The 2007 Challenge Participants
Fully Crewed Spinnaker Fleet





Chris Winsor
Amelia
Viking 33
Aquatic Park Yacht Club
Crew:



Robert Gauthier
Balance
C&C 33
Etobicoke Yacht Club
Crew:



Tony Goggin
Cats Paw
Alberg 29
Coburg Yacht Club
Crew: Denis Goggin, Irene Goggin, Mike Mensen, Tom Casteels

  • This is our first LO300 and I will be accompanied by my son Denis, daughter Irene and friends Mike Mensen and Tom Casteels.
  • Catspaw has been part of our family for six years, cruising mostly between PCYC, Gananoque and points in between. We have raced crewed and single handed, between Cobourg ,Port Hope and Oak Orchard and also in the 5 day single handed around Prince Edward County.
  • We are looking forward to the challenge, hoping for favorable winds and wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable trip.


    • Michael Ahearn
    Coug
    Peterson 41
    Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club
    Crew:

  • COUG is a 41' Doug Peterson design built by Wiggers Custom Yachts to successfully defend the Canada's Cup in 1981. Since her Canada's Cup glory she was raced on Lake Huron for several years and then brought back to Toronto to essentially rot on the hard at The Outer Harbour Marina. In 1996 a group of 6 sailors acquired COUG and put her into Peter Carata's shop for extensive refurbishment.
  • Today, the COUG consortium consists of Michael Ahearn, Paul Bradbury, Durk Steigenga (Performance Sails), David Street, and Carson Woods (Lake Ontario 300 Safety Officer). The boat is campaigned by the various consortium members and amazingly there has never a situation that the group hasn't been able to resolve fairly and amicably. The group with the exception of Paul Bradbury could best be described as long in the tooth but still very enthusiastic.


    • Robert Bugbee
    Defiant II
    C&C 33 Mark II
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew

  • Defiant has registered and started the last 11 LO300 events beginning 1994 and has finished 9 of the 10 with respectable results. Except for years 2000 and 2005, all entries were in the "double handed" division and the co-skipper was Mark Searle of PCYC.
  • 1994 was an accomplishment, completing the race in 62 hours and the 3rd boat of 14 to finish. The race to and from Main Duck was upwind as it turned with us. We sailed the entire race without seeing another boat.
  • 1998 was a drop-out due to light to no wind and with time commitments later in the week.
  • 1999 was most satisfying of all, with a lapse time of 62 hours and line honours, 1st in fleet, and 1st in division.
  • 2000 entry was in the fully crewed division and our fastest return with a lapsed time of 57 hours.
  • 2002 was a drop-out due to extreme weather and safety considerations.
  • 2003 was the first of the revised course and we finished with a lapse time of 65 hours. In my opinion the course would be much improved by dropping the Gibraltar and Whitby marks to eliminate the shoreline effects.


    • Bill Bevan
    Endeavour
    J 105
    Mimico Cruising Club
    Crew:



    George Minarik
    Entre Amis
    Dufour 45 Classic
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Ian McAllister
    Folichon
    C&C 34
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew: Brian Townsend, Andrea Mooney, Sandra Kennedy, JF Brien & Ric Doedens

  • My name is Ian McAllister, I have been a member of The Port Credit Yacht Club since 1969, I was married in 1970, sailing and Marilea, I love them both!!!
  • This will be my 9th consecutive year racing in the LO300, 3 memorable years aboard Jonathan Vinden's "Windriven" a Benateau 35S5 and my 6th season on my own boat.
  • The LO300 is the Greatest Race on the Lakes! No other yachting event can compare with the excitement, challenges and self-satisfaction gained from participating in the LO300, except maybe the lake ontario short-handed racing series? Without any exceptions this long distance race is absolutely a lot of Fun, actually it is the Best Fun! and should not be missed if you really just love sailing; where else can you sail and sail and sail, without your significant other saying; we're only going 2 and half knots, turn on the engine, I wana get there before dark!
  • FOLICHON'S dedicated, loyal and amazing crew will always make this race totally enjoyable for me, I could not do it without them! The awesome bunch in no particular order are: Connie Stone Mike Pietz Brian Townsend JF Brien Britt Wiethe
  • I can remember when open regattas raced only on Saturdays, there were about 250 Keel Boats racing on one course, you needed the next day, Sunday just to recover from the Sat racing and the amazing party. (This is not a commercial or a request to go back to yesteryear, but an invitation to all those boats who participated in MYRC & CYRA who are now not getting enough sailing time to join us in 2007 for this super race.) I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of wonderful people from one end of the lake to the other. All of our boats have enjoyed the many rivalries & terrific friendships gained and valued from visiting more than 50 yacht clubs over the past 36 years. LYRA, the Youngstown Levels and of course cruising in The Thousand Islands for years have always been the highlights, but now I look forward to the LO300 and double-handed racing.
  • A special invite: To any sailor contemplating entering the greatest sailing event on Lake Ontario - just call and I'll tell ya all about why you should take up the challenge in The Solmar Lake Ontario 300 nautical mile race (or the 300 KM/160 NM course for white sail) You're welcome to call me anytime. 1 800 479-6603 Ext 656


