Mackinac Island
We barely beat the massive parade of boats coming down the straits and only had to wait about 45 minutes for docking instructions. We later heard that some boats had to wait two hours to get a docking assignment. All of the lines were secure and the boat was de-rigged in no time. We were a well oiled machine.
Now what?
I thought to call all of my friends and family but felt overwhelmed by the task as e-mails and text messages flooded my phone once I turned it back on. I wanted to take a shower, but knew the line was probably already a mile long. I was getting kind of hungry, but there were far more exciting things to do than that. We all had a beer, as we always do when we finish a race, and while it was tempting to continue on with the celebration it was also 9:30 in the morning. Things down below could use some organizing, but there is always time for that later. In the end we all just kind of sat there and took it all in. It was just what everyone needed; to do nothing for a bit and just ...relax.
Exhaustion was really starting to kick in with everyone on board, it was easy to see. Dumb jokes (not that we don't have those all the time!!!!), lots of laughs, crazy statements, and clumsy moves all made a cry to us to get some sleep. It was getting hot, and if it were not for the stiff breeze coming through the harbor it would already be unbearable. We all knew we needed food so we walked up to the island and got a bite to eat together. Some pushed to head right to the pink pony after eating but mostly everyone headed for the rack to get some sleep. I set an alarm for 4:30 my eyes closed and before I knew it my alarm was going off again.
Groggy, tired, hot, and thirsty my first thought was to get in the water and wake up. I don't know if swimming was technically allowed or not (it usually isn't in harbors), but we weren't really in "harbor" and every single boat was swimming, going crazy, splashing around and having a good ole time. Everyone's doing it why can't I right? I quietly sank into the cold Lake Huron water and just sat suspended underwater for a bit. Quiet and refreshing; it was what every man needs after an afternoon nap. The line for the showers were still an hour or more wait so we grabbed some Palmolive dish soap and lathered up. Hey mom, at least I gave an effort! It actually freshened you up pretty nicely although I wouldn't suggest using dish soap every time you take a bath.
I made a few phone calls, got some ice for the boat, and got ready for the evening of activities. One of the crew had a hotel at Lakeview and they were all hanging out on the 3rd floor balcony overlooking the harbor and Main Street. Friends and family of the crew had a great setup with tables and appetizers and drinks for all. We all enjoyed sitting around, unwinding from the race and poking fun at the mistakes and "serious" comments that were made during the race. With our crew you have to be, well, secure with yourself. We love to give each other a hard time in a fun-loving manner. It keeps the morale up, and the laughs coming.
Dinner was great and the night went by like a blur, from the pink pony to horn's bar to the harbor to my pillow...well my bunched up blanket that I used as a pillow. I got to see both my Uncle Dave and Uncle Eric quite a bit over the course of the evening which was great. With so much commotion on the island I didn't think I would see them at all, but it was good to hang out and talk for awhile to both of them.
Being that we were rafted off with about 4 other boats you have to remember that morning comes early for some sailors, and unfortunately it always seems to be the heavy walkers that are outside of you on the raft. To say the least, morning came early as giants barreled over our heads on the deck above making their way to the island for breakfast, coffee, newspaper, or whatever it is they do so early in the morning. The first night in was such a great time, and the party was just getting started.
Runaway OUT
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Day 3 and just like that.....
GREYS REEF -> MACKINAC ISLAND
The wind had been building throughout the night. I came up on deck, feeling refreshed from my watch break. The sun was already above the horizon and temporarily hiding behind a batch of cumulus clouds. There was still a bite in the air from the cool evening before as the sun's heat had not yet kicked in. Maybe it was my morning shivers I get while my body works to wake up and jump right into sailing. The seas were building but still tolerable. The wind appeared that it shifted a little but was still dominant out of the south/southwest. I looked around, easily spotting other section five boats as the bottle neck of Grey's Reef was only a few miles ahead. Paradigm Shift gybed back to the west astern to us. What I thought was Maskwa also astern turned out to be Quicksilver; their spinnaker's were very similar. Maskwa must be up on the horizon in front of us. Bravo still appeared to be astern to us as well. Roxy was right where they always seemed to be, just in our back pocket threatening to pass on any small mistake we made. Conversation was being held in the cockpit about when to gybe and how we wanted to approach the reef. The wind seemed to favor a gut shot and we decided to stay on starboard tack until we had the angle to fly right through. It happened fast and just like that we flipped over and found that Karma, a 36.7 section boat, and Paradigm Shift were within ear shot of us. Karma's skipper said good morning to Tom, our skipper, as we blasted north for Grey's Reef. We wanted to stay out of Karma's way and they the same considering we were not in each others section. Karma is a well raced boat and we kept the thought on the back burner to shadow any tactics they carry out for the remainder of the race.
