October 1996

Shackles and Cringles — October 1996

Canadian Albacore Association — Volume XXXVI, Number 4

Booty in B
Evelyn Simpson and Dorota Konopacka, top Challengers at Canadians’
Photograph by Rosemary Helmer

In this issue: Regatta Results · Canadian’s (page 14) · Hope: Midwinters’

The Albacore Advantage

Canadian Albacore Association, P.O. Box 31021, 725 College St., Toronto, Ont. M6G 4H7

A One-Design Boat

• no unnecessary expense of constant upgrades in design.

A safe Boat

• large air-filled tanks give excellent buoyancy
• hull shape gives stability on the water
• self-rescue after an unexpected puff is easy

A light and manegeable Boat

• tongue load of less than 100 lbs gives ready trailerability
• launching and retrieving are a breeze

A comfortable Boat

• large, open cockpit
• benches on port and starboard sides

A Performance Boat

• seriously campaigned by major sailmakers
• planes in moderate winds
• buoyant heavy-air hull shape

Ideal for Junior Clubs

• 4 to 5 juniors will fit easily
• will stand up to heavy use

A vibrant Class Association

• well organized and vital
• recognized by the International Yacht Racing Union
• strong fleets through Ontario, Canada, US, Great Britain, Ireland and Bermuda
• top notch competitive sailing
• junior programs in some areas

The Canadian Albacore Association

The Canadian Albacore Association is responsible for encouraging participation in and maintaining the integrity of the Albacore class in Canada.

1996/1997 Executive

Shackles and Cringles is a quarterly publication of the Canadian Albacore Association.
Deadlines for publication are January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

Commodore’s Comments

By Bob Stiff

Remember July, when we were looking forward to the North American Championships at the Buffalo Canoe Club on Lake Erie? This was truly a memorable event, blessed with sparkling weather, a picturesque location and excellent race management. Twenty-four boats bowed up to the line, including 4 from the USAA. All the results are here, including my first DFL which my crew reminds me of at every opportunity. Without exception, every skipper, crew and significant other I talked to was enthusiastic about returning soon and thought the BCC would be a good location for the Canadians in future.

Thirty-four boats registered on a rainy Sept. 13 at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching for the annual Canadian Championships. To everyone’s surprise, particularly to the folks who went to check out the action in Orillia, out on the lake between showers there was a good breeze. OSA’s Peter Jones and his crack race committee managed to get a race in Friday and provided great competition on the following two days. Saturday night’s Annual General Meeting was the shortest in recent memory with all of the business accomplished in less then an hour. I am pleased to acknowledge the members support for the dedication and hard work of your association’s officers. All had agreed to serve for another season and were enthusiastically re-elected. The list of these committed Albacore sailors is on the inside of the front cover and each one deserves a big thank you for making it happen in 96.

Most of you know that for some time we have been looking for ways to reduce the production cost of our boats and at the same time improve the interior layout and appearance without affecting performance or the fundamental perception of the Albacore. Our present builder, Ontario Yachts has made some encouraging proposals, but consensus and an acceptable development program still elude us.

Following last years Worlds’ a committee of the IAA was struck to work towards a consensus on the future development of the Class and move the project forward. The objectives were clearly set out and all national associations were supportive of a less expensive more attractive Albacore. Barely started on their work; however, committee activities seemed to grind to a halt when some key committee members were attracted to an enthusiastic development of a new prototype model, the GBR 2000. This boat incorporated significant changes to our traditional shear line, deck and transom. Developed by Richard Watkinson in the UK, the boat was launched and sailed at the NAA nationals last July. While the GBR 2000 has some Albacore characteristics, from any angle there is no doubt that it isn’t one.

Considerable time, money and good intentions were invested in this project. Unfortunately, the result created much concern about the process, the product and the future of our international class.

Contributing to the tension was the loss of one of the two remaining wood Albacore builders, the expensive cost of new wood boats and the lack of a GRP alternative in the UK. In view of this and to establish a clear mandate for further development, the NAA in August held a referendum among their members to determine if there was support for the significant shear line alterations demonstrated by GBR 2000.

