Lake Ontario Offshore Racing - Newsletter
July 28th, 2021
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2021 Racing Updates:
The Lake Ontario 300/600 Challenges (LO300/600) were a tremendous success to start the 2021 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Season. The 300/600 nautical mile (NM) course on Lake Ontario, starting outside the entrance to the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) on Saturday, July 10, saw solo, double-handed, and fully crewed keel boat racers compete in the greatest annual offshore sailing race on Lake Ontario.
As always, courses consisted of the 222 NM Scotch Bonnet Course, 300 NM Main Duck Course and although our numbers were down compared to other years, we still had a fleet of 60 sailboats from over 20 Ontario and Quebec clubs. Three sailboats went around the Main Duck Course twice to complete the LO600 Challenge.
This year’s race lived up to its name by challenging the racers with long stretches of calm, a restrictive course with limited space to maneuver, plus the added obstacle of the US Border. Close to the end, several thunderstorms rolled through to add an additional dimension to the already tired racers.
In the LO300 Challenge, after a battle around the lake, Line Honours in the Fully-Crewed, Flying-Sails division went to Hydromec, Skippered by Dave Savard of CRYQ in Quebec sailing a Farr 40 OD with a Finish Time of 57H10:56M. Afterburn, Skippered by Darren Gornall of PCYC sailing a Soto 40 was close behind at 57H15:54M.
In the Double-Handed, Flying-Sails division congratulations go to Skipper Ian Struthers of RCYC sailing Plika, a Beneteau First 10R – this year’s winner of the Sperry Cup. Great race.
In the LO600 Challenge, Line Honours go to Arrow, Skippered by David Courtney of LSYC who completed the 600 nautical mile course solo in 129H37:20 (that’s over 5-days of non-stop solo sailing on Lake Ontario), while special kudos also go to Upstart, a Sunfast 3200, co-skippered by Bert Barrett and Brian Mitchell of NYC, who won the Pearl Trophy!
With the season off to a great start the LOOR Committee is now turning its attention to the Susan Hood Trophy Race (SHTR) on Friday, July 30th and Race #1 of the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series (LOSHRS) on Sunday, August 01st.
Use the links on the LOOR website to sign yourself up for one or ALL of the remaining races. And please remember, if you are new to offshore racing and have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@LOOR.ca or contact your club LOOR Ambassador. You can find out who your club Ambassador is by going to our website – www.loor.ca. We'll help get you to the start line.
Please note that although the LOOR committee continues to plan for a full racing season, we cannot predict what restrictions will be in place. We have been planning for all scenarios and have several alternate plans in place. Please watch your inbox and LOOR social media. We will ensure that we communicate any modifications as soon as they are finalised.
Finally, we’d like to welcome back three of our long time sponsors and new sponsor nke Marine Electronics. Read about them, and the prize nke is offering the winner of the Susan Hood Trophy, below and please support them if you can.
Also, we have a brand new sponsorship package which is designed to suit the needs of all sponsorship levels. Please reach out to me if you would like a copy.
Thank you for your support and being a part of LOOR's community.
Monica Doedens
Chair, Lake Ontario Offshore Racing
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Virtual Racing Recap - LO300 Online!
Running concurrently with the on-water LO300, Sailonline hosted a virtual version of the race using real time weather conditions. As SOLer and 2nd place VLO300 finisher bonknhoot observes "this turned out to be a cracker of a race... that required a good smattering of luck and judgment and not just precision routing." One major difference between the on-water and VLO300 races is the the virtual racers were able to sail in US waters, while the on-water racers were not.
The results for the VSHTR were 1st: Sliderule (USA); 2nd: bonknhoot (Netherlands); 3rd Sax747 (Italy). Reports on the VLO300 can be found on Sailonline's website here.
The last race partnering between LOOR and Sailonline is the LOSHRS 100-miler on August 14th, 2021. Again, for these races the weather will be real-time and the courses will be the same for both on-water and virtual racing.
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2021 Racing Schedule and Registration Links:
● Race #1 – Course Race *Sunday, August 1, 2021 (16 NM)
● Race #2 – Coastal Race Cancelled for 2021
● Race #3 – Coastal Race Cancelled for 2021
● Race #4 – Long Distance (100 miler) Saturday, August 14, 2021 (81 NM)
● Race #5 – PCYC to DYC Saturday, September 18, 2021 (25 NM)
● Race #6 – DYC to PCYC Sunday, September 19, 2021 (25 NM)
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Sponsor Update:
Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC & Motorsports Brands, and Humberview Volkswagen on behalf of DriveHG.ca, has been a great supporter of offshore racing since 2015 and we are proud to have them back for the 2021 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Season.
The focus of this partnership will continue to be on the Lake Ontario 300/600 Challenges and the Susan Hood Trophy Race. “We are very proud and excited to continue working with the Humberview Group as Admiral Sponsor for these offshore events” commented Monica Doedens, Chair of Lake Ontario Offshore Racing. “Over the past six years driveHG’s enthusiasm has resulted in a higher level of excitement on the race course and during onshore events and activities.”
