View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle 360 - Leg 10 (Finish)

"Kairos" crossed the finish line for Leg 10 in Nanaimo Harbour around 5:00am this morning. I drove up from Victoria and when I arrived at 7:15am, the crew was well into the Scotch. I decided to join them - Scotch for breakfast.

We spent the morning snoozing on the boat. Most of the crew headed home to Victoria for the night. We'll be back in Nanaimo tomorrow for the 11:00am awards presentation for Leg 10 and for the overall winners and wrap-up.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 10 (start)

After a day of rest in the home port, Kairos set sail with the rest of the Cadillac Van Isle fleet from Ogden Point at 2:00pm today for the final leg of the race to Nanaimo. Kairos is expected (hoping) to arrive Nanaimo sometime tomorrow. I plan to stay home tonight and drive to Nanaimo noon Saturday to meet the boat.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle 360 - Leg 9

Kairos finished at about 1:50pm and had a slow drag race with Kenetic III to the finish line.

The winds never arrived and one by one the boats in the fleet began dropping out as the chances of finishing before the 6:00pm deadline became less and less. Under the race rules, 50 per cent of the starting boats have to finish by the deadline for the race to count. By around 3:00pm more than 50 per cent of the boats had retired and were under power and the Cadillac Race Committee cancelled the leg (around 7 or 8 boats had finished by this time, including Kairos). The leg will not be scored, which is too bad for those boats that did finish and were we'll placed, Kairos included.

Victoria is home port for Kairos and the crew are all at home resting and most likely sleeping. The final leg in the race starts tomorrow at 3:00pm off Ogden Point, and boats will race overnight to Nanaimo (hopefully, it is only one overnight) completing the 580 nautical mile race. The winds typically die overnight on this leg, so it tends to be one of the longest and due to the islands, tides and currents, a lot of strategy is involved. There are several routes than can be taken - Dodd Narrows, False Narrows, Porlier Pass, Active Pass or Boundary Pass - to get out of the islands and into the Strait of Georgia.

More tomorrow after the start...

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle 360 - Leg 9

The crew of Kairos just before departure from Ucluelet on Leg 9.

The second picture is the Kairos support vehicles, seen here watching the boats depart from Telegraph Cove.

The wind died overnight and this morning, boats not through Race Rocks are facing an ebb tide and very little or no wind.

Kairos is beyond Race Rocks waiting for wind or a change in the tide.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 9 (start)

Kairos set sail this morning with the remaining 40 boats still in the race from Ucluelet in light wind. In leg 8, Kairos came in 3rd in Division 2, behind Kenetic III and Mad Max. Kairos is still in second place overall, about 11 points behind Mad Max.

We're expecting the boats to arrive overnight and early tomorrow morning in the Inner Harbour.

I'll post some pictures later today.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle 360 - Leg 8 (continued)

Kairos crossed the finish line at 3:44pm today. The crew is relaxing in the Tauca Lea Resort in Ucluelet. The fleet sets sail at 10:00am on Wednesday for Victoria.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 8 (continued)

The mandatory midnight check-in by the boats with Tofino Coast Guard Radio showed that most of the fleet was well off-shore north of Estavan Point and "Icon" was in the lead.

The Monday 6:00am check-in has most of the fleet off-shore of Estavan Point. Winds are reported (as of 4:00am) 5-15 knots north-westerly and will shift later today to easterly but stronger (meaning an upwind finish).

We're expecting "Icon" in the next several hours with most of the fleet finishing later this afternoon and into the evening (if the winds hold). "Kairos" had better be in before 7:00pm as we have dinner reservations for 12. If they don't make it by then, Maureen and I will get to find 10 new "friends" for dinner.

I'd like to thank the Tofino Coast Guard for doing the radio check-ins and keeping watch over the fleet as they make their way down to Ucluelet.

'Til later....

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Legs 7 and 8

The Kairos "road crew" is in sunny Ucluelet and once again without an internet connection that allows uploading pictures.

Kairos arrived in Winter Harbour around 8:30pm and secured 2nd place in this leg (Mad Max took first place by only seconds). Kairos is now in 2nd place overall, with Mad Max in first by 2 points.

On Leg 7, Kairos was leading the fleet from Port Hardy on a downwind run, until she was passed by "Icon", the fleet's fastest boat.

Once around Scott Point, the crew reported stong south-easterlies and an upwind run to Winter Harbour.

