Vic-Maui fleet seeking trades

(July 9, 2018) – Since the nine teams started on July 1, the fleet in the Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race has crossed the half-way point of the 2308nm course and are eager for the greener pastures of the aloha state.

The improving weather has most boats reporting the foulies are finally starting to come off though there remain some complaints about the lack of heavy air spinnaker sailing (per the brochure) as close reaching with Code 0 sails in 10-15 knots continues to be the mode.

In the Line Honours race, the Morris 45 Firefly leads the fleet with about 1048 miles to go, with the J/122 Joy Ride staying a consistent 27 miles behind.

The trade winds and the promised spinnaker run to Hawaii are out there, but there is still a zone of changeable winds ahead that needs to be navigated. This race to Maui will be determined by who gets to those trade winds and hoist the spinnaker first.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 439 Gemini’s Dream, which reported on July 7 that mainsail furling equipment damage required them to retire from the race, is making good progress towards home having rigged the trysail to replace the damaged main. They are about 400 miles from Juan de Fuca and working with Race Committee to find the best path home based on their reduced sail plan, available fuel, and weather forecasts.

Race details – Tracker – Facebook

Source: Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race