Joe Gaffney and the team aboard Canard may all have been newbies at the start of the race, but they’re well on the way to becoming hardened vets. Overcoming the lows (and breakdowns), they dropped just a bit behind competitors Ion and Expresso and lost ground to the mighty Raindrop. Fear not, they’re back on track and looking to get back in the hunt.
It’s worth noting Joe’s personal assessment, “I can’t imagine not trying to do this every two years…but…it is taxing.”
From Joe Gaffney
As for us, we’re back up and running with some nifty spin sheave box and halyard repairs as well as two new tack lines. We had great run last night in a few squalls where our sustained speed was over 11kts which is completely lit up for our boat. 16.2 kts is our high so far which was a few days ago. As for our location, we’re a little exposed out here on the east side of the course but that’s the slot we picked so we have to live with it. Looks like we’ll have good pressure all the way until Hawaii. The consolation of being out east is Expresso and Ion are here with us so that makes us feel good that if we can get a few days of no major issues we can hopefully close the gap with them and get back into 2nd in the division. We know we have the boatspeed to stay within the time allowances to them but can we manage the breakages well enough to push hard but dial back on regular intervals to service the issues. Joby and Bill on Raindrop as expected are doing some serious damage to the ranks of our division so unless they lose big by being out west, they are in a commanding position.
We’re hoping tonight brings some big winds again and we’ll be over half way there tonight!! We will celebrate for sure! It’s been a roller coaster of emotions here as 6 newbies to Vic Maui. We definitely tanked emotionally and as a team about two days ago but have rebounded and are feeling really positive and energetic again. As for me personally, I can’t imagine not trying to do this every two years as this is exactly what I love to do but…it is taxing. I’m completely emotionally wiped and physically worn out – especially from the nightly rock and roll beatings. But ready to keep pounding south.
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.