depending on who caught the right current or wind shift. About 3 miles from Pt. Robinson Dragonfly was still in site so I thought we still had a chance on correcting on them. Then a rain squall came though that flatten most of the monohull fleet up ahead. On Dangerzone we had just enough time to tighten up halyards, tensioners, outhaul and cunningham before we got hit. With full main and genoa up it became a wild ride as the wind went from 6 knots to 20+. After about 5 minutes we reefed the jib in some and continued on for another 5 minutes or so doing 9 to 11 knots to weather. After the wind and rain died off we had passed Cuttlefish and Dragonfly who had rounded the mark and set their spinnaker just before the front came though was no longer in sight. I am sure they had a really wild ride. After the front the wind died off for about 30 to 40 minutes then filled in again from the south. DangerZone was able to transition though the light wind and developed a good lead over Cuttlefish. From just north of Three Tree Point to the finish DangerZone did a loose cover on Cuttlefish to stay between them and the finish to ensure they did not find a better wind zone or current and sneak around us to take the lead. I am not sure what happen to Spirit of Emu. It looked like they sailed into a wind hole over in Elliot Bay and never where able to recover. The next big race is Swiftsure the end of the month. The next race here in the center sound is the 3rd of the Tri-Island race Blake Island on the 12th of June. This year all boats are doing the same course. However, you get to decide which way you want to go around Blake Island. Hope to see you on the water soon. Jim