From my point of view, I spent the day provisioning the support vehicle to resupply Kairos in Winter Harbour and to top up the crew with alcohol in Winter Harbour.

In the afternoon I went with Claudia from "P.D.F.", who was doing shore support for this leg, to Cape Scott Provincial Park and hiked in to San Josef Bay. We were treated to a view of the lead boats in the distance. The Kairos crew said they passed San Josef Bay around 4:30pm - about the time we left for the hike back to the van and saw another boat come into view in the distance. The boats appeared to be well over 15km away from us.

On the trail we saw a black bear off to the side of a small bridge. He was watching us. Later, we both heard something that sounded like a bear in the undergrowth just off the trail - we never saw it but it was spooky.

Claudia and I arrived Winter Harbour at about 7:30pm and we enjoyed the hospitality at Dick's Last Resort B&B (thanks for the beers).

The next day (Saturday) was a "lay-day" and we all slept in. Curtis went for a swim to clean the bottom of Kairos, Dennis spent the afternoon paddling up the inlet in a kayak and the rest of us relaxed, read, wandered the boardwalk, relaxed in the hotub, visited and of course drank a lot of alcohol. In the afernoon some of us snoozed and at one point we managed to get six people in a queen size bed (we're a friendly boat).

The residents of Winter Harbour (population 6 year round, more in summer) put on a great Chicken BBQ and bonfire for the 400+ sailors and support crew.

Thanks to Pat and Phil Wainwright once again for welcoming us and giving us the use of the main house and the dock.

Sunday morning Kairos left the dock at 7:00am for the motor out to the start line for the 8:00am start of the longest leg of the race at 138 nautical miles to Ucluelet.

Latest news we have is that "White Cloud" hit a rock at the start line and started taking on water. The boat retired from the race and was escorted back to Winter Harbour for emergency repairs. Check the Cadiilac Van Isle website at www.vanisle360.com for more information on this and on "Red Heather's" status (she retired from the race after damaging a shroud on the run to Winter Harbour).

The Cadillac Van Isle fleet is required to check in with the Coast Guard every six hours and report their position. This information is being posted in a local convenience store in Ucluelet. The latest we have is that the winds are light and Kairos appears to be with the lead boats south of Brooks Peninsula and about 15-20 nautical miles off shore. We're not expecting the lead boats to arrive in Ucluelet until sometime tomorrow. Next fleet check-in is at midnight

I'm hoping to teach Don from the race ccommitte the correct pronunciation of Kairos as I haven't heard him pronounce it correctly yet. So Don, if you're reading this, start with the city name "Cairo",, add an "s" (Cairos) and then change the "c" to a "k" (Kairos).

Speaking of Cairo, for some unknown reason this reminds me of music. On the Campbell River to Hardwicke Island leg, the women of Kairos performed ballet on the foredeck to the sound of classical ballet music from the boat's sound system. Later (and I'm not sure which leg) on "Flash" a crew member played the bagpipes as Flash led the fleet 
 
More later - David signing off.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 6

A slow start for Kairos from Telegraph Cove yesterday. They made up time and crossed the finish line just 6 minutes ahead of Mad Max. Mad Max took 1st st place (after times were corrected for the boats' handicaps) and Kairos took 2nd place and retained 1st place overall so far.

Some new pictures finally. Top to bottom:

Maureen, April and Marion relaxing at the fish farm (Hardwicke Island) I assume (I don't know I wasn't there, Dennis provided this picture.

The run to the fish farm and Kairos leaving most of the fleet behind.

The start at Port Hardy - the white spinnaker with blue and red stripes is Kairos.

The start at Port Hardy, close up action shot from the Government Dock.

Finally, the start from Telegraph Cove, Kairos is at the opposite end of the line and not visible in this picture.

It's now noon, time to get some lunch, explore and head to Winter Harbour to meet the boats sometime tonight (if the wind forecast is correct).

I do not expect Internet access in Winter Harbour (Pop: 20 people and 3 million black flies), so my next update will most likely be from Ucluelet in two days time (Sunday), or from an Internet cafe enroute from Winter Harbour to Ucluelet.

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 4 and 5

I'm in Port Hardy and now have Internet access again after travelling through the wireless-less zone. Wireless is so rare between Sayward and Port Hardy that I ended up listening to AM static, which is much better than FM static. With AM static, you can modulate the tone by pressing or releasing the gas pedal, or by driving closer or further from another large vehicle. So I managed to play The Rolling Stones Ruby Tuesday this way. At least, that's how it sounded in my head, in reality, it sounded like a chainsaw.