Just prior to the Canadians, in response to these precipitous developments, we established a special Class Development Committee of the CAA to review the issues and advise on appropriate responses. David Weaver, chief of specifications, Rick Clayton, chief measurer, our IAA reps Rosemary Helmer and Ian Rogers and Vice Commodore Chris Gorton and I have been meeting regularly throughout the fall to try to figure out where to go from here. The following objects of the committee are simple, but the task is daunting:

To consider class organization and the design and marketing of the Albacore sailboat and to recommend to the CAA and other national associations ways and means to increase the sale of new Albacores. Without limiting the generality of this statement, to explore other class organizations and, to consider ways and means to improve the appeal of the boat provided that any changes proposed shall not result in a boat that has a better or worse performance than the Albacores currently sailed in 1996 and the boat must be continued to be perceived to be an Albacore.

The committee has devised the outline of a strategic plan for development of the class including changes to the rules and rejuvenation of the Albacore. Research tasks have been assigned and the feedback and ideas coming forward at each meeting is most encouraging. Early next year, we expect to publish definitive recommendations for the guidance of the development of the class into the next millennium. We intend to encourage our international colleagues buy into our process and it is our hope that our strategic plan can form the groundwork for an international document.

Great news initiated our last meeting. We learned that the NAA members decided against any significant change in the shear line in any future development of the Albacore. There now appears to be consensus among all associations on this contentious issue and we expect that most of the remaining recommendations for design changes to the boat will meet with agreement and will likely be able to proceed. This will be a significant factor in developing our strategic plan.

It’s hard to believe that another jam-packed season is over and were busy working on next year’s regatta schedule. We’re looking for a neat spot’ like Rehoboth for the Canadians, any ideas out there? Also, there’s the possibility of a mid-winters regatta in Florida, like in March eh! Stay tuned and have a great holiday season.

Good Sailing,

TARTS: Tarts & Balls 25th Anniversary

Toronto Sailing & Canoe Club proudly welcomed all competitors to the 25th Anniversary of the TARTS & BALLS Annual Regatta! What started in 1971 as a Toronto Albacore Race Training Series has now transformed into one of the most eagerly awaited regattas in Toronto.

TARTS & BALLS has transformed itself into the Official Start of the racing season for the Albacores, Fireballs and Wayfarers. Proof positive of the popularity of this regatta were the 45 boats which showed up in 1995. Last year Tarts & Balls was used as a Worlds’ Qualifier by the Albacores and Wayfarers and this year the Fireballs had given the regatta the same designation.

Regatta Chairman: Derek Griffiths
Chief of Fleet at Sea Operations: George Blanchard
Race Committee Chairman: Robert Rayfield

The annual Humber Bay Howler
“Oh, yea, but ya shoudda been here in ’72!” Right?

Saturday:

The usual, lets sit around, eat great muffins and drink beer.
Ten o’clock.
Eleven o’clock.
Twelve o’clock. Let’s eat our lunches.
One o’clock. Lets get some chips and beer.

At one-thirty George put on his sun glasses, scanned the horizon, saw something and pronounced that the regatta was on. We set off to collective moans of, “Oh, NO!” and, by God, George was right again. We sailed three good races in steadily building breezes from the East- South-East.

Sunday:

The plan was to start at 10:30 and there was a good easterly. It suddenly died at 10:15. We drifted through two postponements, then moved the course farther south and got in two races in patchy winds.

John Clark and Dave Ruddy won it.

Toronto Island

August 24, 1996 — Toronto Island Sailing Club

RCYC

June 8 & 9, 1996

We all look forward to the June Regattas, they signal the beginning of a new sailing season. The 1996 season was anticipated after a long, colder than normal, Canadian winter and particularly because the last storm had vented its fury upon us in early May, only a few short weeks before!

The RCYC Regatta began under cloudy skies, cool temperatures and a light breeze. None of us seemed to care … we were racing at last… winter was truly behind us.

Gord Chu and Carol Tong from Toronto Island Sailing Club, sailing a new Ontario Yachts boat, took the first race with North Sail makers Tof Nicol-Griffith. and. colleague Dave Jarvis in close pursuit. Third were Ken Clarke and Abby MacInnes. Raines Koby, coach to the 92 Olympic boardsailing team at Barcelona and regular Thursday night racer at RCYC, finished -fourth.

