On Saturday morning, your intrepid Race Committee left the dock to start this long distance race, which is part of the ABYC Offshore Series, the LORC Offshore Series, and the Toronto East Long Distance Series (TELDS).

What a beautiful warm, sunny Fall day! However, with an E/NE wind for the third day in a row, it was a bit lumpy out. 26 competitors ranging from a J24 to a Beneteau First 40 were out for the fun.

It was less than half an hour on the Sarah before things got exciting. The first fishes were fed at approximately 10:50 am, just before the first Warning signal. Only a few minutes later, it was discovered that Sarah herself wasn't feeling well, and a pint of hydraulic steering fluid had blown out of the helm and was coating the cabin sole.

By the time the fourth starting group was underway, the fishes had been fed three more times, and a second crew member was not feeling well.

It seems that the uphill slog was more fun than some of the smaller boats thought was necessary... we received retirement calls from three boats in the first 15 minutes. At least one crew was later seen at the Margaritaville party at Red Dock Patio, which was perhaps a nicer way to spend the afternoon.   Drinking concoctions from a blender is much nicer than being in the blender!

Once the starters were out of the way, the Jack Cameron came out to help keep Sarah pointed in the right direction as we weighed anchor and headed back to harbour. While up on the foredeck, it was noticed that the seal on the windlass had also chosen Saturday to blow. A lengthy discussion ensued as to which was the most slippery; hydraulic fluid on plywood or gear oil on steel.

Once back on shore (I don't think anyone kissed the ground, but I can't say for sure), we assembled a flag and pole, and clipboards, and set up the finish line out on the rocks closest to Mark 7. (This was part of careful planning ahead. We'd seen the forecast and didn't want any of our people sitting at anchor for a prolonged period in those waves.)  The first boat (Lion's Den) finished in 3h42m30s. The last was on the course for 6h27m00s. 

Congratulations to the top ABYC skippers in their divisions:  Jim McGuinness, Michael Flynn, Graham Toms, Wendy Loat, Sam Robbins, and Shaun Carey.

Starting Team:

Tow Boat:

• Tim Hill
• Rod McBirnie

Finish Team:

• Helen & Noreen

 

And thanks to Sarah, who has given us great service this summer, working harder than in many years; she's due for a winter vacation!