Thanks to Rod Wilmer & Terry McLaughlin for this report:
September is remarkable month in Canada. Most of us think of it for back to school, and the change of season. For the Canadian J105 fleet, it brings on the finale to our season, the championship event, the highlight of the year and this year did not disappoint.
Friday had been hyped as a heavy wind affair as we watched the path of hurricane Florence wreck havoc through the Carolinas and turn north. There was talk on the dock as to at what sustained wind strength should racing be cancelled. In fact, Florence dissipated, though the isobars over Southern Ontario narrowed significantly. As we set out on Friday morning we experienced18 knts of wind building to 22knts from the SSW. A heavy sea built up from across the lake. Challenging conditions indeed, but the J105 is the best keel boat class for a reason. It performs brilliantly in these challenging conditions.
Race one start saw 17 boats pitching up and down with flogging sails. Boats that set up early and high near the RC boat found themselves being denied entry at the windward end as the east to west current carried the fleet to the line earlier than expected. The key decision was when to pull the trigger to sheet in and go. Some boats found themselves being called over early. Heartbreak for Jamaica Me Crazy, who for brief moment, had the whole fleet tucked away below them. Mandate got her nose out, hiked hard and was able to tack and cross followed by Hey Jude. Starcross was early on back in the pack and was a victim of a port tacker who failed to duck the additional seven feet necessary to avoid a collision. Despite that incident, they were able to move into second place on the first run before being passed back by Jude.
The downwind legs were epic sailing with fantastic surfing conditions. The crews worked hard to get the boat up on top of the waves providing big rewards for the boats who were able to literally surf by other competitors at 15knts. Though a few spinnakers were shrimped, blown out and shredded, I don