Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide - Lake Ontario 300

Lake Ontario 

Short Handed 

Racing Series 

2010 

LOSHRS Page 1 

Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide

Page 2 LOSHRS LOSHRS Page 1 

The LOSHRS Stein 

Every boat that competes in LOSHRS receives a beautiful glass stein 

The Organizing Committee 

with the boat name, club, and the year. This is one of the traditions 

we hold dear, and many now have a large collection! 

PORT CREDIT YACHT CLUB 

Phone: 905-278-5578 Fax: 905-278-2519 

Double handed boats get two steins, 

single handed competitors one. 

COMMODORE 

Peter Howells 

REAR COMMODORE 

Don French 

LOSHRS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 

(Under the authority of the Port Credit Yacht Club) 

Ian McAllister (PCYC) Co-Chair 

Jonathan Vinden (PCYC) Co-Chair 

Ric Doedens (PCYC) Treasurer 

Wendy McCloy (PCYC) Secretary 

George Minarik (PCYC) Member at Large 

Carolyn Archibald (PCYC) Communications 

Bob Ferguson (OYS) Sponsorship 

Ron Watt (PCYC) Trophies 

Paul Clissold (PCYC) Safety 

Gene Dixon (PCYC) Regalia 

Race Officer: Graham Dougall (QCYC) (egd@securefail.com) 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 

Ian McAllister (1 800 479-6603 Ext 656) 

or 

Jonathan Vinden (jvinden@brickworksonline.com) 

FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION, VISIT 

www.loshrs.com 

Please complete the online registration. 

The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide 

has been designed and produced by 

Brickworks Communications Inc. 

Printing is courtesy of Pitney Bowes.


Welcome 

Dear Racers, 

On behalf of the organizing committee of the Lake Ontario Short Handed 

Racing Series (LOSHRS), it is our pleasure to invite you to participate in 

this exciting, growing series. 

Single and double handed racing is attracting a lot of interest as the demand 

by competing activities make it harder to maintain large crews, and the time 

commitment to race in regattas every weekend during the summer also takes 

its toll. 

We have worked hard to keep this series to only four weekends in the 

summer and keep the mid-summer open so you can go cruising, or compete 

in other races such as the Lake Ontario 300. 

We are sure that you will enjoy LOSHRS’s focus on long distance, destination 

oriented sailing, as well the camaraderie amongst the skippers 

and their dedicated crew. Last year, we had over 115 yachts register, and 

averaged 75 boats on the starting line for each race. This allowed us to 

organize the boats into 13 fleets for tight, fair competition, and a fantastic 

opportunity to put your name on over 31 trophies. 

We urge you to join us this year, and really challenge yourself. Short 

handed sailing is a great way to prove yourself as a sailor while having a 

huge amount of fun. 

Jonathan Vinden and Ian McAllister 

Co-chairs of LOSHRS 

Tiu’sday, a Beneteau 40.7 raced by Mike Hren of ABYC racing towards Toronto during 

the 1st leg of the 2008 Long Distance race. Photo by Jonathan Vinden.


The Race Dates 

LOSHRS Fees 

The Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series only takes up 4 week- 

LOSHRS works hard to keep its fees as low as possible. This is due in 

ends during the year, and it leaves the mid summer months open for 

part to the generosity of the sponsors, as well as the hard work of the 

cruising or participation in the LO300 race. 

organizing committee. 

Each LOSHRS race has a skipper and crew meeting the Friday night 

The cost for the entire series is $100.00 if registered before March 31st, 

before the event, except for the QCYC race that has the meeting the 

2010. After that, the cost is $140.00 for the series. 

morning of the actual race. 

It costs $40.00 to participate in a single race and $80.00 for a two 

Please put these dates into your calendars early, and then add the July 

17th LO300 and other events around them. 

race weekend. 

Date Event 

June 6 QCYC Course Race 

June 19 PCYC to Youngstown Race 

June 20 Youngstown to PCYC Race 

August 21 & 22 100 Mile, Long Distance Race 

September 18 PCYC to Port Dalhousie Race 

September 19 Port Dalhousie to PCYC Race 

November 6 Awards Banquet 

How to Register 

Please register online by going to www.loshrs.com. 

Click on the link to the LOSHRS online registration system. Please 

fill out the forms, and pay using a major credit card. You will need to 

read and accept the waiver before you can complete the transaction 

and register. 

Photo by Bob Ferguson, taken at the start of the 2009 Port Dalhousie to PCYC race. It 

started out light, but within minutes of the start, the wind filled, and the majority of the 

race was in 10 to 15 knots of air.


What is LOSHRS? 

The 2007 LOSHRS 

fleet rafted at 

Youngstown Yacht 

Club. Photo by 

Richard Rutsch. 

LOSHRS stands for the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series, and since 1975 

it has become known for some of the most challenging, and certainly some of the 

most fun single (skipper only) and double handed (skipper and one crew member) 

yacht racing on the Great Lakes. 

For those not familiar with the series, its home is the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) 

where it started out as the Lake Ontario Single Handed (LOSH) series. In fact, it 

was during the early days of LOSH that the famous Canadian sailor, Derek Hatfield 

became interested in the challenge of single handed racing. The skipper of Spirit of 

Canada has gone on to compete in Around Alone 2002, Vendee Globe 2008 and 

is gearing up to compete in the VELUX 5 Oceans 2010. He calls PCYC the “home 

of single handed racing on Lake Ontario”. 

For those competing in LOSHRS, the entire season of six races is packed into only 

four weekends. Two are in June, and the other two weekends are in later August 

and mid September. This leaves mid July open for those that want to complete in 

the LO300, and early August for those that want to cruise with the family. 

This formula has proven successful, and with the addition of double handed competitors 

in 2003, the LOSHRS fleet now approaches 80 boats for most events. 

To make the competition more interesting, LOSHRS uses the PHRF-LO handicapping 

system to place yachts into competitive divisions. In 2009, the fleet was 

divided into 13 divisions made up of single and double handed boats competing 

in spinnaker and white sail. The coveted trophies, awards, flags and keepsakes are 

varied, and sought after. They are presented at the annual awards banquet, held at 

the Port Credit Yacht Club in November. 

