Shaw Island Winter Classic

2012 Race to be held Sunday February 19th

2012 Notice of Race and Entry Form

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This 2011 race was a lot of fun. The day was cold but sunny. Shortly after the ferry delayed start there was a wind hole that everyone piled into leading to an early restart. Then on the North East side of Shaw a big gust blew in from the West and broached nearly every boat (as far as this observers limited visibility goes considering I was hanging from rigging to keep from going overboard at the time). Bart broke his pole! From there on things got less crazy and the sailing was great. There was a North Easterly in Upright Channel and it was a hard reach for a spinnaker. Crazy Ivan tried to carry the kite when everyone else gave up; sometimes it worked and sometimes not.

Once into the San Juan Channel the wind was on the nose - a northerly - at about 20 knots. It was three tacks to Wasp Passage where the wind changing from DEAD to 15 knots depending on the moment. Once past Bell Island it was a close reach to the finish line with steady pressure. By then the temperature was up and the sun was totally out with cobalt blue skies — a great day to be on a sail boat with friends. After the race the party at the Orcas Hotel was wonderful too. All 8 trophy winners were there to pick up their pickle-dishs (or pigs head) an uncommon level of participation for the after race part. Nice party and Kelly Toombs did a great job as the Master of Ceremonies. Thanks go out to Jim McCorison, Julie Brackett, and Barb Brunius who performed the race committee chores.

Blackfoot, Fiona, and Little Blue Dune Buggy were the divisional winners; Little Blue Dune Buggy was first overall and second in the longest name contest; while Ptolemy was first to finish.