2017 Centre Bay Regatta

The Infamous Dragon's Breath

Alexander Island, RVYC Outstation
The Dragon’s Breath Regatta was held on Saturday and Sunday of the Labour Day Weekend.  The weekend was sunny and warm with winds building each day in the morning by about 11 AM and dying later in the afternoon.  Breezes were in the 6 to 8 knot range so perfect for relaxed Dragon racing.  Two single handed races were held on Saturday followed by two crewed races.  Two crewed races were held on Sunday followed by a few Dragons sailing with novice crew from among the weekend visitors to the island.  The Dragon’s Breath party was held at about 18:00 on Saturday with Paul Taylor working his usual magic with various kinds of liquor and fruit to create a potion for the crowd.  Hors d’oeuvres were provided by the crowd with Dragon sailors and numerous other sailors there for the weekend joining in for the fun.  Having more than two glasses of Paul’s brew placed the partier at significant risk.

Those owners wishing to fly kites in the single handed races were 1,2 and 3.  PC Burns had his team on the water assisting him with spinnaker organization and strategy.  Everyone else struggled on their own. Ayrborne had two bullets followed by Mistral with two seconds and Rum & Monkey with two thirds.  Then Jumala with two fourths and Blue with two fifths.  Consistency was the order of the day for the single handed races.  No collisions – good work boys!
Much of the racing this year has involved a battle among two or three boats for the first three slots and then a battle among the remainder of the fleet for 3rd or 4th.  Humbling for the latter boats but the sailing is fun no matter what.  This regatta was no different.  With Eagle awol, the battle for 1st and 2nd was between Ayrborn and Mistral.  Mistral took first with Ayrborn threatening.  In the last race, with Blue closing on the two leading boats from behind, Aryborn made a perfect tack to the finish in front on Blue to shut her out but at the same time finishing inches ahead of Mistral.  Paul Taylor sailed with Judy Day and Andrea Bayly introducing Andrea to the fun of Dragon sailing.
The final results had Mistral as the winner with 9 points, Ayrborn a close second with 10, followed by Rum & Monkey with 21, Blue with 24 and Jumala with 26.  The crewed race results were similar but with Blue finishing ahead of Rum & Monkey. 
An awesome weekend!