So why race single or double handed? The short answer is you will come away 

from the series with more confidence and expertise as you learn how to equip, 

handle and race your yacht against similarly rated sailboats and experienced skippers. 

It is a real challenge, but is also tremendous fun! 

Wondering if your boat can compete? LOSHRS boats include purpose built racers, 

heavier displacement cruisers, 20ft light displacement sport boats and everything 

in between. The majority are between 27’ and 42’ and would be classified as racer 

cruisers or performance oriented cruisers. So why not provision your yacht with 

your favourite snacks, drinks and hors-d’oeuvres (to toast your fellow competitors 

at the end of the race)? Bring along some mellow or rockin’ tunes and start racing. 

After each race, join our fellow skippers, friends and colleagues for a sit-down dinner 

at the hosting yacht club. If you like, you can even invite your spouse to drive 

to Dalhousie or Youngstown and have them join in the festivities. 

The camaraderie of the cast of characters that race in LOSHRS always make for a 

memorable and fun time before, during and after the events.


Is Single Handed 

Racing for You? 

This article, written by LOSHRS single handed racer Gary Benner first appeared 

in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of RCYC’s newsletter Kwasind. It provides a first hand 

glimpse into the challenges and rewards associated with single handed racing. 

It was midnight. The flashing Niagara mark was clearly visible and approaching 

very quickly as Shock Therapy screamed along at hull speed in rough chop 

with 16 knots of wind on the beam. The light # 1 was, unfortunately, still up 

along with a full main that had to be eased to allow the boat to track, and eased 

to total flailing when I needed the autopilot to steer the boat. In about 10 minutes 

we would have to round the mark and turn directly into the wind and waves to 

head across the lake to the finish at Port Credit Yacht Club. 

The wind had not stabilized at the 10 knots as predicted and there had been no 

easy way to change the headsail to the # 3 with the boat powered up like this. 

Performance wise, the best option was to hoist the # 3 on the starboard slot of the 

Tuff-Luff and drop the # 1 inside. This sounds simple enough, but try to imagine 

dragging a # 3 headsail to the pitching bow with all your safety gear, hooking it 

on, re-leading new sheets, crawling back to the cockpit, hoisting the sail with all 

the friction against the # 1, crawling back to the bow again to try to take down 

the large headsail with the boat healed on its side. With nobody to feed you the 

halyard in a measured way the genoa would have a good chance of ending up in 

the water and you would be sailing really slow while exhausting yourself trying to 

pull the sail back on board. The other options of going bareheaded or heading to 

weather to change sails are almost as difficult and exhausting and would tactically 

take you out of the race. I am starting to warm up to the roller furling concept. 

So, I resign myself to going to weather with a sail I normally don’t use in more 

than 8 knots. I can see the lead double-handed boats ahead rounding the Niagara 

mark and bouncing wildly in the waves. This is going to be nasty. I feel like Butch 

Cassidy with no options and about to jump over the cliff! 

So how did I end up in this position? 

It all started early Saturday morning August 23rd at PCYC with a 10:00 a.m. start. 

The winds were light from the southeast and not the predicted light to moderate 

westerlies. That was ok by me as Shock Therapy, a Schock 35, is a great light air 

boat and a little upwind work to the first mark at Gibraltar Point off Toronto Islands 

would be just fine. After Gibraltar, the course runs to the Hamilton weather 

tower, the Niagara mark and back to PCYC – a distance of about 90 miles. We hit 

the start right on and the boat was flying (as much as you can in 5 knots of wind). 

It was only a matter of minutes before we had passed all the single-handed white 

Gary Benner sailing Shock Therapy in the single 

handed spinnaker fleet.


sail boats that had started 5 minutes earlier. None of the boats that started with us 

were even close. 

We were still lead boat as we got close to Gibraltar, but I could see the larger 

double-handed boats who had started 10 -15 minutes after us starting to gain. It 

was quite the sight looking back at the 65 boat fleet tacking upwind to the mark. 

I was impressed as to how the LOSHRS Series had grown. The last time I was able 

to do this race 4 years ago there were no more than 25 boats game to do the overnight 

race. The LOSHRS Committee had done a great job building the fleet – now 

the largest on Lake Ontario. 

We rounded Gibraltar first and hoisted the spinnaker without issue. A few miles 

down the lake we were still lead boat as a massive storm cloud appeared to the 

west. I checked the weather radar on my BlackBerry which confirmed that a 

whole lot of ugly appeared to be coming our way. I did not want to get caught 

with the spinnaker up and the light # 1 on deck so I tied up the luff of the light 

# 1 and dragged it below. I put the # 3 on deck and left it in the sausage bag. I 

hooked up the sheets and put the tack on the horn. 

I couldn’t see any of the other single-handed boats. As you might expect, there are 

not a lot of sailors who want to single-hand overnight. Our spinnaker division has 

5 boats. The C&C 35 and the Beneteau First 35 are not in Shock’s speed category 

and I didn’t expect to see them. Nevertheless, both boats are very well sailed and 

would likely beat me on corrected time if there was much reaching. The other two 

boats are Quelle Surprise, a Dufour 40, and a Beneteau Sunfast 32. I hadn’t seen 

either since the start and I started to refocus on racing against the faster doublehanded 

boats that I would sailing with for the next 15 hours or so. 

And then the weather got strange. The south-easterlies lightened and clocked 

more southerly. The big storm clouds over Hamilton seemed to dissipate as they 

made their way over the lake. I disconnected the # 3 and brought the light # 

1 back on deck. The wind was too fluky for a spinnaker so I hoisted the light # 

1 and dropped the spinnaker down into its bag leaving everything connected. 

Finally, the wind went to zero and we parked. 

The wind finally filled in from the south at 6 knots and it was a very pleasant close 

reach towards Hamilton. A half hour later it is from the west and we are now on a 

beat to Hamilton. Twenty minutes after that it is blowing from the north and builds 

to about 16 knots. I have been watching the fleet closer to the north shore making 

gains on me and I suspect they got the north wind somewhat earlier. 

