Lake Ontario Offshore Racing -

June 27, 2025 Newsletter.

In This Issue:

LOSHRS Races 2 and 3 Recap

Lake Ontario 300/600 Pre- and Post-Race Events

Still time to register for the LO300/LO600 2025

Volunteer!

LOSHRS Races 2 and 3 Recap:

Over 30 yachts lined up on June 21 to participate in LOSHRS race 2 from PCYC to Bluffers Park, including a fine turnout of solo sailors (Welcome back Mac!).

Conditions were interesting to say the least. Heavy fog and mist (see the photo above of the PCYC Clubhouse from K Dock) greeted the racers and the Race Committee Saturday morning and the start sequence was postponed until the RC could see the pin at the other end of the line. In spite of the fog, which really never disappeared entirely, there was good breeze to get the boats off the line and heading on a reach down to the Fogh mark. Rounding Fogh to head to Bluffers also began as a reach.

Things got weird around the Leslie Street Spit and Ashbridges Bay with major shifts, lulls and very narrow wind lanes. Many of us found ourselves turned around and going the wrong way on multiple occasions. Or watching in dismay as yachts 100 metres to either side swanned by!

With the persisting fog, the RC relayed the coordinates of the RC vessel so yachts would be able to find the finish line. RO Graham Dougall relayed later that the racers were not the only ones doing donuts out there. At one point, the RC vessel did a complete 360 on her anchor! Challenging conditions for all!

After finishing, racers were warmly welcomed at Highland Yacht Club where we enjoyed live music, the friendly bar service, the varied and tasty offerings of the Food Truck brought in for the occasion, not to mention a spectacular fireworks display put on by the good neighbours at Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club! A most enjoyable evening for which we thank the good folks at Highland Yacht Club and, of course, our LOSHRS organizers!

Race 3 on Sunday brought on summer in earnest. We had an on time start in sunshine and headed upwind along the north shore at maximum hull speed, almost laying the finish line except for the pesky Spit and Toronto Islands in the way! Suddenly, the lead boats found themselves entering a cold and clammy rolling fog bank which resulted in an immediate 90 degree shift to the left. After that, it was breeze on – breeze off and lots of shifts and tacks to get to the finish at PCYC. There were big gains (and losses) to be made. Once out of the fog bank, it was glorious sunshine and some seriously hot gusts from onshore to give us a hint of what the next few days would bring!

While we all miss our friends in Youngstown it was, all in all, a wonderful weekend! Our thanks to the LOSHSRS committee, the Race Committee, ably run as always by Graham Dougall, and our hosts at Highland Yacht Club!

Lake Ontario 300/600 Pre- and Post-Race Events:

Ahead of the race PCYC welcomes all participants and club members to a BBQ on Friday July 11/25

BBQ menu - $32.00

Rolls and Butter

Caesar Salad, Coleslaw, Pasta Salad, and Potato Salad

Dry Rubbed Grain Fed Chicken – with a selection of BBQ sauces

Corn on the cob

Pit Beans

Cookies and Squares

Saturday morning, July 12/25 - Breakfast provided by Access Abilities

Post race - Chili served to race finishers

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A Flag Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday July 19/25 at the National Yacht Club, 1 Stadium Rd., Toronto. The following are the times and activities planned:

17:00 - 22:00 DJ

17:30-18:30 Cocktails

18:30 - 19:00 Flag awards and photo op

19:00 - 20:00 Dinner, menu below $42.00.

2025 LOOR Patio BBQ $42

Mixed greens with Honey Dijon dressing, tomato, and cucumber

Crudités with feta dip

Coleslaw

6oz chuck burgers

Sliced tomato, onion, butter pickles, house burger sauce.

Grilled herbed salmon.

Jerk spiced Chicken thigh and leg, basil aioli.

Corn on the Cob

Baked Potato, sour cream, and butter

Assorted squares and cookies

Sliced fresh fruit.

Cheese board with herb baguette and crackers

$42 per person

Taxes and 18% gratuity not included.

There's Still Time to Register for the 2025 LO300/LO600

The 2025 edition will take place exclusively in Canadian waters, and the registration deadline is Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Registration Links:

Official Notice Board: View Here
Main Duck Course: Register Here
Scotch Bonnet Course: Register Here

Note: To register, you’ll need a user account on the LOOR Race Portal. Accounts are free—create one if needed!

Questions? Email us at registrar@loor.ca

Tracking Your Favorite(s) in the LO300:

Interested individuals can follow the race in real time. Check for the YB link at www.loor.ca starting before the race for details on accessing the tracking on the web.

Virtual 300

Sailonline (SOL) is once again holding a virtual race in conjunction with the on-water LO300. Using real-time weather feeds and (hopefully - it's the first try) integrating the live YB Tracking of the on-water boats it's an interesting way to participate if you are unable to join in on water.

https://www.sailonline.org/ for more information.

Volunteers Needed For This Year’s LO300

If you’re interested in making this year’s running of the LO300/LO600 another success, please either:

· Complete and submit the online form available HERE.

Or:

· Email LOOR at volunteer@loor.ca, especially if you have questions.