June 11, 2018
Lake Ontario Offshore Racing
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Hello Racers
The 2018 race season has opened with a pair of terrific races.  Starting the evening of Friday, June 1st, this year's Susan Hood Trophy Race saw one of the fastest runnings in a long time.  Have a look at the recap on LOOR's website.  You may also find a picture of you boat or yourself in Parker Media's photo album here.    
 
Sunday of that same weekend saw the first of six LOSHRS races:  the course race.  'Mac" McKenzie gives us a review below or you can see Brian Townsend's recap on our website.  Below are details for the upcoming Youngstown weekend, June 16 and 17.   
 
Also in this newsletter are some details for the Lake Ontario 300/600 Challenge presented by driveHG.  It's about a month away and one of the major focuses of the LOOR committee.  This also includes the post race Party on July 20th at Lakeshore Yacht Club.  Details on the party to follow. 
 
There's much going on, but we'll be sure to join you on the water!

Joe Doris
Chair, Lake Ontario Offshore Racng

LOSHRS Races 2 & 3: The Youngstown Weekend.  June 16 and 17, 2018.
 
Racing over to Youngstown on Saturday and back to PCYC Sunday with a break for dinner and old fashion dock party in between, the Youngstown weekend is a crowd  and committee favorite of the LOSHRS series.  After last year's difficult spring flooding caused us to redirect the Youngstown weekend we are pleased to be returning there for 2018.   
 
If you would like to have your boat at PCYC Friday night before the race, or Sunday night after, please contact PCYC through the link below before noon on Thursday June 14, 2018:
 
 
The Notice of Race calls for registration at 7:00 and a participant's meeting for 7:30 PM on Friday, June 15, at PCYC.  There will likely be draws, but I (ed.) don't know that for sure, so don't hold me to it. 
 
VOLUNTEERS are sought for the start (8:30 - 12:30 Saturday morning) and finish (1:30 - 7:00 Sunday afternoon) at PCYC .  The Youngstown end of the race is covered with many thanks to YYC.   Please contact [email protected]. 
 
We would also like to remind competitors to fly your class flag and to avoid the starting are when it is not your sequence.  Stay safe!  
LOSHRS Course Race Recap :   
by Mac McKenzie 
What a way to start the LOSHRS season!   
 
Fifty-six boats were on the start line in a 15 to 18 knot breeze from the east. This gave a perfect upwind leg from PCYC to T1 at the Eastern Gap and an almost direct downwind leg to the finish. Those who chose to stay inshore saw significant gains over most of the offshore boats on the first leg.
 
The first boat to finish was Mr. Ed. (sail number 51166) with an elapsed time of 2 hours 38 minutes 34 seconds. The last was Old Hand (sail number 285) with a time of time 4 hours 57 minutes 37 seconds.
 
It was interesting to see the different sail selections that people chose for the upwind leg. Some boats had full mains and a # 2 or #3 jib. Others choose a #1 jib and double reef and some of those with a furler had partially rolled out head sails. I'm sure a lot of us were a mite rusty sailing in these conditions so early in the season.
 
On the downwind leg there were a fair number of brave souls flying a kite while others played it conservatively, blowing their reefs and sailing with no kite. I did see a few wipe outs and interesting predicaments with the spinnakers.
 
Myself, I wish I had taken the conservative choice. At the end of the race my spinnaker wrapped itself around the forestay in multiple directions making it impossible to douse. I had to motor in to the service dock at my club and spend almost an hour to get the spinnaker down.  I hope all of you fared better than me after crossing the line.
 
All in all it was a great race and let's hope we have decent winds for the Youngstown weekend coming up the weekend of June 16th and 17th.
 
Mac McKenzie
Worthy Pearl
The 2018 Lake Ontario 300/600 Challenge presented by driveHG is coming: 
Beginning with the Skipper's meeting and pre-race party at PCYC on Friday July 13, 2018, the LO300 is getting ready to go.  Here are a few things you might want to book to help prepare on your end:
 
Registration at PCYC:  Registration will be open on both Thursday for early check-in and Friday during the hours below:  
 
Start 1800 EDT, July 12, 2018
End 2100 EDT, July 12, 2018
Start 1000 EDT, July 13, 2018
End 1745 EDT, July 13, 2018 
 
Mandatory Skipper's meeting:  19:00, PCYC
 
PCYC Dock request:
 
It is a certainty that there will not be enough open docks available and some boats will end up on the wall.   Early requests are no guarantee of a space, but late requests are likely a guarantee of the wall or raft.  Just FYI.
 
Pre-race Party:  After the skipper's meeting good times are scheduled with  music being provided by DJ Jeff Chalmers.  Jeff has DJed for Top 40 CFTR and Q107.  You can hear him now on BOOM 97.3
 
Post Race Party:   
 
For 2018 18 the Flag Presentation for both the LO300/600 and the Susan Hood Trophy Race will happen on Friday, February 20, at Lakeshore Yacht Club.  Details to follow, but be sure to keep the date open.
 
VOLUNTEERS are also being sought for the race committee and finishing crew for the race.  It's a great way to get involved if you're not racing.  Please contact [email protected].  
 
Not spinnaker ready?  
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

Race:
Entrants
Lake Ontario 300/600 Challenge
77 (8 of which are registered
 for the LO600)
LOSHrs
96
 
LO 300/600 Crew Shirts:

For the 2018 running of the Lake Ontario 300/600 skippers will, as usual, receive a shirt with their registration kit. In addition, this year Lake Ontario Offshore Racing is pleased to again team up with Acquisto Promotions to offer each boat the opportunity to easily order customized shirts for the crew participating in the 2018 Lake Ontario 300 Challenge.   
 
The Gildan technical shirts are priced at $22.50 each (including HST) short sleeve, and $27.50 each (including HST,) long sleeve.  Your boat name can either be embroidered or heat transferred, with location choice of left chest or left arm for no additional cost. Please note that the skippers' shirts  (included with registration) are a different style and do not contain the boat name.
 
Orders can be placed up to June 25th, 2018. 
 

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.