We are still 10 miles out of Hamilton when the wind drops to about 10 knots and 

the apparent wind rolls behind the beam. Spinnakers start popping up all over the 

lake behind me. This is where the decision making becomes critical. I can hoist 

the spinnaker and get another .5 to .75 knots of boat speed, but in these unstable 

conditions if the wind builds or moves forward I will be overpowered and forced 

to bear away to take down the spinnaker safely. I decide to stay with the genoa 

and see what happens. 

Energy management is critical in surviving single-handed racing. Changeable 

conditions require incredible amounts of exertion and you have to accept that 

you will not always have the right sail up. This is particularly true of a boat like 

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Shock Therapy which is set up very nicely for a crew of 8. The only deference to 

short-handed sailing is the tiller autopilot. 

It is difficult to watch some of the larger double-handed boats slide by inshore 

with spinnakers flying. I can see 4 boats round the Hamilton mark ahead of me 

– Timorian, a C&C 115, MacIntosh, a Cartwright 44, Phoenix, a J109, and one I 

can’t identify. We round the Hamilton tower at 8 p.m. two feet behind Afterburn, 

a Dash 34. Some words are exchanged about the protocols for room at the mark, 

but it really doesn’t matter in this type of racing. 

The wind has settled in from the north and it looks like a beam reach for 30 miles 

to the Niagara mark. The lead boats are carrying spinnakers right on the edge. This 

is not something that is particularly fast or easy to manage on Shock. I stay with 

the genoa and wait. 

Sure enough the wind changes and goes lighter as you would expect in the 

evening. All the double-handed boats around me hoist spinnakers. I hook up the 

asymmetrical. If I am going to go for it I should do so before it gets any darker. 

I am not typically shy about hoisting, but I decide sit back have a diet soda and 

contemplate the move. Fifteen minutes later, the wind blows in hard at 16 knots. 

Boats are wiping out all around me or bearing off drastically and I am relieved 

that I didn’t have to deal with it. 

Contrary to the forecast, the wind continues to blow, gusting up to 20 knots at 

times. All I can do is hang on for the ride with the big sail up and hope for calmer 

conditions by the time we get to Niagara in about 3 hours. There is not much you 

can do to increase the performance of the boat on a power reach like this. She 

just can’t go any faster. It is a function of waterline which the larger boats revel 

in. Slowly, the waterline warriors that I have been ahead of all day slide by in the 

night. You can’t let this get to you. I put on Alice Cooper’s rock show on Q 107 

(rock for old guys), crank it up on the cockpit speakers, sit back, have another diet 

soda, and try to enjoy the night. 

And so, this is how it went all the way to Niagara with a very bad ass rounding 

seconds away. There are boats close by so I want to give us some room to 

manoeuvre if things get hairy. I drive by the mark to some open water, head up 

into the waves, hit the autopilot for an automatic 100 degree tack, step over the 

traveller, and run forward to the primary winches. Just as I do, a wave slams the 

boat and the autopilot comes off the tiller post. The tiller slams into the pulpit and 

almost takes out the GPS mounted there. The free-flying piston of the autopilot 

extends fully still trying to sail a course and jams into the shore power receptacle. 

The boat is totally out of control as I crawl back to the stern to grab the tiller. 

I finally get the boat sailing again and try for the tack once more. The autopilot 

cannot manage it and the boat is again slammed back by a wave. Okay, enough 

of this. I get the boat on track again and blow off the genoa sheet and take the 

loose ends of both sheets back to the tiller with me. I steer the boat through the 

tack and point somewhere close to PCYC. The big genoa is flailing madly. I pull it 

in as much as I can by hand (not much) to get the boat moving. Once the autopilot 

has it under control, I go forward to try to bring the genoa in. The primary 

winches are, of course, not self tailing and with my left arm still recovering from 

torn ligaments from the Youngstown race, this is tough work. After a minute of 

very hard grinding with one arm the sail is still only half trimmed. The sheet loads 

are enormous and I am sure the sail is going to blow up. 

I go back to the tiller to give the autopilot a break and try to steer through the 

waves. I hadn’t had time to watch the other boats for a while but I can now see 

a couple of them with bow lights bobbing heavily in the waves. I settle down to 

drive the boat through these difficult conditions. Then, surprisingly, Shock starts to 

go very well. Boats speed climbs - 5.8, 6.0, 6.1, and finally 6.4 knots. This is great 

speed in these conditions. Somehow, the boat doesn’t mind having the big sail up 

in 16 knots plowing through the waves. We start to pass all the boats around us. 

Over the next hour, we slip by 4 boats in the dark. 

By 2 a.m., we are in the middle of the lake and the wind has subsided to less 

than 10 knots. It is a beautiful clear night. Alice has gone to bed, but the Q is still 

cranking out the tunes. The City lights and the stars set a nice scene but nothing 

is more beautiful than the white stern lights ahead getting brighter with each 

passing minute. Shock is in her groove now finally having the right sail up for the 

first time in 10 hours. The light # 1 seems to have suffered no damage from all the 

load put on it. Kudos to North Sails! 

The conservative approach earlier in the race is starting to pay dividends. There 

is no thought of rest now. The pain of the Niagara rounding has diminished. I am 

wide awake - trimming, driving, partying! A couple more diet sodas, a little air 

guitar and we are rocking to PCYC. Two more bow lights fade into the darkness 

behind us. It doesn’t get much better than this. 

Approaching the north shore, the wind goes ahead and lightens a little more. It 

will require tacking the last 5 miles into PCYC. The autopilot seems reborn by the 

lighter loads and flat water and pulls off crisp tacks as we reel in the boats ahead. 

In the last ½ mile, I pass a Beneteau First 45 and Phoenix and cross the finish line 

with Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused playing loud. This seems quite fitting as that 

is my Sailing Anarchy handle and our tactician-less fully-crewed racing program 

is self-labelled as such. 

I am pleased being the 4th or 5th boat 

to finish in this big fleet. I could stay out 

and continue sailing for another 5 hours 

to qualify for the Great Lakes Single- 

Handed Society long distance races, but 

I don’t have any gas left in the tank. I just 

want to get the sails down, tie the boat 

up and sleep. I find a spot to tie up at the 

pump-out off big MacIntosh who had 

finished 15 minutes earlier. 