    • Wayne Young
    Gallivanting
    Niagara 35
    LakeShore Yacht Club
    Crew: Wayne Young, Brian Magee, Mike Kelly and Paul Saxton

  • "The Skipper" Wayne Young (retired) After growing up on the west coast of Newfoundland, worked at various locations across Canada, but no longer has a day job. Took up sailing about 10 years ago and is very much into cruising, with very little racing experience.
  • "The Crew"
  • Brian Magee (retired) A long-time colleague and friend of the Skipper, Brian has sailed on all 5 great lakes, plus some "down south" sailing. Welcome aboard, Brian.
  • Mike Kelly (retired) Mike grew up in Kingston and comes with a lifetime of boating experience.
  • Paul Saxton (soon to be retired) Paul grew up in Toronto and joins the crew with a wealth of boating and racing experience.
  • Both Mike and Paul come highly recommended and will join "Gallivanting" for the first time. Welcome aboard.
  •   "The Boat" Gallivanting is a Niagara 35 "encore" and was built for cruising rather than racing. Gallivanting's only racing experience was the 2006 Ontario 300, but unfortunately she had to drop out near Point Petrie. The goal for the 2007 Ontario 300 is to finish.  
  • "Life in General" A passage to Newfoundland is planned for 2008. Long may your big jib draw.
  •   Good luck and fair winds to all.


    • Tom Kara
    Glory Days
    Mirage 30
    Whitby Yacht Club
    Crew: Tony Cahill, Kerry Cahill, Jim Holton, Dave Mitchell

  • The skipper and veteran crew are back on the long course this year on board Glory Days, ready to do battle once more.
  • Last year on Head Office we had a great time and managed a first place in our fleet despite electrical problems and questionable hamburgers.
  • Most of the team has been racing together for many years. Thanks to a great crew, last year Glory Days took first place overall.
  • Look out for the fleet of entries from Whitby Yacht Club, we are here in force.
  • Good luck to all.


    • James Upfold
    Illusion V
    Mirage 33
    National Yacht Club
    Crew: Henry Piersig, Vicki Piersig, Eric Dickens

  • We are in the fully crewed division and will have 4 crew on board including the skipper.  The boat has been mostly cruised for the past 12 years that I have owned it.  It has since spent two years on the west coast cruising and circumnavigated Vancouver Island.  It has also crossed all the Great Lakes except Lake Michigan.


    • Bernie McGillivray
    Jay Bee
    CS33
    LakeShore Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Scott Dinse
    Margaritaville
    Express 30
    Youngstown Yacht Club
    Crew: Robert Dinse, Charlie Franklin and Brian Crager



    Alan May
    Mayhem
    C&C 99
    Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club
    Crew: Ryan May, Brent Hughes, Ross Sealey, Scotty Boyd and Tim Searle

  • New boat, new crew, first 300 so everything is stacked in our favour. It's called beginners luck! Two of our crew of six have '300' experience so they will help lead the way. Besides myself, the crew will consist of Ryan May, Brent Hughes, Ross Sealey, Scotty Boyd and Tim Searle.


    • Bob Stratton
    Mirage
    C&C 41 KCB
    Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club
    Crew: Cliff Styles, Bob Welfle, Phil Plumb, Jonathan Oliver, Doug Ramage, Greg Greason

  • At 48, the skipper is the youngest crew member aboard and hopes the veterans of the LO 300 aboard will get him through the race (and the socializing)!
  • We are one of an expected five or six boats entering from FBYC and we are looking forward to the race and a good showing for our club.


    • Kris Werner
    Mullet
    Beneteau 39
    Rochester Yacht Club
    Crew:



  • Geoff Brown
    Mummy
    Mumm 30
    National Yacht Club
    Crew:



  • Jean-Noel Fortin
    Nautius
    Beneteau Oceanis 44
    Whitby Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Patrick Muise
    Nick's Cafe
    CS 30
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew: Thomas O'Brien, Guy Perrin, John Danahy and Andrew Newman.