As the regatta organizer, I was initially disappointed with the lower turnout (19 versus our normal 28 - 32 boats), but, given the overcast skies, I was delighted with the enthusiasm and caliber of the fleet. It would be a good event, I resolved and it was, as it turned out.

Race 2 followed race 1 immediately. Gord and Carol, a very adept light-air team, took a definite hold on first place when they won race 2 as well. This was an early warning that Gord Chu and crews were to be reckoned with in 1996. (Gord went on to win PABAR and his home club TISC regatta.). Second in race 2 were Raines Koby and Eve Rockett, changing gears well to suit the wandering wind conditions. Others, like me, couldn’t get our gears shifted in the light airs. Despite the valiant efforts of my crew Cynthia Baker, we watched the performances of others from the back of the fleet. It seemed that Cricket’s hind legs were twitching, but she would not jump. (Likely too much weight at the back of the boat.) But from the back of the fleet, in those moments of lost concentration, you witness interesting things, like Dave Smith (Chris Gorton’s Worlds’ 95 team mate and crew) skillfully maneuver his Westwood boat into third place with crew John Struthers. Dave clearly demonstrated that in addition to being an excellent crew he could be an equally capable helm. Chris Gorton certainly recognized Dave’s skill first hand, while finishing a dose fourth. In a dying breeze we called race 3 with the hope of better winds on Sunday.

Sunday morning was socked in with a memorable fog, Crews traveling to the club by ferry wondered if the island had disappeared over night. Thanks to the Loran system on our ferry Kwasind, the North Island was found, with Albacores nestled on the front lawn, patiently awaiting their owners. My new weather challenge … what to do with 38 sailors impatient to launch? Not wanting to loose their enthusiasm, we encouraged them to warm up in the main clubhouse. A resourceful group, they found things to talk about during a 2 hear delay. But, just as Gord Chu asked for a deck of cards, the wind began to mount, fearing, I guess, that the assembled fleet would change sports. Within 30 minutes the wind reached a respectable 12 knots, gusting to 15 and chased the fog away.. except in the heads of a few who had enjoyed a celebration elsewhere the night before. Much relieved, we sailed three good races in strong breezes.

In the stronger winds, Gord and Carol were a little light and they finished mid-way down the fleet. I am sure Gord still regrets reaching for those cards. In the new conditions Ken Clarke, Dave Smith and yours truly captured the first places in the next three races. . Yet in the three Sunday races it was Tof and Dave who came on strong with 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes demonstrating that staying in the hunt through all conditions was the way to win the regatta.

At prize-giving we honoured our top three crews; Tof and Dave, Ken and Abby and Raines, Eve and Anne with the customary flags. Fun prizes went to Carol and Gord for Gord’s prophetic and acrobatic tumble from the gunwale, leaving Carol to salvage the boat. John Gilchrist and Steve Goode were acknowledged for keeping their cool under boat breakdown challenges on Steve’s birthday of all days! Dennis Wetlauffer with Chris Wallace were acclaimed for having traveled from Buffalo and Calgary to sail with us. We know we will see Dennis again and hope Chris will revisit. Thanks to everyone who sailed, to all who helped with various chores and to those who came to our intimate Saturday night dinner for 9 at the club house. If you did not join us in 1996 be sure to visit in 1997. In particular we encourage all newcomers to join in the fun of the 1997 RCYC Open. See you next season if not before!

Rosemary Helmer
RCYC Fleet Rep (Cricket CAN 7384) Chirp!

A Nautical Tale

A sailor meets a pirate in a bar, and they take turns to tell their adventures of the seas. The sailor notes that the pirate has a peg-leg, a hook, and an eye patch.

The sailor asks “So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?”

The pirate replies “We were in a storm at sea, and I was swept overboard in to a school of sharks. Just as my men were pulling me out, a shark bit my leg off.”

“Wow!” said the sailor. “What about your hook”?

“Well…”, replied the pirate, “We were boarding an enemy ship and were battling the other sailors with swords. One of the enemy cut my hand off.”

“Incredible!” remarked the sailor. “How did you get the eye patch”?

“Seagull shit fell into my eye.”, replied the pirate.

“You lost your eye to seagull shit?” the sailor asked incredulously.

