LOOR News: LO300 Challenge and Events; Season So Far; Safety at Sea

Lake Ontario Offshore Racing -

June 20, 2024 Newsletter.

2024 Lake Ontario 300 Challenge:

Registration is open until July 7, 2024!

Registration is open until End Of Day Sunday, July 7, 2024.

If problems obtaining enough crew with Personal Survival Course, waivers are available to participating boats, see https://www.loor.ca/single-post/safety-at-sea-training-update

Looking for crew, then there a number of qualified individuals available, see the link at the lower right on https://yachtscoring.com/event_board.cfm?eid=16289

Susan Hood and LOSHRS; new racers.

The 2024 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing season is off to a great start. We were worried originally that registrations this year would be lower due to the SailGP races in Halifax being on the same weekend, and the new Personal Survival Course requirement introduced this year. We were very pleased to see the this was not the case and registration numbers stay at the same level as 2023. What really amazed us it the number of new racers that joined the Susan Hood and LOSHRS series this year.

For the Susan Hood Race we had 33% of the boats out new to racing this race. In 2023, we only saw 18% of the boats registered new to the Susan Hood Race. We’ve seen a shift in the registrations to younger boat owners and racers which is excellent news for future long-distance races.

For the LOSHRS race it was similar news. We expected fewer boats out to race but the numbers stayed the same, and 17% were new to the LOSHRS races. It’s great to see so many new boats out this year and we hope to see them return year after year.

Some clubs are holding Learn to Race/Fun Race series to help new sailors and owners jump the gap between sailing/cruising and racing. We’ve heard that these sessions are well attended and everyone that goes out enjoys them. Please encourage your clubs to start a program like this if they don’t already.

Hope to see you out racing!

Terry

LO300 Events:

Friday July 12: Mandatory Check In 10:00 to 17:00

Tech Talks: 17:00 to 18:00

Music by Infrared Music from 15:00-17:00 and 18:00-19:00

Mandatory Participants Meeting: 19:00 to 20:00

Dinner – $25.75 per person

Dry Rubbed Grain Fed Chicken, 40 Creek & Diana BBQ Sauces, Corn on the Cob, Pit Beans, Caesar Salad, Coleslaw, Tomato Cucumber Salad, Potato Salad, Cookies, fresh Rolls and Butter.

Reservations must be made in advance. Please contact Dave Sutman,

<davids@pcyc.net> (905) 278-7911

Saturday July 13: LO300 Breakfast - Time 6:30 AM

Sponsor - Accessabilities

Scrambled eggs

Bacon & chicken breakfast sausage

Home fries

Fresh fruit salad

Assorted muffins

Coffee / Tea

Post Race Flag Presentation Party:

LO300 Flag Presentation July 21at Etobicoke Yacht Club

6 pm Guests arrive.

6:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Awards

8:00 pm Music with band Oranje Krush: The 5 piece band for your Saturday night event. They are energetic, engaging, interactive and their music includes everything between Jazz, Rock, Dance, 70's, 80's, Top 40 thru to today's hits and more.

Race Dates for 2024! Mark your Calendars.

Date: Event

July 13 - 16: LO300/600

June 2: LOSHRS Race 1

August 17: LOSHRS Race 4 - The 100-miler

Dalhousie Weekend:

September 14: LOSHRS Race 5

September 15: LOSHRS Race 6

Registration for all events is live.

LOSHRS Youngstown Weekend Returns!

The YYC weekend Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June1 6, was a welcome return to Youngstown and the Youngstown Yacht Club after a 5-year absence. LOOR and all the LOSHRS racers would like to extend a warm thanks to the Club for their hospitality for these races. Planning is underway for next year at YYC.

As for the events... after racers crossed the lake in sometimes light - but more than forecast - and shifty winds, YYC welcomed racers and put on a delicious dinner. More than a few sailors climbed the hill to visit 'The (Stone) Jug' tavern afterwards - A tradition for many. Sunday, winds were solid and stayed on the beam through the crossing, picking up even more near the north shore as the fleet rounded the Fogh Mark in the early afternoon and sailed the last few miles to the PCYC Finish. It was a quick ride for all participants and an excellent reminder of just why we participate in these events!

Results are here.

Everyone can thank YYC by considering their new format for racing on their traditional weekend of July 26^th-28^th. The Chase format is based on a distance pursuit race. For more information CLICK HERE and HERE.

Offshore Personal Survival Course:

Wednesday and Thursday, July 3rd and 4th,2024.

Two full days of heavy weather seamanship, ocean safety and best practices for

cruisers and offshore racers. The training includes practical sessions in a swimming

pool and flare training. Participants receive World Sailing certificate of competence

required for offshore racing valid for a period of five years

Where: Royal Canadian Yacht Club (Island Club)

When: Wednesday July 3rd 9:00 am – 15:00 pm classroom,

Pool 15:00 pm –17:30 pm

Thursday July 4^th 9:00am—17:30 pm classroom

Registration: https://rcycadultprograms.checklick.com

Fee: $699.00 (+HST) (includes lunch both days)

LO300 Crew Shirts:

LOOR aims to provided a Skipper's shirt for each boat, but if you would like your crew to sport matching togs they are available and can be found here.

Virtual LO300 at SailOnline:

If you are unable to join the race on Lake Ontario itself, SailOnline will once again be running a virtual LO300 at the same time as the On-water LO300. Using model polars for the Beneteau 36.7 and live weather feeds, SailOnlines servers will welcome participants from around the world to the rac. Join through sailonline.org.