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Fujinon 300 Double Handed Race, 1990Moby Jane, I.O.R. 1/4 ton, ABYC, Skipper Arthur Willis, Crew Paul Willis My father and myself entered the inaugural Fujinon 300 Double Handed race in June, 1990. Sailing a I.O.R 1/4 ton, we had no illusions of crossing with line honors, however we held hopes of being competitive in our class. That is until we where hit by a micro burst, with less than 70 miles to the finish, smack dap in the middle of the lake. The day itself was humid, 70 odd degrees, hazy, overcast, with less than 2 miles visibility. We were sailing along on a broad reach, in lights winds, and a flat sea state. My father was down at the chart table, and I was on the helm. Glancing over my starboard, I noticed the horizon haze to be thicker, and then to my astonishment, it seemed as if it was moving. I yelled to my father something to the effect of, “you better get up here”, he had just made his way to the companion way when the lake started to bubble, as if it were a milk shake. Within 10 seconds the wind hit, and we were heeling 30 degrees to port. We rounded up, and managed to release the main, and jib, not before they were torn like wet paper. My father glanced at the wind meter, and it was off the sale, which ended at 60 knots. This lasted 3 minutes, after which a 20 knot wind followed. Having no reserve main on board, we decided to retire, and head to port, with our tails between our legs. I have included link of a micro burst video, for those who have not witnessed this tantrum of Mother Nature... http://www.ontariostorms.com/1999/july/24/
© 2005, The Lake Ontario 300 Organizing Committee |
