Proposed Northern Harbour Development Plans

Dear Lake Neighbors and Interested Parties

We can finally tell you what our tentative plans for development are.

Northern Harbour would like to proceed on a combination of new docks, an art park and off shore RV parking that will improve the lake experience, protect the environment with a minimal footprint and create a unique experience for you and visitors passing through Kenora.

Let me share with you how our proposing docking and shoreline improvement will protect and enhance your cottaging and boating experience.

My proposal will offer, for those with cabins part way down the bay on the east side, a regulation size road to your property that Northern Harbour will build and maintain. The docks will take 25 to 30 years to build and will start near the north end so it will be a long time till they get anywhere near your cottage or Howie Blatt’s or George Bones’ islands.

Boats that dock at Northern Harbour go out of the bay on Friday or Saturday and return on Sunday, which is only 2 trips down the bay a week and we do not expect this pattern to change in the future.

The only problem brought to my attention was excess boat wake from some boats, since then we notified our customers that if they wanted to dock here they had to make the bay a no wake area and use the west track coming and going.

There are three main groups that enjoy Lake of the Woods, cottage owners, fisherman, and day boaters and live aboard boaters. All enjoy different parts of the lake. Cottage owners stay around their cottage area, go fishing, skiing, and day trips.

Fisherman and day boaters go where the fish and public beaches are, cottages on day trips.

Live aboard boaters go to wilderness anchorages where there are no cottages. They tend to stay there until it is time to return to harbour and home. They normally have a small boat to run around with and leave the big one anchored. That is why you do not see too many big boats around the cottages. They use different parts of the lake.

The Ontario government has set aside public lands, park lands and conservation areas in the south centre of the lake accessible only by boats and this is where the live aboard boater goes.

The live aboard boater uses a different part of the lake than the cottage owner does. Northern Harbour is the best location for more docking on the lake. We are closer to the anchorages that the boater’s use with the least amount of cottages on route. Pine Portage Bay is wider than Devil’s Gap or Keewatin Chanel which provides safer operation of boats.

This development is good for Lake of the Woods, local residents, Manitobans and U.S. people who use the lake and good for the economy of Kenora and area.

Following is more detailed information on our development. We need the support of the people on the lake and in the area for this to happen. Please let us know your comments or concerns.

We will be at the Mid Canada Boat Show on March 4th to 7th 2010.

Click here to download for more detailed information on the development.

Click here to download a map of the proposed development.

Click here to download a document to provided your comment.

Sincerely,


Gary Hall

Northern Harbour

Northen Harbour Crusie Week 2010

"Cruise Around The World" July 23-30, 2010

This year we are really excited to present our 'Theme" for 2010 Cruise Week. The destination is the beautiful, Whitefish Bay, with a different anchorage each night.
Although the anchorages seem to be the same every year, they are new and improved!

The Cruise Around The World will be a 'Lake Folklorama'. A few of the destinations that are being considered are: Italy, Mexico, Greece. The focus at each 'Port' will be food, drink, music, and of course there is a prize for each day for the best dressed! Hmmmm...., I guess there is the unavoidable 'wearing a white bedsheet night', (toga), hopefully there won't be a full moon that night!

Cruise Week is a layed back week of sailing on the beautiful Lake of the Woods! It is an affordable week of fun for the entire family. It is also a great week for new sailors to spend a week with other experienced sailors who love to share their skills with others

More information will be posted on the Northern Yacht Club Website.

Spring is in the air! See you all soon!

Lisa Phillips - On-A-Call
email- sailinonacall@hotmail.com

Tall Kool Two

Anyone who knows Van knows that he is not scared of taking on a big project, the next chapter of the McLean family, this will be sure to make a good book someday...

The Beneteau 43 is official and rumor has it the McLeans (kids included) are going cruising as early as March to the Bahamas and staying till September when the new Tall Kool One will return to Lake of the Woods for extended summer cruising;-)

Meat Pie in Paridise

We all know Bob does not like cheese burgers, so we will have to call this post Meat Pie in paradise.

