R2K Report

Melodie Schaffer at the dock after finishing

Sept 12, 2024

The race started at 1015 on Saturday morning with a forecast of light winds, occasional storms and a slow run.  What happened was the wind built in from the South and from reports from various competitors, held steady at 15-20 knots – all from the south.  Although there was rain ashore, most crews were dry until they got to Kingston.  Morning rain there, then it dried out for the balance of Sunday.  This produced a 1 (or possibly 2) tack race on a reach.  Speeds were very fast with 5 boats completing the race before 0700 (less than 21 hours).

In the end, 31 boats started (and completed) the race.  We had a number of very late dropouts and one that had mechanical issues while en route to register on Friday.  As we were competing on the date with the LOSHR race, we lost about 5 boats (our estimate) to that race because they were in contention for awards.

This year two special boats joined the event – Red Jacket, the iconic C&C champ from 1966 and Melodie Schaffer – Sail Canada’s 2023 Rolex Sailor of the Year. Prior to race day, Melodie presents her experience in the “Globe 40 Round World Double Handed Race” as part of the program on August 15.

Whiskey Jack had sail issues early on.  Melodie went up the mast to cut the lashing holding her jib to the stay.  Once they got this sorted out (and dealt with a delaminating code 0), they got into high gear and realized a speed of 17 knots for a while.  Their trip home, with sail issues fully sorted, took 14 hours only.

Red Jacket had some issues – particularly with the steering.  There was lots of play in the wheel and was very difficult to steer once engaged.  This coupled with the helm position (no seat and very little room behind the wheel) caused fatigue with the drivers and there were frequent crew changes to help them get rest.  In the end, they finished 5th in their fleet.  Overall, they finished 14th on corrected time.  They did win the “Vintage Yacht” award for being the oldest boat in the fleet (beating out Jilasi by a couple of months).

One of the highlights, certainly for me, was the finish between Neptune’s Car and Perspective.  We were at the finish line watching them dogfight it out coming between the islands approaching Kingston Harbour.  At the finish line, after ~145 nautical miles, Neptune’s Car beat Perspective by 7 seconds.  He finished second in his division.

We are gathering testimonials from various competitors but the overall comments from virtually everyone was “great race”, “will be back again next year”, “superb organization” etc…  

• Joe Malon
  R2K Race Co-Chair

Results from the 2024 Race to Kingston

Overall Line Honours – Afterburn Total time from MCC to KYC:  18:32:14 (new R2K record)

Overall Spinnaker Division – Act II

Spinnaker Division 1 –                            Panta Rhei X          (KYC)                          1^st

                                                                     Sea Ya                        (MCC)                        2^nd

                                                                     Afterburn                (PCYC)                      3^rd

Spinnaker Division 2 –                            Act II                            (MCC)                        1^st

                                                                      Neptune’s Car     (MCC)                        2^nd

                                                                      Perspective           (RHYC)                      3^rd

Spinnaker Division 3 –                            Isley                             (PCYC)                      1^st

                                                                      Blast                            (MCC)                        2^nd

                                                                      Rum Kist                  (MCC)                        3^rd

Spinnaker Division 4 –                            Supra                         (CBYC)                      1^st

                                                                      Blew by U                (NYC)                          2^nd

                                                                      Sassy                          (PEYC)                       3^rd

Spinnaker Double-Handed –             Liberte                      (Boulevard)            1^st             

                                                                    Tonic                           (RCYC)                      2^nd

White Sails –                                                  Sakajewa                 (MCC)                        1^st

                                                                          Jilasi                            (MCC)                        2^nd

                                                                          Fritha                          (QCYC)                      3^rd