Sunny, Windy, and FUN
After one of the wettest July's that anyone can remember, August arrived along with the sun. Just in time for the August 3, Skipper's choice.
To promote the appreciation of sailing and foster a community and culture committed to advancing both sailing and sailing education in the Juneau area.
After one of the wettest July's that anyone can remember, August arrived along with the sun. Just in time for the August 3, Skipper's choice.
As the skippers met on the dock, the forecast and conditions seemed to foretell of an inauspicious beginning to the 2023 SEAS cup races for SEAS. The forecast called for 5 knots of wind in Stephen's Passage, building to a possible 10 knots in the afternoon. As all Juneau sailors know, this usually means it MIGHT blow 5 at some point during the day.
Indeed, motoring down Gastineau Channel toward the Marmion Island starting point for the backside of Douglas race, the forecast seemed accurate. The channel was grease. It was flat calm, with teeny-tiny ripples near Marmion, but no indication of better breeze.
Leg 1 (Saturday) - Starting at 9:30 a.m. between the Committee Boat ( the last satellite earth station at the end of the Rock Dump) and the Mayflower Island Day Mark, proceed south down Gastineau Channel, then south across Taku Inlet, into Stephens Passage passing Grand Island to either port or starboard (Skipper’s choice), finishing at the entrance to Taku Harbor on an imaginary line bearing 030 magnetic to, and within ½ mile of the Grave Point Day Mark. Boats will dock/anchor overnight in Taku Harbor.
The first race of the year is always a time for figuring things out for the season, and this year was no exception! Surprise brought the wrong genoa on accident, and High Noon only had a portion of their usual crew. That said, the weather cooperated and we had a thrilling match race in moderate winds and a bit of sun.