“Well…”, said the pirate, “..it was my first day with the hook.”

North American’s

July 27 & 28, 1996 — Buffalo Canoe Club, Abino Bay, Lake Erie, Ontario
Photographs by Heather Wroldsen

Rosemary and Matt · Joanna and Keith · the Buffalo Canoe Club

Heather, carrying the big stick

North American’s … as seen by the Fort Erie Times

Big day for Albacores on Abino Bay

Dean Michel, The Fort Erie Times

Huge pillow-like clouds formed on the horizon of Lake Erie as the wind speed shifted and lifted the waves on Abino Bay. Twenty-four Albacores - 15-foot sailboats that hold two people jockeyed for position across the starting line and awaited each of the three blasts from the starting gun on the race committee boat.

Accompanied by the appropriate flag to indicate the countdown to race time, each loud bang, five minutes apart, sent the boats zipping alongside each other.

Finally, when the third gun went off, the racers captured the 20-kilometre wind in their sails, secured their feet in the boat, and hung on.

Hosted by the Buffalo Canoe Club (BCC), the 1996 North American Albacore Championship attracted 19 Canadian entries and five American boats to compete in five races on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-29. Most of the Canadian boats hailed from clubs in the Toronto area.

Each crew is given points for its respective finish. The 20th boat across the finish line receives 20 points, the 19th gets 19 points. The winner gets .75 points and the over-all champion after five races is the one with the lowest number of accumulated points.

Race committee chairman Matt Georger has been the chairman of “hundreds of races in his 22 years as a member of the BCC. He said although the BCC is no stranger to sailboat races, this is the first time in a number of years the club has hosted an Albacore regatta.

“With just one class of boat, this is the type of regatta the Canoe Club excels at running. We have beautiful conditions here and the BCC is known for providing competitive sailboat racing,” said Georger. “The Albacore class sought out the BCC to hold their 1996 regatta here, because they knew we would give them some good racing.”

Georger called Saturday afternoon a “picture-perfect day for sailboat racing”. Unlike the morning, which challenged racers with light winds, the afternoon’s wind speed increased to 20 kilometres an hour, primarily out of the west. But at times the wind shifted, which Georger said, made it hard for racers to predict.

“The wind is full of holes today,” the race chairman .said from the deck of the 36-foot Burgee V race committee boat. “The key to winning this race is consistency. The successful skipper has to be able to look ahead and read the wind shifts to see where it’s picking up.”

Canadian Albacore Association commodore Bob Stiff said the location of the North American Championship rotates every other year from Canada to the United States. He called the BCC an ideal spot for the regatta, because of its close proximity to the border.

“This is just a beautiful spot,” said the Toronto resident and competitor, “and the water sure is warm compared to Lake Ontario.”

Mooredale

PABAR

The twenty-second Pabar regatta was run on August 12, 1996 at Pointe au Baril under sunning skies, blessed with the usual south-westerly thermal ranging from eight to fifteen knots. As in all previous events, all races were completed and because of Race Chairman John Lawler’s mid beat starting gate, the final race was completed by 4:30 PM, in good time for drinks and dinner at the ancient and atmospheric Ojibway Club.

The winner went down to the wire when Gordon Chu and Christine Mehling prevailed over Rosemary Helmer, Peter Nurse and crews. The locals did not fare well and will go back to the winter drawing boards and try to emulate the awesome downwind speed of Chu and upwind speed of Helmer.

The coveted H.A.T. was once again won with flair and panache by that outstanding duo of Warren and Willie Wilkins who succeeded in turtling at the leeward mark. After considerable toing and froing the Wilkins’ yacht finally came erect after a prodigious thrust at the boom by Willie with her nose. As a result of this rather unusual technique, Willy gave a modest rendition of W.C. Fields at the regatta dinner.

Congratulations are also due to Kathie and Wendy Hurlburt and Rob and Will Adams who all sailed well in borrowed boats against a very competitive fleet in a stiff breeze. Do we see the stars of the future?

Ian Rogers
AL. 7405

Balsam Lake

— and on a sad Note:

Attached are the results from the August 4th Balsam Lake Sailing Club Regatta which was sailed in very light winds.

