Well there you have it folks.... another Juneau sailing season goes down in the history books. One of the better ones in recent memory with all the good sailing days and sunny days... which didn't always necessarily coincide but none the less made for an overall good sailing season. With several new additions to the SEAS fleet, only in it's first year by the way, next year looks to be a good year with some stiff competition amongst the ranks.
Funter Bay Hooky not much sailingThe winds did not cooperate for the hardy few who manage to get out to Funter Bay for a round of 3 potential races.
The first leg on Saturday July 25th brought 5 boats to the starting line, Freebird, Sarah Jane, Loa’a Nalu, Lyric and RainDog. With light winds all but 2 boats managed to get around Pt. Retreat and had a pleasant spinnaker run to the Funter Bay finish line. Sarah Jane finished first in corrected time but Freebird the “big red boat” as we referred to her on the course, took line honors and showed that the she can really move in almost any condition.
Leg 2 the first running of the Hanus Reef race was cut short when the wind disappeared just after the fleet squeaked past Rocky Island. Loa’a Nalu was the first to scratch with the whales of Pt. Adolphus calling. A week of cruising planned and provisioned, the decision was made to just keep going west. Sarah Jane and Lyric drifted for a few more hours and opted to take time to fish and relax back at Funter Bay.
I am sorry for the delay in posting the account of what happened the weekend of July 11-12, but the results of the races were slowed as the SEAS Club Handicapper was galavanting about in Northern Southeast Alaska's hot springs.
Shoreless, Loaa Nalu, and Haiku came around Douglas Island to join High Noon from Auke Bay to Aaron Island and back on Saturday, but were might by light winds and fast currents. All of the boats eventually dropped out of the race with Shoreless making it the farthest down course by nearly passing Pt. Lena (1/4 of the way through the race).
But the SEAS sailors were not to be deterred, as the light winds made for a great beach party at Auke Rec. Aspiring, potential, and experienced sailors gathered at Auke Rec to enjoy the musical musings of Slow Gun Runner.
Aside from the great music, there was great food and IPA beer generously donated by The Alaska Brewing Company.
The author would like to take this moment and sign the praises of Alaskan IPA, but of course only to people over 21.
Many new members signed up and have already participated in club events, including the buoy racing on Sunday!
It was a great weekend of sail boat racing in Juneau. The Marmion Island starting line turnout was impressive with 10 boats. A group of 5 boats from Auke Bay joined the racers in Admiralty Cove bringing the total number of boats to 15, and the 50 or so sailors proceeded to have a lot of fun barbequing and conversing on the beach. Brand new members of SEAS joined the crew and skippers in ignoring the bugs well into the evening.
The racing on Saturday was great with a southerly breeze pushing the fleet down the west coast of Douglas to the finish line just off Admiralty Cove. (Saturday Results) The return leg of the racing was plagued with light winds and contrary tides which moved most skippers to douse their sails early and motor home. (Sunday Results)