An update from Fred on his recent trip to Florida to help out Bob.

The trip began on Jan 10th. Bob met Fred at Orlando airport and they drove to Ft. Pierce where the boat was stored. The boat originally belonged to Kevin McDougall, and Bob purchased the boat last year. The plan was for Bob and Fred to prep the boat and sail over to the Bahamas. The pictures tell the story. They never got to the Bahamas but had lots of fun and got the boat to Miami where Alice will meet Bob on Feb 9th and they will either cruise the Keys or perhaps set off to the Bahamas with Bill and Maureen Johnston.

PS. Bill Johnston in a short conversation while in Winnipeg was heard to refer to Bob and Fred as Felix and Oscar...

Let's try this with the Fork Lift

Ocean Passage Newport RI toTortola BVI

Ocean Passage - Newport RI to Tortola BVI's - Nov/09
Uploaded by mooreyp. - Discover new destinations and travel videos.

NYC 2009 Awards

2009 Novice Sailor: Ed Walker and Lynn Foley - Signe

2009 Family Award: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

2009 Racing Family: Ian Kelly, Carol Ann and Dana Kjartanson - Raven

2009 Super Cruiser: Dave and Nicole Luke - Airwave

2009 Volunteer of the Year: Paul Moorey - X-TA-SEA

2009 Single Handed Sailor: Roland Demarcke - His Nibs

2009 Race Committee: Blair Magnus – Grand Cru

2009 Safety Race: Ian Kelly, Carol Ann, Danna, Raven
1st Raven
2nd Blondie
3rd Vixen

2009 Tea Cup – Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Black Pearl
1st Black Pearl
2nd AFTICA
3rd Intrepid

2009 Spring Sea Fever – Dave Nelson - Kite
1st Kite
2nd AFTICA
3rd D-Boat

2009 Summer Solstice Pursuit Race - Ian Kelly, Carol Ann Kjartanson - Raven
1st Raven
2nd Black Pearl
3rd Knock Out

2009 Warroad Race – Jim Fogg - Fogger
1st Fogger
2nd Sloop du Jour
3rd Bird Bath

2009 Commodore’s Cup Pursuit Race - Ian Kelly, Carol Ann Kjartanson – Raven
2009 Silver Commodore’s Cup Pursuit Race – Eric and Jill Vogan - Vixen
1st Raven
2nd Borderline
3rd Sorcerer

2009 Silver Rear Commodore’s Cup Pursuit Race - Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru
1st Grand Cru
2nd Anteaus
3rd Raven

2009 Club Championships 2009 - Ian Kelly, Carol Ann Kjartanson - Raven
1st Raven
2nd Grand Cru
3rd Vixen

Trouble at the Gas Dock!

2009 Darwin Award Nominee

New Vision for Canadian Sailing

The Canadian Yachting Association concluded its annual conference and AGM on November 21st with stakeholders present agreeing to work together to create a stronger, more vibrant sport in Canada. The four days of meetings focused on developing a clear strategy for the sport of sailing for the future and the CYA Board will now work to finalize the strategy and communicate it to all the stakeholders. The participants strongly endorsed the Long Term Sailing
Development model and are aware of the challenge ahead in implementing the
program.

Also at the AGM, two new CYA board members, Christine Searle (ON) and John Kerr (ON) were elected to replace retiring members John Abel (BC) and Dave Thomas (BC). Chair of the Nominating Committee and Chair of the Election of Directors, Jim Dike, declared President Gerry Giffin elected by acclamation as there were no other candidates. In advance of the election of Directors, the CYA membership passed a proposed bylaw change increasing from one to two athlete directors on the Board of Directors. In a process as outlined in the CYA By-Laws, Nikola Girke was elected by the currently carded Canadian sailing team members as the second Athlete Director to the Board of Directors.

The AGM also passed a new by-law which introduces a required gender balance to the Board of Directors. The effect of the by-law, when including the Athlete Directors, is to ensure that there are at least three directors of each gender on the Board. Annette Wildgoose, who represented Sport Canada at the AGM said: "I am particularly pleased to note that after many years CYA now has 3 female representatives on the Board of Directors. As you may be aware this is part of the National Accountability Standards that drive the Canadian Sport Policy through the NSOs as it relates to governance and technical development." --
Complete report

Kenroa to get a few more Taxi's next year?