  • LOSHRS 2004 Double-Handed Spinnaker Fleet winner.
  • LORC 2003 Extended Offshore winner.
  • LORC 2000 Regatta series winner.
  • Previous Solmar Lake Ontario 300 entries: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. (Last year I was on the DL so the crew did the main and jib course without me, but Nick's  was there! In fact we won the division.)
  • In 2007, Nick's Café will be rejoining her Skippers' Plan Team Challenge teammates Defiant II and Sea Jay to try for a repeat win by Team Override.


    • Kevin Brown
    Notorious
    Mumm 30
    National Yacht Club
    Crew:



  • Paul Bellefontaine
    Odyssey
    CS 36
    Whitby Yacht Club
    Crew: Cam Berry, Neil Bandley, Bob Prentice, John Cooke



    Colin Bantin
    Pagan
    C&C 35 MkI
    Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Val Matison
    Quelle Surprise
    Dufour 40
    Royal Canadian Yacht Club
    Crew:

  • Good luck to all Solmar Lake Ontario 300 participants!


    • Mark Janeway
    Rebel
    C&C 1/2 Ton
    Aquatic Park Sailing Club
    Crew: Stewart Durward, Brad Janeway, Armando Hernandez



    Michael Kahu
    Rebellion
    C&C 29
    Bluffers Park Yacht Club
    Crew: Dave Harris, Richard Deschenaux, John Sadlo

  • Rebellion, formerly Bay Bye, has sailed this race maybe 6 times, and won Div 6 in 1994 under Capt. Jim Waters. This is her 4th race as Rebellion. She is an old salty boat but is back this year and ready to re-claim her place as champion.
  • I learned to sail on Rebellion after my first mate Dave talked me into buying it for a winter Bahamas trip. I have sailed for 10 seasons now and participate occasionally in club racing at BPYC on a J-35. The LO300 has been the highlight of each summer for the past 4 years and is what winter dreams are made of. I sail each year to various destinations on Lake Ontario & the St. Lawrence with my boys for adventure and cruise with my lovely first mate Nicole.
  • Dave Harris has sailed all his life starting out on Lake Winnipeg racing dinghies, captained his own boat in the 2006 LO300 challenge with me as 1st mate, and will sail this race for the 5th year in a row. Dave has raced dinghies extensively across North America and was a sailing instructor and coach in his younger days. He is the most experienced crew member, always dependable and capable, and now armed with the latest gadgetry and technology. He is flying in from his new home in St. Louis , Mo.
  • Richard Deschenaux is best known as a trombone player in a Swiss marching band and can sing too. He has club raced out of Highland YC and is our designated cook. He is tough and cheerful.
  • John Sadlo is also flying in for the race from St. Louis and is our American guest. He is an experienced sailor who has chartered extensively and currently owns a 25ft boat he sails in Missouri. At 6 ft 4 inch his long reach makes him a great deck man that can double as a whisker pole in a pinch.


    • Colin Brown
    Sassafrass
    Swan 47
    Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
    Crew:



    James Johnstone
    Seajay
    Hunter 30
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew: Peter Munro, Ryan Alward, Torsten Doering, and Norm Trudel

  • Seajay had a hiatus from this race between 1994 and 2000, but is renowned for being the guiding light around Yorkshire Island in 1992, prior to investing in a radar unit. This will be her 12th try. She is entering again with Defiant ll and Nick's Cafe as Team Override.
  • Peter Munro Loves helming the bad heavy seas, has rhythm and sensitivity. He is a great teacher!
  • Ryan Alward gained his sailing experience racing at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. He has cruised all of Lake Erie, the Trent and Welland Canals and has started exploring the North Channel and Sourthern Georgian Bay. He is returning to recollect exciting ragbagging times. Ryan has verty kindly arranged for snacks and cookies for all competitors courtesy of Dare.
  • Norm Trudel is a maintenance technician with Bruce Power. He has been sailing for about 20 years and with his own boat for 8 years. Most of his experience has been long distance cruising on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Night sailing under a clear sky is one of the great experiences life has to offer.
  • Jim Johnstone learned to sail dinghies as a youngster in the UK and ferried Dragons for their posh owners to Burnham on Crouch and Cowes regatta in his early teens. Competed on and against Bluebottle in Aldeburgh in the 50's, although rowing was his favoured sport.
  • Torsten Doering joined Sea jay 2006, owns his own boat but races regularly on J's in the USA. His experience and unflagging enthusiasm as crew, foredeck without fear,and helm is a tremendous asset!


