The Vic-Maui Race record may well fall, but it won’t be Crossfire that gets it. Lou Bianco’s Reichel-Pugh 55 pulled out of the race a few hours ago after a series of incidents yesterday dictated the boat be pointed back home to Seattle. Here are the details from navigator Bruce Hedrick:
“We decided to withdraw after a litany of problems just all added up. Among the first problems were losing the wind instruments and Windex due to violent motion at the masthead.”
“At dawn yesterday the wind had built to 20-22 knots and boat speed was steady in the upper teens to mid 20’s. The boat was flying and completely in control. Being the prudent sailors we are we decided to change down to the A4. All went well until about noon when we blew that kite up doing 28.4 knots. We took it down and changed to the A5. Conditions worsened after we blew the A4. With the A5 we were trucking.
“Then the halyard on the A5 parted right where it came out of the spar, just above the deck block. HUH? The A5 dropped of course and was then shredded. Pulled the wreckage out of the water and got ready to go to the J2 and a staysail. Then we figured out that the halyard hadn’t chafed, it just failed. We found out we were sailing on all halyards that had come with the boat. With more failures imminent and no heavy kites to use on the approach to Hawaii we decided it was time to do the safe thing and we retired. Seattle was closer, so we’re headed home.
“This is a huge bummer. Crossfire is a rocket and the crew was really into the program. I set the top speed of 31.1 knots. Scott Anderson was #2 at 30.0 knots Lou Bianco was #3 at 28.8 knots. We’re on the wind now with just the J5 up trying to get closer to the high and less wind which should happen this afternoon. We’ll power north, get into the northwesterlies and sail back to Seattle.”
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.
SO SO sorry to hear this guys! Now I wont be able to root for my fav anymore! I know how much work has gone into getting all of you this far, and there will be more races. Be safe on the return and will see all of you around the docks when you get back.
Sorry to hear about retiring after all that work to get things ready for the race. Unfortunately I was on a boat years ago when we had to retire also, with rudder damage. I know the feeling.
Glad everyone’s safe.
Damn, that sucks 🙁
My brother Pat is on the bow….Can’t wait to hear the stories when they get back. Safe return, fellas.
So sorry to hear this! I know how much work, money, and emotion goes into this event. Have a safe journey home.
Sorry to hear, but glad you made the right decision. There will be other races…
My grandson, Jameson, age 3, who’s following this race very close in Kahana, Maui is “so sad” that Crossfire and Mountain had to retire. Praying for a safe return for all of you. God Bless. Ginger & Jameson