Monday, June 18, 2007

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 3 (start)

"Kairos" has started leg three and is currently heading north to Campbell River with the Van Isle fleet. The start this morning was at 8:00am from the east side of Comox Bar - meaning an earlier start from the docks. One crew member has jumped ship and is on "Blue Lightening" filming for TV. I watched the start from Goose Spit, climbing up a little to get an advantage to see the start line 3km distant.

Turkey Head Sailing Association members are giving out prized Turkey head caps to the skipper or crew-person who commits the utmost in stupidity during a leg of the race - or as Gary Robinson of "Tracks" says, it looked like a good idea at the time, but turned out to be quite stupid.

In Leg 1 "Wild Child" won the award for getting too close - or did they hit :) - a rock in Nanaimo Harbour before the start by sailing on the wrong side of a cardinal bouy.

In Leg 2 a crew member on "Capricorno" won the award for peeing off the back of the boat while crossing the finish line with a media boat taking pictures. Gary termed this "Pissing off the Race Committee".

Can't wait to see who wins Leg Three.

Time for me to get to my start line and head north. I always feel a bit like to the hare, in "The Tortoise and the Hare". Because I know I'm faster, I don't rush. Yesterday, the fleet surprised me by being further ahead than I thought, though I still get to the finish line ahead of the fastest boat in the fleet (Icon). In previous races the boats have finished before I get there, it all depends on the winds. Still, today looks pretty safe for me, as the winds are light and they'll have currents against all day (not looking good for them).

Kairos

Kairos is an Aerodyne 38 based at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. She was recently brought to the west coast via a three-month trek from Stamford Connecticut, up to Nova Scotia, PEI and through the St. Lawrence to Kingston. Some of the crew couldn’t wait for her to get here so they joined the boat for part of the journey; Maureen and Marion sailed on the east coast, and April joined the boat in Vancouver for the final leg to her new home port in Victoria.

The name Kairos, is taken from Greek mythology and represents opportunity, the brief moment when things are possible

The Crew:

Returning crew

The crew on Kairos have raced together previously on Ockham’s Racer. The crew has waited patiently for two years for Ron to acquire a new boat and is now anticipating the adventure of the Cadillac Van Isle 360. Joining Ron for this year’s race are Maureen, Marion, Heather, April, Charlotte, Rose, Louise, Nigel, Dennis, Geoff, Curtis, Bert. The crew’s experience, ranging from a seven-year sailing journey around the world, to local and international racing, is varied and well suited to the variety found on the Cadillac Van Isle 360 Race.

Years doing the VI360

Ron and many of his crew have raced in all but one Cadillac Van Isle 360, and was one of the 14 boats that set sail in the original Cadillac Van Isle in 1999. This is truly one of our favourite races due to the variety of conditions and the people involved in the race.

Cadillac Van Isle 360 success

Ron has had success coming in second, first and second in division 2 during the Cadillac Van Isle 360s of years past. Lets hope the opportunity presents itself again - the moment when things are possible.

Ground support

Once again we have our fabulous ground support team, David, providing shore support for Kairos. David has also been land racing around the island since 1999.

Fun spirit . . . but no skits

One of the things that leads to success for Ron and his crew is Ron’s leadership as well as our ability to have fun, but get serious and focus as needed.