Clappy, Harold wrote this for our sailing club's
newsletter - and what he writes, I plagiarize (g).
It's not a story, but its a fun read, especially if
you're a sailor.
"Man what a race! Spectators and sailors alike were witness to Ganges Harbour being morphed suddenly from a soft pond into a kaleidoscope of 86 boats sifting out of a spinnaker start with whoops and cheers and free flying kites attending the occasional broach !
Participants in the Round Saltspring Island Race were rewarded with almost all the vagaries that this wonderful event has to offer. All that is, except rain. Which tried, but failed.
It was a glorious summer day... and we had it all... just like Bogey and Bacall. Strong winds and whitecaps beating up Trincomali, a sensational spinnaker run-up to Sansum narrows. Then a relentless tacking duel along Satellite Channel with the only other Martin 32, Fandango, who acknowledged our efforts by bombing us with water balloons and in the end, beating us by four minutes just for spite.
And then of course, there was the dreadful Channel Islands hole at at the entrance of Ganges that captured a myriad of boats, frustratingly, within sight of the final goal. It was here that poor Roger on Electra was rewarded for his great front running performance with a spectator seat, from which he watched much of the race. What a black experience, seeing the ghosts drift by late at night, while earlier in the day, he had them all on the string. In spite of all the sailing skills represented in this race, in the final analysis, the wind giveth, and the wind taketh away.
Earlier, the run up Stuart to Sansum was absolutely spectacular with Saltspring and the sheer and magnificent Mt. Maxwell on the port hand and quaint little Maple Bay to starboard with a rainbow of spinnaker sets stretching all the way up the channel in front of us and far back to Southey Pt. behind. Marvelous winds shifting us through Gulf Islands scenes that will last a lifetime. We are in awe.
Results are on www.saltspringsailing.ca. The site has some great photos of the race as well. It's worth a visit.
Haereticus finished in the middle of her division and 35th overall. And this modest placement in spite of a disastrous sail change-down and a blown vang in Trincomali, a significant spinnaker screw up in Stuart Channel and the unhappy demise of the No. 1 halyard in Satellite Channel. However, we all have our stories, don't we? Thank you Klaus for a superb job helming and also dubious congrats to you for your overwhelming win in the wiener eating contest. We had a happy time.
Dreamscape came a great second in her division and 20th overall in spite of running with a borrowed and begged garden green crew. Gary of course was a study in modesty during the post race social on Sunday. Well done Gary.
Windchild finished 16th overall which is a fine achievement given that this was her first time at this machiavellian event where local knowledge can be a significant asset. Congratulations to Rudy and crew.
Dreamscape, Haereticus and Windchild also entered the race as a Pt. Roberts team and placed second in this division.
On the social front we had a great evening at Harbour House in Ganges Friday nite. And then Saturday nite, on finally finishing the race at eight minutes after midnite, Haereticus crew held a post race briefing, finishing all the beer aboard, as well as the rum, the wine and the champagne.
Sunday, a lovely soft spring Islands morning found us a little slow, but we sparked up with the Racing Awards lunch of young Saltspring Island BBQ lamb and homemade mint sauce washed down with cold pints of Island ale.
A nice hot motor trip home across a glassy Georgia Straight Sunday afternoon followed by a short and refreshing partake of the cool amber nectar at TJ's closed out a wonderful weekend. While crossing the Strait, young Steven put it well when he said , "I feel privileged to be out here".
So once again, it was another great Round SSI racing and social event. Thank you crew; Ted, Andy, Steve and Klaus. Are we going again next year? You bet we are." |
