I was looking forward to this race being the last big race of the season in the Northeast. It was also the last race of the SurfskiRacing.com series and would determine the top three places since the standings were extremely close by design. I was just one of over 100 paddlers looking forward to this exciting 14 mile race in Westport, CT. The course is an out and back course around Green Ledge Lighthouse that can encompass a range of conditions. There are many categories of participating boats from skis, rowing shells, sea kayaks, OC1’s, OC6’s along with some of the Achilles team members.
My day started at 3:45 am traveling over the Newport Bridge to pick up Tim. We loaded his boat, plugged the address into the GPS and off we went. We arrived at 7:20 with that race anticipation we all feel pulling up to the parking lot already filled with boats. There is a mixed feeling of excitement, anxiety, and happiness of being able to put the blade in the water and wondering if it will be good enough on this day to come in ahead of some of your friends.
Just before the start – Photo by Vadim Lishchuk
Unlike the previous few years, we had great conditions for a race, a little bit of everything including flatwater for the first mile, 5 miles of downwind, and some jobbly stuff on the return leg just as everyone was getting tired.
When the siren went off, one group made up of Tim, Craig, Holm, Rowan and Rick took slightly different line to the island. I caught them about half way to the island. Joe Shaw was somewhere in the mix measuring the competition from not too far behind. As we rounded the island this same group hugged the islands.
With the tide going out, I could not understand why they would do this, but a huge part of racing is trying to figure out the best lines. I chose to go immediately out to make the most of the outgoing tide and the following wind. This downwind leg was a blast. Already at max heart rate, I was wishing for more while thinking to myself, if I had just a little more power I could surge ahead catching run after run. This was not the case. I did catch some runs and was able to relax some while keeping pace with the inner group.
A Strange Weather Day – Photo by Vadim Lishchuk
After a few miles, Rowan noticed how far out I was and thought this was the place to be. He would be right!! Rowan ended up taking a line even further out. We were catching rides trying to make the most of the quartering seas. The further you went out the better it got. Within 2 miles Rowan must caught every bump there was. He put a half mile gap on me and the inner group from my vantage point.
As I approached the Lighthouse turn, I could not see Rowan, Craig, or Holm, but could see Tim and Joe Shaw. Joe led Tim around the Lighthouse and had a 15 second lead at this point. I was about 30 seconds back but determined to reel them in. I looked around and saw Mike Tracy about 10 seconds back. I thought “Oh No! Mike is going to reel me in like he does in almost every race”. Mike starts out slowly but gains momentum steadily throughout the race so you always know it is just a matter of time before you see him. Trying to avoid the inevitable, I ripped a gel open and sucked about half of it down. Mike took a different line further to my right so I never saw him again until he passed me with a mile to go to the finish.
Meanwhile, I made push to catch Tim and Joe over the next 3 miles. I got within about 5 boat lengths just before we got to the jobbly section of the course where it was confused seas for roughly a mile. I passed Holm at this point and was gaining on Joe and Tim. They had other ideas. They both increased the tempo and their lead on me. Tim passed Joe and shifted to the all familiar extra gear Tim reserves for the finishes.
At this point I slowed ever so slightly in the rough section only to have Mike gain some time on me and pass me with a mile to go. I tried to jump on his wash but could not. The best I could do was to get within a half a boat length digging hard to maintain this distance. I thought if I could just get around Mike I would get one more point for the race series. Dig, Dig, I told myself as I heard the OC6 gaining ground on us. Mike commented after the race, he knew I was there but was afraid to look back, so he just leaned forward a little bit more in classic Mike paddling style, hoping to cross the line ahead of me which he did by a mere 4 seconds!
Mike Tracy and Wesley battle a OC6 to the finish – Photo by Vadim Lishchuk
A few minutes behind me was Big Jim Hoffman who decided to paddle a single today vice a double. Jim placed 7th and has improved greatly since his shoulder surgery almost a year ago. Rich Demers finished just behind Jim with another good showing. Greg Lesher came in 10th in his first ever surfski race. Greg bought my S1R a few months ago making a fast transition from sea kayaks. Greg did an awesome job!!
A few minutes ahead of Tim, was Rowan and Craig. I spoke to Rowan briefly after the race. He commented he was sure he would be caught from behind, but this was not the case. He paddled a great race today taking full advantage of the bumps and getting stronger as the race season progressed. He was only a few seconds ahead of me at the Blackburn and just behind Tim, so his training over the racing season has paid dividends since the Blackburn.
Jessie Lishchuk – Up and coming star – Photo by Vadim Lishchuk
The race could not have happened if it was not for Wayne, Gary, Michele and all the volunteers. So be sure to thank them if you have not already. A big thanks goes to Vadim Lishchuk who took some great photos of the race. Vadim’s son Jessie won the 7 mile race. I remember seeing Jesse several years ago at a clinic Tim, Mark, and I took with Holm. I just wish there were more paddlers of Jesse’s age to offset the declining youth in our sport. Nevertheless, after the race, we all feel just a little bit younger having given a hard effort, and seeing all our friends at yet another New England Race!!
~Wesley
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