Newest radar cars in Ontario.

Just your "average Taxi" right…….. WRONG !

It's intentionally designed to look like a taxi, no special markings, etc..

Note the red lights, front and rear view mirror area.

The roof sign actually says "Police".

This is the latest in POLICE RADAR CARS….. Now in use in Guelph , Georgetown , Milton and Orangeville areas. ...........Soon to come to a city near you.

NYC Members Beware - The next pandemic

I went to a gathering last night, where I and other guests enjoyed copious amounts of alcohol.

I awoke this morning not feeling well, with what could be described as flu-like symptoms; headache, nausea, chills, sore eyes, etc. From the results of some initial testing, I have unfortunately tested positive for what experts are now calling Wine Flu. This debilitating condition is very serious - and it appears this is not an isolated case.

Reports are flooding in from all around the country of others diagnosed with Wine Flu. To anyone that starts to exhibit the aforementioned tell-tale signs, experts are recommending a cup of tea and a bit of a lie down. One should not expose himself to fellow employees for at least 24-48 hours. However, should your condition worsen, you should immediately rent a DVD and take some Tylenol. To ensure this Wine flu remains a minor case, refrain from consuming further amounts of alcohol and stick to Gatorade. Others are reporting a McDonald's quarter pounder can also help in some cases. Wine Flu does not need to be life threatening and, if treated early, can be eradicated within a 24-48 hour period.

NOTE
If you find you are complaining a lot, it may be that it has mutated into Whine Flu. This is particularly common in WOMEN and can quickly spread to their partners where the symptoms are detected as a serious case of eye-rolling.

Northern Sailors Hit the Ocean

Bob Webb, Paul Moorey & Dave Luke are joining Mike Scott to sail Zafu to Tortola. They are leaving for Rhode Island this Thursday and expect to depart for the BVI’s on Saturday Nov 7. Should be a 10 – 12 day passage.

They promise to send along some good stories and about one million pictures. Imagine 3 middle aged men, with cameras, taking pictures of each other taking pictures... for 10 days... nuf said...

Good luck and bon voyage!

People can track progress by logging in to this site:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0WPOjngtoq7RESpfIEmg7ojymUPbJ791L

This is created by SPOT Personal satellite tracker.

Also here are some blog articles about Zafu where it now sits in Brewer’s Cove Haven Marina, Barrington, RI:

http://www.practicallysailing.com/blog/j44offshore-rigging-refit

http://www.practicallysailing.com/blog/j44offshore-rigging

May or Thanksgiving Long Weekend? - Let it Snow!

See the attached gallery of pictures from both the May and Thanksgiving Long Weekends. Hard to tell which is which. Hint! - the ones from Thanksgiving have green water...

CYA LTAD sets stage for organizational change

As we approach the Canadian Yachting Association’s 2009 Annual General Meeting we would like to draw your attention to the latest posting on the home page of CYA’s website. Along with the announcement and details about the 2009 AGM is a hyperlink to ‘Sailing’s LTAD’.

Since February 09 , the technical details in Sailing’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Framework have been updated and revised by a national team of sailing experts. These details align the pathways for persons to enter our sport, develop through to international racing excellence and remain active in sailing for life. As such, our updated LTAD framework is considered to be the backbone for the CYA’s strategic plan.... ‘A Renewal Strategy for Canadian Sailing ‘.

Our LTAD addresses the following:
· Renewed Sailor / Athlete Programming
· Developing Coaching Expertise for each stage of sailor development
· Establishing a Competition Structure appropriate for developmental stage and age of sailors
· Established development framework for Officials
· A strong network for Yacht & Sailing Clubs

Implementing the LTAD and renewing the Canadian Sailing System brings plans for positive change. Through the summer of 2009, members of Sailing’s stakeholder groups were nodding with approval as they were presented with the changes that LTAD implementation will bring.