Grey's Reef was uneventful but buoy number 3 on the north side of Grey's, our only turning mark on the course, was setting up to be more like a buoy race mark with three boats all in the same area. Then there were four. Another boat (name slipping my mind) came out of no where and suddenly we were making the decision on who to stay up on.
"I don't want to pass Karma, we are going to get pinched"
"Stay right here."
"We can't, we're faster, we're going to get pinched, I'm coming down"
"I think we can stay."
"We can't stay let's get between the two of them, coming down"
We made sure we were clear to Karma and the bow came down and then back on course in one swift movement. In throwing a wall of bad air down and coming back up hard we we passed the other boat in no time and also passed Karma. Paradigm Shift went wide up ahead and was already flipped over and heading for the mark, on starboard none the less (rights). Karma called for room, Paradigm shift came down, and everyone played fair. The gybe could have been cleaner, but we were around it and the next stop was Mackinac Island.
Now more on the beam, the wind was up to 23 knots and the seas had more effect on our course. Paradigm Shift struggled hard with their overpowered A-kite and eventually changed sail. We were in Karma's back pocket, and passing would be hard. We knew we would end up there after the rounding mark, but we really had no choice. Suddenly 9 knots was our average boat speed. We started seeing 10, then 10.5 then 11. Waves curled in on the stern, lifted us up and shot us forward, like a wild river crashing over a falls the waves grabbed a hold of Runaway and took her for a ride.
Mackinac bridge came out of the haze, the sun lifted higher in to a clearing sky and suddenly we realized that it wouldn't be long before we would be throwing dock lines on Mackinac Island. Focus was key here. All hands were on deck as the excitement was too much to sleep. Exhaustion started to kick in, a gybe here and a gybe there became a bit more sloppy every time. On the last gybe before the finish we lost the kite around the forestay and I was thrown across the cockpit by a mainsheet that I couldn't get away from fast enough. No injuries, just a little upset as we were starting to take pride in how clean of a race we had been sailing. Only a mile to go now. The Grand Hotel dominated the hillside of Mackinac Island as another huge freighter came barreling for the bridge from the east. Boats scattered one last time in their last ditch effort to gain a tactical advantage, but for the most part the drag race for the finish line started well back in the Manitou's, some may argue Chicago. We heard our section boats calling in at the finish and at the bridge. We knew exactly where everyone was around us. Just a little further now. Then the cannon came into range. Boom.............Boom, Boom.....Boom.............Boom, as boats in front of us finished. Two more blasts and that should be us. Boom...........................................................................where is it????..................Is that our cannon??? .................................We're still racing!!!.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................BOOM!
And just like that, it was over. 45 hours 21 minutes and 2 seconds.
I've sailed many miles before, and many places, but before we could even get the sails down I found myself choking up a bit. I've always wanted to do a Chicago to Mackinac race. I grew up watching my uncles race, like they were hero's, and despite going offshore and straight into the Bermuda triangle it still didn't satisfy the goal of one day sailing in The Mac. Everyone was shaking hands while I just stared out back towards the bridge in silence. What was there to say, what could I say? It was such a team effort, but right now, it was my moment. Of all the times I've gone under that bridge, up that lake, and to this island, this time was different. It was another accomplishment that I will never forget. Truly a team effort, you can't explain it unless you do it. You get caught in the moment out there. 20 miles to the Manitou's. Only 10 more til Grey's Reef. We should gybe in an hour. Let's get around this mark. Mackinac Bridge Dead ahead.....then it's over. Why were we in such a hurry?? Oh yeah we were racing! We immediately knew we were probably going to miss a flag and get 7th place but right then, I didn't care. I didn't care if we got last at that moment, what I just did, with this team, was enough for me. (That later changed as all we talked about was getting a flag and what we needed to do next year!! haha)
The 2012 Chicago Race to Mackinac was coming to a close, but the fun was just beginning..............
