Albacores representing 10 clubs across the country raced for the Canadian Championship on September 20, 21 and 22 2017, in a tittle event co-hosted by NSC and the Canadian Albacore Association. 19 Crews came to NSC from Shelburne (Nova Scotia), South Carolina, London (ON), Parry Sound, Toronto, and Ottawa.
The reaction of the visitors was wonderfully positive – here’s why: NSC put on a true championship-grade regatta event.
The championship went to George Carter and Robbin Coedy from Mooredale Sailing Club, Toronto in “Keep Calm and Carry On”. George is a regular winner at championship-level races, and has a way of making that boat glide away from the fleet. NSC put three local crews + two additional loaner boats on the line, but could not hold off the visitors. Two youth teams came in from Shelburne, including students from the University of New Brunswick.
Full results are here 2017 Albacore Canadians Results
Robbin revealed their secrets to winning 2017 Canadians: Thoughts From the Front: start in clear air away from the crowd, maximum pre-bend the whole time to keep the upper mainsail leach open, and focus on speed not pointing angle. Good advice. So simple. Yet, somehow, so difficult!
25 NSC volunteers and bosuns put the event together, working closely with the club’s professional staff. RO Mario Poirier and assistant RO Rick Anderton and a large RC team defeated the light and shifty winds of Lac Deschenes with a remarkable display of course setting and mark moving (I knew they were moving the marks every leg, but the team moved so smoothly that I rarely saw it actually happening, yet somehow the marks were always in the perfect spot).
Judge Mike McEvoy had just enough work, but not too much, as the sailors demonstrated the best of sailing sportsmanship through the event – smiles all round, even from the one boat with a DSQ. Warner Monteiro’s regatta ops website and Josh Foster’s rapid scoring ensured that communication throughout the event was smooth and fast – if you’ve run a regatta you know that these skills are critical. Christine Short from the Canadian Albacore Association promoted the event, to get the fleet here.
Racing report:
Friday: 29C, sunny. No wind, racing cancelled. Teams held croquet and horseshoe matches on the West Lawn.
Saturday: 30C, sunny, light air. 5 races, with a brave and successful decision to stick it out mid-afternoon. 7 hours on the water (!)
Sunday: 32C, sunny, light air. 2 races, awards, and home.
From Dominic Goodwill, 2017 Albacore Canadians Regatta Co-chair