Strategic Planning sessions are to begin in sessions at CYA AGM, November 20 & 21, 2009. In these weeks prior to the CYA AGM, please be sure to become informed. Here’s how:
1. Review ‘Sailing’s LTAD’ / ‘DLTA de voile’;
2. Ask questions / provide input – feedback@sailing.ca, or talk to CYA office or members of Sailing’s LTAD advisory or competition review group as listed in the presentation; and
3. Review the world-renowned principles of LTAD at www.canadiansportforlife.ca / www.sportpourlavie.ca.

We look forward to seeing you at CYA AGM in Toronto, or hearing back from you with any questions.

On behalf of the CYA Board of Directors and Staff, all the best to you through the fall season!

Hall of Fame Induction for Sailing

Every year, Manitobans from across the country nominate their Manitoba sport heroes for induction into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. It's an honour held by an exclusive group of athletes, teams and sport builders. This year Sandy Riley will be inducted in the Hall of Fame in the All Round Category. We would like to show a strong support for Sandy Riley and we hope to fill a few tables with MSA members and friends.

The 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 7 at the Victoria Inn on 1808 Wellington Avenue. This event is open to the public. Tickets are $125 each with a portion eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Ticket and event information can be found at: http://www.sportmanitoba.ca/events/events.php or reserve your tickets by calling 925-5605.

MSA Awards Ceremony

The Manitoba Sailing Association is pleased to invite members of all Clubs to the 2009 Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 6th at 6:00pm at Fort Whyte Alive. We feel that it is extremely important to honor the volunteers, instructors and athletes who have contributed so much to sailing over the past year. Please help make this evening a great end of season event and take the opportunity to have a good chat with other sailors about this past season’s events.The cost for the banquet will be $20 per person. Please contact the office at 925-5650 as soon as possible to confirm your ticket.

Cross Country Snowboarding

Ok, this has nothing to do with sailing, but winter is comming and I think it's funny!!!

Tips on how to provision for Cruise Week next year...

LITTLE KNOWN TIDBIT OF NAVAL HISTORY...

The U. S. S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers).

However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England . In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland . Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.

The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water.

Start Planning for LOWISA 45

Many of you will know that it has been LOWISA’s tradition to run the week-long regatta in the first week of August which coincides with the Canadian Monday Civic Holiday. We’ve begun with the Arctic Glacier Youth Regatta and the Main Regatta Registration and Sailors’ Social on the opening Saturday. The main regatta has always sailed Sunday through Saturday of the following week with Wednesday as a Layover day of optional standalone round the buoys racing and concluding on the Saturday with the Commodore’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

Enter Fred Finlayson and Rob Eby who, as Commodore and Vice-Commodore, taking the helm for 2010 and LOWISA 45. Fred and Rob bring with them not only their collective experience in many LOWISA’s but exciting, innovative and fresh new ideas as well as a newly designed and “blog” centric Website that’s under construction for 2010.

According to their unfolding plans, LOWISA 45 will be a 5-day event with consecutive racing and sailing Monday, August 2nd through Friday, August 6th. The Layover day will become optional and it will fall on the final Saturday, August 7th, 2010 year. This optional buoy race will be, in terms of the overall results, a standalone race. The Commodore’s Awards and closing ceremony will be held on the Friday evening. It is believed that this new format will provide more travel and rigging time for many of us who can’t take extended time away from work, family and our many obligations. This ground-breaking format is already creating new interest by PHRF, the growing one-design and Portsmouth fleets on both sides of the border. You will best be able to keep abreast of next year’s developments by visiting our Website often at www.lowisa.org .

LOWISA is definitely a “Ya'Gotta Regatta”; please join us in 2010. For more information on our sponsors, pictures or regatta information go to www.lowisa.org, search for us on Facebook “SAILLOWISA”or contact us at saillowisa@gmail.com.

