Bruce’s Briefs: R2AK Start – Fight the Ebb, Northwesterly Coming

Ed. Note: Please all you R2AKers please let the others know about this post and that Bruce intends on updating it. We’re rooting for each and every one of you, and just can’t help but watch!

The charts haven’t changed much since yesterday except that a secondary high-pressure system is trying to develop over the interior of BC to the NE of Vancouver Island. This is having the effect of bringing northerly winds to central Strait of Georgia. Not sure about the readings at Entrance Island but it shows 30 knots from the NNW, 11 knots from the WNW at Halibut Bank, 21 knots from WSW at Ballenas, and 20 knots from NW at Sisters. This will all change overnight as the high over the interior begins to weaken and move to the east.

In the meanwhile, you can see from the satellite pic there is a front to the west of the high that has set up along our coast. What’s interesting is that neither system is very strong. The interaction between the two systems will have the overall effect of weakening both with the front probably not being able to make it over the high and the high simply not moving.

This will make the start at noon tomorrow interesting in that racers will have an ebb to help them out of the harbor and just not a lot of wind. Once clear of the harbor it will be just working the beach to stay out of the ebb and use the back eddies to work your way to the north. The flood will start about 1430 hours and last until about sunset. By mid-afternoon, there will be a nice breeze from NW over the Gulf Islands including Trincomali Channel. This is also where the models begin to diverge with the wind strength in the Strait of Georgia ranging from 10-15 in one to 15-25 in another, all from the NW. This will tend to build slightly over the late afternoon and into the early evening hours in the Strait, not so much inside the Gulf Islands.

For the sailors, this will, as we said yesterday, mean going up the inside to Porlier Pass and hopefully making it through with the flood before about 2130 hours. For the rowers and SUPS just go the shortest possible distance.

The breeze will hold to the NW of Nanaimo however after that as you can see from the Surface Charts, the isobars will spread and the breeze starts to drop off the closer you get to Campbell River and the strongest tides on the course. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Since I can’t help myself and I’m addicted to watching this race, I’ll provide another update on Monday.

Have a great race, be safe, and enjoy the incredible scenery.

Bruce Hedrick

Bruce has raced and cruised the Pacific Northwest his entire life. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Washington in Biological Oceanography and learned meteorology “to keep from getting kicked around on the race course.” Bruce spent nearly two decades as Associate Publisher for Northwest Yachting Magazine, retiring in mid-2015, and was the chairman of the board of trustees for the Northwest Marine Trade Association in 2014. (photo of Bruce driving Playstation is a bit dated, but cool)