June 12, 2023
Susan Hood in Short Sleeves
The Susan Hood Trophy Race presented by driveHG, known as the Coolest Race, became the Hottest Race on the Lake with just under 80 boats at the startline and shirt sleeve weather for much of the ride.
June 12, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Take Control of Your Headsail
The mainsail may be the biggest sail on most boats, but the jib provides a relatively large share of the boat’s driving force, for two reasons. First, the jib is not sitting behind a mast, so it sails in clear air with minimal turbulence.
May 30, 2023
Reid Distilleries ABYC Open – Much Ado, Not Much Wind
The Lake Ontario Racing Circuit kicked off the 2023 season at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club at the east end of the city of Toronto. The weather forecast looked spectacular with sunny skies and warm temperatures expected.
May 30, 2023
The Year of The Rabbit?
When September rolls around and teacher tasks you to write an essay on “how I spent my summer vacation,” you need some good stories! What better way to generate those than enter in the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race.
May 30, 2023
Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Events Start Friday!
Friday June 2nd is the start of our 2023 season with the Susan Hood Trophy Race (SHTR) presented by driveHG. Running since 1955 and fondly referred to as the ‘Coolest Race on the Lake’, the Susan Hood Trophy Race is a 75 nautical mile overnight race that kicks off the racing season.
May 30, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Familiar Layline Dilemmas – Part 2
A layline seems like such a simple thing – a dotted pathway on the water that leads you straight to the next mark. But dealing with laylines while you are racing is not always so straightforward.
May 15, 2023
Pursuit of Happiness: 5 Tips for Reverse PHRF Racing
Every dog has its day, and pursuit racing is an excellent way to make all competitors feel like they have skin in the game. Pursuit racing, commonly called reverse handicap racing, is a variant of PHRF racing where boats start in reverse order, with their start times pre-determined by their ratings and the course length.
May 15, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Familiar Layline Dilemmas
There are certain scenarios that always seem to play out when you get near a layline. Somebody tacks on you or you have the chance to tack on somebody. The wind shifts so you are no longer on the layline. You have to make a choice about whether to do two more tacks or sail straight, but slowly, toward the mark.
May 15, 2023
Royal Van May One Design Series
The May One Design Series Regatta was held at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on the May 6/7 weekend. Fleets included a mixed collection, old and new: Dragon, Elliott 6 SuperSport, 6mR, Star, Martin242 and VX-1.
May 15, 2023
Six Canadians at the 2023 Optimist African Championships
The 2023 Optimist African Championship featuring 89 young sailors from 18 countries representing six continents. Six Canadians took part in the 2023 Optimist African Championships which ended Monday, May 8, in M’DIQ in Morocco.
May 1, 2023
Cruel Jane 2.0 Takes 4th at Etchells Worlds
I have been really fortunate to be able to sail on and with some great sailing teams. Actually just got back from the Viper 640 worlds with another Canadian team of friends.
May 1, 2023
2023 Shark World Championship Aug 18 – 25 Update
With just under 4 months until the Worlds come home to Niagara, the organizing committee is working hard to make this a memorable event on and off the water.
May 1, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Part 3 – Six Ways to Identify a Layline
Before you round any mark you have to get to the layline, so it helps a lot to know where the layline is. To avoid overstanding or understanding (and losing time or distance), find a good method for making consistently accurate layline calls. Here are some tips.
April 30, 2023
Lake Erie’s 2023 Mills Trophy Race – The 99th Edition
Originally started in 1907 as a test of sailing and navigational skills, the Mills Cup Race has evolved into a premier sailing race event on Lake Erie. This annual race in the west-end of Lake Erie, is unique in that the race is held at night.
April 18, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Part 2 – Factors That Influence Layline Position
A layline is the path you would sail, when steering your optimal upwind or downwind course, to get around the next mark on one tack. We all know that laylines are invisible, of course, but many sailors don’t realize how much (and how often) laylines move around.
April 18, 2023
A Reminder: Governmental Laws, Regulations, and Rules Do Apply While Racing
Not all items that an owner/Person-in-Charge (PiC) needs to adhere to are in the rules. The Racing Rules of Sailing defines a rule to include the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, or other documents governing the event that have been made to rank as rules.
April 17, 2023
Southern Straits 2023
This year WVYC put the ‘Southern’ back in Straits, with courses taking all boats eventually to the ODAS marker south of Point Grey. Other than the big boats, most Straits skippers will not have been this far down the map since before 2010.
April 17, 2023
How to Win the Pin
Many times in your racing career, you will find that the race committee has favored the port end of the line. The more the line is skewed, the more of a lead the boat at the pin will have once the starting gun goes off.
April 3, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Laylines – Part 1
Layline – An imaginary line on a beat or run that shows a boat’s course when she sails her optimum upwind or downwind angle in the existing wind conditions and is heading straight toward the leeward or windward mark.
