The yearly trek into the San Juan Islands for Orcas Island Yacht Club’s Shaw Island Winter Classic was complete with all wind and the joyful early season chaos we needed, and only half the rain we were warned about.

Sailed on Saturday, February 7, this North Sound institution was wet and wild in the best way, delivering on its promise of fun and enduring navigational intrigue during the circumnavigation of Shaw Island. 

A small but intrepid group of racers set off up Cayou Channel on Super Bowl Saturday morning. The fleet didn’t set any attendance records, but had ample diversity—from a custom schooner to a Martin 242, racing boats and cruisers from a range of design eras—and was a great representation of the island’s sailing community.  

The predominantly southeasterly breeze was on, and we all put up the small sails. A few crews, including our group on my Santa Cruz 27, Wild Rumpus, put in reefs. We had already crossed Rosario Strait that morning, so we knew what we were in for! There were some unruly puffs, but also a lot of light spots. It’s the islands, after all. 

After cracking off in Upright Channel, we decided that we were a bit too upright and shook the reef. Big boats like the Burns Schooner Sir Isaac and the J/120 Time Bandit had launched around the corner and were out of sight.

At some point along the way, it seemed light enough to rig up the larger spinnaker instead of the chicken kite; and the wind had clocked back far enough to hoist one. Boats ahead were still flying jibs, but we were pretty sure that it was time. Hoist! Up ahead, a couple boats joined and their kites went up, too. 

I have to say, we were maybe a bit rusty from the winter break, but there were plenty of surfs and cheers on board. We ultimately chickened out on jibing, and made the safe choice—douse and rehoist. After another good run, we decided that God might be preparing to take down the kite, so we did it ourselves before anything went haywire. After all our messing around, we ended up right next to the boats who flew jibs the whole time; but we had fun anyway. 

The last turn into Wasp Pass is always an adventure. We were neck and neck with the crew of Martin 242 Treachery for most of it and, in one stinger puff, we auto-tacked so hard that I filled my boots… while driving! Treachery wisely avoided us and took the other side of a little island after that, and went on to get us on corrected time, taking the last podium spot about a minute ahead of us. Topping the podium were Sir Issac in first and Time Bandit second. Each of them completed the trip in under two hours. 

Wild Rumpus finished the race in just over the two hour mark—probably the fastest I’ve done it. The race wrapped up so early that, after a quick dockside celebration, we put the sails back up and headed home to Anacortes. That meant that we sadly missed the famous awards dinner. Thank you to Orcas Island Yacht Club for another great year! 

Full results at www.oiyc.org/Sailing/oiyc_club_racing_results.php