This was our 33rd consecutive annual regatta and we were encouraged by the turnout of visiting boats. However, the Balsam Lake Sailing Club is finding it beyond our current volunteer capacity to carry on. As a result, a decision was taken to cancel future regattas.

We hope those who have attended past regattas will accept our thanks for your support and our regret in not being able to carry on in the future.

Sincerely
Bob Shaw
1996 BLSC Regatta Chairman

There are strange Things done…

The ultimate regatta car · Trailer by Harris · How many Albacores can you pack into a 16 cubic foot van? · Hands of a dedicated competitor — Artful duct tape by Laurie

Canadian’s

Thirty teams competed for the Canadian Albacore Championship at Geneva Park, near Orillia,, September 13 to 15. They came by trailer. They came by truck. They even came from the US in what the accompanying photographs demonstrate to be the quintessential regatta car.

Registration began in pouring rain at 9 AM on Friday. There was no wind; it continued to rain; what else were we supposed to do? The beer was practically gone by 2 PM ,but the coziness of the Mooredale party cubes let only the good spirits froth to the top. Just when the supply of suds reached the critical level and a provisioning run into town was being planned, race chair Peter Jones lowered the postponement flag. Yes, he did. We overcame disbelief, found once again that it helps to be slightly lubricated when you launch Albacores at Geneva Park and followed the committee boat to the race course.

Once we got out there, by God, there was some wind. We got in a race and the Canadian’s was under way. Great weather on Saturday, good weather on Sunday, impressive display of pinkies ($1,000 bills) at the baccarat table in the god-awful barn known as Casino Rama and J.C., guided by Martin Shaw won the A-Fleet by ¾ of a point over Barney Harris and Steve Goode. Evelyn Simpson and Dorota Konopacka smothered the B-Fleet while Ken Clarke and Sandy! Swiatlowski captured the Masters’ trophy. As Dave Harris would say, “We’ve never seen you sail better, Ken.”.

Nick Jaco and Peter Jones

The race committee did a terrific job and a special thank you goes to Peter Jones whose job at OSA was being de-engineered as he ran our races with clockwork professionalism. It’s not been often, Peter, but it’s been great.

Hardware 1996

• Canadian Champion: John Clark and Martin Shaw
• Combined Ontario’s and Canadian’s Trophy: Chris Gorton
• Women’s Helm Trophy: Liz Marin
• Masters’ Fleet Trophy: Ken Clarke and Sandy Swiatlowski
• Family Trophy: Jasper and Becky Craig
• Harbour Master’s Trophy: Tim Broughton
• Challenger Trophy: Evelyn Simpson and Dorota Konopacka

Results at the Canadian’s

Software 1996

Steve Goode, Evelyn Simpson, John Gilchrist at Geneva Park

Hardware

Martin Shaw; John Clark, Canadian Champions, 1996 · Barney Harris, Steve Goode · Steve Bretherton; Carol Burrows · Becky Craig, Mike Leishman, Jasper Craig · Chris Gorton; Henry Pedro · Ken Clarke, Still a Master · Evelyn Simpson, Dorota Konopacka · Tim Broughton, Mark Broeker · Liz Marin

Barney’s New Boat

Before … and After

US National’s

October 12,13,14,1996

You only had to count the number of Canadian boats in attendance at the US Nationals (9 boats + me) to know that our Canadian summer yielded less sailing than we all wanted. Nineteen Canadians eagerly drove 11 hour (Are we nuts? - You bet!) to sail with our friends in the US. Lloyd Leonard and Elizabeth Wiener and Doug and Kay Marsh did a tremendous recruiting job. And the Starboard Bar did not disappoint us with its $ 1.00 per shot, “Run the bar out” party! Gary Bain led the way to the bar. Would you expect less of him? Gary always reminds us that there is more to sailing than being on the water.

Rehoboth, site of the memorable 1993 Worlds’, continues to offer excellent sailing despite its launching challenges. The channel has silted in a fair bit in the past three years, but we managed. Unfortunately, on the Sunday Dave Wallerstein and I had to take two runs at it to get it right. This explains our DNS on Sunday. Thank goodness during our first practice session we did not break the rudder only the pennant cleat as we beached the boat. Nevertheless, we had excellent race committee work and a range of breezes from light to brisk.

