Offshore - Lake Ontario 300

Page 100 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide Page 101
The 100 Mile
Sailing the 100 Mile Long Distance race, either single or double handed is a
real challenge, and the 2010 race incorporated strong winds, rough water,
and lots of rain into an exciting, but tough test of skill and endurance. This
article, provides a first hand experience of what makes short handed sailing
Experience
in LOSHRS fun and rewarding.
Southern Cross was one of seven RCYC boats that participated in the
LOSHRS 100 mile race August 21 and 22. There were 64 boats in four
classes: single handed white sail, single handed spinnaker, double handed
by Mike Newbury
white sail and double handed spinnaker. The strategy for the race was difficult
to determine due to wildly differing weather forecasts, some predicting light
winds with higher gusts in thunderstorms and the other including Environment
Canada predicting building winds of 15-20 knots increasing overnight Saturday
to 25 plus knots with higher gusts in thunderstorms and 60% chance of rain
showers. The higher gusts in thunderstorms were correct and the rain showers
turned out to be a continual downpour once it started for the wettest weekend
of the year.
One might wonder why an “old guy” would subject himself to wet cold days
and nights to bobbing around on the lake or to fighting wet flogging sails to get
them under control single handed. The short handed series and the LO 300
offer a great test of your sailing skills with a much different strategic approach
than the usual multi race weekend event. The races go regardless of the wind
speed or direction there are no postponements because of too little or too
much wind. In fact most races seem to have periods of too much and periods
of too little wind. The longer distance enables each competitor to select his
own strategy that is usually subject to change as the race progresses. Although
sailing a heavy (20,000 lb.) 40 foot boat single handed is a challenge there is
the advantage of not having to find crew, provisioning is simple, decision making
straight forward and orders are carried out swiftly and effectively however,
there is no one to blame for any mistakes during the race. It is not easy or
simple changing sails or getting things under control when the wind increases
or shifts and the waves build and some stamina is required as the longer races
can take more than 24 hours to complete and it always seems to be 2 or 3 AM
when crap happens. Having a good autopilot is a must as is bringing as many
lines as possible back to the cockpit so that time on the deck is limited. This is a
big factor as one most often has to go forward when the conditions are at their
worst. Single handed encourages you to find ways of doing things in a smarter
way when there is not enough brute force available, this is absolutely necessary
on a bigger boat than a smaller one.
Southern Cross berthed against the wall
at Port Dalhousie with other RCYC boats,
Quelle Surprise alongside.
Photo by Jonathan Vinden
The LOSHRS races are longer than the usual day races; across the lake and
back the next day, the 100 miler or LO 300 such that there is lots of time to
make up for mistakes. A goof at the start does not mean that the whole race
is lost as there is plenty of time to catch up and for your competitors to make
mistakes. It is a great feeling when there is a good breeze, the boat is sailing
well, with good weather and you can be relaxed and enjoying the moment at