“Well done” says skipper Dick Steigenga. 

‘Would you like a beer?” Dick then 

proceeds to point me towards a mini keg of Heineken beside some cheese and 

cold cuts. (Life is easy double-handing.) The beer tastes great as we rehash the 

race and enjoy morning’s arrival. Maybe sleep can wait a little while…


How About Racing 

Double Handed ? 

The Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series began in 1975 as the Lake 

Ontario Single Handed Series. For 28 years this group of dedicated Joshua 

Slocum followers enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of single 

handed racing. 

Zoom during the 2008 Long Distance 

race on the first leg from PCYC to the 

Gibraltar Point mark. 

In 2002 the return trip of a weekend event - PCYC to Port Dalhousie - was featured 

as a double handed “fun” race. This was the start of the double handed series, and 

it ultimately precipitated the change of name from Lake Ontario Single Handed 

Series to the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series. Since that date LOSHRS 

has grown from about 20 or 30 competitors to over 115 registered boats with 13 

PHRF-LO divisions. 

“I just knew with the infrastructure already set up for the single handers, the introduction 

of double handed racing was a no-brainer. Both would grow and so they 

have!”, co-chair Ian McAllister says. 

Double handed racing permits skippers of boats that are not optimized for single 

handed racing to still enjoy the challenges of racing without the need to organize a 

full crew. Double handed racing is less threatening than single handed racing, but 

is still a great way to get out on the water, race and challenge your sailing skills! 

Whether you are double handing with a best buddy, a sailing comrade, or a 

spouse, it is important to find a good companion who is capable of handling the 

boat. Team work takes on a whole new meaning when you figure out how to peel 

a spinnaker or change a foresail without a dedicated foredeck. Jibing, tacking and 

downwind sailing all need to be worked on together, which is part of the challenge 

associated with this series. Unlike single handed racing, double handed boats have 

a little easier time, especially when it comes to making a sandwich after the sails 

are set. 

Keys to competing as a double handed team are no different than what most 

couples go through when double handed cruising, except you may have a few 

more sails and a few less cooking utensils: 

• Set your objectives in advance. Like any other long distance race, finishing 

is a great objective, especially when there is a party at the other side 

• Know the limitations associated with missing the rest of your crew 

• Consider what adjustments to the rigging will make this endeavour a little easier 

• Plan your race tactics in advance and not worry about quick changes 

• Study the charts and weather patterns for the course, many times the winner 

of a LOSHRS race is on the right side of a major wind shift 

• Have an auto helm that can become your third crew 

• Ensure both parties adhere to common sense and all safety rules 

The double handed fleet has developed many close relationships including hotlycontested 

rivalries with boats that keep coming back year after year. At the end of 

the race, regardless of rivalry, every LOSHRS competitor works together to ensure 

everyone on the course finishes safely and enjoys the experience. This is the main 

reason why it is a very easy series to get involved in. 

The sponsors have also helped to make the skipper and crew meetings more fun 

with numerous valuable prizes up for grabs. These meetings have become “command 

performances” thanks to the camaraderie between the competing sailors! 

Join us for an even greater 2010 series!


The Social Scene! 

Getting there is just half the fun, as new racer Brian Mitchell has found out. 

Despite adages of any adventure’s better part being the journey, there’s a lot to 

be said for the destination itself, and these are Brians thoughts on the LOSHRS 

series. Remember... at both ends of the LOSHRS races, there’s a lot to enjoy. 

Pre-race 

Jump your ship, and join the parties! Large, or small, impromptu, or organized 

– you can take your pick. LOSHRS has been around a long time and its heart 

is a friendly and welcoming culture. Catch up with old friends – or meet new 

ones – at the bar, on the patio, by the docks, or on the boats. It’s easy to make 

your way around this crowd, and help with anything that may cross your mind 

is readily available. (Experience tip: It’s also a good time to do some windowshopping 

around the other boats, everyone is willing to show you around and 

share their experience.) But give yourself plenty of time for this interaction, it’s a 

big fleet! 

And don’t forget the skippers’ meetings – room-filling affairs that always feel 

they should be more intimidating than they are. An open, informal atmosphere, 

however, makes them seem much smaller gatherings, and before any instructions 

are made or questions on the race or safety issues are addressed, there are 

always friends to be recognized, accomplishments to be acknowledged, and often 

goodies to give away. If you’re one for mementos, there’s also a good selection of 

regalia from which to choose – personalized, if you wish, with the name of your 

boat! 

Competitors at Port Dalhousie waiting for the entire fleet to 

arrive before going into the yacht club for a great dinner. 

On The Other Side 

After the first legs of the Youngstown and Port Dalhousie races, raft up, tie off, and 

it won’t be long before somebody offers you a beer. But pace yourself. There 

are a lot of boats to traverse sometimes, and everyone has beer. Or gin. Or rum. 

(Experience tip #2: Try to tidy up your boat before you get too relaxed.) Eventually, 

you’ll want to wander over for cocktails by the picnic tables, often laden 

with hors-d’oeuvres, a community custom. Everyone can simply relax and enjoy 

themselves because dinner is already prearranged and waiting. 

You may want to invite your spouse to join you on the other side (many do) and 

enjoy a fine meal with wine. You’ll hear the race results sometime during dinner 

– lots of opportunity to join in the camaraderie of hearty congratulations and 

good-humoured tales of woe. After dinner, if you’re still energetic, the festivities 

continue right again into party mode – some with a walk into town, and others 

on various boats. Careful, though: if you’re not on your guard, you’ll probably be 

offered more food and alcohol. Still, caveats aside, these are priceless times of 

laughter and conversation – from puny puns to the preposterously profound––that 

can last into the wee hours of the morning. (Experience tip #3: Morning starts are 

more difficult after these priceless times.) 

Finale 

By definition, LOSHRS is a different kind of racing. Fewer hands on the boat, 

over generally longer distances, build a strong, cohesive social group. It’s a 

good feeling. A woman new to LOSHRS last year, discussing some difficulties 

she witnessed in her own start that day, was genuinely surprised, “No shouting 

or recriminations, I’ve never seen that before! They all just sort of worked it out. 

