WNR Race 2.3 Reports, July 17, 2024
by Martin Herbert aboard the Kay D:
The wind looked unspectacular but at least from the SE as the racers milled about on the dock. We are starting to seriously miss our fearless Fleet Captain Racing and Ogopogo is looking forlorn in her slip. Much debate about a course with the final decision being Ganges Shoal to port and a BUP to port and to the finish line. (BUP is an acronym for Big Ugly Powerboat). There was a caveat that if the first boat finished in 45 minutes a second lap was in order. The wind was light but showed signs of building as the fleet milled about. We were pleased to be joined by Thalia and Yolanda. Also of note were the four Flying Fifteens. Jill Oakes was sailing with Daria, a ringer from the Adriatic Laser fleet while Kelly-Ann Haslauer skippered another F15 crewed by long time club member Ruth Riddell. I didn’t catch the names of the other team. (Ed. note: see next report below for actual details from those teams.)
The line was slightly port-favoured and a string of boats cruised down the line timing the start. David Denton-Cardew pulled the trigger, unrolled his jib and charged the line, perfect timing. Ole Andersen, in Slippery, chanced a port tack start but was forced to duck a few boats. But the fleet was away clean sailing into increasing wind. Evangeline recorded one gust that topped 17 knots and the Kay D was spilling half her mainsail at one point to keep the boat on her feet. The tide, which had been against us, must have had a change of heart, as all the top boats over-stood the mark. Slippery and Steller J lead the way and soon spinnakers were seen as the boats charged down on the BUP. The owner stood on deck as he saw the convergence on his boat. I think he might not anchor to leeward of our start line again, despite the very good view he had of our sailors’ competent maneuvers.
Slippery crossed the line 45 minutes and 30 seconds after the start, so technically no second lap. However the wind was now so good they could not resist and went around again. Others did not. The Kay D continued on but, when she saw she was the only one, she just sailed up to the returning Slippery and shadowed her home. Slippery shaved 30 seconds off her first lap time, so might deserve a 15 second credit on her first lap time.
by Jill Oakes aboard the Robyn Hood:
Today, one of the highlights was four Flying 15s joining the race – the largest group so far: Kay D, Robyn Hood, Bluebird and Mini Fini, one of the new boats donated to us from Australia!
It was a ton of fun hearing Ruth Riddell’s (she and Roland sold their sailboat last year) and regular Wednesday eve racer Kelly-Ann Haslauer’s laughter drifting over the water as they made their way to the upwind mark in Bluebird. Bluebird and Mini Fini were neck and neck, with Mini Fini sailed by Daria Zovi and Garth Goodwin. Garth has sailed around the world in various directions and across the Atlantic 15 times in his Dad’s beautiful handmade wooden 50′ boat.
It truly was incredible seeing Kay D’s blue and white spinnaker getting closer to Robyn Hood, and then speed ahead like greased lightning on a beam reach to the downwind mark and finish line.
It was fabulous having the chance to sail with my best friend Fiona; we had a ball getting wet together on a most perfect warm summer’s evening.
Quote of the evening: “We need to ask Martin how he gets his F15 to move so fast”…70 years of experience, eh!!
Club Handicap Results
| Club | Finish | Corrected | Rating for | |||
| Rating | Boat | Skipper | Time | Time | Place | Next Race |
| 268 | ROBYN HOOD | Oakes | 17:52:30 | 00:43:18 | 1 | 256 |
| 111 | SLIPPERY WHEN WET | Gang of 5 | 17:45:30 | 00:46:52 | 2 | 102 |
| 142 | EVANGELINE | Sutton | 17:48:21 | 00:47:28 | 3 | 136 |
| 155 | KAY D | Herbert | 17:49:25 | 00:47:35 | 4 | 152 |
| 126 | STELLER J | Leitch | 17:47:18 | 00:47:36 | 5 | 129 |
| 301 | BLUEBIRD | Mr Ree | 18:01:00 | 00:48:18 | 6 | 307 |
| 268 | MINI FINI | Ms Terie | 17:59:00 | 00:48:40 | 7 | 277 |
| 224 | YOLANDA | Grange | 17:58:45 | 00:51:20 | 8 | 236 |
PHRFBC Results
| PHRFBC | Finish | Corrected | |||
| Rating | Boat | Skipper | Time | Time | Place |
| 205 | KAY D | Herbert | 17:49:25 | 00:44:18 | 1 |
| 162 | STELLER J (NFS) | Leitch | 17:47:18 | 00:45:05 | 2 |
| 126 | SLIPPERY WHEN WET | Gang of 5 | 17:45:30 | 00:45:47 | 3 |
| 205 | ROBYN HOOD | Oakes | 17:52:30 | 00:47:04 | 4 |
| 102 | EVANGELINE | Sutton | 17:48:21 | 00:50:32 | 5 |
| 226 | MINI FINI (NFS) | Ms Terie | 17:59:00 | 00:51:24 | 6 |
| 226 | BLUEBIRD (NFS) | Mr Ree | 18:01:00 | 7 | |
| 168 | YOLANDA | Grange | 17:58:45 | 00:55:30 | 8 |
