Trapeze - a cinematic masterpiece

2010 Ottawa Skiff and Cat Grand Prix!

7th Annual Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix

June 5th and 6th 2010

Nepean Sailing Club

See the Grand Prix Website for details

OSRF tears up the tarmac

In desparate need of getting their adrenaline fixes, the Ottawa Skiff Fleet hit the Top-Karting track in December for some action packed racing.  12 sailers on the line with lots of bumping, passing, and upsets made the 'regatta' a resounding sucess and one that will become an annual event.

Here are the results as reported from Memphis:

We ended up with 12 competitors for the 2008 OSRF Top Karting Grand Prix.  Awesome racing was held at the Top Karting facility, the karts are fast, the course is challenging and the competitors are serious.  Allan, Brent and Mark were literally flying through the course, they figured out the lines like pros.  Allan also had fastest lap time, speed record and pole position.  This was so much fun, it might become an annual event, so make sure you are part of the fleet next year...

01   Allan 'Warrior' Crespi
02   Brent 'Porn Star' Beninger
03   Mark Bonnet
04   Doug I Ranahan
05   Doug II McGhan
06   David 'Sorta' Bradley
07   Tracy 'Blower' Ross
08   Michelle Torrie
09   Kathryn 'Undies' Underhill
10   *Christian 'Memphis' Dechamplain
11   *Harvey Barnes
12   *Matt 'Princess' Davidge

* Changed kart through course

NSC at the 2008 I-14 North Americans

"Hello everyone, Peter Montgomery here for the Australian sports network. Welcome to Newport, RI. We're at the Buzzards Bay championships of the high octane international 14; one of the toughest classes in all of sailing. As every good skipper knows, the big boats get the glory, but the small boats make the sailor. "
- The best part of the movie Wind.

And so 16 years after the fictional championships in the movie "Wind", three NSC International 14s made the trip to Newport for the 2008 International 14 North Americans.

Tracy "Blower" Ross, Brent "Porn Star" Beninger, Dave "Sorta" Bradly, Matt "Princess" Davidge, Leith "Puppet Fluffer" Shenstone, and Peter "Price Club" Viets made the trip to one of Eastern North Americas sailing meccas, and represented NSC proudly.

After being billeted by fellow I14er Chris Johnston in Burlington VT (our half way point), The NSC sailors arrived on Thursday, August 21st to attempt to quickly learn the geographic effects that Naragansett Bay would have upon racing. Immediately, it became apparent how intrinsic sailing is to Newport. The birthplace of the J24 class, home of Vanguard Sailboats, this is a port that fleet races ex Americas Cup 12 meters for weeknight racing, and is home to the Volvo 70 "Puma". Sailing runs in the blood here.

On Friday morning, we arrived to Sail Newport, to find a nicely building sea breeze. Friday's scheduled race was around the Island of Jamestown; a 20 nautical mile race. Initially weaving between cheers from spectator boats, the harbour had a fair amount of traffic. Not for long though, as with Sea-breeze building, the 14s set out into the Atlantic. With the breeze up, both helm and crew were no longer in the boat; instead, both hanging on trapezes off the side, hitting up to 11 knots upwind (Impressive considering there was only about 13 knots of breeze).

Soon enough, we were at the tip of Jamestown, and it began time for an epic, blinding fast, spinnaker run. Now it's important to keep in mind that I14 class rules for spinnakers are very simple; you are allowed to buy two of them per year. There are NO SIZE limits. Such lack of design limitations allow boats to travel so fast that they were seen pulling away from Puma – A Volvo 70 that had been stationed in Newport just prior to the big race. With the breeze freshening, it was full on for young and old. NSC Fleet Captain Dave Bradly had opted for as big of a kite as possible; a gamble that would pay off as long as you don't capsize, or can keep the spinnaker up on the reaches. Off we went, boat keeping only the back foot or two of hull in constant contact with the water, almost jumping out on several waves, helms desperately easing the hydrofoils on their rudders in desperation to avoid pitch poling. With hearts beating wildly, the spray was blinding, the boats were absolutely flying, outpacing the wind. This was the stuff of legends.

