{"id":15,"date":"2014-12-20T07:21:36","date_gmt":"2014-12-20T07:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.newcastle-technology.com\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-04-12T00:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T07:10:34","slug":"the-great-rc-laser-ocean-race","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/?page_id=15","title":{"rendered":"The Great RC Ocean Race"},"content":{"rendered":"
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THE GREAT RC OCEAN RACE RETURNS April 11, 2026!<\/h1>\n

This is “the most challenging radio-controlled sailboat race on the planet.\u2122”\u00a0 The 3 nautical mile circumnavigation of beautiful Protection Island in Nanaimo B.C. takes the racers from the start at the world famous Dinghy Dock Pub, out past the log booms into the wild open Salish Sea where they face currents, waves and wind shifts. There are rocks to dodge, tide lines to miss all the while trying to stay ahead, or catch some of the fastest and toughest RC boats and skippers anywhere. At the top end of the island is the “great equalizer”, the gap between Protection Island and Newcastle Island marine park. There, anything can happen as the wind will surely change and the currents can help or hurt the racers greatly.\u00a0 Getting there first is often a disadvantage, as boats can be stalled in strong current while the entire fleet passes.<\/p>\n

Sometimes we go clockwise around the island, sometimes counter-clockwise.\u00a0 Make sure you attend the skippers meeting so you can find out!<\/p>\n

The race is open to all radio-controlled sailboats, and is quickly becoming a proving ground for new designs and one-design boats as well.\u00a0 There are usually two divisions, one for RC Lasers and one “run what you brung” open class division.\u00a0 Bring 5 (or maybe 3) boats (eg. IOM’s, DF 95’s) and you can have your own division!\u00a0 Or be the first to sail a DF 65 around the island!\u00a0 Oh wait, that’s been done.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mark your calendar and make this the one race you just have to try.\u00a0 The friendliness and comradery of the racers and hosts make this a race that you will get hooked on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Want to know what you’re up against?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Great RC Ocean Race NOR 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

GOR SI 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:<\/p>\n

Tim Daniel\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0dash34@hotmail.com<\/p>\n

Latest\u00a0News<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Results for 2026:<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What a great race!\u00a0 This year the wind was consistent all around the course except for The Gap which had favourable current and puffs for the patient.\u00a0 We had 8 RC Lasers, 5 IOM’s and Peter Grimm’s 2 Metre.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Colin MacGruer won the competitive RC Laser class with seconds between the first and second place.\u00a0 Peter Grimm’s 2 metre screamed around the course to a personal best time, but didn’t quite make the record.\u00a0 The expanded IOM fleet was won by Bob Lewis, with Don Martin and Neil Stevens close behind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thanks to the Dinghy Dock Pub for the venue, Doug Compton for organizing the chase boats, our awesome chase boat drivers, Angie Serenius and Art Prufer for their RC work, Keith Climenhaga for providing the taxi boat from NYC, and to all the competitors for making this such a fun event.<\/p>\n

Results as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Class<\/th>Skipper<\/th>Sail Number<\/th>Elapsed Time<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Colin MacGruer<\/td>42<\/td>1:37:26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>John <\/td>55<\/td>1:37:43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Tim Daniel<\/td>80<\/td>1:39:08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Peter Swaisland<\/td>68<\/td>1:40:37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Doug Compton<\/td>04<\/td>1:43:13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Ron Campsall<\/td>61<\/td>2:04:11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Keith Climenhaga<\/td>02<\/td>2:33:17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Phil Jones<\/td>72<\/td>DNF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open<\/td>Peter Grimm<\/td>06<\/td>1:11:29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Bob Lewis<\/td>17<\/td>1:18:56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Don Martin<\/td>88<\/td>1:20:23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Neil Stevens<\/td>52<\/td>1:23:40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Fred Grimm<\/td>55<\/td>1:25:15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Steve Kibble<\/td>64<\/td>1:25:16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
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Results for 2025:<\/b><\/p>\n

The race started in sunshine with a good easterly.\u00a0 It was marginal A sail conditions for the RC Lasers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This year we had three divisions, with three IOMs and two boats in the Open Class!\u00a0 The gap was challenging, with strong current and flukey winds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Racers told of their boats going from upwind to downwind then back up to upwind again in seconds. If the wind had been stronger the race record might have been broken, but lighter wind outside and in the gap prevented that.<\/p>\n

RC Lasers – 8 boats participated in the race with one boat dropping out.\u00a0 The podium consisted of John (#55) in 3rd, Colin (#42) in 2nd, and the big weeiner seen receiving the Graham Millington Mug from Anne Millington herself was Ken Holland (#93).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Open Class – Peter Grimm sailed his 2 metre into first place, with Wilson Chong following with his DF 95.<\/p>\n