LOWISA 44 Wrap-up

By: Bob Nuttall

Woot woot another amazing LOWISA regatta! The 44th LOWISA (Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association), opened its annual event August 2nd at the Kenora Harbourfront in glorious weather; the spectacle of all the boats rigged and ready to sail drew a crowd of onlookers as the fleet anticipated the week-long regatta. Each day’s course was designed to be about 25 miles long and included all points of sail in the predominant southerly winds. With 60 square miles of lake, the sailing possibilities are almost endless. For LOWISA 44, the Race Officers once again set great courses which were point-to-point so that a new wilderness anchorage could be enjoyed each day on this pristine lake of 16,662 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline. For the avid racers, careful tactical work and sharp sailing skills produced great competitive racing with tired but happy crews by the end of each day.

Sailing and racing on Lake of the Woods is always spectacular. And the alternatives for accommodations and eating are very good; proximate 5-star wilderness lodges, houseboat rentals each with their complimenting food and fanfare choices or pitching your tent each night under magnificent star filled skies provided options that suit every lifestyle and every budget. This year’s host lodge was Totem Resort’s Wiley Point Wilderness Lodge and for as for me, the accommodations were comfortable and the deserts, well maybe because we were in the wilderness with all that fresh air, the deserts were “to die for”!!

LOWISA’s racing on the Lake of the Woods is world class with the post racing afternoons and evenings always delightful. I couldn’t begin to count all of the international friendships that have been created over the years or the annual reunions between racing rivals or its cruising enthusiasts. LOWISA traditionally gets its start with the Arctic Glacier Annual Youth Dinghy Open Day Regatta and closes with the Commodore’s Awards Banquet. Social highlights are many and included, to mention a few, the always anticipated annual Mt. Gay, Pepsi, Arctic Glacier Wilderness Adventure (rum party), LOWISA’s own Star Search talent contest, the Canadian Tire Kids’ Fishing Derby, the LOWISA Scavenger Hunt and the Arctic Glacier Frozen T-Shirt contest. Come one, come all, you can even find time to kick back and read the latest Dan Brown novel – the choices are many and yours to make.

Our participants came from far and near (my daughter Erin Grealy may have been our most distant participant having traveled from Melbourne, Australia. My eldest daughter, Kristin, travelled from Whistler, BC, too – simple proof that there’s nowhere else they’d rather be than at the LOWISA regatta). There too, were Old Salts and Young Salts alike, with every skill set imaginable. We have many “firsts” on LOWISA each year but it is especially important to mention that our youngest competitors on LOWISA 44 were Michael Nelson (13), and Jack Clark (11), who on their tiny Weta 4.4m trimiran piloted, navigated and with amazing courage and skill, sailed the entire regatta without aid or abetting from parent or fleet – impressive, eh?

Now the intrigue has thickened just a bit by the fact that both Michael and Jack are 3rd generation LOWISA participants. Michael is the son of David Nelson who sailed his rocket/mother ship, Kite, a state-of-the-art Ultimate 27 (and it would be more accurate, perhaps, to call her father ship since mom was not on board). David is the son of 80-something LOWISA enthusiast Earl Nelson whom scores of us know and remember from many LOWISA’s past – that’s three generations of active participants.
Similarly, Jack is the son of Lori and Bruce Clark and Lori is the daughter of Pat and Angie Kabris of the always competitive J100, Hurricane Bar and Grill. Jack’s mom, Lori, is an important and dynamic member on Hurricane. Again, that’s 3 generations of active participants! And Jack’s father Bruce is always present at LOWISA, too. Bruce busies himself as a fisherman during LOWISA, but have you ever noticed that he’s often conveniently and at times, inconveniently, anchored over one of those lurking and sometimes ominous reefs? “Just fishing”, he will say but I say that he is keeping vigilant watch over our fleet and I’d be quick to dispel the fisherman guise. After all, I’ve never seen his catch, have you?

And for the first time ever, Bruce found more fishing spots on the course than you might ever begin to imagine; never advising or interfering with our 11 and 13 year old competitors, he was always close and kept a special but distant watch over them, all the while, ready to lend the fleet a helping hand wherever and whenever needed. And so it was with so many of our participants…spirit, passion, love for the lifelong sport of sailing and the LOWISA regatta. Fish away, Bruce, and thank you!