Barney Harris, sporting his brand new Ontario Yachts USA 8011 and David Byron from Sausalito, California, where he now resides, decisively won the US Nationals with 4 - firsts, 1 second and 2 thirds. Canadians Chris Gorton and crew Karen-Ann Desjardin made a strong international challenge, placing second, only 7.5 points behind Barney. And the racing was closer than the points score shows! In fact, the top 10 boats were amazingly intermingled, 1-US, 2-Canada, 3-US, 4- Canada, 5-US, 6-Canada, 7-US, 8- Canada, 9-Canada, 10 .- US. Wow! What an event! Now that is close racing!

It is always fun to go South and share some fun with our US friends. My first trips to the US began in 1985 and over the past 12 years I have met many new friends who have opened their homes and hearts to us Canadians. Since those earlier days we have worked closely with the USAA members, past and present, to publicize USAA/CAA events and It has worked wonders because every year the pilgrimage has continued, not to mention the shopping! We are now at a point where US and Canadian helms and crews catch rides and planes to sail with each other. We honestly don’t care who wins and are more concerned with who shows at events. Everyone, we hope!

Boats seem to travel, too. Matt Edwards has acquired Bilbo Baggins, now US6701 and continues to give her all the tender, loving woodworking care that wood boats need and former owner, Dennis Sherwood, gave her for so many years. When I returned from the US Nationals Dennis Sherwood eagerly inquired of me how Matt and Bilbo were getting on. It demonstrates that love affairs with our Albacores last a long time. He was delighted to hear my positive report and this confirmed to him that Matt was the right, next generation, owner for Bilbo.

Another interesting observation was the lovely restoration done by Peter and Sylvi Duncan to US342 an older wooden Fairey Marine Albacore. Turtle, as she was affectionately christened at the US Nationals by midnight marauders with white electrical tape, sports a bright, cheerful leaf green hull. It was so nice to see a vintage boat with new woodworking and finish placing a very respectable 7th. Now tell me an Albacore is a bad investment! I can only imagine the total number of happy hours this 1969 Albacore has shared with its various owners

Finally, I must extend a hearty thanks to Matt Edwards, USAA President who has sold an unprecedented 15 boats this season. He has, on good advice from sage members like Wallerstein and Byron, reactivated the US Fleet by selling boats into the hands of new active owners which, in turn, has encouraged long-standing US members to continue to come out and Barney to set a trend with a brand new boat. Thanks USAA. You are doing a great job.

At the USAA Annual General Meeting the US Fleet passed the same motion that the CAA members did with regard to the new measurement stations for the hull. Kay Marsh reported US membership is up to 64 members this year. Fantastic! Keep those members joining, Kay! Matt Edwards was re-elected USAA President with an excellent s1ate supporting him and we discussed how we can get containers to the UK to make a strong Canadian/US showing at Hayling Island, Worlds’ 1997. We hope the eagerness demonstrated at the US Nationals carries over into the Mid-Winters to be jointly held with the Fireballs in early March 1997 at Davis Island, St. Petersburg, Florida, as we prepare for Worlds’ 1997.

Rosemary Helmer

Results at the US National’s

Toronto Friday Night Series

The printed helm and crew tables also list each competitor’s finishing position in every one of the 18 weekly races (M03 through S06); only the summary columns are transcribed here.

Top 25 Helms

Top 25 Crews

Clubs

Week (Points) for MSC, WW, StJ and TI; Season (Points Behind Leader) for WW, StJ and TI — the season MSC column is blank, MSC being the leader.

Web Sites of Interest

• US Albacore Association — www.my-town.com/sailing/
• CYA Home Page — www.cdnsport.ca/~smorrow/
• Internet Sailing Resources — www.paw.com/sail/
• IYRU Racing Rules — www.sailing.org/rules/
• IYRU Regattas and Results — www.sailing.org/regattas/
• Ontario Weather Forecast — www.on.doe.ca/text/ontario.html
• Dictionary of the Digital Underground — www.ccil.org/jargon/jargon.html

For Sale

Double Trailer. For Albacores, Laser II’s, etc. Heavy Duty. Excellent condition. c/w 2 dollies. $590. Contact Henry.