After a gruelling few hours, passing by air craft carriers, teams made their way across the finish line. Exhausted, but happy, teams hauled their boats out, rinsed the salt water off, and were seen exchanging battle stories.

This fleet had some of the deepest competition I have ever sailed in. With multiple Olympians, former full-time Olympic campaigners, Americas Cup sailors present, the competition was top notch. Last year's second place finisher at the International Canoe Worlds was present, armed with local knowledge, and placed sixth.

The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch. The quickly growing East Coast fleet showed great hospitality and left no detail untouched. Everyone was billeted, there was reliable sea-breeze, great socials at a fleet members place, an informal evening at "The Black Pearle", another function at a yacht restoration venue where they had the oldest I14 in North America on display; this read like a "how to" manual of a perfect regatta.

From an NSC perspective, despite being a brand new team, Leith Shenstone and Peter Viets kept their streak of top NSC I14 at regattas alive, cracked the top ten at tenth, narrowly beating NSC sailors Dave Bradly, and myself, Matt Davidge (11th), and Brent Beninger & Tracy Ross (12th).

After three days of exhausting racing, the NSC teams took their rigs down, packed their boats up, and began the long drive home to Ottawa. One thing was for sure though; they would be back at the next possible opportunity.

Those wanting to sail an international 14 are encouraged to join the Ottawa Skiff Fleet’s e-mail list at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ottawaskiffracingfleet/ ,or simply show up in the dingy yard on Monday evenings.  Boats are available for as cheap as $1800

Grand Prix Photos Are Now Available

Notice to all competitors of the 2008 Grand Prix:
Photos are now available on Laura's website. Each registered boat gets one free photo so check them out and pick your favorite before one gets picked for you.

Contending View of the 2008 Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix

Having not done enough to offend anyone in 2007, the Contender fleet was once again invited to the Nepean Sailing Club for the 2008 Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix, which attracts 50+ skiffs of several exciting classes (I14s, 29ers, 49ers, International Canoes, Moths, etc.). Last year, the races were run in light winds, so to shake things up, we got the kind of breeze that resulted in most of us getting our asses handed back to us on platters. From Toronto.... Keep reading here

International 14s in Hawaii -April 2008

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE sailing, particularly fast boats, but this has been the BEST regatta and sailing that I have ever attended (and I have been around a while and covered a few regatta miles).

Now, running off to Hawaii in mid-April when there is still snow and ice around here in Ottawa to go race I-14's in clear, blue warm waters doesn't take much convincing.

But I am getting ahead of myself here. Should start back in December last year, when I headed on a very snow bound HighWay #7 to Toronto for an "innocent" 49'er & skiff prize giving and dinner. Should have known that NOTHING with Haywire & Lakota involved could possibly remain innocent for very long. By the time we got to RCYC city side club, we were around 25 people, likely 75 Orange Whips and more than a boat load of enthusiasm for ANY sailing stories in the depths of an Ontarian winter. I think it was started by Crew Slut, but Haywire was quick to take it up. Lakota had enough rummers on board to go with the increasing flow, and Puppet Fluffer and I had already said we were in, so FOUR boats confirmed.... Keep reading here

First OSRF Race of the Season

A view from the first race of the season.
No - this photo is not a product of Photoshop. And no - MoneyPenny cannot walk on water (that we know of). He's actually standing on the daggerboard. The big question is - why does it look like he's reading a book?

Stay tuned, more pics and lots of video coming soon

A View NOT From the Trap Harness

Members of the Ottawa Skiff Racing Fleet (OSRF) are passionate about their boats, the wind, and racing. 
Everyone who has had the privilege of being on the dinghy-lot at the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC) before a race knows that the skiff sailors' enthusiasm for the sport is impossible to contain, and highly contagious.  In fact, once you're infected with "Skiffie's disease" there is only one effective treatment: Get out there and sail!
And sail they do.

