June 16, 2017
Lake Ontario Offshore Racing
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Despite the Water Level - Offshore Racing Continues!
The 'Coolest Race on the Lake', once again provided unpredictable winds to frustrate, stymie, invigorate and inspire. That's some of the many elements of the first race of the season that continue to draw racers to the start line of the Susan Hood Trophy Race. See the recap below.
 
I am proud to say that despite the challenges of high water in Lake Ontario, participants, volunteers and our sponsors have all contributed in a big way to help kick off the 2017 racing season with the Susan Hood and the 1st LOSHRS event. Thank you everyone!
There's still time to register. Registration for the LO300 and the balance of the LOSHRS races, is still OPEN! See the links below.
See you on the water.
 
Joe Doris
Chair, Lake Ontario Offshore Racing


A Mix of Conditions for the Susan Hood!  
The 2017 Susan Hood Trophy Race will always be remembered as a classic for the discrepancy in winds depending on where you started. It was not the slowest race in history when you average the finishing times, but it did have the slowest finishing time that can be remembered at Sunday Morning at 04:30. The divisions that started early had an amazing race and were finishing on time Saturday AM. Afterburn was first to round the Burlington weather mark under 3 hours and had a tight reach up to Niagara where they were passed by Spitfire who chose to go out in the lake. The wind was flat for a while and once it came up the first few divisions had a great finish in light winds. The divisions who did not catch that wind line were anywhere up to an eight-hour sail to the Burlington weather mark regardless of the yacht size.

There was not much wind Saturday making the Burlington to Niagara leg of the race a very long leg that took most of the morning and afternoon to get to Niagara in light winds dealing with the current. The bulk of the fleet finished Saturday evening with some great spinnaker runs and lots of sun.

Congratulations to this year's Susan Hood Trophy winner is 'Switch', a J92 from Olcott Yacht club skippered by Andrew Sharp. Switch finished at 10:36 AM Saturday morning almost one hour ahead of the next boat in their division and are the first boat from the United States to win the Susan Hood Trophy.
We look forward to meeting the crew of Switch at this year's flag presentation on Friday July 21st at the first annual Offshore Racing Summer Celebration at PCYC .
All the trophy winners and division winners are posted on our website.
Susan Hood Trophy winner 'Switch', a J92 from Olcott Yacht Club skippered by Andrew Sharp.

Looking for a Photo Record?
 
If you'd like to purchase photos from the Susan Hood Trophy Race, there are high resolution digital copies available for $45 + tax. Print photos are available and price varies by prize. Photos can be viewed here: http://parker-media.ca/2017-susan-hood-trophy-race/

Racers should email [email protected] for more information.
Memorable Course Race for LOSHRSe

The LOSHRS Course race held on Sunday June 4th, within half a day after the first Susan Hood finisher was without a doubt one of the best course race in history. A combination of strong steady winds and an excellent course made it a nonstop work effort from start to finish. The winds averaged 15 to 16 knots and were coming directly from the first mark outside the Eastern Gap making it a very long leg. After rounding the mark and heading to the finish outside EYC there was a mix of boats deciding to fly spinnaker in the high winds with a building sea. The new course was a huge success.
Congratulations to this year's Course Race Trophy winners; Martini Shaker Trophy awarded for Best Corrected Time, and, Double Handed Spinnaker awarded to Setanta a Hanse 400 from PCYC skippered by Joe Doris.
The Youngstown Trophy awarded to the Best Corrected Time Single Handed is awarded to Les, a C&C35 Mk3 from EYC skippered by John Hagen.
Check out our Facebook page for pictures from this race.
Race results are on Yachtscoring
   
Don't have a Spinnaker? Consider the Scotch Bonnet Race for the LO300
 
Have you considered the Scotch Bonnet course? If a 300 nautical mile tour of the far eastern regions of Lake Ontario is a bit out of reach, take a look at the shorter (190 nautical miles) Scotch Bonnet challenge. This years' fleet has a variety of cruising and racing boats including; Beneteaus, C&Cs, Hunters, Catalinas and a few Nonsuch vessels. Some competitors fly spinnakers but many enjoy the unique racing experience with white sail only. Come on out and join the fun!
Registration, Notice of Races and Other Documents
All documents are fillable PDF forms. Complete them online before printing, or, they can be printed first and then completed by hand.

 
We are looking for volunteers to help with:
 
Registration on the evening of Thursday, July 13th and on Friday, July 14th
 
The start from 0830 to 1230 on Saturday, July 15th. No previous Race Committee experience needed.
 
The finish from 2000, Sunday, July 16th to 2359 Tuesday, July 18th in four (4) shifts, with all training provided.
 
Contact: [email protected]  
Update on Registrations (as of June 15th)

LOOR Event
Registered to Date
Lake Ontario 300
78  
LOSHRS
94   

 
New for this year, LOOR are pleased to team up with Acquisto Promotions to offer each boat registered and paid for the LO300 Challenge the opportunity to order customized shirts for their crew. Deadline to place your order is end of day June 18, 2017. See LO300-crew-shirt-order-form .

 
This is no longer excuse for you not to do the race. There are 17 people on the crew bank who would love to join you on the LO300. There are some very experienced people on the list.  Some have done ocean racing and deliveries. Others are not as experienced, but eager to learn.  
 
Contact them now and have them join you on a few weeknight races.  You may just find a new friend.  
 
 
LOOR Ambassador Program

In our quest to improve communications with our existing and potential racers, the LOOR committee has started an ambassador program. The idea is to have one of our racers in every club who is responsible for disseminating information about our races and to provide LOOR with suggestions and ideas on how to improve our races.  
 
What's in it for you?  You get a chance to be part of a great team that is working to make
offshore racing on Lake Ontario even better than it already is, plus we'll likely share some very cool swag and meal tickets with you to show our appreciation.
 
To volunteer, please contact David Courtney.  
 
 

Facebook: @LOOR300
Twitter: @LO300
 
Join the conversation throughout the season and share your updates or pictures from each racing event. We want to hear from you!
 
Hashtags you can use include:
 
General:
#LOOR 
 
LO300 Specific: 
#LO300 
#LO300Challenge 
 
LOSHRS Specific: 
#LOSHRS
More Info...


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The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Group is responsible for the planning of the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge, the Susan Hood Trophy Race and the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series under the organizing authority of the Port Credit Yacht Club.