Competitive but accommodating. It’s a great group!”

3. FEES: 

1) Course Race 19:30hrs, June 4, 2010 

2) Two Day Event 19:30hrs, June 17, 2010 

3) Long Distance Race 19:30hrs, August 18, 2010 

4) Two Day Event 19:30hrs, September 16, 2010 

3.1 Series: $100.00 for the series up to April 1, 2009, thereafter $140.00 for 

the series. 

3.2 Single Entry: $40.00 for one race and $80.00 for a two race weekend 

4. CLASSES/DIVISIONS: Racing will take place in two Classes as follows: 

1) PHRF-LO No Flying Sails 

2) PHRF-LO Spinnaker 

Each Class may be divided into Divisions depending on the number of 

entries. Division splits (if necessary) will be done before the first race. A 

yacht may switch Classes as often as they wish, but will only be scored, 

for the series, in the class that the skipper designates, (see Scoring – below). 

Separate double handed starts will follow the single handed starts. 

There are separate finishes and awards. All qualifications apply to single 

handed and double handed. 

5. EQUIPMENT: The 2010 Mandatory Equipment List is available online at at 

www.loshrs.com. 

6. SCHEDULE OF RACES: 

1) Course Race QCYC June 6, 2010 

2) Two Day Event PCYC to YYC June 19 - June 20, 2010 

3) Long Distance PCYC August 21, 2010 

4) Two Day Event PCYC to DYC September 18 - 19, 2010 

8.1 Series Scoring: For the purposes 

of Series Scoring only, 

each leg of the Two-Day Events 

counts as separate races. 

8.2 Corrected Time Scoring: For 

overall series scoring, a yacht 

must finish the Long Distance 

Race plus three other races. 

Youngstown Race - Two Day 

Event and Dalhousie Race - 

Two Day Event each will be 

considered as two races. 

The Series winner will be 

determined using The COX- 

SPRAGUE Scoring System. 

9. AWARDS: Separate Race and Fleet 

Series awards and trophies shall be 

presented at the LOSHRS Awards Night, 

on Saturday November 6, 2010, at Port 

Credit Yacht Club. 

10. DISCLAIMER OF LIBABILITY: Sailing 

is an activity that has an inherent 

risk of damage and injury. Competitors 

in this event are participating entirely 

at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision 

to Race. The race organizers (organizing 

authority, race committee, protest 

committee, host club, sponsors, or any 

Experience 


2010 LOSHRS Notice of Race 

The Difference 

The Notice of Race is a formal description of the race, and outlines key dates, 

safety requirements, and the obligations that the skipper must accept in order 

7. COMPETITORS’ MEETING: There 

will be competitors’ meetings at the 

club at which each race starts, before 

UPGRADE TO BALL BEARING 

GENOA LEAD CARS 

to participate. It is imperative that all skippers, and ideally all competitors read the start of each race. All competing 

You can haul loaded cars up to 

and understand the Notice of Race before they accept the responsibility of com- skippers are expected to attend these 

several feet after reefi ng roller furling 

peting in any of the LOSHRS races. 

meetings. The Sailing Instructions will 

jibs. Ball bearing cars with multi-part 

be available at these meetings. 

tackle let you easily adjust loaded 

1. RULES: The regatta will be governed by the ‘Rules’ as defined in the Racing 

Rules of Sailing. 

8. SCORING: Races will be scored using 

the PHRF-LO time on time formulae 

headsail leads from the cockpit using 

a single line without a winch. This 

2. ELIGIBILITY / ENTRY: The series is open to monohull yachts 20 ft. LOA and 

and the low point scoring system RRS 

keeps you and your crew safely off 

greater who hold a valid PHRF-LO Rating Certificate. Eligible yachts may enter by A2 for an extended series, with the fol- 

the foredeck—particularly important 

completing the online registration form (www.loshrs.com) by the following deadlowing modifications: 

when you’re cruising shorthanded 

lines: 

or with inexperienced sailors. 

One set of genoa lead cars adjusts a range 

of different sails—110% to 150% 

Stand-up tabs on sheave carriers 

prevent damage to cabin top 

Customize with end controls 

for a 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1 purchase 

Closed bearing races keep 

dirt out for low maintenance 

TECH TIP 

Proper trim angle prolongs the life of your sail and 

gives you better control. After reefing, simply move 

the car forward so the sheet between the car and 

the clew points to the middle of the luff. 

Transat Marine—Division of Western Marine Co. 

70 Ellis Drive Unit 1, Barrie, Ontario, CANADA L4N 8Z3 

Tel: 705.721.0143, Toll Free: 800.565.9561 • Fax: 705.721.0747 

Toll Free Fax: 800.390.5336 

Email: info@transatmarine.com • Web: www. transatmarine.com 

Western Marine Co. 

1494 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 5B5 

Sales Tel: 604-253-7721 • Fax: 604-253-2656 

Toll Free Tel: 1-800-663-0600 • Fax: 1-800-663-6790 

Email: sales@westernmarine.com, Web: www.westernmarine.com


other organization or official) will not be responsible 

for damage to any boat or other property or the injury 

to any competitor, including death, sustained as a 

result of participation in this event. By participating in 

this event, each competitor agrees to release the race 

organizers from any and all liability associated with 

such competitor’s participation in this event to the fullest 

extent permitted by law. 

When skippers complete the online registration, 

they must agree to the Competitor Waiver of Liability. 

If they do not, they are ineligible to participate. 

11. INSURANCE: Each participating boat shall be insured 

with a valid third-party liability insurance policy 

with a minimum cover of $2,000,000 CAD per event 

for Canadian boats and an adequate level of thirdparty 

liability insurance applicable in Canadian and 

US waters for non-Canadian boats. 

12. FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information 

and for amendments to the Notice of Race, see 

www.loshrs.com or contact: 

Jonathan Vinden at jvinden@brickworksonline.com 

Ian McAllister at 1-800-479-6603 Ext. 656 

Port Credit Yacht Club at 

Phone: 905-278-5578 

Fax: 905-278-2519 

C OMMUNICATIONS INC. 

