(San Juan Islands, Washington)- It was as beautiful of a day as it was for the Toliva Shoal Race, but with more wind up in the San Juan Islands. On Saturday, February 21st, the oldest yacht club in the state of Washington kicked off the 2015 racing season. Not quite living up to its “Foul Weather” part of its name, but blustery nonetheless, the Girts Rekevics Memorial Foulweather Race/Cruise to Friday Harbor got underway at 0930 sharp on the GPS, just off the tanker docks near Anacortes (where no one was watching because they are all currently on strike!). Eighteen intrepid sailboats tucked in a reef, shortened their headsails and hauled on the sheets for the beat into Guemes Channel.
The current was on flush mode so it was not long before the fleet were on their way into “Hell’s Half Acre” where Guemes, Rosario and Bellingham Channel all meet to stir up quite a chop. The waterline fetch to Thatcher Pass was both enjoyable and beautiful. The ferry riders in the group enjoyed the balmy weather above the waves as competitors sought shelter in the lee of the retired stalwart vessels formerly of the Seattle Bainbridge and Bremerton runs.
The great Rosario escalator caught many in the fleet unaware and they had to tack upwind to regain Thatcher Pass. The epic battle to get through the gateway of Thatcher pass had more than a few crews wondering what if they would have chosen Peavine Pass at the North end of Blakely instead?
The Conway kids ably assisted by our Northern brethren from land of ice and hockey were next to blaze West aboard the J/30 CELEBRATION. As J-Bob (Bob Ross of Sail Northwest) would tell you, if you can find a better value in a 30 ft boat with a heater and a head door – “Buy It!”
The rest of the herd soon found a weak spot in the fence, poured through en-masse, and were again in the race. Back to reefs and shortened headsails for the group and by now fingers were getting cold! On towards Upright Head for the slide to the finish, the full size kites were the proper call but some crews were just about ready for a cup of courage from the thermos before any more serious sailing nonsense.
Festivities started on the dock in the warm sunshine, bets were paid off, and the stories grew taller as the shadows grew longer. Later it was off to the warm welcome of the San Juan Island Yacht Club and a large helping of lasagna, just like mama used to make. Perhaps enjoying that celebration as much as anyone was the J/30 CELEBRATION, taking 2nd in Class 1!
In the end, the AYC would especially like to thank the boats that made the deliveries from Orcas, Oak Harbor, and Bellingham and of course those favorite cousins from the SNSYC that meet us each year. Thanks for contributions from Andy Schwenk (owner Northwest Rigging) and Ben Braden (Sailboats Northwest). For more AYC Foul Weather Race sailing information
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