Leg 9 Ucluelet to Victoria
Left Ucluelet in light winds and fog with an excellent start off the line executed by the skipper. Several tacks later we found ourselves in very good position for 96 plus miles to Victoria. Conditions seemed to be good for Myrrh so the plan to not go far offshore in search of winds was put into action. Myrrh found her slot, not too close to shore but still well within site of land. We sailed with some boats from our division as most of the other division and some of ours appeared to be headed far offshore. It was hard to get clear air in the morning but then the fog lifted, revealing us sailing with several faster boats and doing well. We came down the south western edge of the island shooting for the entrance to strait. With the asymmetrical now up we slowly outpaced our competitors and kept up the Kinetic IV. Towards sunset we approached the entrance to discover Icon, Flash, and Dragonfly catching up to us across on the southern side. Apparently the big fast boats went far offshore and despite their speed advantage did not do as well. Of course they sailed past us but we were still in our slot, hopefully competitive in our division. Spinnaker changes were made throughout the night keeping Myrrh at peak performance in the constantly changing winds. We sailed down the Canadian side, quickly closing the distance to Race Rocks Passage and the finish with no other boats lights in sight. The crew did an amazing job of getting the tiny ship through the rocks against a strong outgoing current. With all hands fully engaged keeping the speed up and preventing a repeat visit to Kalahar Rocks, no one noticed the renewed attack of the kelp people as we hugged the shore playing the back eddies. Of course the Myrrhmen fought back with boat hook and the chain gang. Now within sight of Victoria we battled fickle winds and currents, "the breeze is coming". Kairos came out of the fog astern making us think we might be in good company. We crossed the finish with a beautiful sunrise, took down the sails and motored in to see who was already at the dock.
We were first to finish in our division! A Myrrhfect leg! The first of our competitors to follow us across the line was more than a hour behind us. Can't wait to see the overall standings tomorrow.