From the earliest hints of spring until late autumn these pumped-up-adrenaline-junkies are on the water. Dedicated and competitive sailors, they travel frequently to race in major regattas such as the Rolex Miami OCR Olympic qualifier, the International-14 World and Pacific Rim Championships.  For all their success representing the Ottawa and Canadian skiff fleets in competitions away from home, the OSRF is always keenly promoting and supporting skiff racing locally.
I have to admit that what got me hooked on the OSRF in the first place is the sheer entertainment value of the e-mail banter on their mailing list.  It's like IMAX and reality TV rolled into one!  The feeding-frenzies that are created by some topics are like watching a school of half starved piranhas devouring slabs of raw, bloody camel flesh. And, at times, there are some striking similarities between the OSRF correspondence and Christmas dinner with the Osbourns.  The discussions are colorful, dynamic, free-flowing and interesting. The strength of the friendships is immediately apparent. The fleet is like a large, extended family whose members are deeply committed to each other and who share a common passion. For voyeurs like myself, their web discussions provide incredible comic relief during protracted and dreary winters, and they remind me that spring is coming - and we'll all be sailing soon!
The web site also showcases the fleet's commitment to the spirit of sportsmanship. Here, they openly share information on racing, skiffs, rigging and other equipment; they post race-results, articles and action-packed images; and they exchange ideas and tips on tactics, safety and all things sailing.  The site is also a forum to promote coming-events.
Recently, the fleet announced that the 5th Annual Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix will be hosted by the Nepean Sailing Club on June 7 and 8, 2008.  This regatta is a serious sailing competition with high caliber athletes coming from Canada and the US. It is also very much an inclusive regatta designed to promote the sport among experienced and novice skiff sailors alike. It is maturing into one of the eastern region's major annual events, and offers anyone with a need for speed with an exciting venue to test their mettle on the water, and at the bar. 
The OSRF has one principle objective for the Grand Prix regatta. The fleet insists that everyone cram as much fun as they can into two obscenely-full days of racing.  Whether you are racing, volunteering, or joining for the "apres-sail" party, make sure to congratulate the fleet on their great success in bringing skiff sailing to life in Ottawa. Happy 5th Anniversary, guys - see you on the water!

Lorraine Standing

Rumours

Rumour has it that Puppet Fluffer and Sorta each bought Morrison 12s bringing the Ottawa fleet up to 7 new rules I-14s.    

Another New Rules I-14 Comes to Ottawa

Congratulations to Doug II! Another Bieker 3 added to the Ottawa fleet.

Extreme Party Masks

Question : How to party in the extreme and keep things light weight & strong – a mask from Competition Composites Inc. in clear coat carbon fiber with mylar sails, spectra sheets and carbon spars! These masks survived an evening of hard partying and the accompanying PFO activities to come back without a scratch. Contact CCI (Sorta) at www.fastcomposites.ca for other cool things in composites J

Pan Am Games Blog

Check out Tracy Smith's blog on her Pan Am Games prep, experiences, and adventures at Tracy's Blog. 

While Tracy is not from Ottawa, she is well known locally for her particapation in OSRF events and of course for her big smile.  Good luck Tracy!

I-14 2006 Worlds Report

A 60 Foot Skiff

Here are some shots of Derek Hatfield's new Open 60, named the Spirit of Canada. Its currently located at the Port Credit Yacht Club. It was interesting hearing him speak of the issues and experiences sailing one of these beasts. So much of its characteristics and how it is sailed lines up with skiff sailing

Ottawa sailor designs and builds new skiff

Check out the lines on this beauty! Click on the picture to link to more photos.

Or click here for Eric's new website.

New Skiff Photos

Buffy in fine form. Click on the picture to link to more photos.

A Different Side of Sailing

For most people, sailing and leisure go hand in hand. Comfortable boats, beautiful scenery and tranquility, perhaps fused into one charming experience with a refreshing beverage - most likely alcoholic. Sailing, however, can be whatever its participants make of it. Like any activity, it can be taken from a charming hobby to an extreme obsession. For most sailors involved with the International 14 (I14), a fourteen-foot racing-boat celebrating its title as the best racing sailboat of 2007, their experience is of the obsessed type and fails to fit those first, and seemingly instinctive, conceptions of sailing.