Runaway...OUT
The wind had been building throughout the night. I came up on deck, feeling refreshed from my watch break. The sun was already above the horizon and temporarily hiding behind a batch of cumulus clouds. There was still a bite in the air from the cool evening before as the sun's heat had not yet kicked in. Maybe it was my morning shivers I get while my body works to wake up and jump right into sailing. The seas were building but still tolerable. The wind appeared that it shifted a little but was still dominant out of the south/southwest. I looked around, easily spotting other section five boats as the bottle neck of Grey's Reef was only a few miles ahead. Paradigm Shift gybed back to the west astern to us. What I thought was Maskwa also astern turned out to be Quicksilver; their spinnaker's were very similar. Maskwa must be up on the horizon in front of us. Bravo still appeared to be astern to us as well. Roxy was right where they always seemed to be, just in our back pocket threatening to pass on any small mistake we made. Conversation was being held in the cockpit about when to gybe and how we wanted to approach the reef. The wind seemed to favor a gut shot and we decided to stay on starboard tack until we had the angle to fly right through. It happened fast and just like that we flipped over and found that Karma, a 36.7 section boat, and Paradigm Shift were within ear shot of us. Karma's skipper said good morning to Tom, our skipper, as we blasted north for Grey's Reef. We wanted to stay out of Karma's way and they the same considering we were not in each others section. Karma is a well raced boat and we kept the thought on the back burner to shadow any tactics they carry out for the remainder of the race.
Grey's Reef was uneventful but buoy number 3 on the north side of Grey's, our only turning mark on the course, was setting up to be more like a buoy race mark with three boats all in the same area. Then there were four. Another boat (name slipping my mind) came out of no where and suddenly we were making the decision on who to stay up on.
"I don't want to pass Karma, we are going to get pinched"
"Stay right here."
"We can't, we're faster, we're going to get pinched, I'm coming down"
"I think we can stay."
"We can't stay let's get between the two of them, coming down"
We made sure we were clear to Karma and the bow came down and then back on course in one swift movement. In throwing a wall of bad air down and coming back up hard we we passed the other boat in no time and also passed Karma. Paradigm Shift went wide up ahead and was already flipped over and heading for the mark, on starboard none the less (rights). Karma called for room, Paradigm shift came down, and everyone played fair. The gybe could have been cleaner, but we were around it and the next stop was Mackinac Island.
Now more on the beam, the wind was up to 23 knots and the seas had more effect on our course. Paradigm Shift struggled hard with their overpowered A-kite and eventually changed sail. We were in Karma's back pocket, and passing would be hard. We knew we would end up there after the rounding mark, but we really had no choice. Suddenly 9 knots was our average boat speed. We started seeing 10, then 10.5 then 11. Waves curled in on the stern, lifted us up and shot us forward, like a wild river crashing over a falls the waves grabbed a hold of Runaway and took her for a ride.
Mackinac bridge came out of the haze, the sun lifted higher in to a clearing sky and suddenly we realized that it wouldn't be long before we would be throwing dock lines on Mackinac Island. Focus was key here. All hands were on deck as the excitement was too much to sleep. Exhaustion started to kick in, a gybe here and a gybe there became a bit more sloppy every time. On the last gybe before the finish we lost the kite around the forestay and I was thrown across the cockpit by a mainsheet that I couldn't get away from fast enough. No injuries, just a little upset as we were starting to take pride in how clean of a race we had been sailing. Only a mile to go now. The Grand Hotel dominated the hillside of Mackinac Island as another huge freighter came barreling for the bridge from the east. Boats scattered one last time in their last ditch effort to gain a tactical advantage, but for the most part the drag race for the finish line started well back in the Manitou's, some may argue Chicago. We heard our section boats calling in at the finish and at the bridge. We knew exactly where everyone was around us. Just a little further now. Then the cannon came into range. Boom.............Boom, Boom.....Boom.............Boom, as boats in front of us finished. Two more blasts and that should be us. Boom...........................................................................where is it????..................Is that our cannon??? .................................We're still racing!!!.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................BOOM!
And just like that, it was over. 45 hours 21 minutes and 2 seconds.