    • Gary Benner
    Shock Therapy
    Schock 35
    Royal Canadian Yacht Club
    Crew:

  • This is the first time since 1991 that I will be doing the race fully-crewed.
  • Shock Therapy is a great light air boat that enjoys those quiet nights.


    • Mike Pietz
    Shorthanded
    J 35
    Port Credit Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Ed McCormack
    Solvenn
    Jeanneau 37
    National Yacht Club
    Crew: Wendy Archibald, Asher Maan, Chris Van Es, Grant Britchford, David Stiles and Allan Ogilvie

  • 2nd Lake Ontario 300 for Solvenn.
  • Has been racing on the Lake since arriving from France early summer 2001. Presently racing LO300, Youngstown, LORC offshore, NYC Club racing.


    • Claude Boulet
    Sorcier
    C&C 37
    Quebec Yacht Club
    Crew: Hélène Roy, Bob Grimard, Yves Dion, Jean-Pierre Bilodeau, Mario Drouin, Sylvain Gagné and Jacques Lacasse

  • This is Sorcier , falling from the sky, offshore in the lower St-Lawrence River!
  • The crew will include: Hélène Roy (on board lady), Claude Boulet (owner/skipper), Bob Grimard (local knowledge, from PCYC), Yves Dion (watch captain), Jean-Pierre Bilodeau, Mario Drouin, Sylvain Gagné and Jacques Lacasse. Lots of experience but this will be our first race together.
  • Wishing all participants a safe race.


    • Ken Graham
    Tracker
    Express 35
    Oakville Club
    Crew:



    Dennis Dice
    Umi Taka
    C&C 35 Mk3
    Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club
    Crew:



    Bob Wercholoz
    Vitesse 2
    Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40
    Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
    Crew:

  • Have cruised the Great Lakes for over 30 years , primarily Georgian Bay and lake Huron . Have sailed Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario numerous times on my boats as well as delivery of various vessels.
  • Have sailed offshore for 2.5 years on our Jeanneau 50 and sold the boat 3 years ago. Re-purchased our current Jeanneau 40 which we owned prior to the Jeanneau 50 . Have also delivered boats to the Bahamas and back as well as the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida.
  • Sold my business and retired approx. 10 years ago and have enjoyed many sailing adventures since then. Also spent about one year working for Angus Yachts in Port Credit.
  • Have recently joined the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club and keep our boat at the Bronte Outer Harbour Marina . Our crew will be comprised of many BHYC members who have racing experience. I will provide more information on the crew in the near future but can assure you we are going to be seriously prepared and ready for this race.


    • John Gibson
    Winston Churchill
    C&C 99
    Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club
    Crew: John Schultz, Brad Paul and Chris Mace

  • This will be Chris's third 300. The rest of us our fourth.
  • We hope to do better this year. We try and prepare and most things get done pretty well before the race.
  • But the race tends to overwhelm us. We get distracted by poor winds or too much wind and forget two fundamental things. The first is we forget it is a race against other boats not just the elements. The second thing we forget is there is a rumb line to the race. So we wander around the course, see lots of the lake we need not visit, and once we finished and twice we did not finish.
  • This year we hope to focus past the first day of racing and be focused at the end of the race. If we do that then maybe we can start to compete with other boats.
  • We wish you all a great and safe trip.


    • Francois Brassard
    Zoe
    CS40
    Quebec Yacht Club
    Crew:

  • Zoe is the last CS40 produced, purchased in 1991.
  • I raced the LO300 with my wife in 1993. Since then, along with a few races in the St. Lawrence River, we have done the Marblehead to Halifax race twice and the Marion to Bermuda.
  • This year I will be sailing with my 2 sons and a few friends.






    • Stay up to date
    Sign up and receive updates by e-mail from the organizing committee.

    © 2000-2007, The Solmar Lake Ontario 300 Organizing Committee
    The Solmar Lake Ontario 300 Challenge is organized jointly by the
    Oakville Yacht Squadron and the Port Credit Yacht Club.
    Please feel free to contact our webmaster about anything pertaining to this website.
    Website design and maintenance by Kennedy Websites.
    Top of page
    Index


    Contributors...




    Advertisers...

    @



    And a special thanks
    to
    Whitby Yacht Club
    for the construction,
    maintenance and
    placement of the
    turning mark at
    Whitby    .