The long approach.

by Ed Watson, July 15th, 2010

When Maui is sighted – there is often great excitement. The rookies believe the race is over. They can already taste the Mai Tais and smell the flowered leis. Then the sailing goes on…and on … and on….. Maui can be seen many miles away. The crew of Kinetic reported seeing the island about 72 miles from shore and 80 miles from the finish line. It took them more than 12 hours sailing to finish the race. The winds can sometimes be fluky and it can take a considerable amount of time to travel a distance that doesn’t look far. At night the lights can be confusing as some disappear or move in directions you don’t expect. On the approach to Pailolo Channel you begin to smell land and you realize the race really is almost over. (It’s usually about then the skipper orders up every bit of sail the boat can carry. Over the years there have evidently been several boats knocked down near the finish line. The skipper was either trying to gain some time, or at look good finishing the race.) Over the past 13 days the 8 people aboard Turicum stood about 35 watches, not including episodes when both watches were required. They endured gales and light winds, sunshine and rain, and their experience will be different from the people crewing the other boats. The boats will finish days apart depending on class. And despite some obvious similarities, every boat will have a different story to tell. But before the stories begin, a swim is the traditional way to end the race just right. 

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