Islands Race 2020

Perhaps it's time to establish a new "Beaufort Scale" for describing wind conditions, yet tailored to the Pacific Northwest (especially from a photographer's standpoint): there's PHOTOG 1 (boring as all get out but potentially / arguably artistic), PHOTOG 2 (slight breeze, with a variety of challenges driven more by current than by wind), PHOTOG 3 (normal whatever conditions where everyone is (at least temporarily) OK with whatever random cards Mother Nature deals, PHOTOG 4 (breezy but can-be-handled) for r-e-a-l- racing conditions, all the way to PHOTOG 5. Heard of Swiftsure = DRIFTSURE? Well, PHOTOG 5 category is now classified as RIPSNORT, just like we experienced today! Enjoy these photos - frankly, given the conditions, we were more than happy to RTP (Return to Port) following our expedition today. :)