Tom Keffer reports that the J/42, Velocity, is always glad to get off the river, and on to the Pacific where she is most at home. Having observed the powerful and solid Velocity charging though the waves in the open ocean, I would agree with this assessment. This will be Velocity's 11th Offshore and Tom modestly reports “always a bridesmaid, never a bride, she has placed 2nd twice, 3rd once, but never won her division or the race. Good thing we race for the companionship and fun, not fame and money.” While racing for money would be a losing proposition no matter how well Velocity and her crew perform, some of us have noticed Velocity consistently getting faster and faster and this could be her year to top the podium. You can learn more about Velocity here.
Aja is Back for More
Entries are continuing to roll in and we are already up to 16 entrants for the 2020 PNW Offshore. Having entered back in December, Rich Elstrom and crew in their Ericson 35-2, Aja, are back for their twelfth Offshore. If 12 races race wasn’t enough evidence that they enjoy this race and each other’s company, the entire 2019 crew is returning for 2020. Even though Rich and his entire crew are members of the Astoria Yacht Club, they report that they are looking forward to trying out the new Ilwaco venue.
Rage
Always one to watch for line honors, records, and because she is so pretty, we are happy to report that Dave Raney has entered the Wylie 70 Rage once again. Of course, we all know that Rage, built years ago by our title sponsor Schooner Creek Boat Works, has participated in many Oregon Offshore Races and Dave says they weren’t about to miss the first Pacific NW International Yacht Race. She is also a veteran of many Swiftsure races and Pacific Cups as well as a Transpac and a Tahiti race. Rage may be extensively campaigned, but looks as good as the day she was built – it will be nice to have all of the boats together in Ilwaco so we can check them out. This year’s crew will include members of their Pac Cup crew and Portland Rage veterans. Welcome back Rage!
Escape Artist Makes it Three J/105s!
Dana Sibilla and his mix of veteran and first timers on Escape Artist have entered the PNW Offshore.
That makes three J/105s which means these capable boats will have their own class (while still eligible for the overall). Dana has been a very active racer on the Columbia River and beyond, having participated in several Offshores as well as Swiftsure and Whidbey Island Race Week. This promises to be a competitive and interesting class to watch as Escape Artist and Free Bowl of Soup were within sight of each other for the entire 2019 race.
Psst: Entries are rolling in and there are now three 70 footers registered for the #PNWOffshore! The move to Ilwaco is turning out to be a great call.
Red Sheilla joins The Offshore
Red Sheilla, a Beneteau 49 skippered by Jim Innes out of Surrey, BC, will be joining us for the 2020 PNW Offshore. Red Sheilla is extensively campaigned and has previously competed in the 2010, 2012 and 2016 Vic-Maui races. In July 2020, Red Sheilla skipper Jim Innes will sail in his fifth Vic-Maui.
In 2019 and 2020 , Red Sheilla’s experienced crew have completed or will be racing on different yachts in Southern Straits, Round Salt Spring,Swiftsure, Van Isle 360, and Round The County. We are glad they are adding the PNW Offshore to the list - Welcome!
Follow Red Sheilla on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/redsheillasailing.
True Love is also back
We are pleased to announce that our 5th entry for the 2020 PNW Offshore is True Love. If you didn’t get a chance to see this beautifully restored 44’ Spencer 1330 last year, you’re in luck, because they are back for more. Steve Smolinske and team must really enjoy this offshore stuff as True Love is using the Offshore as a qualifier for Pacific Cup. Welcome back!
Margaret is Back for More
The 2019 Offshore was a first for Margaret and they are back for more having registered for the 2020 Pacific NW Offshore. It’s easy to see why David Shepherdson and crew are back - they won their class last year! Margaret is an Ericson 33 based out of Portland and sailing for the Rose City Yacht Club as well as Island Sailing Club. PS – Rumor has it we already have 10 entries for the 2020 race.
