PLACE: Eagle Harbour Yacht Club (Click for Map) |
Our vessel was the 30' Olson 911 named Nunnehi pictured above being prepped for launch by father and son combo Norm and Eric Wiederick.
The winds were not extremely strong so we averaged about 5 knots for first half of the race which took us deep into Howe Sound and back out into the mouth of the newly named Salish Sea.
Light winds require constant small adjustments to ensure optimal sailing speed. Above you see Eric Wiederick and our skipper Andrew Crane checking the telltales and adjusting accordingly.
As we approached some of the competition things were looking pretty good for the crew of the Nunnehi.
Then the winds died down it became a game of who could best position to capture what was left of our natural power.
We ended up making several sail changes, twice changing the jib and twice more flying the spinnaker.
But alas, the wind decided to quit and it left us hanging out (in the case above it was Norm Wiederick and Tim Grady doing some lazy hiking) and awaiting word from the folks running the race as to whether the course would be shortened.
In the end celebratory beers were hoisted as Pacific white-sided dolphins played along side our boat (ok, they didn't come out just as we cracked the beers but they were there playing along side us during the entire race) and the day ended with smiles all around as the Nunnehi finished in the middle of the pack. I wish to thank our entire crew; Norm Wiederick, Eric Wiederick, John Powell, Tim Grady and Andrew Crane for inviting me out on this incredible adventure.
Now you may be thinking to yourself, sound like fun Mike but I don't own a flippin' yacht! Well, that may be true but that does not mean you can't sail. There are tons of sailing clubs scattered around our beautiful city just waiting for you to pay them a visit. The time is right with Spring having sprung so what are you waiting for? Get out and learn to sail and enjoy a truly UNPLUGGED Vancouver experience.
Remember, if you have any suggestions for an upcoming UNPLUGGED please drop me a comment below, via email at michael@vancouverisawesome.com or on Twitter at VIAUnplugged. Also, feel free to share your thoughts on this feature or anything else (within reason and sticking to the VIA commenting policy of course).
Until next time…Happy Trails!
-mt
All images copyright Michael Tedesco.