Sayward was quiet. I stayed in the Sayward Hotel. It is not inviting from the outside, but inside the rooms are quite nice and the staff friendly. It took two tries, but they found me a room that had been cleaned. The Satellite TV wasn't hooked up, but they had free DVDs.

I arrived too late for the the boat to the fish farm and as nobody was waiting, decided I wasn't getting over there today. So my time was spent wandering Sayward, reading in the sunshine at Kelsey Bay, surrounded by snow capped mountains and watching DVDs.

Kairos had a good run from Deepwater Bay to Hardwicke Island, finishing 1st in Division 2. After an over-early start (requiring a return to the start line), Kairos sailed through most of the fleet, hitting 32 knots (until the wind metre broke) and crossing the finish line at Telegraph Cove as the forth boat over the line. This was another 1st place finish for Kairos.

We had a good time at Telegraph Cove - all the boats and sailors overrun the place and it is great for socialising. Our "house" was perfect for us - it slept 8 in three rooms, and also had a living room and kitchen and spiral stairway to the upper level. Its central location on the boardwalk meant lots of visitors and the door was always open.

In my drive around the island, so far I've seen more wildlife than I normally do. I managed to kill one and almost killed another. At the entrance to Comox the town has a beautiful flower garden, which is very tastefully done and welcoming. The local deer population think so too and when I drove in to Comox, two deer were busy eating the heads of the flowers. Entering Kelsey Bay, a Grouse came within a tail feather of being my dinner (these birds don't like to fly). In Woss Camp, a brown squirrel was not so lucky and met its maker after running under the rear wheel of the support van. I felt the bump. And just 30 minutes ago, I saw mommy black bear and her cubs having lunch at the side of the highway. I got some great shots from the safety of the van. Several other tourist stopped to take pictures and I stuck around with the camera ready to see if any were stupid enough to get out and give me some great photos to sell to the local and national papers. No such luck, so I moved on to Port Hardy.

Also, a big THANK YOU to the home support from the crew of Kairos. Knowing that you are following the race and looking after the home front is really appreciated. Sixteen days is a long time to be away from home.

I don't see a USB connection on this computer so it doesn't look like I can upload any pictures from here. I've got some nice ones I'm dying to post. I'll have to try somewhere else later today or tomorrow.

I'll post more later before heading to Winter Harbour, where I expect we'll be off-line again. I'm told that the Cadillac Van Isle Race Committee managed to post results from Hardwicke Island by taking a boat to Kelsey Bay and uploading via a payphone at the dock.

Bert will be happy to know the Support Van is performing well and today had the honour of taking the Race Director to the start line. I believe the van is to be knighted for this service. Well, actually, maybe not knighted, but at least get the OCVI medal (Order of the Cadillac Van Isle).

Till, later, this is David signing off from the Visitor Information Centre in Port Hardy (and thanks to them for providing this free Internet access.

View from the Ground - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 4 (Start)

Kairos left promptly from the dock at 6:00am heading to Deepwater Bay for the 8:00am start. They have an ebb tide so it should help them through the narrows - winds look decent now, so hopefully it stays with them. I'm off to do some shopping in Campbell River, get a few books and head into the unknown at Sayward and Kelsey Bay. Probably find a creepy hotel - you know the type, check-in at the bar, light fixtures missing or on the floor, one TV channel with poor reception.

Weather has been typical for the Cadillac Van Isle 360 - a mix of wind, rain and sun. Of course, the North Island gets a lot of rain and I can't remember a race in which we didn't actually have rain.

I'm not sure when my next post will be as I don't think I'll have Internet access until Port Hardy (maybe Telegrah Cove). I can't even get FM radio stations, cell coverage is non-existent, so I'm not hoping for my roadhouse-room-over-the-bar-hotel to have wireless Internet. So this might be it for a day or two from me. The Cadillac Van Isle website will continue to be updated. We truly are sailing towards the ends of the earth.

Tomorrow should big thrill for me - at Woss there is Baldwin steam locomotive that used to run on the rails taking logs from the camps to Bear Cove - it makes a great photo opportunity. And at Bear Cove I'll get to see one of the only remaining active logging railroads in North America - though now it is diesel hauled.