\"\"Peter\"\"Wilson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

IOM Class – All three participants were noobs to the Great Ocean Race, and Steve Kinsey broke through the eddies in the gap and finished well ahead of Don Martin in second and Steve Kibble in third.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Steve and PRO Tim<\/p>\n

All photos courtesy Bill Jones<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Class<\/th>Skipper<\/th>Sail Number<\/th>Finish Time<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Open<\/td>Peter Grimm<\/td>02<\/td>14:11:40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Steve Kinsey<\/td>11<\/td>14:32:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Don Martin<\/td>88<\/td>14:43:25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IOM<\/td>Steve Kibble<\/td>67<\/td>14:49:05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Ken Holland<\/td>93<\/td>14:56:35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Colin MacGruer<\/td>42<\/td>14:57:07<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>John Vallis<\/td>55<\/td>15:18:07<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Doug Compton<\/td>04<\/td>15:22:16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open<\/td>Wilson Chong<\/td>102<\/td>15:23:08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Keith Climenhaga<\/td>02<\/td>15:24:05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Ron Campsall<\/td>61<\/td>15:25:36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RC Laser<\/td>Don McQueen<\/td>06<\/td>DNF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
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Results for 2024:<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1st\u00a0 – Bob (#03) and winner of both the Graham Millington Mug and the Mini Barn Door!<\/p>\n

2nd – John (#55)<\/p>\n

3rd – Tom (#01)<\/p>\n

Excellent race conditions with a beat south to Gallows in building breeze, followed by a downwind to the gap with waves of breeze coming down.\u00a0 The gap between Protection and Newcastle had little wind and going the right way was essential.\u00a0 Bob and John sailed over to the point on the south side of Newcastle and picked up the breeze.\u00a0 Tom passed Tim on the Protection Island side, and managed to keep moving well enough to get the breeze first to take 3rd place.\u00a0 Keith won the elapsed time trophy.<\/p>\n

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Results for 2022:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Awards Ceremony Photos<\/a> (thanks to Art Smith!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

RC Laser<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

1st – Paul (the Paullinator) Kantor (#36)<\/p>\n

2nd – Ken Holland (#93)<\/p>\n

3rd – Doug Compton (#04)<\/p>\n

4th – Tom (You will be assimilated) Barchyn’s RC Laser Bot<\/p>\n

Open Class (and winner of the Mini Barn Door and Elapsed Time Trophy)<\/h3>\n

Peter Grimm – 2 m<\/p>\n

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Past Winners<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. The Graham Millington Mug\u00a0(First – RC Laser Division)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bob, Tim and Ken have all won the RC Laser Division twice – who will be the first to win it three times?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Year<\/th>Winner<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2022<\/td>The Paulinator (Paul Kantor)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>No Race (Covid)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>No Race (Covid)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>Ken Holland<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>Angie Serenius<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/td>John Vallis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016<\/td>Bob Serenius<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015<\/td>Tim Daniel (possible RC Laser World Record - 1:25:20)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014<\/td>Bob Serenius<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013<\/td>Colin MacGruer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/td>Paul Kantor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/td>Tim Daniel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010<\/td>Arni Hensen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009<\/td>Ken Holland<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

2. The Mini Barn Door Trophy (First To Finish)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Year<\/th>Winner<\/th>Boat<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2022<\/td>Peter Grimm<\/td>2.0 M<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>No Race (Covid)<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>No Race (Covid)<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>Ken Holland<\/td>RC Laser<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>Angie Serenius<\/td>RC Laser<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/td>Steve Kibble<\/td>IOM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016<\/td>Martin Herbert<\/td>IOM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015<\/td>Dale Chase<\/td>Wing Cat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014<\/td>Tom Stevens<\/td>Marblehead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013<\/td>Graham Herbert <\/td>Fang<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/td>Graham Herbert<\/td>Fang<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/td>Ole Anderson<\/td>Caliente<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010<\/td>Tom Stevens<\/td>Marblehead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009<\/td>Tom Stevens<\/td>Marblehead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

PAST RESULTS<\/h2>\n

Race Results 2019<\/span><\/h3>\n

RC Laser<\/span><\/h4>\n

Ken Holland<\/p>\n

Tim Daniel<\/p>\n

Bob Serenius<\/p>\n

Don McQueen<\/p>\n

Bill Jones – DNF<\/p>\n

Ron Campsall – DNF<\/p>\n

Colin MacGruer – DNF<\/p>\n

Tom Barchyn – DNF<\/p>\n

Open Class<\/span><\/h4>\n

Allan Gardner – DNF<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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RACE RESULTS 2014<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

