LEG SIX - TELEGRAPH COVE TO PORT HARDY

Click on image to view larger image June 16, 2005 - Port Hardy, B.C. Leg six of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 started in ideal conditions in Telegraph Cove with a 12 to 15 knot south east and flat seas. Three boats were over early, Tryst, Tir na'nog, Komera. Cheekee Monkee, the highly modified F31 Trimaran, crossed the start line as if shot from a canon. The perfect breeze was short lived, however, and within short order most boats were bunched together fighting for any advantage in fickle winds. And so it was for the remainder of the day. Although Steve Travis' 1D 48, Flash, made a valiant effort and managed to sail into Hardy Bay, they were unable to make the finish line in the allotted time and the race was abandoned. Upon polling the fleet it appeared that everyone was in first place when the plug was pulled and everyone would have been first had the race carried on. Overall standings in the event thus far are as follows: In Div. 1 - Evolution, skippered by Darryl Homan and Alex Fox from UK Sails Northwest, Time Bandit, a J120, and Tripp Tease, the Tripp 40 hailing from Comox, B.C. In Div. 2 - Myrrh, a Jesperson 30 from Seattle WA. and Tryst, an Aprhodite 101 also from the Seattle area, are separated by two points with the well sailed C&C 35, Meltemi skippered by Sean Huschler from Vancouver, B.C. in Third Place. In the Multihull Division, Bad Kitty is in first Place, Blue Lightning - Second and Dragonfly in Third. On Elapsed Time the mighty Dragonfly leads the second fastest boat Cheekee Monkee by approx. 2 1/2 hours. The town of Port Hardy and Mayor Harry Mose, welcomed the fleet in their usual friendly style with displays of folk and cultural dancing, music and a great BBQ. Tomorrow's leg takes boats around the top of the island over the notorious Nawhitti Bar, past Cape Scott and out to the open Pacific. The weather forecast is for moderate South East winds giving the fleet a run down Goletas Channel, to Nawhitti Bar, a reach past Cape Scott and a beat down the outside of the Island to the finish line off Kains Island. The entrance into Winter Harbour, where the fleet will rest for a day can be particularly treacherous at night. Click on image to view larger image Click on image to veiw larger image Mini transat - Komera Click on image Click on image