The Humberview Group, under the name DriveHG.ca, owns and operates 20 stores in Ontario with over 5,000 vehicles and 1400 team members. Representing many automotive brands, the Humberview Group prides themselves on serving their customers better each and every day. Giving back to the surrounding community is a big part of who they are and an important value in their organization.
From the Dorothy Ley Hospice Race, to Bike Sponsorships, Ski Sponsorships, and many more philanthropic endeavors, this automotive group is passionate about enlivening its community.
Andrew Lennox, GM of the Humberview Group (HG), has been a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club since 2004 and has spent his entire life surrounded by boats. Racing is in his blood, spurred on by his father Skip Lennox, a member of the Canadian Olympic team in 1964.
If you are planning to buy a car, check them out! They have special pricing and an exclusive concierge service for LOOR racers so be sure to mention us!
When heading offshore, there are many things to keep in mind that can help you make it to the finish line in one piece. Planning ahead can contribute to your success and assure your crew and your boat is set up to take on anything mother nature can bring. Here are some articles that will help you plan ahead, expect the unexpected, and get the best results in the upcoming offshore racing scene. Good luck, sail fast, be safe, and sail smart!
North Sails is also partnering with Access Abilities on our LOSHRS new sail draw prize Watch our social media portals and our newsletters for details on how to win.
Access Abilities is an independent and family-owned home healthcare store, here help you take care of your home healthcare, mobility and accessibility needs.
In 1998 they opened their first home healthcare store in Oakville and they have provided sales, service, and rentals of products such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, stairlifts, CPAP, bathroom and bedroom safety and more in the Halton, Peel and Toronto Regions ever since. Along with their family and staff, they spend countless hours supporting charitable organizations and initiatives in the community.
Access Abilities is a multi-award-winning, licensed Medical Devices Establishment; an authorized vendor of the Assistive Devices Program, Ontario Disability Support Program, March of Dimes, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board; and a member of many key industry associations.
For more than 40 years, nke has been developing innovative instruments and technologies dedicated to navigation. Whatever your type of navigation, would it be racing or cruising, solo or with a crew, nke instruments are designed to meet all levels of requirements and needs. Performance, reliability, ease of use and safety remain our main objectives.
nke products range from displays (multidisplay, multigraphic) to high resolution mast head units, precision speed sensors and depth sounder, compasses, GPS, remote controls with MOB function, without forgetting our famous autopilot that will be able to steer better than any of us even in strong winds.
nke Marine Electronics also provides a high resolution barometer and WiFi USB box that also allows your mobile phone or tablet to view data and control the autopilot (optional). Our instruments are now easy to operate and user friendly, whether your boat is 30 or 60 foot long! Nke sales & support is now available in the Toronto and across Canada area through DC Sailing!
Prize Alert: nke is offering the winner of the Susan Hood Trophy an electronics package comprising a multi-display (compatible with any NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000) and remote - value $2,300!
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Volunteers Needed!
The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing 2021 Season continues on Friday, July 30th with the Susan Hood Trophy Race (SHTR) and Sunday, August 1st with Race #1 of the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series (LOSHRS).
Friday, July 30th SHTR Start
From 1800 to 2100 for on-water start aboard Heron and if possible, a mark boat.
Saturday, July 31st SHTR Finish
From 0600 to 1800 in shifts of four hours on land.
Sunday, August 1st LOSHRS Race 1 Start/Finish
From 1000 to 1300 for the start aboard Heron.
From 1300 to 1800 for on-water finish aboard Heron. Some the those helping with start can be dropped off if needed.
No experience needed as all necessary instructions and training are provided. Please pass along to others who might be interested in helping. High school students needing community service credits will receive accreditation from LOOR.
If you can help or know of anyone who can, please contact Graham Dougall, LOOR Race Officer, racecommittee@loor.ca. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
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Sailors for the Seas / Clean Regattas
LOOR has been a Partner of Sailors for the Seas since 2019 and the Lake Ontario 300 is a certified Clean Regatta.
Sailors for the Seas is a globally recognized agency that promotes “Clean Regattas” through several Best Practices and practical strategies.
Each month we will outline one of five areas in which we strive to make a difference. Below is part five:
Green Boating
18. Encourage Water Only Washdowns
19. Use Non-Toxic Sunscreens or Cleaning Products
20. Do Not Offer Bow Stickers to Competitors
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Stay Connected with Offshore Racing!
Facebook: @LOOR300
Twitter: @LO300
Instagram: @LOOR300
Join the conversation. We want to hear from you! Hashtags you can use include:
General: #LOOR
LO300 Specific: #LO300 or #LO300Challenge
LOSHRS Specific: #LOSHRS
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