Bye, and Bye, Bye
I'm sitting here on Sunday eating a piece of pre-Christmas bourbon pumpkin pie at just around the usual race start time and, sadly, although the pie is great, I'd rather be out on the river. If you're out there now, you missed the note that this is a bye week – so is next week FYI. After that, it's full speed ahead to March 15. But for now, this is Bye, Bye to sailing here in town for 2019. All done…
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Abstract is In
Doug Pihlaja and his crew on the J/105 Abstract were quick to commit to the 2020 PNW Offshore. Could it be because they are still reveling in their class win from 2019? This crew have been solid competitors…
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Yes, Soup for You
The Free Bowl of Soup guys are anxious to get back out racing after a light year in 2019 and to dispel rumors they have become powerboaters. They were the second boat to sign up and are really looking forward to the change of the shoreside starting venue to Illwaco. This will be the Soup’s seventh offshore, but…
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Souffle is the First Pacific NW Offshore 2020 Entry
My calendar says it’s only the first week of December, but we already have 6(!), entries for next year’s Pacific NW Offshore. That’s got to be some kind of record, and to tell the truth, most, if not all, of these skippers actually entered in November. Maybe they are doing it now while the warmth of summer sailing is still lingering in their minds and before the winter cold knocks them to their senses, but…
Read MoreOff week, On task
Sailing on Sundays Racers
It was kind of nice to have an off week given the somewhat snotty weather we had last Sunday. But taking a break means being on task to do the last of the Thanksgiving cleanup and, of course, yard work. It also gives us a moment to consider how much we miss being out on the water when we don't go sailing on a Sunday, or any other day of the week for that matter.
As I was saying...
I know I promised way back on November 7 that the new website and the Offshore registration would be imminent, and I know that we are now 20 days later, but...here's the good news – the new CYC website is officially live! Go see: www.cycportland.org right now!
Read MoreThe sky is blue, no wind for you.
Oh, my, are we all grateful that last Sunday's "race" actually finished in the allocated maximum 3 hour time limit. What would we have done without the current? Fred was worried that the tide was going to change, and we were going to go up river backwards.
Read MoreCan You Say "Thanks?"
I guess with Thanksgiving right around the corner, a fun, easy day of steady breeze, and being surrounded by friends, I just got a little nostalgic and had a welling up of the old attitude of gratitude for the crew community of which I am part and the Portland sailing community at large.
Read MoreHelp out a local Portland sailing club
Vancouver Lake Sailing Club has a problem with the lake.
Read MoreCascadia Cup Win!!
Dave Raney’s Rage wins the Cascadia Cup
Dave Raney’s Wylie 70 Rage wins the inaugural Cascadia Cup on the way to victory in the 2019 Swiftsure Lightship Classic.
Dave and his determined crew stuck it out in light wind, no wind and counter current conditions to finish the Classic course at 00:10:58 on Monday the 28th.
Dave and his crew are a competitive bunch and were determined to finish for bragging rights and for the Cascadia Cup win.
The Cascadia Cup is a trophy awarded to the yacht with the lowest combined corrected time in the Oregon Offshore and either the Cape Flattery or the Lightship Classic Swiftsure races.
The Cascadia Cup trophy has been donated by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and will be awarded at the 2020 Swiftsure awards ceremony.
Congratulations to Dave and his tough crew of offshore veterans.
It is a great feeling to see Rage as the first winner of this trophy.
Rumor has it that there is a sailboat race in Victoria
Rumor has it that there is a sailboat race in Victoria
Cascadia Cup
(Updated 11/16/19)
What is the Cascadia Cup? If you’re racing the Swiftsure you need to know about the Cascadia Cup because competing in the Swiftsure is already half of what you need to win the Trophy!
The Cascadia Cup is a trophy given to the yacht with the lowest combined corrected time in both the Pacific NW Offshore, The Swiftsure Lightship Classic and the Cape Flattery Races (PHRF NW). Want to win it? Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) of Portland, Oregon, invites you to race for the 2020 title by signing up for the Pacific NW Offshore, sponsored by Schooner Creek Boat Works,at www.cycportland.org. You’ll automatically be entered into the running. The first winner of the trophy for 2019 was Rage. Trophy presentation will be at the 2020 Swiftsure. Hope to see you there.
So, start your planning now for 2020. Make it a clean sweep of the two best and most important yacht races in the Pacific Northwest. Hope to see you in Ilwaco, WA our new host city, and on the starting line at Buoy 2 off the mouth of the Columbia River on May 7, 2020.
Results are In
The results are in the for the 2019 Oregon Offshore. Congratulations to all finishers! https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=18160