Hi. 

We’re Brickworks. 

An Integrated Marketing & 

Communications Company 

Please contact John Pitts 

or Jonathan Vinden at 

905 632-8772 to learn more. 

www.brickworksonline.com 

Brickworks Communications 

Inc. is an integrated marketing, 

communications agency 

located in Burlington, Ontario. 

The company has developed 

the LO300 web site, and has 

designed / produced this 

guide. 

For more information, 

please contact Jonathan 

Vinden at 905-632-8772 

ext 103. 

Robertson & Robertson 

Yacht Insurance Ltd. is a 

leading marine insurance 

company in Ontario. They 

are the company behind the 

Skippers’ Plan. 

Contact Drew Robertson 

toll free at 1-800-661-7211 

Performance Sails is an 

independently operated loft 

in Toronto which specializes 

in the design, construction, 

and servicing of sails for 

keelboats and multihulls 

from 20’ to 50’. 

Call 416-266-0429 

www.performancesails.ca 

. 

2010 LOSHRS Mandatory Equipment 

1. PREAMBLE 

1.1 Skipper’s Responsibility: The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole 

and inescapable responsibility of the skipper, who must do his/her best 

to ensure that the yacht is fully found and thoroughly seaworthy. The 

skipper should be confident that he/she is physically fit to face bad 

weather, and is thoroughly familiar with the yacht and her systems. He / 

she must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails 

and all gear. He/she must ensure that the safety equipment is properly 

maintained and stowed, and that he/she knows precisely where it is 

kept and how it is used. 

1.2 Neither the establishment of these mandatory minimum equipment requirements, 

nor the inspection of a yacht for compliance with the list, in 

any way limits the complete and unlimited responsibility of the skipper, to 

ensure both he/she and the yacht are fully prepared to compete in any of 

the races of this series, in which she starts. 

1.3 Rule 4 states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in 

a race or to continue racing is hers alone.” 

1.4 It shall be the responsibility of the skipper to ensure that the yacht is 

equipped in compliance with these requirements prior to the skipper’s 

meeting of the first race in the series for which she is entered, and that all 

required equipment is on board for each race. 

1.5 A yacht may be inspected at any time. 

1.6 All required equipment shall: 

1) Function properly 

2) Be readily accessible 

3) Be of a type, size, and capacity suitable and adequate for the intended 

use, and for the size of the yacht 

1.7 All yachts shall comply with government regulations of the country of 

registry. 

2. STRUCTURAL FEATURES 

2.1 Hatches and companionway essentially watertight, capable of being 

closed securely with hardware. 

2.2 Self-bailing cockpit with adequate drains. (for recommendations on the 

size, see Offshore Racing Category 3 Paragraph 3.09). 

2.3 Stanchions, lifelines and pulpits, in good order where such equipment is a 

recognized feature of the class of yacht. 

2.4 A longitudinal system of safety lines fitted in such a way that a crewmem-


ber can clip on and move the full length 

of the yacht. Such a system should have a 

breaking strain of at least 2000kg. (4,000 

lbs.), (See ORC Spec. Regs. Category 3 for 

specific recommendations). 

3. THROUGH HULL FITTING 

3.1 Sea cocks or valves on all openings below 

the water line, except for integral deck 

scuppers, shaft logs, speed indicators, depth 

sounders, etc. A means of closing such openings 

when necessary shall be provided. 

3.2 Soft wood plugs or rigid foam plastic cones, 

tapered and of appropriate size to close all 

through-hull fittings. Plug shall be attached 

with a lanyard to each through hull fittings. 

4. HEAVY OBJECTS 

4.1 Ballast, batteries, anchors and other heavy 

equipment shall be securely fastened so as to 

prevent them shifting. 

5. MECHANICAL 

5.1 Inboard or outboard auxiliary engine in good 

working order. 

5.2 Fuel: Yachts shall carry enough fuel to motor 

at hull speed for at least 4 hours. 

5.3 Electrical: There should be a means of recharging 

the primary operating battery or batteries. 

However, if batteries are dependent on 

shore power for recharging, it will be acceptable 

to start any race with two fully charged 

batteries. 

5.4 Self-steering is recommended. 

5.5 Bilge pump – at least one manually operated, 

securely mounted and operable with 

all hatches closed. The handle shall be fitted 

with a lanyard. 

6. ACCOMMODATION 

6.1 Permanently fitted bunks. 

6.2 Galley facilities adequate for food storage and 

preparation. 

6.3 Cooking stove securely mounted and with an 

Alex Milne Associates 

strives to develop, manufacture 

and market products 

that have a positive, smaller 

environmental footprint. 

Leading Canadian environmental, 

boating, and government 

organizations continue 

to back these industry-leading 

products. 

www.alexmilne.com 

Data Print Management is 

owned by George Minarik, a 

long standing single hander, 

and skipper of Entre Amis. 

DPM sponsors the keeper 

plaques and helps out with 

the printing of SIs and Notice 

of Race. 

What does GAM mean? 

“To call upon, chat with and 

otherwise communicate 

with, as officers and crew of 

another vessel” 

After over 52 years, GAM’s 

purpose is still to provide a 

means of communication 

amongst Canadian sailors. 

You will see LOSHRS ads 

and coverage in GAM. 

Got Your Yellow “T” Yet? 

The yellow “T” has become a tradition in 

LOSHRS, marking the beginning of a new 

year, and the beginning of a new LOSHRS 

season. 

The high quality, embroidered yellow “T” 

is given out at the Toronto International 

Boat show to those that have registered, or promise to do so. 

We keep track of those that receive a yellow “T”. 

Please remember to register before March 30, 2010. You get 

40% off the full registration fee. 

A group of intrepid single handed 

sailors show off their Yellow “T”s after 

sailing from New York to Bermuda. 

Shown here, from left to right are Jan 

Steyn - TrpXprs, George Minarik - Entre 

Amis, Peter Ashby - Golden Eye and 

Ron Smallbone - Epiphany. They were 

all helping George take Entre Amis to 

the Caribbean for the winter months.


adequate supply of fuel. 

