MahinaKai: 22-Jun-2023 - Land-ho eternity

22-Jun-2023

Land-ho eternity

Wind nominal; Seas calm

The final task related to the race is to finish. Bermuda is a figure-8 laying sideways with Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound to the west, and St. Georges Harbour to the east. The entire western and northern coastline is protected by over 300 square miles of coral reef which makes the race finish and approach into Hamilton Harbour especially complex.

In normal years, boats would be converging on the finish now, and would be popping up on our charts as they get closer. This year however, a Bermuda-high has settled in, which causes calm conditions. and there is little wind. As we approach, we have a half-dozen navigation aids that we need to pass to the starboard on the way to the finish line. This year however, we had nominal winds an the end of yesterday, little overnight, and little today. So, we've been looking at the first marker, the Kitchen Shoals marker, for 18-hours, with only slight forward progress.

The forecast continues to call for nominal winds until the weekend, so we have to make some hard choices. Rather than spend another day sitting here, looking at Bermuda, we decided to withdraw from the race, and motor in to the marina so that we could meet our shore crew and participate in the festivities. Another reason we had to withdraw: we ran out of the cookie of the day!

It will take a while for us to navigate the channel through the reefs to the Western end of Bermuda and the Great Sound to Hamilton. Once we arrive at the RHADC, and give the boat a bath, and give ourselves a bath, we'll get settled in our accommodations. I look forward to the RHADC fish stew served with Goslings rum and sherry peppers!