Sail-World Canada is a proud offshore racing sponsor

It's been a long time since Doug Hood, a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club in Mississauga (although Mississauga didn't even exist back then…) offered to dedicate a trophy for an offshore race rating based on a new rating. The year was 1955 and the trophy was named after his baby daughter Susan; the Susan Hood Trophy Race was born. Susan was at PCYC yesterday for a short visit and actually participated not too long ago.

Many of the trophies associated with this great event are older than the yachts and racers who line up on the start line; that is the beauty of sail boat racing. It comes to no surprise that the oldest active trophy in international sports is a yacht racing trophy, you have certainly heard of the America's Cup.

Sail-World Canada found out sometime last week that five owners of Beneteau First 36.7 had registered for the historical Susan Hood Trophy Race; what a great opportunity to bestow a new honor on a select group amidst the handicap racing fleet. Greg Nicoll immediately stepped up and, starting a new tradition, offered to sponsor a trophy for the best finisher.

The five Beneteau First 36.7 were Air Force, owned by John Ferreira from the Mimico Cruising Club; Strega, John Harper, also from Mimico Cruising Club; Hammertime, owned by Pasquale Leone from Asbrige's Bay Yacht Club; Sexy Beast, owned by Rory Ring, also from ABYC and Tango, owned by Pierre Savard from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. The Beneteau First 36.7 were racing in the Full Crew 2 Division.

Winner of the 2012 Sail-Word Canada Best Beneteau First 36.7 Trophy was Tango who, with a third place finish in Full Crew 2 Division and third place overall in PHRF, beat all other First 36.7 in the Susan Hood Trophy Race.

Hopefully, we'll see more one-design racers on the start line of upcoming offshore events; the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge os only seven weeks, get the word out to your fellow one-design racers and contact the event organizers!

by Guy Perrin