6.4 Propane tanks, if carried, shall be securely 

fastened and vented overboard. 

6.5 Water tanks or containers having two (2) days 

supply of potable water (2 Liters per person 

per day). 

6.6 Permanently installed marine toilet. 

7. NAVIGATION 

7.1 Steering compass properly mounted and 

adjusted. 

7.2 Hand bearing compass. 

7.3 Sound signaling device – air horn, bell or 

equivalent. 

7.4 Knotmeter/log, depth-sounder. 

7.5 GPS. 

7.6 VHF radio with either an emergency antenna 

or a hand-held VHF radio. Note: If the VHF is 

not capable of receiving weather bulletins, an 

additional radio capable of receiving weather 

transmissions shall be carried. 

7.7 Binoculars suitable for marine use. 

7.8 Up to date charts. 

7.9 Current light list. 

7.10 Coast Guard Boating Handbook. 

7.11 The Racing Rules of Sailing 

7.12 A copy of the 2010 LOSHRS Sailing Instructions. 

7.13 Dividers, course protractor / parallel rules, pencils, logbook. 

8. GROUND TACKLE 

8.1 At least one anchor appropriate for the size of the yacht with a minimum 

of 200 ft. of anchor rode, rigged for immediate use, and easily accessible. 

Note: It is strongly recommended that the bitter end of the anchor rode be 

strongly attached to the yacht by means of a rope lashing, which can be 

cut in an emergency. 

9. LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT 

The Store, Mason’s Chandler 

has supported LOSHRS 

for many years, both with 

prizes and promotions, as 

well as support and training. 

Lori demonstrates new and 

improved safety equipment 

at our presentations 

Contact Lori Mason 

toll free at (800) 263-1506 

Interlux Yachtpaint is a 

brand of AkzoNobel, a 

leading supplier of decorative 

paints and performance 

coatings. 

Akzo Nobel has been a 

supporter of LOSHRS for 

a number of years, offering 

fantastic prizes such 

as cases of VC-17 bottom 

paint. 

9.1 Approved life jacket with whistle and waterproof light attached. It is highly 

recommended that a waterproof hand-held VHF radio be also securely 

attached to the life jacket. 

9.2 Adequate safety harness for each crewmember. 

9.3 Approved life-buoy with whistle, waterproof self-activating light, drogue 

and man-overboard pole. The man-overboard pole shall be permanently 

extended. It is recommended that it be attached to the life-buoy. This 

equipment must be mounted close to the helm position and rigged for 

instant deployment. 

9.4 Buoyant heaving line, at least 50 ft. long, carried on deck close to the 

helm position and ready for use. The bitter end must be securely attached 

to the yacht. 

9.5 Boarding ladder or other means of re-boarding from the water. 

10. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT 

10.1 An adequate means of reefing the mainsail by at least 35% of the luff 

length shall be installed (20% will suffice if a storm jib, number 4 jib, or 

roller furling genoa is on board). 

10.2 A storm jib is recommended. A furling headsail does not qualify as a storm 

jib. (ORC recommends area should not exceed 5% of the height of the 

fore triangle squared and should have a luff minimum length 65% of the 

height of the fore triangle). 

10.3 Any storm or heavy-weather jib, if designed for a sea-stay or luff groove 

device, shall have an alternative method of attachment to the fore stay or a 

luff wire. 

10.4 Effective emergency steering equipment capable of steering the yacht. An 

emergency tiller is mandatory. 

10.5 Tools: A selection of tools including a hack saw or rigging cutter capable 

of cutting the largest diameter of standing rigging aboard the yacht, stored 

in an easily accessible location. 

10.6 Distress signals in compliance with government regulations of the country 

of registry are considered to be a minimum requirement. Distress signals 

shall be stored in a watertight container in an easily accessible location. 

11. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 

11.1 Three (3) waterproof flashlights capable of illuminating the ticklers on the 

yachts headsail complete with spare batteries and bulbs, one of these shall 

have at least a 3” diameter lens. There is no requirement to carry spare 

bulbs for LED flashlights. 

11.2 First Aid kit and manual. 

11.3 Radar Reflector assembled and mounted. 

11.4 Blankets, warm clothes, sleeping bag. (Flotation suits are highly recommened). 

11.5 Fire extinguishers / fire axes, hoses, etc. as required by the country of 

registry.


11.6 Grab Bag: A small bag rigged so as to 

float (ie. attached to a fender) containing 

equipment for use in the event of 

abandoning ship (dye markers, flares, 

waterproof VHF, mirror, knife, etc.). 

The contents of this equipment list are minimum 

requirements. It is recommended that all 

participants are familiar with ISAF Offshore 

Special Regulations, Category 3 Monohulls 

which can be found at www.sailing.org/documents/special-regs.php 

Please remember to check the www.loshrs. 

com web site for final versions of the Notice 

of Race, Sailing Instructions and Mandatory 

Equipment List. 

Photo by John Danahy 

aboard Still Crazy. 2007 

PCYC to Port Dalhousie race. 

The Rigging Shoppe is a 

family owned chandlery 

located at 44 Midwest Road 

in Toronto. They have been 

supporters of short handed 

and offshore racing for 

several years. 

The Rigging Shoppe can be 

contacted toll free at 

1-877-752-1711 

www.riggingshoppe.ca 

Alden Dimensional Media 

is a group of graphic arts 

professionals helping their 

clients achieve unique and 

customized marketing solutions. 

They help out each year by 

printing our posters and the 

trade show booth. 

Contact them toll free at 

1-800-322-2754 

www.alden.ca


Going Further Offshore 

Offshore racing is becoming more and more popular around the world as the 

internet has made it a true spectator sport. Viewers, sailors and non sailors 

alike are able to sit in their cozy offices or living rooms while around the 

world races like the VELUX 5 Oceans (single handed) or Volvo Ocean Race (crewed) 

take their crew through some of the world’s most personally challenging circumstances. 

The boats and skippers are pushed to the limits while racing around the 

world on knife’s edge. On land we can download video, pictures and audio files to 

stay in touch with up to the minute news on each of the boats and understand what 

these racers are going through on an ongoing basis. Position reports come off the 

boats every four hours and you can even race again the skippers in the respective 

races, this has really taken our sport to the masses. 

