December 1 Race Report
by Martin Herbert aboard the Kay D
Saint Mary Lake was a mirror when I set out for the Club, and when I crested the hill in Ganges the harbour looked no better. When I drove down to the Club parking, a lone Flying Fifteen was ghosting on a gentle puff just off the docks. That was Jill, of course, sailing over from her slip downtown.
Boats were busily getting rigged and there was a hopeful feeling in the air that we would get a race. In the absence of our fearless leader Paul, Greg was appointed master of ceremonies and, after consultation with the fleet, a course was chosen. A short beat into the NW breeze to a hapless anchored boat, taken to starboard, then down to Ganges Shoal to port. If the first boat made it in one hour, then it was a gate and back to Ganges Shoal and back.
It was very light and shifty pre-start and as the fleet milled about, the starting options were constantly changing. It was so calm that the Kay D could eavesdrop on the tactics of several boats and fully agreed with the foredeck hand on Steller J, “Run the line on starboard and tack over on the gun”. The close-lipped Slippery When Wet said nothing, then started on port with speed and crossed the fleet. They hung onto that lead for a long time. The leaders got around the mark with wind and sailed away. Aboard the Kay D we got headed just at a moored boat and had to drop below it, just in time to see Robyn Hood coming on starboard, so we dropped behind her as well. That put us officially in last place.
Then the wind went light. On the run to Ganges Shoal there were streaks of wind that lifted the lank spinnakers and brought the sound of rippling from the bows. Getting in one of those and staying there made for big chances to gain. Sorcery X, with her asymmetrical spinnaker, was forced to sail high and do many gybes. With Holly Slakov firmly at the helm, she worked herself into a close second by the mark. Steller J and Shingebiss rounded third and fourth with the Kay D hot on their tails.
Immediately after the mark, a 15 degree lift moved the Kay D into fourth, almost level with Steller J. The wind was still in bands and shifting, and Craig on Steller sailed a masterful beat, walking away from the group. In the lead, Sorcery X ground down the Etchells, a marvellous battle between two well-sailed boats. Shingebiss got us back halfway up the beat and the Kay D had to split tacks with her thereafter to keep her air clear. The wind held to the finish and the sun was most pleasant at the post race picnic table.
This was the last race of the season and three boats were within three points for the Season Championship: Sorcery X leading and Ogopogo and Kay D tied. During the post race feast there was no clue as to who had won, but everyone had had a good season and we all felt like winners, it being December first with us celebrating outside after a fun race. Over to our Mathematician.
Club Handicap Result
| Club | Finish | Corrected | Rating for | club | |||
| Rating | Boat | Skipper | Time | Time | Place | Next Race | points |
| 84 | SLIPPERY WHEN WET | Gang of 5 | 11:52:55 | 01:29:14 | 1 | 78 | 100 |
| 126 | STELLER J | Leitch | 12:01:10 | 01:31:44 | 2 | 123 | 83 |
| 179 | KAY D | Herbert | 12:10:45 | 01:33:41 | 3 | 179 | 67 |
| 56 | SORCERY X | Slakov | 11:55:49 | 01:36:51 | 4 | 59 | 50 |
| 205 | ROBYN HOOD | Oakes | 12:21:18 | 01:39:47 | 5 | 205 | 33 |
| 107 | SHINGEBISS | Keating | 12:09:50 | 01:43:30 | 6 | 113 | 17 |
PHFBC Result
| PHRFBC | Finish | Corrected | |||
| Rating | Boat | Skipper | Time | Time | Place |
| 126 | SLIPPERY WHEN WET | Gang of 5 | 11:52:55 | 01:23:26 | 1 |
| 144 | STELLER J | Leitch | 12:01:10 | 01:29:15 | 2 |
| 205 | KAY D | Herbert | 12:10:45 | 01:30:20 | 3 |
| 92 | SORCERY X | Slakov | 11:55:49 | 01:31:09 | 4 |
| 205 | ROBYN HOOD | Oakes | 12:21:18 | 01:39:47 | 5 |
| 84 | SHINGEBISS | Keating | 12:09:50 | 01:47:26 | 6 |