Midwinter’s

Mid-Winter Albacore Regatta
March 11-14, 1997
Sarasota, Florida

The Dates:

The dates have been set to accommodate the Canadian Spring Public School break as there are often teachers wishing to attend or who are willing to drive cars and boats at least one way to Florida. We had originally hoped to sail with the Fireball Fleet, but the dates already set for Davis Island were fixed and did not work for many Canadians polled. Perhaps next year we can try again.

The Event:

Over the years the CAA and the USAA have alternated organization of the Mid-Winters’. The last Mid-Winters’ was held in 1990. Now back by popular demand… the Mid-Winter Albacore Regatta has been revived to give sailors the opportunity to get the cobwebs out of their boats and bodies in the warm winds and waters of Sarasota Bay off Longboat Key in Florida. Canadians have always been welcome and over the years a number of boats have regularly made the pilgrimage south.

The Mid-Winter Regatta represents an early season training opportunity and, most of all, a week of fun and fitness. Given that the Worlds’ Championships will be hosted at Hayling Island, England this summer, why not organize your campaign now and practice in the warm waters off Sarasota? So, get your holiday plans organized immediately and plan to be on the starting line next to our friends from the US Albacore fleet. Those already committed to going are Matt Edwards, Barnie Harris, Daphne Byron, Rosemary Helmer, Chris Gorton. We are working on Heather Wroldsen, Joanna Byron, Don Oakie…. So why not add your name to the list. It is a vacation to be remembered and certainly not to be missed!!

The Races.

The racing program will consist of 8 races, 2 per day with 1 drop. Racing begins on Tuesday, March 11 and finishes on Friday, March 14, 1907. Monday can be used to play, fix your boat, laze around or tour local areas.

Venue:

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron will be our host for this event. The Club is located on the east end of City Island, at the northern end of Longboat Key. They have a large lawn and parking lot area which will easily accommodate a 25+ boat fleet.

Directions:

From Canada:
Take 401 west to Windsor and cross the Bridge into Detroit. Watch for signs directing you to Interstate 75 (I-75) and go south.
I-75 south will take you through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesse, Georgia and finally into Florida. The easiest way to get comprehensive instructions is to become a member of the Canadian Automobile Association and phone the Road Map Services group and ask for a tryptik which gives you a detailed set of instructions (including enlarged sections of local maps along the route) for navigation. Once you’ve done this you’ll see how straightforward the I-75 route south is. Once you reach the outskirts of St. Petersburg area follow the local instructions, given on the next page.

Local Instructions:
If coming south on I-75 from Tampa, take State 780 exit west to downtown Sarasota. If coming south on US 41 (Tamiami Trail), turn right and go west on State 780, which crosses Sarasota Bay as a causeway. At St. Armand’s Circle (a traffic circle) merge right and go North toward New Pass Bridge and Longboat Key. Do not cross New Pass Bridge, but when you come to the Bridge, bear right and continue until you see the Sailing Squadron on the left near the end of the road.

Flying:

While we have not checked recent schedules others have historically booked flights into Sarasota. Flights are also available into Tampa International Airport which is 55 miles north on I-75. With advance knowledge of who is arriving when we can probably arrange pick-ups at the airport by those who have driven down. Alternatively, organize a week-long car rental with your associates with car pick-up at the airport. Flights during this school break week sell-out early so we recommend you call your travel agent and book a flight today!

Accommodations:

You can camp or rent a motel. The Sarasota Yacht Squadron has a large lawn which can easily accommodate 30+ tents. Both USAA and CAA members have usually camped. Also, showers and hot water for washing and cooking are located on the premises. We’ve had some great BBQs courtesy of the Canadian contingent who continue to amaze our American counterparts with our gourmet skills. We swear they come first for the food and second for the sailing.

For those who are less adventuresome and prefer their creature comforts, you could rent a Winnebago and park it in the parking lot or rent a room at one of the many local motels. Also, if you regularly review The Globe or The Star there are often condominiums available for rent on Longboat Key during this time of year.

Registration:

Fees have not been finalized, but will likely be US $45-50.00. Forms will be mailed to those who indicate interest by calling, faxing or writing:

Rosemary Helmer, Toronto, Ontario
or
Matt Edwards, Alexandria, Virginia