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Thursday, July 11, 2002
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Sunny skies and mirror-flat
water greeted competitors at 7 am … 8 am … 9 am. At 10 am, COSA Learn To Sail
instructors rallied their junior students. Each of the students paired up with
a competitor and prepared to join in on a wind chant. Our “wind god” was
placed in the centre of our semi-circle. Half of the group chanted a deep,
rhythmic tone, while the balance of the group followed the leader in a
traditional (?) wind dance. They were confident to guarantee 12-knot winds. By
10:30, gentle puffs of air could be felt only the hair on your skin. By 11 am,
the second race of the event was about to get underway. |
Ogopogo in the water.
Wind God on the dock.
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Photo Credit:
Anne Allen - Atlanta, Georgia |
With anxious competitors
wanting to make the best start possible, several boats were over the start line,
which resulted in a general recall. On the second attempt, three boats were
over early but the race was on. David Cook of Victoria, BC was the leader at
the first mark. It wasn’t long before the Strahle team from Redding, California
took over and led until the finish. After the race, David Cook complimented
them for racing an excellent course by saying “They have the knack of getting
every ounce of power out of every gust of wind. They did a good job.”
Principal Race Officer, Ron
Rubadeau, pressed the teams hard by running four races before lunch. Teams were
on the water for 3 hours, which is well below the five-hour maximum standard set
by the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing, which sanctioned the
race. After a quick 60-minute lunch break and turn around, the teams were on
the water for race number five of the day. An attempt for a sixth race failed
when the winds subsided.
Official judges were put to
work hearing two protests following the racing. One resulted in redress and
while the other was dismissed.
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The theme of the evening
was British Isles Day. At great personal expense, the organizing committee
recruited the Queen (alias Margaret Brundsen) to dish up the shepherd’s pie.
Scottish comedian, Ian Middler, garnered easy laughs. The Celtic musician,
beach crew Paul Evenden, lead the gang in sing-a-longs and wheel chair jigs.
Dozens of volunteers were up forming creative line dances. |
Photo Credit:
Anne Allen
Atlanta, Georgia
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Submitted by D. Hamilton
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