Where WhimSea Takes Us

Check it out, WhimSea made it on YouTube from the start of the race!

The official results are in (and linked to the title). WhimSea took second in the PHRF Racing B class. This is a great accomplishment for the team as they beat out two boats who bested them in the last race, Felucca and Straight Jacket. Congratulations.

at 2:20 in the morning on Wed. WhimSea crossed the finish line after a grueling end to the race. It felt to those on shore as if they would never reach the end as the boat and the boys drifted around with no air between Two Harbors and Duluth. They finally caught some wind and were able to cross the finish line at 2:20 in the morning.

Congratulations, well done WhimSea and crew!

Saturday morning and we helped the boys finish their offloading and preparation for the race. It is very difficult to describe the anticipation and excitement in them. The whole crew was practically vibrating with it.

Around 8:30 they pulled away from the dock and headed to the locks on the Canadian side. The plan was to drive out there and get some pictures of them locking through, so Deb, Kathy and I jumped in the WhimSea mobile and headed that way.

When we arrived at the lock, we found it full of other racers and WhimSea standing off and on behind the locks. There was someone up the mast (which we think was Matt) and crewmembers running from side to side on the boat to get her rocking and give Matt a good ride.

Since the lock was full, they turned around and motored away (wanting to burn away some diesel full weight too. It looked to us girls like they were heading out to the US locks and since we were going to be watching from Gros Cap, we were in a dilemma. We wouldn't be able to get pictures of them in the US locks and get back for check out time and to see them off at Gros Cap.

What we didn't know at the time (which is a real bummer) is that they were just driving around to burn off fuel and planned to return to the locks on the Canadian side once it was open. It was really unfortunate as we missed out opportunity to see them one last time and get some good pictures.

We packed up from the hotel and headed to Gros Cap for some pictures and to see the race start. At Gros Cap we were joined by lots of other race watchers as well as some locals. Many read an article in the Sault Star about the race start and came down to see it. Among those who came to see us were the folks from Reggie's Bar that the team befriended in 2007. They remembered the crew and wanted to see them off and wish them luck. How cool is that!

After we saw the start of the race, we headed back west for our long drive home.

Karen

Very early on Friday morning, Deb, Kathy and I headed towards Sault Ste Marie. It was a pretty drive out there, though a bit long. We broke up some of the monotony by stopping at a couple of garage sales and antique stores along the way.

We made it to Sault in the early afternoon, visited with the guys and helped with more offloading of weight and had a great dinner with them before heading in for the night.

Karen

They guys arrived at the Sault on Thursday after a long run from Thunder Bay. They set their sails and basically left them for the entire trip. Unbelievable! It sounds like everyone got some excellent time at the helm and really enjoyed the crossing.

More later,
Karen

I heard from Troy this morning that they were up early and sailing away from Thunder Bay. While we talked their boatspeed when from 6.8 to 7.2 and we were only on the phone for 10-15 minutes! Amazing. They all sounded so excited to have the wind with them. From Thunder Bay they were headed to the Sault and hope to arrive by Thursday.

More to come....

The boys arrived in Thunder Bay on Monday, got settled and went out for a Steak Dinner. Troy said that the marina is nice and that they're having a great time. Tomorrow they head towards the Sault!

At about 1:15 this afternoon WhimSea left the dock on her way to the Sault. The guys got a great send off with lots of friends and family there to see them off. Bruce from Apostle's Creed gave many of us a ride out and we circled WhimSea for one last goodbye.

I'll post updates as I get them.