OPEN CLASS<\/span><\/p>\n

1ST-TOM STEVENS—-MARBLEHEAD…………1.10.10<\/p>\n

2ND-ROGER KIBBLE–I.O.M……………………..1.16.<\/p>\n

RC LASER CLASS<\/span><\/p>\n

1st – Bob Serenius………………1.27.50<\/p>\n

2nd – Colin MacGruer……..1.28.15<\/p>\n

3rd – Tim Daniel……………………1.29.20<\/p>\n

4th – Angela Serenius………1.31.20<\/p>\n

5th – Ken Holland………………1.32.50<\/p>\n

6th – John Vallis………………….1.33.15<\/p>\n

7th – Doug Compton…………1.33.45<\/p>\n

8th – Ken Keith………………………1.52.00<\/p>\n

2013 RESULTS<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

OPEN CLASS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1ST-GRAHAM HERBERT…………….FANG WING CAT……………………..1.02:54<\/p>\n

2ND-TOM STEVENS\u00a0 ………………..MARBLEHEAD………………………….1.08:13<\/p>\n

3RD-ROGER KIBBLE-………………..IOM……………………………………….1.10:33<\/p>\n

4TH-STEVE KIBBLE………………….IOM………………………………………..1.11:03<\/p>\n

5TH-ANDY SLOW-……………………IOM………………………………………..1.24:06<\/p>\n

6TH DOUG STEPHENS………………MARBLEHEAD……………………………2.12:00<\/p>\n

RC LASER DIVISION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1ST-COLIN MCGRUER-………………58………………………………………….1.30:30<\/p>\n

2ND-JOHN VALLIS……………………55………………………………………….1.32:20<\/p>\n

3RD-ANGELA SERENIUS…………….90………………………………………….1.36:24<\/p>\n

4TH-BOB SERENIUS………………….03………………………………………….1.36:40<\/p>\n

5TH-PAUL KANTOR…………………..36…………………………………………..1.38:55<\/p>\n

6TH-ARNE HENSEN…………………..68…………………………………………..1.41:35<\/p>\n

7TH-DOUG COMPTON……………….04……………………………………………1.44:00<\/p>\n

8TH-WAYNE GORRIE………………..35……………………………………………1.45.40<\/p>\n

9TH-KEN KEITH……………………….34……………………………………………1.45:55<\/p>\n

10TH-KEN SERENIUS…………………41……………………………………………1.59:45<\/p>\n

2012 RESULTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

DIV-1<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1ST-HERBERT\/CHASE\u00a0\u00a0 WING-SAIL CAT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ;49.13<\/span><\/p>\n

2ND-TOM STEVENS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MARBLEHEAD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01:05.13<\/span><\/p>\n

3RD-MARTIN HERBERT\u00a0 FIT 60″\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:05.45<\/span><\/p>\n

DIV-2 RC LASER ONE-DESIGN<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1ST-PAUL KANTOR-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:28.44<\/span><\/p>\n

2ND-KEN HOLLAND-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01:29.44<\/span><\/p>\n

3RD-BOB SERENIUS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:30.02<\/span><\/p>\n

4TH-ANGELA SERENIUS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01:30.17<\/span><\/p>\n

5TH-TIM DANIEL \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1:36.32<\/span><\/p>\n

6TH-KEN KEITH-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:43.36<\/span><\/p>\n

7TH-DOUG COMPTON-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:48.26<\/span><\/p>\n

8TH-WAYNE GORRIE-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:54.52<\/span><\/p>\n

9TH-GRAHAM ELLIS-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:55.16<\/span><\/p>\n

10TH AARON PAUGH-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:50.10<\/span><\/p>\n

11TH-LENA S\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:58.04<\/span><\/p>\n

12TH ARNE HENSEN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DNF<\/span><\/p>\n

2011 RESULTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

DIV-1<\/p>\n

1ST-OLE ANDERSON\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IOM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1:15.48<\/p>\n

DIV-2-RC LASER<\/p>\n

1ST- CAN 80-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0TIM DANIEL<\/p>\n

2010 RESULTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

DIV-1<\/span><\/p>\n

1ST-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0TOM STEVENS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MARBLEHEAD<\/p>\n

DIV-2 RC LASER<\/span><\/p>\n

1ST- CAN 68-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0ARNE HENSEN<\/p>\n

2009 RESULTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

DIV-1<\/span><\/p>\n

1ST\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -TOM STEVENS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MARBLEHEAD<\/p>\n

DIV-2 RC LASER<\/span><\/p>\n

1ST-CAN 93-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 KEN HOLLAND<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE GREAT RC OCEAN RACE RETURNS April 11, 2026! This is “the most challenging radio-controlled sailboat race on the planet.\u2122”\u00a0 The 3 nautical mile circumnavigation of beautiful Protection Island in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":94,"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1101,"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions\/1101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nanaimorclaser.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}