I've sailed many miles before, and many places, but before we could even get the sails down I found myself choking up a bit. I've always wanted to do a Chicago to Mackinac race. I grew up watching my uncles race, like they were hero's, and despite going offshore and straight into the Bermuda triangle it still didn't satisfy the goal of one day sailing in The Mac. Everyone was shaking hands while I just stared out back towards the bridge in silence. What was there to say, what could I say? It was such a team effort, but right now, it was my moment. Of all the times I've gone under that bridge, up that lake, and to this island, this time was different. It was another accomplishment that I will never forget. Truly a team effort, you can't explain it unless you do it. You get caught in the moment out there. 20 miles to the Manitou's. Only 10 more til Grey's Reef. We should gybe in an hour. Let's get around this mark. Mackinac Bridge Dead ahead.....then it's over. Why were we in such a hurry?? Oh yeah we were racing! We immediately knew we were probably going to miss a flag and get 7th place but right then, I didn't care. I didn't care if we got last at that moment, what I just did, with this team, was enough for me. (That later changed as all we talked about was getting a flag and what we needed to do next year!! haha)
The 2012 Chicago Race to Mackinac was coming to a close, but the fun was just beginning..............
Runaway...OUT
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Pictures!!!
We have so many pictures and I will add more as I enter in that part of the race, but here are some for now. We are also making a video of our entire race. Being that it was a fairly calm race it will probably be a combination of both pictures and videos. But for now....enjoy!
Motoring out to the start line
First night sunset
Elizabeth trimming spinnaker
CYC Pre-race Party
CYC Pre-Race Party
Working our way into a cold front boundary, which would later stall, become stationary and work it's way back north over us.
Kevin trimming spinnaker
Kevin on the spinnaker
Sunset first night
You're welcome Quantum Sails
One of my favorites
A view from, well, outside the box
Ahhh life on the forestay
Don't fall in!!!!!!
Down from the mainsail
Out in front
Leeward hull...boy who waxed that hull??? Lookin' good!!! :-)
Middle of the Lake, Manitou set up
Middle of Lake Michigan
DAY TWO: Sunday
I woke up this morning (Sunday), checked the charts and found that we were working our way north of Milwaukee. We couldn't be more in the middle of the Lake. Well actually we were 3 nautical miles closer to the Michigan side, but you get the idea. The weather was good, we had been watching a few storms out to the west, but were not too concerned about them. If anything we were hoping they would bring some wind. We passed six boats overnight, not knowing if they were in our section or not, it was still a good morale booster for the crew to feel as if we sailed a fast night. It was time to re-evaluate who was around us, check the charts and get ready to set up for the Manitou Islands. The wind came and left all morning, but we still managed to keep the boat moving. Boats weaved in and out of our path as they made decisions to head out into the lake further, head for shore or continue along their chosen path from the night before. It was a bit of a leap frog morning. Bravo, a section 5 boat (our section) came screaming down and passed us with no problems. Two hours later we were abeam to them off of our port. Two more hours passed and we could barely see them behind us they were heading hard for shore. Despite what other boats were doing around us we stuck to our thoughts that inshore would not pay off come evening and The Manitou's. We gybed on the wind looking for pressure everywhere we went. Boats would bunch up together and just like that be spread across the horizon again as we played a game of cat and mouse all trying to catch the best angle for the run through the Manitou Islands. Still with no land in site we decided to gybe out into the lake one more time until we had, what we thought, the perfect, hottest angle right to north manitou light. Once we had our setup point we turned and pointed for north manitou light. There was some talk about staying outside of the islands, but usually this never pays off and was dismissed quickly. We were finally able to take bearings on some of our inshore friends and watched them closely. The inshore game seemed to be paying off as our bearings decreased on the boats inshore as they started to win the race to sleeping bear point. Our hopes were that with the wind we had, it would be the same, or similar inshore, which would force boats to gybe their way out away from the point. Well, apparently they got a wind shift or different wind and were able to sail directly out and around the point.
As we worked our way into the Manitou islands the radio traffic picked up as a boat called in, reporting that a fire in the galley had broken out. We listened, learning that the boat was only a few miles behind us. Other boats gave their advice to fight the fire, water, wet blankets, etc... while we sat there and thought to ourselves "Why don't they just use the fire extinguisher? We all have one." Anyways apparently they got the situation under control and the race went on.
