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Local skippers set sail for Great Lakes race
By: Radhika Panjwani July 21, 2007 - For the next couple of days, Mississauga resident Brian Townsend will pray for some good winds in his sails. Townsend is one of the 150 participants taking part in the Solmar Lake Ontario 300 - a major long distance yacht race, which kicked off from the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC), today. The event is co-hosted by PCYC and the Oakville Joint Squadron. In its 17th year, the race is among the five toughest yacht races on the Great Lakes, because participants have to circumnavigate their way around the lake, touching five strategic locations, said Lynn Townsend, who is the manager of shoreside logistics. The event has seen fluctuations in attendance since its inception, but in the last couple of years participation has surged, injecting the competition with fresh vigour. This year, 108 yachts from across Canada and U.S are in the fray. The organizers received $25,000 from their lead sponsor, thus enabling them to install transponders on each boat for the first time, so they can track the progress of each vessel. “All the major races around the world have transponders, so this has taken us into the next level by making it one of the major races around the world,” Lynn said. “This race is also one of the most challenging because this particular race is not one where you go from one point to the other...it takes a lot more talent and skill.” The fleet of gleaming chrome and steel yachts dotting the shoreline made a spectacular sight as they bobbed in the placid lake. The sailors said they anticipate a variety of wind conditions that will see them employ a gamut of navigational and physical skills, along with endurance. Brian and his crew of six were upbeat as they set sail on their boat, Folichon. “The thrill is being out there for two days and knowing that you cannot put on a motor and you've got to get around the lake,” said Brian. “There are times when you can't see a boat especially at night when it is dark and there's only a quarter moon, yet you know, you're racing.” The sailors face many challenges such as having to carefully plan their meals, keep a look out for big freighters and make smart and quick decisions. Sleep deprivation is inevitable as the crews race against time, said Brian. “This is a common sense race,” he said. “In a short course race, you can take all sorts of chances and maybe regret them, but out here in the middle of the lake, you can't afford to make too many mistakes.” Skipper Brent Hughes of Pickering and his crew are taking on the race in a brand new boat named Mayhem, loaned to them by its owner, Alan May. The experienced sailors said they all had a variety of sailing experiences in different conditions. Carlo Vanini, one of the crew of Mayhem, said the wind conditions will be interesting to navigate because the sailors said they expect a storm or two. “The worst weather hits at night and everything happens at 3 a.m.,” said Vanini. “In past years we have hit a number of challenges, flat calm is the worst, it is when you're trying to just make the boat move at all.” “We've sailed through some of the blackest nights,” he continued. “This is an interesting race from an emotional standpoint. I think you go through every emotion - nervousness, elation, to despair...I should say the only one that you probably don't experience is fear.” For information or keep track of the boats, www.lakeontario300.org. rpanjwani@mississauga.net
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© 2000-2007, The Solmar Lake Ontario 300 Organizing Committee |
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