The I14, according to sailing jargon, is a skiff. Skiffs are any small sailboat capable of tipping over (capsizing) that present an unusually and often unforgiving power to weight ratio. In simple English: monstrous sails, light boat and high speeds. Skiff sailing is a new genre of an ancient activity; Sailing's renaissance perhaps. During the early 20th century, the I14 varied in design due to regional discrepancies in materials' cost and availability. Differing designs were tested in competition throughout the century. Superior models were adopted while those lacking in performance disappeared. Where does Darwin not meddle! The modern I14 class has but continued a tradition of pursuing performance improvement through a developmental mindset.

Emphasis and encouragement towards advancement distinguishes the I14 from other sailboats. There are no set ways to develop, tune or set up an I14. Only fundamental design features, such as weight, length and sail size restrict competitors. The cleverer encounter fewer problems. Ingenuity is rewarded. Most sailboat racing classes function differently. In one-design racing, which means that all the boats racing are of the same design, sailors must adhere to specific guidelines concerning all aspects of their boats. With regards to design, creativity hides in the dark. Nothing pushes these classes to develop into greater racing boats. This does not demote one-design classes to second best, but it does illustrate why the I14 class and skiff classes in general are so well received by newcomers and are experiencing rapid growth. These fleets evade the aging process. They will always be modern.

The I14 Canadian National Championships happen at the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC) the weekend of August 12 and 13, 2006 sponsored by Valley Marine. The club has much history with I14s. One of the early Canadian I14 fleets grew up in BYC's yard. Thus returning the I14 in its reincarnated form seemed delightfully appropriate. Boats and their crews will be around to explain and show their boats. It is an opportunity to see how far sailing has come and in which direction it is progressing.

Leith Shenstone

Ottawa Skiff Racing Fleet : ZERO deaths. Just.

Race Report for Monday 19th June 2006 @ Nepean Sailing Club

A rather extraordinary evening of sailing and natural forces was experienced this week by the OSRF. There was the usual crowd of skiffies getting rigged ready to go from about 5pm with the ladies keel boat racers doing the same. The committee boat headed out as planned with David Searle and his group of RC´s R Us on board (thanks to Steve Adolf for the use of the boat again). We duly followed suit in the rather pleasant 28 degree Celsius temperature and 8-10 knot southerly breeze.

The forecast thunderstorms had been through in the afternoon with some significant rain and wind. Or so we thought.

The RC set a perfect course, but hesitated to start us due to a significant storm cell appearing south-west of the river. It should have tracked north with the prevalent winds, so we started our race. By the time Chris & I got to the windward mark, it was clear this front was tracking due east towards us, but we were too concerned with setting chute on the first of two really good broad reaches. We gybed just before the first major gusts hit and had a ripping lower leg. Doused the kite for the beat back to the gate to see the RC & mark set boats racing around gathering marks and telling people to head home due to the imminent storm arrival. Further west, the ladies in the keel boats had also all dropped sails and were motoring as fast as possible for safe haven in NSC harbour.

By now the lightening and thunder were very frequent and visible coming east along the southern shore of the river. Actually headed directly to where the club is and where we were all racing to get in to. It was a toss up to see who would get there first : us or the storm.

The storm won.

The winds had built to a gusty 20-30 knots or so as we sailed in, making it very challenging as it was coming off the land, still southerly. Going from twin wire spilling wind to both in the boat fully sheeted in a split second was a challenge when trying to tack up the channel to stay deep enough for our dagger boards.

A little side note here for all keel boat sailors : most of the high performance dinghies draw MORE than most keel boats in the club. That means that when you see a skiff or a 505 trying to sail in the channel, it is more important that you stay out of their way than normal. ESPECIALLY if you are under power - basic rules of the road still apply. Please remember that if a Tanzer, Shark or similar keel boat hits (muddy) bottom near the channel, there is little or no damage. Do that in a skiff or 505 and it results in a minimum of a $2,000 replacement for the dagger/centre board and possible serious injury to the sailors.

Chris and I made it through the keel boat obstacles to the T-dock and got the main down just in time. Steve had his 49´er the other side of the dock and main half down. Then the first REAL gust hit. The windicator shows it as something in the region of 50 knots, which I do believe. It picked Steve´s boat up (which is light) with 3 men on it (which are not light) and threw it 3 feet in the air and across the dock. Once the rig pointed down, the 3 men were able to secure it. Just.
I had 3 people holding down my boat, but with just a jib up, and two people pulling on the trapeze lines, it was not holding, so we dropped the jib too.

