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Ragnar
03-12-2014, 03:16 PM
The Guadalupe Island Race starts this Friday at 11:00 am. Follow the fun here (http://kws.kattack.com/GEPlayer/GMPosDisplay.aspx?FeedID=1215&bBanner=True&bLogo=True).

Mewes
03-13-2014, 11:29 PM
How did you build that map?

pogen
03-14-2014, 10:50 AM
How did you build that map?

looks like they are using the Kattack (http://kattack.com)service.

Mark K
03-15-2014, 11:24 AM
Yes. We are using the Kattack service with SPOT trackers as the feed source. The SPOT connectivity has been ok, but some of the units have been intermittent and one of the units does not appear to be connecting. The units are supposed to upload every 10 minutes. Some of the updates have been more on the order of hours... possibly due to the units having poor visibility to the sky. They do work best when outside the cabin. Slacker used his SPOT tracker returning from the last SHTP and it proved to be pretty reliable the entire way.

We also have twice daily position reports (6am and 6pm) via satphone. I'll be posting those positions on the PSSA website (pssala.com (http://pssala.com)). One of the competitors, C's Folly, reported ill with the flu earlier this morning and has turned around and headed home. The remaining 8 boats are working their way down to Guadalupe Island.

brianb
03-17-2014, 01:53 PM
Anyone watching this race as it unfolds ? Whitall on Slacker (2012 SHTP Class Winner) has been dominating. Today it appears he has a problem (a guess) as he seems to have gone into the lee of Guadalupe and reached into the cove. Anyone know any information ?
Brian

WBChristie
03-17-2014, 06:25 PM
Anyone watching this race as it unfolds ? Whitall on Slacker (2012 SHTP Class Winner) has been dominating. Today it appears he has a problem (a guess) as he seems to have gone into the lee of Guadalupe and reached into the cove. Anyone know any information ?
Brian

I've been watching this...maybe he is just trying to avoid the forecast 30k headwinds for the next few hours. Get some rest then come out strong

brianb
03-17-2014, 07:03 PM
Maybe so. If you blow up the plot of his position he seems to be going in circles, but that could be him wandering on an anchorage. Yesterday there were 50 kt winds in the La Paz area.

Location plot at : http://kws.kattack.com/GEPlayer/GMPosDisplay.aspx?FeedID=1215

Mark K
03-17-2014, 07:10 PM
Our shore support been in satphone contact with all the competitors today. The winds all day have been 30 kts gusting to 35+. No major problems reported. The mini Libra broke her spinnaker pole earlier today and is planning repairs once in the lee of the island. Whitall on Slacker pulled into an anchorage to rest a bit and wait out the winds. A couple of other competitors (Felicita and Voice of Reason) are waiting out the winds on the south/leeward side of Guadalupe. Forecasts show the winds easing a bit tomorrow.

Mark

brianb
03-17-2014, 08:52 PM
Thanks Mark for the update.

Brian

Mark K
03-17-2014, 09:56 PM
FYI... Whitall is posting on his blog daily here (http://soloslacker.wordpress.com/)

brianb
03-18-2014, 09:11 AM
548http://soloslacker.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/guadalupe-island/#comments

Here’s how to round Guadalupe Island:
- Make sure to run out of wind as you approach. For best results, keep your spinnaker up to ensure you get a wrap. In the event you have a spinnaker net, get it tangled and take 47 minutes to cut it loose.
- Take your spinnaker down 10 miles early you don’t want to miss the sights while you drift downwind with your jib as you pretend to race.
- When rounding the Southern end, drift aimlessly for 6 hours in no wind to let everyone catch up.
- When the wind fills in, make sure it’s at least 35 knots. No one wants to go upwind with more than a storm jib.

Slacker sought shelter today at the North end of the island to wait for the weather to improve. All OK aboard Slacker, just more than I and my boat wanted to deal with today. Actually really nice here. Will post photos soon.

S/V Slacker via Iridium Sat.

BobJ
03-21-2014, 12:01 PM
Welcome back Slack!

Ragnar
03-22-2014, 03:32 PM
Thanks Bob! I have rather pleasant memories of the race. Lots of albatross, dolphin, a lurking sunfish and my first anchoring at Guadalupe Island.

brianb
03-22-2014, 10:19 PM
It appeared the anchorage was a bit slippery. The Pos'n reporting showed you going in circles.

Ragnar
03-23-2014, 09:53 AM
My Fortress had a tough time with the rocky bottom there. Drifted off twice in the gusty winds. The anchor alarm was busy.