The tables are set for the awards presentation and unfortunately, there are still a couple of ORR Class 6 competitors on the course. For those privileged few that are taking full ownership of their commitment to sail the course with no time limit - Congratulations.

Ironically, ORR Class 6 also owns the Overall winner - Bill Hardesty’s Hobie 33 Sizzle. Much has already been said about that evolution.

In ORR Class 5, with one of the last finishes on Friday is White Cloud, a Cookson 12M / Farr 39 owned by Paul Grossman. It is always refreshing in handicap racing to see the smallest boat in a Class, actually correct out on larger faster boats. 

In ORR Class 4, the venerable Santa Cruz fleet, 1/2 the fleet fell prey to time commitments or other maladies that caused them to drop out. Of the remaining three, PV veteran and former overall winner (2016) John Shulze’s Santa Cruz 50 Horizon finished first and held that spot on corrected time, although the rating differences are minuscule.

In ORR Class 3, another PV veteran and former overall winner (2014), Bob Pethick’s Rodgers 46 Bretwalda 3 finished first in class and held on for the corrected win as well.

In ORR Class 2, the ‘sled’ class, David Clarks Santa Cruz 70 Grand Illusion sailed well through some really varied weather to finish ahead of, and correct out over second place Mr. Bill, an Andrews 70, and third place Good Call a Swan 60 each with nearly identical ratings.

And in ORR Class 1, Roy Disney’s modified Volvo 70 Pyewacket 70 utilized all the tricks built into his incredible ocean racing machine. They went bow to bow down the course with the larger faster Cabron, and saved their time over the smaller Viva Mexico. 

Reading the competitor comments from each day provided a full range of emotions, competitive spirit and appreciations for life at sea. It reminds one that if you have a chance to participate in an ocean race, you should make every effort to go. Lately, compared to the complexity of life, and like few other opportunities - ocean racing allows you to feel the rhythm of the sea, and hear your inner voice. It might be asking you why are you here, but its better than hearing it ashore saying you should have gone. Every one wins offshore!