Then our thoughts turned to the 5 remaining boats that had not made it in to the harbour in time. We had four I-14´s still out and the E1 single hander.

The weather was so severe now that we could not hear anyone shouting. We could not see more than about 50 feet because of the horizontal rain. We could not stand without being blown over. It was so cold that we now had hail being shot at us at 50 knots (that is ice pellets from a gun at over 100km/h) - it hurt like hell.

Add to this that the storm was now giving us lightening strikes every 30 seconds or so all around us. I saw somewhere between 8-10 strikes within about 100 yards. Two of these were on the water right where the capsized I-14´s were and the lightening was so close that it made a louder sound than the thunder and we all saw the plasma from the hit on the water. I never felt so scared and helpless as I did at that point. Scared for myself, the people and on the water and helpless in the grip of such extreme weather.

The winds persisted for what seemed like 20 minutes, but in reality was about 6-7 minutes, with lightening and thunder that I only ever want to experience again on the Discovery Channel. The capsized boats remained close by and we could actually see them now and as we got the 49´ers secured we went to grab more power boats to start the rescue and clean up. Thankfully everybody was able to sail in once the storm cell had passed and the only damage was material with a couple of tiller extensions lost/bent and one mast coming down in the dry sail area.

10 minutes later and there was a lovely clear evening with a good sunset in prospect. Amazing sudden changes.

A credit at this point to any and all people caught in this for keeping relatively cool heads, but a special thanks to the RC teams on both boats for going in to rescue mode with the stranded dinghies.

Lessons learned :
1. Do not go out if you think it is going to lightening. Simple.
2. Do not rely on someone else to make that decision for you.
3. When told to come in by those responsible (crash boats & RC), do as you are told.
4. If you are stuck out there on a keel boat, you are safe, given good grounding - people do this all the time off-shore.
5. If you are stuck out there in a dinghy, capsize and wait near the boat, but below the level of the up-turned gunwale if possible. It is OK to be in the water near the boat.
6. If you have no engine or are under engined for the wind conditions (as most racing keel boats are when it blows 52 knots) drop an anchor to hold on station, but do it OUT of the channel to leave clear for rescue and sailing craft.
7. Follow the instructions of any person involved in rescue operations.
8. Insure that you have a working VHF radio on board and use it to call in.
9. The club MUST monitor the VHF in the bar and office during high risk times - this was not the case on Monday.
10. The club MUST pick up the phone when called during these times as we had one person lost trying to call in to say they were OK to stop sending more rescue people in to danger.
11. Boats are insured and can be repaired or replaced. People are insured but can never be replaced.

Just to prove that there is a funny side to all of this, I found this in my survival calendar for Friday last week and thought I would share.

....and what they don´t say here is to not stand on an insulated box strapped by wires to a tall conducting stick in the middle of a large flat area when in a lightening storm. That would be the definition of a SKIFF then.

Cheers,
Dave Bradly.

Monday Night Race Report - June 12/06

Another sucessfull Monday evening of racing ensued last night for the first Monday of racing since the very successfull bitHeads Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix. 9 skiffs made it out on the water, and some new crews were introduced to skiff sailing in Ottawa.

A big thank you to Leith Shenstone whom brought out (Leith knows his name), and accomplished Far 40 sailer that would like to sail on Monday evenings this year, and possibly buy a boat next season.

The fleet also welcomes Grant Lamont, fresh from his 2nd place finish at the fireball world championships in Victoris, Steve Adolph was able to prep the RC boat in time to get out with Grant on the water.

The breeze was 7-12 according to the NSC windicator from the North West, though observers would have placed it at 5 to 9; just enough to plane off the wind on reaches, yet not enough to get the boats to unstick upwind.

The 49ers showed what longer waterline length can do in non-planing conditions pulling away from the fleet upwind at times; and maintaining their lead off the wind. A big congrats on Sorta and Coke Bottles whom seemed to have insurmoutable lead at times in the evening.

On the I14 front, places were switched, and racing tight, with Brent/Michael getting the lead for the finish of 2 of three races thanks to a new streamlined haircut on Brent. Doug 1/ Christian spent their time doing tight covers on Moneypenney/Princess whom didn't have boatspeed in due part to ill-fitting battens in the main.

