Good ad for a safety harness......Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Are We Having Fun Yet?!?
Good ad for a safety harness......Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Good ad for a safety harness......Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
The Pre-Start Dance
J-122 Anam Cara close reaching just before the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore. That is Rage crossing astern of Anam Cara before the start....they won't stay there for long! Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Anam Cara Steams Ahead
J-122 Anam Cara blasts off the starting line with a full main and what appears to be a barberhauled headsail....looks like a good stance behind the wheel Tom! Now, get that weight up on the rail! Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Early Leaders Are Rage and Kinetic V....On Record Pace?
Did anyone really doubt that?
But can they come close to the record time set in 2014? Only time will tell...........
Poetry In Motion
Headsails were in fashion at the start of this year's 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race.
With lumpy confused seas and a fresh SW breeze, it was better to be safe than sorry at the start of the race. Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Not So Fast!
More photos from the start by Maria Swearingen:
LIVE ACTION! Photos From the Start Line!
These just came in!
Here are some live action shots of the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race by Portland based photographer Maria Swearingen:
Sloop Dawg rolls up on a quartering swell at the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore. From reefed mainsails to full spinnakers, this year's start looks like it was fast and furious! Photo credit: Maria Swearingen.
Escape Artist (foreground) blast reaching off the starting line of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore. Photo credit: Maria Swearingen
Spinnaker or headsail?!? That seems to be the question pondered by the crew onboard Free Bowl of SOup just before the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore. Photo credit: Maria Swearingen.
Here are some live action shots of the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race by Portland based photographer Maria Swearingen:
And They're Off!
All 19 boats competing in this year's CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race have reportedly crossed the starting line near Astoria, Oregon and are currently heading north.
Winds are reported to be 15-18 knots from the SW giving the fleet a fresh breeze to scoot up the coast.
Best of luck and safe passage to all of the boats, skippers and crew competing in the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
We'll see you in Victoria!
Winds are reported to be 15-18 knots from the SW giving the fleet a fresh breeze to scoot up the coast.
Best of luck and safe passage to all of the boats, skippers and crew competing in the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
We'll see you in Victoria!
The Race Tracker is LIVE!
The Fleet Heads Out
The 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race Fleet heads out to cross the Columbia River Bar to reach the start of the race:
Another Fast Start for the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore?
The weather has been cold and rainy most of this year in Oregon, and the start of today's race will see more of the same.
The GOOD NEWS about the weather, is that the winds are predicted to be predominantly from the South, allowing for a probable spinnaker start and a nice quick reach up the coast to the turn.
The seas are always a little lumpy in these conditions, so crew work and sail handling is key to moving to the front of the pack early.
Lumpy seas are no stranger to this race...they don't affectionately call it the Straits of Juan de "Puka" for nothing....
Rhumb Line or Great Circle Route?
Last year, a strong ebb tidal flow to the Northwest at the start pushed the fleet with a lee bow current off the starting line on their upwind trek....this year, with the winds from astern, that tidal effect could be magnified, with boats hugging the coast getting the most benefit.
That is, IF the wind closer to shore holds....there is often more unobstructed breeze with less land influence farther out to sea....we'll see what strategy pays off this year!
The GOOD NEWS about the weather, is that the winds are predicted to be predominantly from the South, allowing for a probable spinnaker start and a nice quick reach up the coast to the turn.
The seas are always a little lumpy in these conditions, so crew work and sail handling is key to moving to the front of the pack early.
Lumpy seas are no stranger to this race...they don't affectionately call it the Straits of Juan de "Puka" for nothing....
Rhumb Line or Great Circle Route?
Last year, a strong ebb tidal flow to the Northwest at the start pushed the fleet with a lee bow current off the starting line on their upwind trek....this year, with the winds from astern, that tidal effect could be magnified, with boats hugging the coast getting the most benefit.
That is, IF the wind closer to shore holds....there is often more unobstructed breeze with less land influence farther out to sea....we'll see what strategy pays off this year!
The Fleet Heads Out For The Start!
7:40 a.m. update
Most of the fleet has now left Astoria and is currently heading towards the Columbia River Bar and the start of the 2017 CYC Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race!
Here is the link to the KGW story if you missed it!
Free Bowl of Soup Live
Final live scene in Astoria featuring the Free Bowl of Soup crew:
Getting To The Race... Another Adventure Entirely!
Here are some great photos courtesy of Brian on s/v Stay Gold on just what goes into getting to the start of the race from the North. We sometimes forget about the great adventures had delivering the boats to and from the race........thanks Brian!
Moored in Astoria after a two-part delivery from Gig Harbor to Port Angeles then PA to Astoria. Left PA Sunday at 7:45pm, arrived at 1130am in Astoria.
Decent swell...running a few miles off the coast from Westport on the delivery down.
Put the kite up with 15-20 knots out of the NW, making over 9 knots over ground with a nice following current.
Leaving Cape Flattery to port!
Sometimes seasickness gets the best of us! Not even out of the Straits yet...
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What a Difference a Day Makes......
Here is a picture of weather conditions in Astoria on Wednesday, May 10th..... the day BEFORE the race!
More Pre-Race Preparations
Peter Reece on Desperado is always looking for a reason to go up the mast....
Pre-Dawn Conditions In Astoria on Race Day
Picture of the Astoria West Basin Moorage....maintained by the Port of Astoria.......at dawn on the day of the race.
With tidal considerations taken into account, the start of the race has been tentatively set for 10 am.
Be sure to watch the race tracker LIVE after the 10 am start to follow the race progress in real time!
With tidal considerations taken into account, the start of the race has been tentatively set for 10 am.
Be sure to watch the race tracker LIVE after the 10 am start to follow the race progress in real time!
Behind the Scenes with KGW at the 2017 Oregon Offshore International Yacht Race
Commodore Jenn shares an umbrella with Drew Carney and Cameraman Steve from KGW in between live shots! KGW, the local NBC affiliate, covered the pre-race preparations in Astoria LIVE from 5-7 am and the coverage was broadcast regionally......
Drew Carney & KGW/NBC Live TV Interview with Commodore Jenn
Drew Carney, local television personality with NBC affiliate KGW in Portland, interviews Race Commodore Jenn Thompson of CYC dockside before the race.