This year a Cal-25 team was picked to represent Detroit in the Helly Hanson/Sailing World Caribbean Challenge raced in the British Virgin Islands.
Team Never Alone accepted the challenge to race against the winners of the regattas from Marblehead, Annapolis, St Petersburg, Chicago, and Team Quantum from San Diego.
Left to right: Ken Swetka, Tom Dawson, Ross & Paul Nuechterlein, Ron Sherry
Our homes for the week and racing platforms were Moorings 42-foot cruising boats sailed out of Tortola BVI. Perfect conditions of sunny skies, 80 degrees, and 15-20 knots made the island to island racing a great event.
There was no Notice of Race, No Race Instructions, and only a description of the days challenge on WhatsApp 30 minutes prior to the race. Every boat rallied to make the last-minute instructions work. Since these are volcanic islands, the race committee was forced to anchor in shallow waters close to the rocky shores of the islands! Again, more challenge.
The logistics for these cruising boats were the first hurdles to overcome. The itinerary suggested we bring our own blocks, shackles, trim lines, extra winch handles, and a locally sourced whisker pole. We asked the taxi driver if he knew a lumber yard on the way to the Moorings. He said “Yah no problem Mon” and we had a 14-foot 2×4 tied to the top of his taxi when we arrived. Ken Swetka drilled holes and attached the appropriate spectra fittings to the pole ends to make it work!
My son Ross Captained the boat and drove for all the races. He dealt with a boatload of issues (constant boat maintenance and old people). Ross drove the boat fast. Cal 25 style. Ron Sherry brought needed telltales and did our tactics. Ron always called a few tacks that left the fleet behind us. Ken Swetka was the magician. He used all of the tackle to trim the jib outboard forward and aft even to go upwind. We were the best upwind boat with this outboard jib trim. Speed led to climb. Tom Dawson was on top of navigation to slip us around the islands even with waves crashing on the rocks next to us.
All the racing boats brought a chase boat with them to make life really more fun and comfortable. By a chase boat I mean a 45-foot catamaran with every convenience available. Our support team crew encouraged us at all times but came on strong at all the fun challenges. Oh yah, there were points for winning the parties. Example, a rum challenge where you bring your best rum cocktail creation for the judges to sample. Next the anything but clothes party where we wore only award flags. Also, catamaran racing with limited rules, and dinghy surf board racing. Our support team made life so much better and came to win all the parties. We did.
The Cal 25 team would have been lame without our racing and support team of Karly Nuechterlein, Tim and Michelle Sgrazutti, Joe Romer and Tonya, Shari Swetka and Lori Dawson. They kept us going!”
I can’t thank my crew and their wives enough. They made this a once in a lifetime event. I can’t get the smile off my face.
And even better yet, we left the British Virgin Islands with the title of Sailing World Caribbean Challenge Grand Champion. I love Cal 25 sailors!!
Short Video: The final leg of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Caribbean
Paul Nuechterlein
Cal-25 758 Never Alone
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