Chase/Peter showed further improvement, getting consistently around the race course in style, and this time not even capsizing, managing to just keep off the Vector team of "I want to sail a Vector from Florida to Cuba" Joaqin/Josh.

Eric in his one off boat, and Chris II/Robert in the J18 rounded out the fleet.

-Princess

Well done fleet!

Monday, May 8th saw the first skiff racing of the summer of 2006.  With a month's worth of training amongst the top boats, all were eager to test themselves on the race course.  Five skiffs got wet: 3 I14s, the Jonson 18, and a 49er.  Three races were run, an excellent turnout for the first Monday of the year.  Winds were 9 gusting to 18 {make that 7 gusting to 12 - ed.}, allowing for double trap racing 95% of the time.

The fleet welcomed three new skiff sailers to the mix: Rob Boucher, Chris II Jalkotzy, and Doug II McGhan.  All three have substantial sailing backgrounds and are undoubtedly great additions to the fleet with their depth of knowledge.

Rookie team of Jalkotzy/Boucher in the Johnson 18 prooved to be mighty fast upwind, only to have the I14s pop their massive spinnakers and run away down wind, which will quickly change in upcoming weeks as the boat will be flying it's large spinnaker.

The rookie team of Tiny/Doug II (Adolph/McGhan), on "Idiots Savant" showed moments of brilliance on their 49er as well.  At times they were seen pointing higher and faster than the rest of the fleet pulling away like a freight train.

Doug I and Christian also showed great boatspeed, especially considering they sailed their entire way down to the race course and first three legs without the plug in the back of their boat.

Ultimately the day belonged to Monneypenny/Princess (Penny/Davidge) with three bullets, their early-season training in ice-cold water apparently paying off.  The fleet eagerly awaits the corrected time results as soon as our fantastic scorer, Tiny has the opportunity to do them.

Race comittee was as usual fantastic, and managed to set gybe marks that were reacheable, yet challenging with excellent course lengths.  Their decision to shorten the race course to finish at the top of the second windward leg allowed a third race to be run, and the distance from the finish to the launch ramp minimized.

The true sportsman of the evening however was the Jonson 18, whom retired early from the second race to allow a third race to be run.

Next Monday should promise to see even more boats, as hopefully Sorta will have recovered from his flu (non alcohol induced for a change!), bringing his 49er into the mix, Chase has been rhumored to be getting his I14 down to the club for racing, and the Vector could join in on the action.  With Leith returning from vacation the weekend afterwards, it's looking quite possible that OSRF will be seeing 10+ boats on the start line for weeknight racing; a great indication of the region's fleet growth, and hard practicing for the Bitheads Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix.

First 18 in Ottawa

Well it's official:  NSC's first 18' skiff "Nokia" made it's maiden voyage on Lac Deschenes yesterday.  With Sorta at the helm, myself as sheethand, and Chris 1 as foreword hand, we made our way out in what we would guestimate10-12 knots, as the gusts were just starting to whitecap.  NSC windicator read an optimistic 20 knot gusts, but we all know how the NSC windicator's measurement of gusts is slightly exaggerated.

Though the rookie team had never sailed an 18' before, we still managed to get out, set kite several times and avoid capsizing (though there were several close calls).  Blasting boat speed (considering the conditions) was witnessed, with fantastic teamwork by all. 

At times the team was almost caught with it's head in the boat, appreciating the 38' tall mast and the incredible power that it's accompanying sails generate.

The skiff fleet's members have led the way in early season sailing in 2006, with Three different I14s having been sailed, one 5oh trip, and the 18' making it's way out.  All this with the ice having been melted in the launch area for under a week; a great indicator of the enthusiasm OSRF has for the upcoming season.

- Princess

Bondage in Miami

red hot and blue!

Anyway, after much work up at Will Moizer's shop (through Flat4M Technologies) she is taking shape. Thanks to Will for his help and space through the darkest winter months so far. The ship is now back to the original Lago Blue with the huge Nokia graphics on the bow (the sails already have them). Latest shot is on the osrf website thanks to Will M. Will and I painted her over the Christmas break using a simple method of roll & tip which has given her a good finish with one coat of primer and two top coats (all single pot poly). I didn't want too smooth a bottom (as in real life?!) because I figured I would need to spend time getting closely acquainted with it and slipping is not good.

