(Seattle, Washington)- “Ben Braden's latest series of articles guessing
the results in popular local regattas have proved entertaining - so much
so I thought I would try it myself,” commented Andy Schwenk from
Northwest Rigging in Seattle, Washington. Andy goes on to say, “What
could possibly go wrong? In the case of Round the County Regatta, coming
up November 8th & 9th we have 100 boats, probably 750 local sailors
all out for a good time and looking to do well!""I believe this to be the 27th edition of this battle against the elements and besides a few years in the military I don't think I've missed one. For 2014, the crew at Orcas Island YC and Friday Harbor Sailing Club (hosts of the event) have put in a new twist and added another class to bring the total to 8. Covering 34 miles a day with 8 classes should give everyone a chance to get out in front and show the people they just passed exactly where not to go. Saturday the start is at the North end of Blakely Island and travels South through Rosario Strait then West up the side of San Juan Island to finish at Roche Harbor. They hold the times overnight and then start North from Roche Harbor around Stuart Island, up Boundary Pass, leaving Patos and everything else to starboard finishing again at Lydia Shoal buoy on the North end of Blakely. The finish time is 6pm each day so even if you finish in the dark you aren't out all night (remember it’s dark at 4:30pm nowadays).
The
local big boat fleet is sailing IRC these days and I must say I miss
the chance competing against them on some level. Hopefully, soon the
PHRF czars will devise a way to address their concerns and we can
welcome them back or maybe the other way around. I've seen what the
TP-52's are capable of with my own eyes at Big Boat Series in San
Francisco and I will give Glory the edge over Valkyrie in the race
around the islands. In the battle for third in the IRC class waterline
can be the key and I will give the gang aboard the SC-70 Neptune’s Car
the edge over the J/145 DOUBLE TAKE.PHRF Div 1 has a baker’s dozen of various boats. But I'm still not convinced - there is nothing like a J-120 and a bit of breeze. TIME BANDIT, the J/120, won this class some years ago even without her main and I think she’ll take it again in 2014. Plus, the J/109 TANTIVY, another well sailed boat (forgoing her skipper's annual jaunt to Mexico) will hang on for third.
PHRF Div II is the largest and most diverse class and a candidate for the podium should be the J/105 LAST TANGO, especially if it's windy.
In PHRF Div IV it could be a J-Boat festival, but only if the HERE AND NOW pirates on the loud black J/29 can get to the start line on time. The J/30 CELEBRATION is bringing in the rock star crew and J/92 HIJINKS is set if the wind blows.” Thanks for Andy's perspectives! Follow the action on Facebook/ Round The County page. For more Round The County sailing information.
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