After two uncooperative weather days, it was finally smooth sailing for the Vanexan 2018 which took place on Saturday June the 16th. There were eight sailboats in the race and a few of the racers were competing for the first time! Donal O'Connor took the prize in his Minuet, and Les coming in a close second in his Edel 665. Congratulations to Donal, Les and all of the sailors who took part in the Vanexan 2018!
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Weather threatened to make the 2017 Wildwood Cup a wet and wild ride, but soon after the racers headed out the rain let up and the sun began to shine! There were six boats in the race and one member, Sean, participating in his first race. Again, thank you to all of the Race Crew who came out to make the races possible this season! Thanks to Les, Mark, John, Jerry, Gerry and Grace! The race comittee members set out and the markers, plan and organize the race, time the racers and keep an eye on the finish line! They are instrumental in providing a successful and fun race program for our club!
Another banner day for racing at Wildwood Sailing Club! Lots of wind and sun and some cloud to mix things up! Again, because the wind was favourable the racers opted for three laps around the course. From the starting line they headed to a marker near the Wildwood beach area, past the dam to the other corner of the reservoir and down the lake toward the cottages before crossing the starting line again. As always, the racers gathered at 1:00 to review the route and the rules before heading to their sailboats and getting positioned for the 1:30 start. Les was successful in his bid to grab the Rum Runner title away from Rob and Margrit who took second place. Happily, they both went home with some rum! Watch out next year Les! Les was accompanied by Airi, a visitor from Japan who experienced her first racing victory in addition to her first time on a sailboat! Well done! Welcome to Canada, Airi, and to the Wildwood Sailing Club! Thanks to all who came out to the race, as spectators or participants. And thank you to Les and Mark for setting up the race and the officiating.
Six sailboats entered the first race of the season & the Minuet, Bluenote was defending the title for the Vanexan Cup. Given the good winds, Les chose to set the course at three laps around markers in the no-wake zone. The weather this spring has not been especially accommodating for club members with cool wet weather and high waters, so for some this was the first day of sailing for the year. Nonetheless it turned into a fine day for sailors and spectators alike! The unpredictable, gusty winds threw some unexpected twists into the race. Unfortunately the Van Galens were unable to complete the course after their tiller broke. Hans demonstrated a rapid succession of two unexpected 360 degree turns in wind gusting near the dam with a rudder that wouldn't release into the water! Many thanks to Les and Mark setting up the course and officiating the Vanexan. Thanks to Judy Reddick for taking a number of the photos posted here as well!
Congratulations to Dave and Leslie for taking first place in their Minuet, Bluenote and to Donal for taking second place in his Minuet, Evariste. Mark was on hand to present the trophies for the Vanexan 2017. And congratulations to all of the racers for making the first race of the 50th season fun and exciting! |