Night fell as we sailed deeper into the Manitou's, and to our surprise, the breeze picked up more and more as the sun dropped off of the horizon. We were sailing a bit more to the northeast, hoping to pick up a hotter angle and maintain more boat speed as the setup for Grey's reef was already on. It was pitch black as the only sliver of a moon was not too far behind the sun and soon disappeared. We did our best to take bearings on boats around us, but it was like trying to make out the different street lights when coming into Chicago at night. Boats were everywhere. We noticed that we were coming up on a boat to our windward and decided to hold course and use our rights to our advantage. 200 feet away and we could make out the hull, 150 feet away and closing, 100 feet away and we thought just maybe they didn't see us yet. Our skipper called out "stay up", as 100 closed to 75. "Stay up!" 50 feet. "STAY UP!!" 25 feet.... Suddenly the boat came up hard and their spinnaker completely collapsed. All at the same time we blew right by them and just like that were out of their air and sailing fast. It was a bit nerve racking but helped us pass them quickly being that they did not see us and ended up collapsing their spinnaker to stay out of our way.
The navigation meeting began as we decided whether to continue to sail this angle, gybe the rhumb, sail to the corner, etc... We decided to sail this angle for awhile as it was a fast angle for us and gybe in about an hour, which would put us just off of Grand Traverse Bay. It was time for me to get some rest. I put in my earplugs and before I knew it was out cold. But just like that I wake up to someone grabbing my leg. "All hands, we are at 18 going to the three quarter." Let's just say it is a bit difficult to process information coming out of a deep sleep and as I threw on my jacket and harness I still had no idea what the statement meant. I got up on deck and realized we had sailed out of the range of our half ounce A-symmetrical spinnaker and with the wind continuing to build we had to do a sail change. The skipper was eager to get his light air sail down as we started seeing 22+ knots, but being that it was pitch black we had to make sure we had everything right before hoisting our 3/4 A-kite. The kite went up great and it was a successful change. I was wide awake at this point. We checked the charts a few times with the new wind we were seeing, talked about what might work best, and I went back to bed. Over the next hour of sleep I felt the boat gybe twice and by the time I got back on deck at 5:30 A.M. we were just south of the shoals and setting up for Grey's Reef....the drag race was on.
Runaway ...OUT
DAY TWO: Sunday
I woke up this morning (Sunday), checked the charts and found that we were working our way north of Milwaukee. We couldn't be more in the middle of the Lake. Well actually we were 3 nautical miles closer to the Michigan side, but you get the idea. The weather was good, we had been watching a few storms out to the west, but were not too concerned about them. If anything we were hoping they would bring some wind. We passed six boats overnight, not knowing if they were in our section or not, it was still a good morale booster for the crew to feel as if we sailed a fast night. It was time to re-evaluate who was around us, check the charts and get ready to set up for the Manitou Islands. The wind came and left all morning, but we still managed to keep the boat moving. Boats weaved in and out of our path as they made decisions to head out into the lake further, head for shore or continue along their chosen path from the night before. It was a bit of a leap frog morning. Bravo, a section 5 boat (our section) came screaming down and passed us with no problems. Two hours later we were abeam to them off of our port. Two more hours passed and we could barely see them behind us they were heading hard for shore. Despite what other boats were doing around us we stuck to our thoughts that inshore would not pay off come evening and The Manitou's. We gybed on the wind looking for pressure everywhere we went. Boats would bunch up together and just like that be spread across the horizon again as we played a game of cat and mouse all trying to catch the best angle for the run through the Manitou Islands. Still with no land in site we decided to gybe out into the lake one more time until we had, what we thought, the perfect, hottest angle right to north manitou light. Once we had our setup point we turned and pointed for north manitou light. There was some talk about staying outside of the islands, but usually this never pays off and was dismissed quickly. We were finally able to take bearings on some of our inshore friends and watched them closely. The inshore game seemed to be paying off as our bearings decreased on the boats inshore as they started to win the race to sleeping bear point. Our hopes were that with the wind we had, it would be the same, or similar inshore, which would force boats to gybe their way out away from the point. Well, apparently they got a wind shift or different wind and were able to sail directly out and around the point.
As we worked our way into the Manitou islands the radio traffic picked up as a boat called in, reporting that a fire in the galley had broken out. We listened, learning that the boat was only a few miles behind us. Other boats gave their advice to fight the fire, water, wet blankets, etc... while we sat there and thought to ourselves "Why don't they just use the fire extinguisher? We all have one." Anyways apparently they got the situation under control and the race went on.
