[yukon 1000] becoming imminent

Peter Coates [wrote]

show details 3:31 AM (1 hour ago)

from Peter Coates to Peter Coates date Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 3:31 AM subject [yukon 1000] becoming imminent

hide details 3:31 AM (1 hour ago)

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The start of the Yukon 1000 is becoming imminent. 11 days to go. Some teams are already on their way up here.

As teams get into Whitehorse, there will be boat inspections, gear inspections, Spot telemetry checks, and no doubt some socializing.

The start itself will be more like a yacht race than canoe race: There will be flags each side of the river by the Visitor Centre in Downtown Whitehorse, a little downstream from Rotary park. This defines the start line. But unlike a typical canoe race, the boats will not line up: the current is a bit strong to make that a comfortable option.

Instead, There will be 5 and 2 minute warning whistles sounded from the boat launch in Rotary Park, then a one minute warning whistle from the river viewing platform at the Visitor Centre, then a start whistle at 11:00:00.

Boats, if they time it right can cross the line up to speed in the current as the whistle blows. Boats which get it wrong and are over the line will be assessed a time penalty of 20 seconds per boat length.

Mind you, in a race where the gaps between the boats at the end is likely to be measured in hour not seconds, it is not clear what difference that will really make other than a psychological one.