For the first time in many years, every club race this year enjoyed nice wind (save for the first half of the day 2 or warroad). For this race, however, the sun was replaced with clouds, cold air and rain. The forcast combined with a number of boats heading off down the lake Friday in an effort together down to the Whitefish for Frock night resulted in a disapointing turn out of only three boats. The course took us around Survey, past Strawberry, around the Elbow, past Bun with the finish around Steamboat Reef. Wind was w-s-w starting the day at 10-15, the building to 15-20 around noon, then peaking out at 20-25 around 1pm just as the race ended.
The boats were hard on the wind all the way to the Elbow, then downwind to Bun, then a short reach to steamboat. Grand Cru had caught up to Raven at the elbow, having passed the singlehanded Black Knight previously, and decided to run the gennaker instead of the chute- the though being it was easy and they should be able to hold even with Raven. Alas, it was not to be. Under chute, Raven passed Grand Cru and built a modest but unnerving and unexpected (for Grand Cru) lead of about 100 meters approaching Bun, setting up what looked to be a very tight finish. This race required a man over board drill which both Raven and Grand Cru had completed while approaching Strawberry. Black Knight, flying chute singlehanded in 20 knots had almost reeled in Grand Cru but still had to execute the man over board. Unfortunately for Raven their 100 meter lead disappeared as they got stuck behind Bun. Grand Cru slipped by them and beam reached the next mile to the finish. Raven being second followed by Black Night.
As this race is named after Sgt Dick Booth, Wendy and I spent some time remanissing about the fun times we had on our previous boat, Black Pearl, with Dick's son, the late Kevin Booth. Kevin used to join us on Black Pearl for all the club bouy races and the LOWISA layover day bouy races. He was a pleasure to have on board - always in great spirits and truly loved to be on the lake and to be in a sail boat. A creature of habit I suppose, everytime he came on board he brought two beer (Keith's if I recall) and a salmon sandwich wrappped in wax paper. We both miss the post race rums with him that we used to enjoy on the Black Pearl while returning to the Harbour after the races. We also miss his welcoming smile whenever we drop by Northern Harbour. This race was important to Kevin and Wendy and I are proud to have won the race bearing his dad's name in the year of Kevin's passing.
Blair Magnus
Sent from an Iphone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I am so happy to hear that the Booths are remembered through this event.
I knew Dick and Kevin well when I sailed at NYC.
Dick was a caring and giving person. Once when I was doing a three week stint on the Lake, I met him and Kevin who had come down for Cruise Week. They did not have a vehicle due to a dead battery so I offered them a ride to Kenora. Dick offered to do my laundry with theirs as Kevin and I went to the local supermarket.
I lost touch with them after leaving Canada, but I am pleased with the continuation of their memory at the Club.
Post a Comment