Night fell as we sailed deeper into the Manitou's, and to our surprise, the breeze picked up more and more as the sun dropped off of the horizon. We were sailing a bit more to the northeast, hoping to pick up a hotter angle and maintain more boat speed as the setup for Grey's reef was already on. It was pitch black as the only sliver of a moon was not too far behind the sun and soon disappeared. We did our best to take bearings on boats around us, but it was like trying to make out the different street lights when coming into Chicago at night. Boats were everywhere. We noticed that we were coming up on a boat to our windward and decided to hold course and use our rights to our advantage. 200 feet away and we could make out the hull, 150 feet away and closing, 100 feet away and we thought just maybe they didn't see us yet. Our skipper called out "stay up", as 100 closed to 75. "Stay up!" 50 feet. "STAY UP!!" 25 feet.... Suddenly the boat came up hard and their spinnaker completely collapsed. All at the same time we blew right by them and just like that were out of their air and sailing fast. It was a bit nerve racking but helped us pass them quickly being that they did not see us and ended up collapsing their spinnaker to stay out of our way.
The navigation meeting began as we decided whether to continue to sail this angle, gybe the rhumb, sail to the corner, etc... We decided to sail this angle for awhile as it was a fast angle for us and gybe in about an hour, which would put us just off of Grand Traverse Bay. It was time for me to get some rest. I put in my earplugs and before I knew it was out cold. But just like that I wake up to someone grabbing my leg. "All hands, we are at 18 going to the three quarter." Let's just say it is a bit difficult to process information coming out of a deep sleep and as I threw on my jacket and harness I still had no idea what the statement meant. I got up on deck and realized we had sailed out of the range of our half ounce A-symmetrical spinnaker and with the wind continuing to build we had to do a sail change. The skipper was eager to get his light air sail down as we started seeing 22+ knots, but being that it was pitch black we had to make sure we had everything right before hoisting our 3/4 A-kite. The kite went up great and it was a successful change. I was wide awake at this point. We checked the charts a few times with the new wind we were seeing, talked about what might work best, and I went back to bed. Over the next hour of sleep I felt the boat gybe twice and by the time I got back on deck at 5:30 A.M. we were just south of the shoals and setting up for Grey's Reef....the drag race was on.
Runaway ...OUT
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The 104th Chicago Race to Mackinac
SLOW START
The day was finally here. After so much anticipation I was sitting on the square foot of fiberglass that my butt would spend the next few days on, motoring out to the start line for the 104th Race to Mackinac. It wasn't until we got up in the starting area that the pre-race jitters filled in. There was hardly a hint of wind. More than 300 boats bobbed around, going through their pre-race routine, looking for wind and favored courses. All of the research and planning now had to be put into play based on what was actually happening. We went into race prep with only 4 minutes before our start. We were already going for the line and so was the rest of our section. We all got to the line a bit early and there was a big heap of a mess of boats stalled out 20 feet from the race committee boat doing everything we could not to bump into one another or foul another boat. Luckily everyone played fair and no one called protest. I think every boat could have probably called a protest on someone, but it just wasn't worth it. With no wind and 300+ miles to go it wasn't worth the fuss.
We finally got some apparent wind working for us and basically set a course to sail the Rhumb Line to Point Betsie, 170 nm to the Northeast of us on the Michigan coast. Not more than 10 minutes after the start we set our half ounce asymmetrical spinnaker not realizing we would be under spinnaker until Mackinac Island. The first afternoon and night were fairly pleasant. We were able to generate some boat speed, the waves were less than a foot, and it was a beautiful night. Helicopters buzzed over head for hours until finally we worked out of their range from the Chicago airports and off into the piece and quiet of Lake Michigan.
My first watch break came at 1:00 AM and while I was hopeful to get some sleep, it never really came. The adrenaline was still flowing, and I was much too excited to sleep. My ear tuned into every conversation being held up in the cockpit and I just couldn't get my mind to calm down enough. Before I knew it I was back on deck, just in time for a beautiful sunrise. We were in the absolute dead middle of the lake. We sailed into the middle of the lake and pointed north. I've crossed Lake Michigan many times, but I can't say that I have ever sailed right up the middle. You hardly felt like you were in the middle though as there were boats scattered everywhere in all directions. At night it looked more like sailing on a small inland lake surrounded by city lights than the middle of Lake Michigan. The stars were some of the best we have ever seen and night one was a success.
