To provide you with an inside look at the racing experience, we reached out to all the LO300 Class and Trophy winners and asked
about
their Most Exciting Moment and Most Challenging Moment from the Race. Here's what a few of the winners told us:
GLSS LO300 Champion - President's Cup Winner (2nd in Class and Best Overall First-Time Finisher) - Revival (Abbott 33)
James Roscoe, Boulevard Club
"For me the most challenging part of the race was the trip from the Niagara mark to the finish. Revival averaged about 2.5 knots for that 25-mile section. The last 3 miles into Port Credit were especially difficult with three winds fighting.
"The most exciting part was probably Sunday night. I could see (some) of my competition and I was starting to walk on them. Then darkness fell and the thunderstorms started. The craziest part of the race was waking up out of a catnap (10 minutes before my alarm was to go off) to the rain that hit before squall #2
."
Main Duck Course PHRF-Flying Sails-Double Handed - 1st Place - Rock & Roll (C&C 35 MKIII)
Larry Jensen, Collins Bay YC
"The most exciting moment of the race for us was being slammed on our side around 11 pm Sunday night off Rochester from a Thunder Cell moving through. Breaking Spinnaker Pole, but recovering ounce and a half chute.
"Our most challenging moment was r
ounding the Niagara Mark at a half knot boat speed in a half knot current. Coming within one boat length of the mark."
Main Duck Course PHRF-Flying Sails-Fully Crewed-4 - 1st Place - JAM (C&C 34)
Graham Twomey, LYC
"Although most of us treat the LO300 as a race it is more of a challenge. This year with favorable winds we were able to take a direct route with spinnaker to our second mark, 'Ford Shoal'. Rounding this mark at daybreak made for easy navigation up to and around 'Main Duck'. Exiting Main Duck, we were able to sail on or near the rhumb line towards the Niagara mark. So far, nothing more than a pleasant sail around Lake Ontario.
"As often happens though, Lake Ontario was not done with us yet. First, we had to search for the subsiding wind and this was an opportunity for the meat eating flies to move in. Darkening skies was a forewarning of more to come. Pretty soon the elusive wind picked up, then came the lightning and rain. With no visuals except our GPS we hung on and headed toward Niagara. On the morning of day two we had a gentle breeze around the Niagara mark, then headed to Port Credit.
"With 7 to 8 nautical miles to go the wind once again left us. By now we were getting information and encouragement from our at-home support crew but as close as we were there was nothing more that we could do but, once again, search for the elusive wind. Fortunately for us our competition was suffering the same fate and at about 1 knot per hour we crossed the finish line. We had to wait for final handicap results but our race and challenge was complete."
Scotch Bonnet Course PHRF-Non-Flying Sails Fully Crewed-1 - 1st Place - Galaxsea (CS 30)
Frank Larocque, WYC
"Our team just loves this race! This is our 3rd race. Very well organized, great venue and good party on Friday. After the 3rd year it is nice to see some familiar faces. I love to have the LO300 sticker on the boat for the rest of the summer. From cruising to other races on the lake or visitors to our club, I always get asked about the race and how we did. Always fun to tell sailing stories. We always do the short course, less of a time commitment in light winds. The short course was very well attended this year.
"The most exciting moment of the race for me
is the start and the hours that follow. Lots of boats at the start jockeying for position and you get to see your competition up front and close up. The rest of the race things get pretty spread out. I also like see both courses on the lake heading in different directions. During this year's race, the storm Sunday night added some excitement. Always a challenge to sail through it or reduce sail!!
"The most challenging part of the race
is to stay focused for the entire race even when the winds get very light. This year's race was a drag race on the rhumb line. A lot of downwind sailing which can be tedious with NFS. Thanks again for a great race. See you next year."
Main Duck Course GLMRA - 1st Place - Trippy (Farrier F-25C Trimaran)
Robert Cajolet, TMCC
"
I'd say there were two exciting moments of t
h
e race for us
.
The first was passing the entire fleet at about 2.5 hours into the race, which we held until Esprit de corps came up behind us
. T
he other was the last leg of the race between the Niagara buoy and the finish, where we passed Razorbill and See Ya in the final few miles.
"
Most challenging moment of the race was dealing with the lake flies. They were everywhere, both inside and outside of the boat, and could bite through wool socks!
"
Scotch Bonnet Course PHRF-Flying Sails Fully Crewed-1 - 1st Place - Alchemist (C&C 29 Mk 2)
Ron Ander, EYC
"The most exciting moment of the race was on Sunday night during a few hours of thunderstorms on our way to the Niagara mark. Two of our crew members, Stephen and Paul, were sleeping down below while Rajesh and I were sitting comfortably under a large golf umbrella with sustained warm winds, a very well-balanced helm and calm seas moving at a very nice pace. The sky all around us was lit up like fireworks.
"The most challenging moment from the race was two weeks before when our propeller and shaft were damaged by hitting a large branch. The result was a badly vibrating shaft and propeller that could only move us at about 2 knots.
"The replacement feathering propeller was ordered and customized by Greg of Evolution from Variprop in Bremerhaven, Germany. It was rushed by air freight to Toronto. Roy of Roy's Marine picked up the new propeller and arranged to machine a new shaft to get the repair done in time for the race. We were back in the water and motoring smoothly two days before the race.
"Monica Doedens and the PCYC staff were very helpful keeping Alchemist in the race. I am very thankful that with their help, Greg's help, and especially Roy's that we were able to compete again this year."