I have made some sail bags for the mains and replaced many lines / blocks that looked dodgy.
Next on the list is to manufacture two 11 foot long carbon tiller extensions as the aluminium ones are too heavy and will actually permanently attach themselves to my hands in the cold spring water.

Make the cradle fit my current 505/49'er trailer and the tne Audi TT can be chased anywhere by the 18' skiff, which would be quite a vision I think.

Anyway, suspending work (and belief) for a week or so, as I and Puppet Fluffer head south to Miami for the bikinis, Sorry, 49'er OCR's.

Cheers,
Sorta

Kingston - 49

This was particularly late this year (by about 3 weeks) and consequently was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Luckily, I had mine on deposit somewhere else at the time and so set sail with a scratch crew for the 3 day event. Greg Loffree is usually a 9'er knob on the stick, but bravedly stepped in to the monkey position and only told me after 2 days of racing that he had never done that before. He acquited himself admirably and as the elder statesmen of the 9'er fleet (I think our combined ages was more than most of the other competitors could even count to) we were always on the line. Friday was a bit of a wash out with not much wind and no heat for a thermal. Still, watching the Tornados rip about in no wind was quite entertaining.

Saturday was much better wind, but felt like freezing rain. We went out regardless and shamed the other younger "whipper-snappers" in to getting on the water. Race one was our best of the weekend and we took our only bullet. Woo hoo. Race 2-4 was dominated by Dan & Rob (Ikea & Lawn Boy) and all Greg and I could manage was mucho swimming. One particular incident was perplexing - bear away around the windward mark in abour 12 knots, controls let off right, jib out, main out, helm and crew out and at the back of the wing. STILL went down the mine. Big time. Never done that so violently before. Turns out when we retired after that and got in, the boat had taken on some 50lbs of water through a seam that had parted on the starboard gunwal. Funny what 50lbs hitting the bow and stopping suddenly will do. Anyway, boat all dried and fixed now.

Balance of the regatta was sailed in America's Cup style and Dan/Rob won the day.

Looking forwasrd to our last few days of sailing and planning for the OCR's in Miami in January.

cheers,

Sorta (Dave B)

Impromptu regattas show keen and deep skiff fleet in Ottawa

Again, the Ottawa skiff fleet blazes a trail through fall. The weekend of Oct 8/9/10 (including Canadian Thanks Giving) saw 7 local skiffs make it out for a training day on the Saturday. This invoilved a bunch of rabit starts and single lap windward/leeward courses being sailed / swum by all. The Sunday saw the Skiff fleet invade the usually quiet and sedate Sunday Frostbite handicap keelboat start line. Most skiffs got bored with the waiting for a last placed keel boat who had a PHRF rating in the 300's!! and just ripped around the course shocking local lead-miners.

Monday saw the NSC hosted pursuit race : Turkey Trot. This is a fun race where everyone gets a rating from an Edel 636 to an asym Tornado. There were several skiffs out to play in this "twice round the circle" extravaganza. Winds were marginal planing for the B3 level I-14's and in the zone for the 9'ers. I was on my 9'er and started 45 minutes after the first keel boat in a 1.5 hour race....Well, despite having a couple of close calls, Leith and I did reel in boat after boat and collected a few thrown beers en-route to finally take line honours by over 5 minutes from the #2 boat - Tornado, #3 was Will on his I-14, then a Laser 28 steamed in there. Anyway, good time had by all and then the racing continued long in to the night in the bar as the Sens closed another great game in this awesome season.

cheers,

Dave B

Fleet News

The first annual Ottawa Skiff Grand Prix wrapped up and was a tremendous success with 21 skiffs! By far the fastest monohulls to ever sail Lac Deschenes, they came in droves from far and wide to compete in this highly competitive event. Countries represented were Canada, USA, and Great Britain.

Spectators were treated to the occasional capsize, although there wasn't quite enough wind for violent crashes. The skiffs had to be content with boat speeds in the teens (still blazing fast).