For Immediate Release:
July 28, 2004

Toronto, Ontario

The Ontario Albacore Championship was conducted out of the Westwood Sailing Club on July 24 and 25, 2004. The Westwood Sailing Club is one of several community sailing clubs located on the hotly contested Port Lands in Toronto’s Outer Harbour. The event was sailed in Lake Ontario on two separate courses. A total 49 boats competed with entries from across Ontario and three teams from the US. Race management and overallorganization for this event was exceptional.

The event commenced on Saturday, July 24 in a southeast breeze that built throughout the day to 12 knots (23 km/h). With several hundred miles of fetch in the direction of the wind, the wind driven waves made for challenging upwind sailing and great off wind sailing – ideal conditions for the classic Uffa Fox-designed Albacore. Four races were held in spectacular sunshine and moderate temperatures. After racing the sailors were treated refreshments and snacks at the Westwood Sailing Club followed by an awesome barbecued roast beef dinner put on by Westwood’s own social committee.

Day 2, Sunday, July 25 started with moderate airs that gradually diminished to about 5 knots (9km/h) under partly cloudy skies and moderate temperatures. A total of four more races were completed – a long day on the water. An awards ceremony for the top five teams was conducted on the lawns of the Westwood Sailing Club.

Tim Broughton and Laurie Harrison posted a consistent series of five wins out of eight races to win the Championship convincingly. The Broughton/Harrison team was consistently in the top five at the top mark. Top Canadian Albacore sailor and former olympian Kevin Smith and crew John McHutchion sailed extremely well with all top five finishes to second place overall. Current Albacore International Champion Barney Harris sailing with his wife Becky sailed well in a borrowed boat winning the last race and claimed third place. Fourth place team of Barrie Farrell and Sandy Swiatlowski had an excellent series going despite a couple of double digit finishes and claimed fourth. The team of Ann White and Jean-Paul Bureaud sailed consistently well, winning a race and claimed 5th place.