LEG 4 – CAMPBELL RIVER TO HARDWICKE ISLAND

June 14, 2005 – Hardwicke Island, B.C. Today’s race started in Deepwater Bay, just north of Campbell River, with winds 8-10 from the west. It was a perfect beat up Discovery Pass & Johnstone Strait with excellent conditions - flat seas and 2 – 3 knots of positive current. Bad Kitty nailed the start in the middle of the line, while Kim Alfred’s Cheekee Monkee, the notorious over early starter was buried in the back of the fleet. The race committee had a mad dash to retrieve the mark and get the committee boat back to the launch ramp and head up to the next launch in Kelsey Bay across from Hardwicke Island. This stop at the Pan Fish Canada fish farm, near Hardwicke Island, is the most unique stop of any sailboat race, anywhere. 37 race yachts tied up at the fish pens. The BC Salmon Farmers Assoc. cooked over 660 salmon steaks for the hungry crews and Save On Foods delivered trays of Hardy Buoys smoked salmon to each yacht. All the tables, chairs, utensils, food and everything else needed to feed this many people were brought in by sea via a large barge. The HMCS Oriole, Okanagan Springs Brewery and Save On Foods, hosted a huge cocktail party aboard the Oriole. Over 400 people spilled over her decks on the sea cage walk ways. The fantastic scenery, excellent hospitality and camaraderie make this an incredible stop. Today’s results are as follows: In division one, Evolution, skippered by Darryl Homan, placed first; Tripp Tease, the Tripp 40 skippered by Sid Halls was second and the J120 Time Bandit, third. In division two, eXaltona an X-Yacht 102 was first; Nanaimo’s Bill Malone was second with Aeriel, the McCurdy Rhodes 40, and Hushwings a CS40 was third. The next leg leaves the mouth of Chancellor Channel and finishes at the entrance to Telegraph Cove. BBQ at Pan Fish Canada Site