March 21, 2023
Incredible comeback for the Canadians to Win the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix!
After hitting their podium in their first two events in this, CAN SailGP’s inaugural season, winning results have been scarce for the Canadians. But this weekend, the Canadians were the ones to watch, consistently moving up the leaderboard and challenging the hometown favourites.
March 14, 2023
Seeing the Big Picture (Staying in the Game Upwind)
One of the major challenges of any upwind leg, is seeing the big picture and regardless of where you are in the fleet and making the right choices. At any given moment there’s a decision to make… are we doing the right thing… what are the options?
March 14, 2023
Race to Kingston Returns Aug 12
Last year Kingston Yacht Club and Mimico Cruising Club joined forces to co-host a new destination distance race, Race to Kingston. The response was excellent, and 37 boats took part.
March 14, 2023
Laser 28s Coming to Golden Horseshoe
The summer regatta schedule for the coveted (if homemade) Laser Cup is Royal Hamilton Open July 1, NOLSC’s Niagara cup July 15 and then Cornucopia at DYC Sept 2. We will race to class rules, and we will likely have our own starts!
March 8, 2023
Serious Fun at the 43rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
Serious Fun! The motto of the 43rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Canadian Yachting had the chance to attend this bucket list event to capture all of the action over the course of four days of world class racing. And world class partying!
February 27, 2023
The Rules Guy: How To Finish
Last summer I observed several boats getting confused about where to finish. I am going to illustrate some of the scenarios. The rules are actually quite simple, but the application can sometimes confuse sailors.
February 26, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Planning for 2023 – Tips 9 to 15
Last issue we began a series on the little things and the big things that make a difference in your performance. We continue with more of Dave’s series of tips to make you smarter and faster for racing in 2023. Now is the time to get set up for the season ahead.
February 14, 2023
LOOR Registration for 2023 Racing is Open
The ground is still frozen, but the days are getting longer and, just like us, we bet you are dreaming about sailing. Rates & Dates have been set, NOR’s are published, and logistics are well in hand. Registration links are below or on loor.ca.
February 13, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Planning for 2023 – Tips 1 to 8
It’s the little things. And the big things. Dave offers a series of tips to make you smarter and faster for racing in 2023. Now is the time to get set up for the season ahead.
February 13, 2023
Officials are Critical to the Sport
Officials play a key role in any sailing race or regatta! Sail Canada Race Officer, Judge and Umpire programs provide training and certification from the Club to National level, with World Sailing providing International Certification.
January 30, 2023
Speed & Smarts: MORE Starting Strategy & Tactics – Part 4
When the starting signal goes off, every boat would like to have a large space to leeward so they can put their bow down without the fear of being pinched off. But this doesn’t mean you want to have such a big hole to leeward throughout the starting sequence.
January 30, 2023
Does Club Racing Have a Future? (Part B)
Part A of this article summarized the many hundred replies to the survey on the topic of whether Club Racing will survive. It addressed the importance of an active club culture, and a governance model that supports the club’s primary mission.
January 17, 2023
PHRF POV: Friends Let Friends Race PHRF
Welcome to 2023. Hopefully your New Year’s Resolution includes to race your sailboat this season. The good news – PHRF LO Racing is on the upswing.
January 17, 2023
The Rules Guy: Hails That Are Not Required
During my summer judging, I have heard some strange things about the hails people expect to hear. Last issue I discussed the three hails, “room to tack”, “you tack” and “protest” that are required in the Racing Rules of Sailing. This issue I will continue with other hails that are not required.
January 17, 2023
Speed & Smarts: MORE Starting Strategy & Tactics – Part 3
A good start is all about getting what you want and not letting other boats stand in your way. In the ideal world you want to start in the position you choose on the line, carve out a certain amount of space around you, and then come off the line with clear air and speed.
January 16, 2023
Does Club Racing Have a Future?
By definition, a club is an association or organization dedicated to a particular interest or activity be it a baseball club, a rowing club, or a sailing club. Members, particularly competitive ones, are the beating heart of the club.
January 3, 2023
It Takes More Than Good Intentions and a Good Breeze
With the start of the new year, Sailing in Canada begins a series that impacts the largest number of racers in the country, Club Racing. Roger Renaud, who has prepared the series has been racing at the club, regional and national level since…well, a long time.
January 2, 2023
Speed & Smarts: Starting Strategy & Tactics Part 2 (of several)
As a general rule of thumb, if you like the left side of the first beat you should start on the left side of the line. If you like the right side of the course, start on the right of the line. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many boats do not follow this basic principle.
December 12, 2022
Speed & Smarts: Starting Strategy & Tactics
The start of any sailboat race is a critical moment that will have a big effect on your potential success in that event. If you get off the line cleanly with clear air and good speed, heading toward the favored side, you’ve made a great first step.