On behalf of outgoing LOWISA 44 Commodores John and Marcia Sexton of Burnsville, Minnesota, I’d like to thank our generous sponsors, our volunteers and our participants. LOWISA is one of the longest and oldest sailing regattas and boasts 44 continuous years of historic and international success - each year’s success is the direct result of sponsors’, volunteers’ and enthusiastic participants’ contributions.

Northern Yacht Club 2009 Race Results – Club Championships

Raven 21.25
Grand Cru 24.25
Vixen 45
Sorcerer 45
Fogger 49.75
Borderline 52
Bird Bath 53
Blondie 53
Knock Out 54
Kite 54.75
Anteaus 55
Sloop du Jour 55
Intrepid 56
Rebel 57
Sanity 57
AFTICA 57
Aubergene 60
D-Boat 60
Oh Boy 62
Scotts N Water 64

Golden Eagles on Lake of the Woods

On September 25th Rob Eby, Fred Finlayson, Jim Sloan and Doug Skoog embarked on a sunset cruise aboard Doug’s inflatable ‘Woof”. At the end of Needle Point they had a close up sighting of a Golden Eagle. Don Fillion [Baroness] has also reported seeing a golden on the lake.

While we are all familiar with the many bald eagles we see, the Golden Eagle is a special treat.

The Golden Eagle is the largest of the genus, buteo, a bird of prey. Their wingspan can reach up to 7 1/2 feet, and they are the soaring "specialist" among all buteos which includes bald eagles, hawks, and buzzards. They use their large wingspans to catch rising masses of warm air (thermals) and can glide longer and further than other birds. They are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks with a wingspan averaging over 2 m (7 ft) and up to 1 m (3 ft) in body length. Their sheer size and coloration distinguish them from immature Bald Eagles. This one was much larger than any Bald Eagle the boys could recall seeing.

They are extremely swift, and can dive upon their quarry at speeds of more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) per hour. They have even been known to attack full-grown Deer. Golden Eagle pairs maintain territories that may be as large as 60 square miles(155 square kilometers). They are monogamous and may remain with their mate for several years or possibly for life. A lesson a number of us missed.

Sea Ray AquaPalooza

The worlds largest boating party... looks like Frock Night has been trumped...




AQUAPALOOZA KEEPS GETTING BIGGER!

For the fourth time in a row since its debut in 2006, AquaPalooza broke its own records with an amazing total of approximately 15,600 boats and 84,000 people showing up to share in a grand celebration of the boating lifestyle. In the past four years, AquaPalooza has more than tripled in size! We'd like to thank all the attendees, dealers, sponsors and employees who made this summer's 122 events the most successful yet.

If you don't already know, AquaPalooza is the name given to a series of on-water celebrations held during the last two weekends in July at more than 100 locations around the world. Created by Sea Ray Boats, AquaPalooza is free and open to all boaters and non-boaters. Each gathering features fun activities for family and friends of all ages, such as live entertainment, games, giveaways and much more.

Be sure to read all about this year's Signature Event, which featured a concert by country superstar Alan Jackson, and check back soon to find out where next summer's AquaPalooza with splash down. (Or, better yet, send us your recommendations on our Facebook page!)

Check out photos and videos from last year's AquaPalooza, and don't forget to show your support on our Facebook, MySpace and YouTube pages. Remember to sign up for email updates, and mark your calendar now for the 2010 AquaPalooza celebration near you!

Congratulations to the Sonar Team Racers

On August 28-30, Fred, Rob and Jim from Northern Yacht Club participated in a team racing clinic and regatta at the US Sailing Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Bert Foster of WYC coordinated the event with Hans Graf, Executive Director of the US Sailing Center.

