The day we have all been waiting for...

By Chris Crawford

"If one got their kite up early, they likely placed very well" in today's exciting and picture-perfect Regatta Crafts Mixers Round the Island race, said Jesse McKnight of MAYHEM.

"We placed in the top third, we think. Getting over on the south side and riding lifts made a difference. It was an amazing day; I'm tired, but feel so good."

The day started off windy and held throughout the day, which proved an excellent Race Committee decision for Wednesday as they sailed around the wind-whipped 18-mile iconic course. 

Chris Steele of MENACE described the day as "a lot of fun, challenging. We were a little late getting our kite up but overall, I thought the race was pretty gnarly. The waves were a bit bigger than we expected, it was wet for sure."

Chris Miller of BAVARIA Said he thought "the race was great; going clockwise was a good decision. It feels good to be here and that means it was a good day, he said while relaxing a bit as they played with their sails on the dock. Miller is a veteran of 13 Block Island Race Weeks.

Markus Lahrkamp, the owner of SCYLLA, described today's racing as "a bit of a challenge" as they lost a stanchion to the ocean, but the conditions were fantastic. He quickly added he would not trade the day or week for anything. "This race is all about community, lifelong friends and great competitors.

As the nature of a windy race goes, there were, unfortunately, a share of torn sails and damage. Last years' Everett B. Morris winner (ie: "Boat of the Week"), Dirty Harry, had their rudder break in half by Southeast Light just shy of halfway around the track. 

"We were going about 9 knots and crushing the race," said the J/29 skipper, Jack McGuire. "When it just snapped and luckily no one was hurt. We got the sails down and got under control in less than 4 minutes so we could keep from ending up on the rocks." 

"Our competitors, Mighty Puffin, offered to drop out and help, but we waved them on as and told them to go win the Race." 

To get under control without a rudder, they threw out lines with spinnaker bags, a cooler, and whatever they could to get the boat steady. Then, it was crew member John von Schwarz who fastened a floorboard to the rudder so they could at least steer while being towed. The support boat to Stark Raving Mad IX also jumped into action quickly to help and towed Dirty Harry the 10 miles back to the dock. 

The good news, is the Barrington J/29 Fleet of 7 boats is supportive and a new rudder is already in transit at time of press to help the Dirty Harry crew finish what they started. 

"We also managed to recover the broken rudder," added McGuire. "So no pollution left behind."

"Champagne sailing," said veteran Don Suter just off his J/80. "What a terrific week they sew together, as he described the conditions on the south side of the island today as "a little big."

Meanwhile, onshore, surprised tourists were snapping away at the magnificent visual that caught some by surprise. "What a bonus for our one day visiting from Boston" said Brad Smith who had intended to hunt for ORBS, the great scavenger hunt that brings visitors from all over the world to Block Island.

"We vacation on Block Island this week every year and this is one of the highlights," said Hank Thompson from Louisville, Kentucky, while watching the start of the Regatta Craft Mixers Round the Island Race on the beach with his wife Kathy. 

Thompson was fascinated and asked many questions about how the racing works to Communications Director, Kate Somers. She ended up providing an impromptu commentary for the couple of dozen race fans gathered on the shoreline to watch the 175 boats race south to navigate the island in a counter-clockwise course.