Vancouver June Regatta

by Chuck Ramsay

What. A. Weekend.
 
The RVYC June one design weekend was a continuation of the May one design weekend – great weather, great breeze and great sailing!
 
On Saturday, the westerly breeze filled in before breakfast. Ocean buoy reports promised more to come and it did!  There were five races on Saturday in a building breeze from a solid 10 knot westerly capping with the final race sailed in 18 - 20 knots plus and gusting to 26.
 
Aryborn took races one and five while Mistral won races two, three and four.   There was a battle royal between Eagle, Rum and Monkey and Jumala going on behind. Jumala finished third in race two moving Eagle to fourth while Rum & Monkey (2nd) pushed Aryborn to third in race four for their best score of the regatta.
 
As the breeze built, boat handling became a priority – don’t get over-powered in the puffs upwind and keep the pole or the boom out of the water downwind.   Somehow, Ken Reid’s pants came down in the middle of a tack.  But Ken, the omnipresent 87 year-old warrior that he is, sat on the rail undeterred and mooned the enthusiastic crowds on the beach.  It was a pretty quiet group on shore at the end of the day. The Fleet after-party was hosted by the Taylor’s and the Gods of drink and food were suitably appeased…

Sunday was a bit tamer than Saturday with the breeze starting out between 7 and 10 knots out of the west.  Although five races were again scheduled the Race Committee took pity on us old farts and let us go in after four.  The breeze built to 16 knots and then started to do the English Bay fade ending up at 10 knots.  Back in form, Eagle took the first and third races. Aryborn won the second race and Mistral won the fourth race.
 
Mark roundings were close and chaotic.  Again – boat handling and crew work paid dividends…just ask Aryborn about the kite issue in the third race…
 
In the end Mistral and Aryborn were tied on gross points so it came to the drops. Aryborn dropped a third and Mistral a fourth giving the regatta to Mistral 14 points to Ayrborn’s 15.  The remaining order was Eagle - 21, Rum & Monkey – 28 and Jumala - 35.
 
The upcoming July one design will have a lot to live up to after the good times had by all in May and June!