....I'll be posting day by day to complete the entire race and will have a ton of pictures and videos to come. I'm trying to get caught up on sleep and get back to a normal routine. Not to mention it's more fun when I have to make you wait for the next post :-)
So, from the middle of Lake Michigan, good morning Sunday....Runaway Out.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I'm Baaaackkk: From Steam to Sail
CHICAGO, IL USA
Let's catch up:
Well what a winter it was. I was offered an engineering job in Chicago and it was just the right move so I said goodbye to the yachting industry....kind of. Europe was amazing (absolutely amazing), winter was mild, blah blah we are supposed to be talking boating here: spring sprung, and I found myself back on The Bonita bringing her across the lake to Chicago. As a favor, I offered my assistance to the owner as the family was still looking for my replacement. It was great, my Dad came along to help out and we had a very interesting crossing, dodging squalls, etc...
So lets speed up here. I really have always wanted to get involved with the sailboat race leagues here in Chicago but considering I was always boating for work I never had the time. Well now that I have one of those boring jobs I have time to go sailing too! Jessie's co-worker got me in touch with a boat that sails out of Montrose Harbor and they offered to take me sailing on Wednesday nights for the beer can league. My first few races were spent on the rail as the skipper pondered where it was little ole Eric may fit in on board. Before I knew it my butt was right next to him, my neck was cranked to the sky, and my mind had one focus; the mainsail...well more specifically: the mainsheet, the traveler, the outhaul, the downhaul, the backstay and the halyard tension. Sail shape, telltales and battens oh my!! I haven't looked back (down) since. At first it was a fun and great way to break up the work week. Then came our first distance race on a weekend and I said "eh what the heck, let's go sailing". Then came another, destination overnight race. "Eric can you race the Waukegan this weekend?" What do I say? "eh what the heck, let's go sailing." Suddenly my Wednesday night league was turning into my hobby. Who would have ever thought....boating and Eric might just find each other again.
We raced in one more overnight race, the Michigan City race, and before I knew what happened I was asking for three days off from work to race in the Chicago to Mackinac race. That's where the story picks up again.........................
Back on track
It was hot. Not a cloud in the sky, and other than the faint sea breeze, not a hint of wind. We had just gotten back to the docks from the NOOD distance race. We crossed the line second, reeled in a boat in the last 2 miles and passed them. We were feeling pretty good. Earlier in the year I told the skipper that there was no way I'd be able to race the Chicago to Mackinac and he simply replied "yeah, we are probably full anyway." You know....seniority, I get it. The cold beer went down easy as we all lounged back in the cockpit to discuss the days race. Almost as casually as an invite like this could present itself a sentence came out that I wasn't expecting: "Eric, will you race the Mackinac with us this year? We'd love to have you." The answer couldn't be yes right away, there were so many details to discuss, but it sure did put a smile on my face. After being told that first year guys don't usually get asked to race the Mac it meant so much to me to receive the invite. I guess the answer could have been yes right away, what was I going to say? No?
The time has gone by so quickly since that invite and with only two days left until the starting gun goes off for my first Chicago to Mackinac race I couldn't be more excited. It has been such a long time coming and so much fun getting involved again, helping prep the boat for the race, watching the weather patterns come and go, learning the strategies used for the race, and preparing myself to once again do some serious sailing. We've gotten better as a team, we've had some good races, and we've had some really bad races. The important part is that everyone is so positive about the race and win or loose it will still be an experience no one forgets.
Last night we all got together up at Montrose Harbor for a crew meet and greet. The girlfriends, wives, and families came down with the crew and we hung out on board for awhile before heading up to the club for some dinner. It was fun hearing the old stories of the Mac, the trials and tribulations of years past and history made. Dinner was, as expected, enjoyed in good company and as goodbye's were made for the evening I think we all had a sense that, this is it, it's go time, it's finally almost here. Friday will be spent attending a few meetings, enjoying the pre-race party down at Monroe Harbor/CYC and taking it all in. Before bed Friday night my mind will make like a sponge and soak up as much weather information as it can hold and before we know it:
Warning gun!!! Favor the pin lets get in on starboard. Tack in 20. One minute. Let's focus, here we go. Ready to tack. Ready. Helms lead. 45 seconds, we can go for it. Stay high! Stay high! Boat speed, trim, trim, trim. 30 seconds. We're going to be early. 25 seconds. Dump a little power. 20 seconds. Go for it!! We have the line go go go. 15 seconds, we're racing!! Boat speed, stay high! Starboard! 10 seconds til the gun, length and a half. 5 seconds, go go go go go go trim hard, we've got the pole go go go!!!!
