Chicago to Mackinac -- 2002.
Below is a copy of the news I sent to LT's original owner (and his comments) -- he suggested that I pass it on to the group so here goes! Our former partner Nick Schneider was sailing on another boat (Whisper) in this race as well. For those not familiar with the Chicago -- Mackinac it's a 333 mile annual "sprint" that's been going on for over 100 years. This year, the elapsed time record was set by Roy Disney's Pyewacket in just under 24 hours. The 45 degree latitude reference below is the approximate 3/4 point of the race. For more info please see :
http://www.chicagoyachtclub.com/
Gary,
Thanks for the great description of what must have been a pretty scary ride. Sounds like it was worse than anything I have ever seen--including the Mac "green squall" of a few years ago that dismasted Pied Piper. I assume it was your brand new main that was shredded together with the new chute. Hope you have some success with the insurance company. Be sure to check the Torresen Marine web site for some other stories from the race.
Our Port Huron race was, by contrast, quite pleasant. A light air beat the first day turning into a reach as the wind went from NE to SW, a moderate air headsail reach on Sunday and more upwind work on Sunday night in winds that peaked in the 15-20 knot range. We finished Monday morning about 9:30 and corrected to 8th in our section of 15. Nothing but sunny skies and starry nights. We told the new guys it's always like that.
P.S. You should send a copy of your message to the Olson 911S mailing list.
David L. Morrow
Dickinson Wright PLLC
500 Woodward Suite 4000
Detroit, MI 48226-3425
Phone (313) 223-3057
Fax (313) 223-3598
Mobile (313) 303-0733
dmorrow@dickinson-wright.com
Gary Kochanek
ty.com> cc: Steve Haislet
Subject: 2002 Mac
07/25/02 02:02
PM
Ouch! What a race -- wish we could have completed it! We were part of the group that had to withdraw. Shortly after the required call in (now the race committee requires everyone to call in when they cross the 45 degree latitude -- in the Manitou passage) around 7:00 PM Sunday evening we could see the brewing of a "classic squall line" coming in from the northwest. Earlier that afternoon and evening the winds were consistently between 25 - 30 kts. and after one knock down and shredded spinnaker we were JAM'n (Steve hit 12 kts!) surfing down waves and burying the bow (scary).
When the squall line was getting closer we reefed and dropped the head sail to prepare for what was to come. After the first hit with winds hitting 54 kts. we seemed to be OK and were looking around to check out the other boats around us-- all was well. Then shortly afterwards we caught the back end of the squall passing over us (seems like we were sitting in it's eye) with a vengeance -- I couldn't see the entire wind speed but I know the first number on it was a 6! -- so 60+ knots with nothing to see but white. The wind had completely smashed the waves which were previously in at least the 6 - 8 ft range to flat -- just looked like boiling water with bubbles and foam. At one point all I could see was white -- like a white out skiing! I just check the CYC web site and they reported the storm had winds in the 60 -80 MPH range -- I think we validated that!
Afterwards, we checked the other boats around of us and they seemed not have been hit anywhere near the force we were -- one J 105 never dropped it's head sail (it was around a mile or so from us) and seemed to have weathered everything fine! Then, looking at LT, we noticed the main was just shredded -- the sail at every batten was torn the length of each batten -- unfortunately, we had no sail tape left since it was used for the 2 spinnakers that were torn earlier (one, a brand new asymmetrical spinnaker (which is really nice)) and were forced to withdraw. I'd say we were all a little shell shocked as well!
We were about 5 miles off of Leeland -- Mike Savage picked up his cell phone, called his parents and had them drive down to meet us there and haul us up to Mackinac -- they were on the road within minutes of his call! It took them a few hours to get there but they arrived in a car and van and got us up to Mac around 4:00 AM local time.
Got back to Leeland yesterday afternoon did another inspection of the boat and the only damage appears to be to the sails -- 2 spinnakers, the main and the number 3 (had the top batten ripped out). Steve and Karen are bringing her back now, I got home last night and called the insurance company today.
How was the Huron Mac -- I heard it was a little slow. I guess if you raced both races the winds would have averaged out to "normal!?"
Anyway, that's it for now -- thought you might be interested in the continuing LT story.
Gary Received on Thu Jul 25 13:58:19 2002