I’m not exactly sure if the Raucous Bowman is a politician, rapper or some kind of gang banger, but one thing for sure, he was on top of the Pacific Northwest International Yacht Race, previously known as the Oregon Offshore. Your editor wasn’t even aware it was on yesterday….probably too busy pulling his hair out from the kids being home all the time. At any rate, here’s what the race was, at least in one raucous imagination. Let’s start thinking about next year. -KH
Pacific Northwest Offshore International Yacht Race (Oregon Offshore) 2020 Race Report
By the Raucous Bowmen
For those of you in the know, the Oregon offshore started off with a real bang this morning. Beautiful weather, a strong offshore wind, and a slightly reduced fleet signaled the beginning of another epic journey North. Rouge Brewery had heard the racers were in town, and due to rumors of raucous bowman roaming the streets, smartly closed shop and boarded up their doors and windows. Not to be deterred from a good time, the crew members hijacked the Astoria trolley and finished up a few bottles of rum while riding the rails.
As dawn broke, many were a bit under the weather and many more did not show up. The West Basin at Astoria was strangely empty…The other boats must be launching at Ilwaco, we thought and headed out. The bar crossing was lively. In usual Oregon offshore style, many crew members began jettisoning their internal ballast. This symphony of gut-wrenching, ab strengthening delight, is considered a badge of honor for many a racer.
As always Mustang Sally, the committee boat, was on station and at exactly 9:32:43 the race was on. Immediately there was separation in the pack. Panama Red, the Mum 36, headed out…Way out. Riva, the J121, had a great start but Soufflé, the ultralight Cal 34 Mk I, was to windward. Bob Perry noted that the Cal’s signature low aspect main and over lapping high cut genoa was optimally suited for the reaching conditions. When will J/Boats learn?
The J105 Free Bowl of Soup, after arriving in Astoria decided that nothing goes to windward like a fifth wheel and proceeded up the I-5 corridor. They were last reported making good VMG with light traffic near Seattle, a first for many. As day one of the race ends, race leader Velocity, the J/42, is squarely in the lead. Rage, which finished six hours ago, will likely lose on corrected time when Velocity finishes sometime next year. Anything can happen during the night, so as always sail fast, and stay safe racers. Happy Oregon un-Offshore 2020, we can’t wait for next year!
- Signed, The Raucous Bowman
Ed. Note. Come on folks, we’re waiting for reports from the Geriatric Grinder, Nervous Navigator and Hermaphrodite Helmsman.
Screen shot from the tracker
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.