(BOOM)..............................Mackinac here we come
Let's catch up:
Well what a winter it was. I was offered an engineering job in Chicago and it was just the right move so I said goodbye to the yachting industry....kind of. Europe was amazing (absolutely amazing), winter was mild, blah blah we are supposed to be talking boating here: spring sprung, and I found myself back on The Bonita bringing her across the lake to Chicago. As a favor, I offered my assistance to the owner as the family was still looking for my replacement. It was great, my Dad came along to help out and we had a very interesting crossing, dodging squalls, etc...
So lets speed up here. I really have always wanted to get involved with the sailboat race leagues here in Chicago but considering I was always boating for work I never had the time. Well now that I have one of those boring jobs I have time to go sailing too! Jessie's co-worker got me in touch with a boat that sails out of Montrose Harbor and they offered to take me sailing on Wednesday nights for the beer can league. My first few races were spent on the rail as the skipper pondered where it was little ole Eric may fit in on board. Before I knew it my butt was right next to him, my neck was cranked to the sky, and my mind had one focus; the mainsail...well more specifically: the mainsheet, the traveler, the outhaul, the downhaul, the backstay and the halyard tension. Sail shape, telltales and battens oh my!! I haven't looked back (down) since. At first it was a fun and great way to break up the work week. Then came our first distance race on a weekend and I said "eh what the heck, let's go sailing". Then came another, destination overnight race. "Eric can you race the Waukegan this weekend?" What do I say? "eh what the heck, let's go sailing." Suddenly my Wednesday night league was turning into my hobby. Who would have ever thought....boating and Eric might just find each other again.
We raced in one more overnight race, the Michigan City race, and before I knew what happened I was asking for three days off from work to race in the Chicago to Mackinac race. That's where the story picks up again.........................
Back on track
It was hot. Not a cloud in the sky, and other than the faint sea breeze, not a hint of wind. We had just gotten back to the docks from the NOOD distance race. We crossed the line second, reeled in a boat in the last 2 miles and passed them. We were feeling pretty good. Earlier in the year I told the skipper that there was no way I'd be able to race the Chicago to Mackinac and he simply replied "yeah, we are probably full anyway." You know....seniority, I get it. The cold beer went down easy as we all lounged back in the cockpit to discuss the days race. Almost as casually as an invite like this could present itself a sentence came out that I wasn't expecting: "Eric, will you race the Mackinac with us this year? We'd love to have you." The answer couldn't be yes right away, there were so many details to discuss, but it sure did put a smile on my face. After being told that first year guys don't usually get asked to race the Mac it meant so much to me to receive the invite. I guess the answer could have been yes right away, what was I going to say? No?
The time has gone by so quickly since that invite and with only two days left until the starting gun goes off for my first Chicago to Mackinac race I couldn't be more excited. It has been such a long time coming and so much fun getting involved again, helping prep the boat for the race, watching the weather patterns come and go, learning the strategies used for the race, and preparing myself to once again do some serious sailing. We've gotten better as a team, we've had some good races, and we've had some really bad races. The important part is that everyone is so positive about the race and win or loose it will still be an experience no one forgets.
Last night we all got together up at Montrose Harbor for a crew meet and greet. The girlfriends, wives, and families came down with the crew and we hung out on board for awhile before heading up to the club for some dinner. It was fun hearing the old stories of the Mac, the trials and tribulations of years past and history made. Dinner was, as expected, enjoyed in good company and as goodbye's were made for the evening I think we all had a sense that, this is it, it's go time, it's finally almost here. Friday will be spent attending a few meetings, enjoying the pre-race party down at Monroe Harbor/CYC and taking it all in. Before bed Friday night my mind will make like a sponge and soak up as much weather information as it can hold and before we know it:
Warning gun!!! Favor the pin lets get in on starboard. Tack in 20. One minute. Let's focus, here we go. Ready to tack. Ready. Helms lead. 45 seconds, we can go for it. Stay high! Stay high! Boat speed, trim, trim, trim. 30 seconds. We're going to be early. 25 seconds. Dump a little power. 20 seconds. Go for it!! We have the line go go go. 15 seconds, we're racing!! Boat speed, stay high! Starboard! 10 seconds til the gun, length and a half. 5 seconds, go go go go go go trim hard, we've got the pole go go go!!!!
(BOOM)..............................Mackinac here we come
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