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

The third leg of the Cadillac Van Isle has ended and all boats are safely in Campbell River getting ready for the next two legs (the next stop is at a remote fish farm near Hardwicke Island).

I took an enjoyable slow drive up the old coast roads to Campbell River. Just past Oyster River I stopped and had a great view of the fleet, with "Flash" in the lead. Kairos finished around 1:50pm and took forth place for this leg. The finish off the fishing Pier in Campbell River offered entertainment as boats sailed in on a fast ebb current, causing at least one boat (Atalanta) to miss the finish line, try to turn around and fight the current to get back to the finish line. Kairos finished while Atalanta was still trying to get back to the finish line. "Blue Lightning" (with April on board filming) finished close to Kairos and April happily reunited with the crew of "Kairos".

Another early start tomorrow with the boat leaving the dock at 6:00am to motor up to Deepwater Bay for the start of the 4th leg of the race, 24.5 nautical miles to Hardwicke Island.

For me, I plan to drive up to Kelsey Bay (closest I can get to Hardwicke Island and about 5 nautical miles west of the finish line) and find a hotel room for the night (there are two, both not good, but adequate). Last year I was lucky enough to find a boat going to the fish farm taking the Save on Foods girls over to cater the evening dinner for the sailors (that's not what it sounds like either - I mean cater the food service, not....). I'm not so sure I'll be that lucky this year, but I plan to be at Kelsey Bay around the time the boats go over and see what happens. If not, I'll hang around Sayward/Kelsey Bay and read books and go for walks - it's actually very tranquil and just nice to get out of the cities. So my first stop will be the Vancouver Island Regional Library for some books and then head north and see what happens. Most ground support are heading direct to Telegraph Cove, but I think they miss out by bypassing Kelsey Bay - still, there aren't enough hotel rooms in Sayward/Kesley Bay to go around, so that is actually fine with me

Kelsey Bay is a great place to watch the fleet sail past on the 5th leg of the race. It's also a place that time seems to have forgotten. Ever since the highway was extended to Port Hardy, Sayward and Kelsey Bay's main reason for existing has disappeared. The old ferry dock is still there, but looks strange with no ferry activity. The village of Sayward's main street resembles a ghost town. It truely is a great location to do nothing - which means it will probably rain.

As usual, pictures and official details at the Cadillac Van Isle website at http://www.vanisle360.com/

Sorry - no pictures, this computer doesn't accept my camera USB connection and has no card reader. I'll post them when I can.

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).

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - leg 2

The second leg of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 ended in Comox. Kairos improved significantly on the previous day taking 1st place in Division 2.

For me it was a fairly easy upwind run along highway 19A, with time for a lunch break at Qualicum Beach. After a couple of shopping stops (on requests of crew), I pulled in to Goose Spit earlier than expected.

A good wind and a great view of the fleet through binoculars from the Goose Spit Beach. Another lazy afternoon listening to the VHF radio as the fleet did the one hour check-ins, and read a book.

We've had a great welcome in Comox, a fantastic banner created by our hosts John and Robyn Dickinson (whom we are staying with in style - our last luxury as we head into terra incognito north of Campbell River).

Tomorrow sees the first of a series of early starts. The race starts at 8:00am, but it takes an hour to reach the start line across Comox Bar from the marinas.

Full race results are at the Cadillac Van Isle website at http://www.vanisle360.com/

View from the Shore - Cadillac Van Isle - Leg 1

Here we go again, the fifth time around Vancouver Island. We're wearing our official Van Isle gear and for the start it is officially raining - true Van Isle weather.

The rain came harder and harder as the boats lined up for the start in the crowded Nanaimo Harbour - seaplanes taxiing through, and those on approach going around for another approach.

The rain stopped and the sun came out for the finish, with good strong winds.

Kairos finished 7th in Division 2 (out of 16 boats in the division). The winner of the divison was Mad Max.

Tomorrow we start at 9:00am from the French Creek breakwater.

Captain Safety

The Kairos safety officer didn't give the crew a lot of confidence when he showed up in a survival suit.

Getting ready for the Cadillac Van Isle Yacht 360 Race the crew practiced Man Overboard drills on Saturday.

Kairos - Swiftsure Crew and Start

It is now only 11 days until the start of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race in Nanaimo.

To the left is Kairos in clear air on the start line.

Below is the crew of Kairos at the start of Swiftsure 2007.