What is team racing? The game involves two teams of 3 boats each racing against each other. It’s a combination of fleet racing - getting a good start, sailing fast, catching shifts etc. and tactical moves to help your team mates move up in the race standings. If you leave your team mates behind, the other team will try to slow them down so their own boats move ahead. Since there are 21 possible points, the goal of each race is for your team to finish with a “winning” combination of 10 points or less. The best winning combinations are 1st, 2nd and anything or finishes of 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. With these “stable” combinations, it’s difficult for the opposing team to pass your team mates. On the other hand, if your team has a 1st and 3rd during the race watch out because the opposing 2nd place boat will attack your 3rd place and try to slow them down with a “pass back” move. If you don’t go on the offensive first and are attacked by the other team you may find yourself going from 2nd to 6th place in a hurry.

Three teams competed at the Sheboygan Invitational Team Clinic and Regatta – Wayzata, Canada and Sheboygan. Teams arrived on Thursday afternoon to launch boats and do a little shakedown cruise. Cocktails and appetizers followed at the yacht club. Friday was a practice day for the teams followed by a debriefing by Coach Ken Legler, Head Coach of the Tufts Sailing Team. Ken provided valuable instruction to the entire group throughout the weekend on the nuances of team racing strategy, tactics and rules.

The three teams competed in a series of round robins to determine who would make it into the finals. The top two teams would compete in a best of five series after all the round robins were completed.


Competition started on Saturday in a Northwesterly wind of 15-20 mph. There were a lot of close races and everyone was trying to figure out the competition. Sheboygan showed early dominance and Canada rallied after lunch winning 4 races to put them in contention to make it into the final.

On Sunday morning the wind clocked to the Northeast which brought 3 to 4 foot swells and winds of 10 – 15 mph. Team Wayzata had a huddle before racing began and decided to change their starting strategy from “one boat start on the boat end, one in the middle and one at the pin” to – “get a good start, sail fast and go from there”. The strategy paid off. Team Wayzata rallied to win 3 races in a row and make it into the “Best of 5” final against Team Sheboygan. Team Canada watched the final from the coach and umpire boats and listened to Coach Ken Legler’s commentary on the radio about the plays that were developing on the race course.

In the final, Wayzata won the first race against Sheboygan. In the 2nd race, Sheboygan rallied and won the race to tie-up the series 1 to 1. In the third race, the race was close ending in a 5 boat pile up at the finish line. When the dust settled, one of the umpire boats informed a boat from Sheboygan that they had fouled a Wayzata boat near the finish line and had to re-finish. This infraction gave Sheboygan a losing combination and put Wayzata up 2-1. In the 4th and final race, Team Sheboygan had created a wedge at the start with two of their boats on either side of Wayzata boat #5. The Wayzata boat was an innocent victim with nowhere to go. To make things more interesting, Mark Kochendorfer from Wayzata fell overboard trying to clear a competitor’s boom from the forestay and get clear. The penalty against the windward Sheboygan boat that failed to keep clear was fair and immediate. An umpire watching the mayhem required the guilty Sheboygan boat to do penalty spins until Mark could get back on board and sail on their way. One of the other Sheboygan boats who helped create the incident retired. The other two Wayzata boats had a clean start and finished in a winning combination of 1st and 2nd place to seal the victory for Wayzata in the final over Sheboygan with a score of 3 wins and 1 loss.

It was a great weekend of sailing and learning about team racing. Sonar Fleet 5 will continue to practice their Team Racing skills and compete next year in Sheboygan to battle it out on Lake Michigan with other teams.

Team Wayzata
WYC Boat #4 – John Rainaldi, Ernest Brody, Becca Lundberg
WYC Boat #5 – Marty Fossen, Kathy Fossen, Mark Kochendorfer
WYC Boat #6 – John Sligh, Liz Sligh, Jeff Harris

Team Canada
CYA Boat “Captain Hook” – Bert Foster, Carmella Foster, Leonard MacKinnan
CYA Boat #7 – Tom Brown, Dan Hollinger, Chandra Wobschall Millner
CYA Boat # 8 – Fred Finlayson, Jim Fogg, Rob Eby

Team Sheboygan
SYC Boat #1 – Hans Graf and Crew
SYC Boat # 2 – Albert, Rachel and Max of Tufts Sailing Team
SYC Boat # 3 – Greg, Duane Olmsted and Crew