[MHml] FW: Van Isle Ucluelet Leg

[Ron Badley]

> Subject: Ucluelet Leg
> 
> 
> Everything is shaping up for a good sail to Ucluelet. The boat has been
> repaired and prepped for the longest leg of the Cadillac Van Isle 360.
> 
> Karl, myself and Chris White (documentary producer) headed off to Port Hardy
> the day before to weld up aluminium the rudder parts that had broken or come
> loose over the past days of racing. Julian from JM's Mobile Welding Inc. was a
> tremendous help. Fabricating and welding all the parts we needed. Driving
> Frosty's "I'm a Red Neck" F250 was real treat it seems everyone knows him and
> that truck. We arrived back from the 5 hour round trip to put the boat back
> together and have a delicious halibut dinner prepared by Frosty.
> 
> Morning came quickly and we left the dock at 6:45 for the 45 min cruise to the
> start line. As soon as we left something didn't feel right. I started looking
> and calling for Greg. Realizing that he wasn't with us we turned around and
> saw him running down the dock. As much as we like Winter harbor I don't think
> that Greg would want to increase the population to 16.
> 
> 
> 
> The leg was shaping up to be a repeat of 2001. Light winds at the start
> building to strong to a strong north westerly.
> 
> The wind seeker did it for us again. Pulling ever closer to the impending
> wind. The wind filled in from the northwest side of the start line so it took
> a while to get us in the middle of the fleet. As soon as it got to us we
> unfurled the reacher and we were off. Before we knew it we were reaching at 18
> knots. Karl called for jib to reduce sail area and we then comfortably made
> our way to Solander Island off Brooks Peninsula.  The winds freed up enough to
> set our orange asymmetrical chute to make good progress. Cheekee and Dragonfly
> were leeward to us and Flip was windward of us. Redshift had a slower start
> but we know he won't stay back there for long.
> 
> 
> 
> This leg isn't one that we were prepared to go all out on. Our present
> position in the standings puts in forth ahead of Dragonfly and Sauturelle. We
> needed to be within 3 1/2 to 4 hours of Dragonfly at the finish to correct
> over them. The other issue is that we have only one dagger board until we
> arrive in Ucluelet. My parents are bringing our spare board to us on Tuesday.
> The third issue is our analysis of the board failure has made us suspect the
> rudders and other board's construction.  As Karl says 'you have to finish a
> race to before you can win'. Al these factors have played a huge role in the
> strategy and mindset of Bad Kitty.  #1 Safety, #2 Fun, #3 Winning.
> 
> As the day progressed it reminded me more and more of 2001. We have to learn
> from the past to be better. Too much sail area combined with 2 meter plus
> waves equals a situation that we don't want to find ourselves again.
> 
> Twenty miles into the race and once around Solander Island it was time for BIG
> BLUE  (our feared, symmetrical chute). The wind at this time was about 18 to
> 20 knots.  With reef in the main we popped Big Blue and we off. Now averaging
> 15 - 16 knots we found ourselves on a good line for Ucluelet. ETA 9:30 pm. The
> modifications made to Bad Kitty after the 2001 Van Isle was now being tested.
> The bows worker perfectly. No diving, which made the ride much drier. Some
> waves did spray over the leeward hull but I was able to only wear a wool
> sweater for 90% of the trip. The clear blue skies along with the downwind
> conditions made it one of the best trips we have had on Bad Kitty.
> 
> The progressed with an increase in wind and wave conditions. Not taking any
> chances with or rudder and board status we decided to reduce sail are to the
> reacher. This decreased our speed by 2-3 knots but what it really did was
> decrease our ability to keep up with the waves. Constantly having to climb
> each set of waves had a dramatic effect on our speed.
> 
> About 20 miles from the finish as the sun was getting lower in the sky the sea
> stated also lowered. We didn't want to be caught at the finish in becalmed
> conditions. The orange asymmetrical chute was hauled out and set to get us to
> the finish.  Reaching and jibing our way we crossed the line at 10:40 Sunday
> night. Having Greg Blanchette, a member of the Ucluelet Auxiliary Coast Guard,
> guiding us in to the finish was particularly reassuring. The entrance is
> narrow and has many hazards.  Thanks Greg It was a pleasure having you on
> board from Telegraph Cove.
> 
> We arrived just after Flip, Flop and Fly. Red Shift was before them and
> Cheekee finished and hour after Dragonfly at 8:20.
> 
> Cheekee has had a major set back on this leg. They came first but with an
> unfortunate consequence. Colin Haigh, a crewmember, took a fall when their
> boat stuffed into a wave. Colin had gone below to find some tools to fix a
> loose fitting. The process of finding the tools he discovered water in the
> main hull that had found its way in thought the Chimney of their Dickerson
> heater. In the process of dumping the last bucket of water the Cheekee Monkee
> stuffed into a wave doing 20 knots. Colin had no warning or ability to hold
> onto something. After falling he had broken ribs, a punctured lung, bruised
> his kidney and twisted his knee.  Remarkably Colin was able to walk off the
> boat. After breakfast, the next morning, he was taken to the hospital in
> Tofino. Hours later he came back to explain the extent of his injuries. For
> the time being he will continue to travel with the ground support of Cheekee
> Monkee and take one day at a time.
> 
> 
> 
> That's all for now.
> 
> 
> 
> Bob
> 
>