The 2009 RCYC Open Regatta was held on June 13-14 this year. It is one of the oldest regattas run at the venerable Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) dating back to the 1800s. In May 1926 The Globe reported that the event was for "yawls, schooners, dinghies etc" although dinghies predominated during that era. The 2009 event involved 28 Lasers, 28 Radials, Albacores, International 14's and keelboats of all shapes and sizes, spread over 4 courses.
As an indication of the history and prestige of the event, RCYC awarded the winner of the first race on Saturday with the Prince of Wales Trophy, donated by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, to commemorate his visit to the club in 1860. This year, the Laser fleet winner of this award was Chris Dold and the Radial fleet winner was Daniel Barry.
In addition, the winner of the first race on Sunday was awarded the Governor General's Award. This was won by David Wright in the Laser while I won in the Radial. I didn't expect to see the Prince of Wales in attendance, but I thought that the Governor General, Michaelle Jean might have dropped by for a handshake (I suppose a hug and kiss, and some seal meat might have been inappropriate).
The race committee on Charlie course ran the races the way Laser races were meant to be, I thought. It was a no-nonsense race committee that was familiar with unruly Laser/Radial sailors and was quick to reach for the black flag following general recalls. It wasn't until half way through Saturday's racing that I realized that the guy doing the race committee was none other than Chris Cook - a former Laser sailor who I hadn't seen or competed against in about 12 years. I have fond memories of beating him on the Laser course (ok maybe once) and I understand he had since competed quite successfully in a small regatta in Qingdao, China last year, coming with a hair of a bronze medal. In any case, great job on Charlie course, Chris! We look forward to our Ontario Masters Racing Team (OMR) training sessions with you in August.
Word got around that RCYC was offering a trip to the UK Nationals for the winners of the Laser and Radial fleets, and that the entire RCYC racing team would be in mandatory attendance. Accordingly, interest of numerous laser and radial sailors including the recently formed OMR Team was high. So with a number of us competing in the Radial at the World Championships, and Team Captain Rob Koci indicating he was sailing his Radial, several of us competed in the Radial and several in the full rig. (OMRs purpose is to train aggressively and sail at all most major sailing events in Ontario in preparation for the 2009 Laser Masters World Championships in St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia.)
Saturday started with some breeze, but it gradually faded through-out the day. Each fleet got two races on Saturday before the wind died completely. Following racing we headed over to RCYC for refreshments and dinner (Note to self: don't arrive after 6pm again or you will miss the happy hour oysters). On Sunday the wind was even lighter, but sufficient to complete two more races. With a total of four races, everything counted - good for some, disappointing for others.
Given that there were no results posted prior to the awards, there was an element of uncertainty as the awards were handed out (all regatta awards should be done in this manner). It turns out that the Laser fleet winner was determined in the protest room, with Bernard Luttmer finishing first and winning the trip to the UK Nationals in July. Luke Ramsay was 2nd and Rob Davis finished 3rd, followed closely by David Wright in 4th and Chris Dold in 5th. Masters sailor Bill Fuller finished 6th…..well done Bill!
In the Radial fleet, I finished on top to win the trip. Daniel Barry and Brenda Bowskill were tied for second place, followed by Olga Koubrak in 4th and Claire Merry in 5th.
Congratulations to all! I look forward to competing in the UK Nationals in the Radial, which should be a fantastic warm-up event for the upcoming Masters World Championships.
Nigel Heath is an avid Laser and Radial sailor from the Water Rats Sailing Club in Toronto. Nigel is also a member of the Ontario Masters Racing Team.