Would you like to train 

with Derek aboard the 

ECO Spirit of Canada? 

You can. 

Contact Spirit of Canada 

at 647.288.7342 or 

info@spiritofcanada.net 

to find out how. 

In 2008, while Spirit of Canada was preparing for the Vendee 

Globe, Derek and Patianne shadowed the LOSHRS fleet during 

the PCYC to Youngstown race. Photo by Paul Sipos 

Derek Hatfield 

Derek Hatfield and Spirit of Canada represent our country in the single handed 

around the world races and do so on the Open 60 circuit. Derek has now competed 

in two around the world races and is currently training for a third, the VELUX 

5 Oceans single handed race that begins on October 17th of this year. This time 

Derek will be racing on an ECO 60 Spirit of Canada with the incredible goal of not 

only winning the race but to do so without the use of any fossil fuels at all! He will 

be using sustainable energy to run the systems on the boat so solar panels and wind 

generators will replace a diesel generator; the hope is that he can motivate others to 

do the same. The newly formed ECO Class is the perfect recycling plan as the class 

demands that only boats built prior to 2003 may participate, making it more of an 

even playing field in the process. By using new and innovative means to generate 

electricity on the boats the racers make great testing grounds for creative sustaining 

energy solutions. 

As in past campaigns Derek will carry the names of his supporters around the world 

with him on the boat as part of the AroundTogether program. Anyone that supports 

Derek with either financial help or by supplying equipment or provisions for the boat 

will get their name on the side of the boat to race around the world with him. This 

campaign to involve as many people as possible has proven successful in motivating 

Derek as he pushes himself and the boat flying Canada’s colours around the world. 

Although always looking for corporate support it is the names on the hull that truly 

make this a Spirit of Canada Campaign. There are currently 6600 people that will go 

around the world with Derek and he is still looking for more names to accompany 

him so if you would like to put your name on the hull and get a piece of Spirit of 

Canada team gear please give us a call at 647 288 7342 or email us at: info@spiritofcanada.net. 

Opening up the campaign to the public is what Derek is known for and this campaign 

is no different. Derek and Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges is now offering 

training sessions on the ECO 60 with Derek, positions are available to and from 

destinations such as St. Pierre (France), Bermuda and La Rochelle (France). If you are 

interested in this once in a life time option to train with Derek please contact us to 

get onboard at: info@spiritofcanada.net. Happy Sailing!


Getting Your Name 

on a Trophy 

At the 2009 awards banquet, PCYC 

Commodore Peter Howells presented 

trophies to each winning skipper. 

Shown here, Pat O’Brien is receiving 

the Persevenance trophy. Pat, along 

with Sue Slatcha sailed Otalia from St. 

Catherines for each race. 

Photo by Paul Sipos. 

With over 30 trophies up for grabs, there is a lot of silverware to go 

round. The next few pages describe the trophies, and list winners 

since 2000. 

The earlier winners can be seen by going to www.pcyc.net. 

QCYC Course Race 

Single Handed 

YOUNGSTOWN TROPHY 

Awarded to the mono hull yacht with the best 

corrected time in the single handed spinnaker 

divisions. 

This trophy was donated by Harvey Kolm, 

Past Commodore, Youngstown Yacht Club and 

replaces the R. Williams Trophy. 

2000 – KICK A LITTLE, Mark Searle, PCYC 


2002 – BLADE RUNNER, Peter Rowe, PCYC 

2003 – THE WIND, Stephen Hills, QCYC 

2004 – TRPXPRS, Jan Steyn, YYC 





2009 – THAT DAMN THANG, Diane Reid. ABYC 

ENDEAVOUR TROPHY 

Awarded to the mono hull yacht with 

the best corrected time in the single 

handed white sail division. 

This trophy was donated by Mr. Art 

Jurisson, and replaced the Jack Ward 

Memorial trophy in 1991. 

2000 – VELOCE, Peter Broecker, QCYC 

2001 – GONE WITH THE WIND, Bill Eckersley, QCYC 

2002 – ASSIGNMENT, Wayne Lilley, QCYC 

2003 – WINDRIVEN, Jonathan Vinden, PCYC 


2005 – PELICAN LEE, Wendy McCloy, PCYC 

2006 – ASSIGNMENT, Wayne Lilley, QCYC 

2007 – BLACK MAGIC, Al Hansen, NYC 


2009 – CAT’S PAW, Tom Hand, PCYC 

Double Handed 

THE SEAGULL TROPHY


Resurrected in 2005 for the double handed 

series, this trophy is awarded to the mono hull 

yacht with the best corrected time in the double 

handed white sail divisions. The trophy is a 

graceful interpretation of a seagull in flight and 

was kindly donated by the Cruising Multi-hull 

Racing Association. 

2005 – SYNERGY, Simon Beacock & Amanda, QCYC 

2006 – DORALLA, Kirk Allan, RCYC 

2007 – FINE WINE, Frank Bushe, QCYC 

2008 – NAXOS, Anita Boudreau, RCYC 

2009 – ARIADNA, Oleg Melnikov, APSC 

THE MARTINI SHAKER TROPHY 

This trophy is awarded to the mono hull yacht 

with the best corrected time in the double 

handed spinnaker divisions. It was donated by 

Dr. Maggie Brander and awarded for the first 

time in 2004. 

2004 – FOLICHON, Ian McAllister & 

Mike Pietz, PCYC 



2006 – DORALLA, K. Allen, RCYC 

2007 – ARRIBA, Don French, PCYC 

2008 – MACINTOSH, Durk Steigenga, CBYC 

2009 – MARDI-GRAS, Allan Sauder, ABYC 

Youngstown Race 

Single Handed 

THE JACK PITT TROPHY 


with the best total corrected time in the single 

handed white sail divisions in the two day 

Youngstown Race. It is named after Jack Pitt, a 

long time single handed racer and enthusiast. 

2001 – GONE WITH THE WIND – 

Bill Eckersley, QCYC 

2002 – EPIPHANY – Ron Smallbone, PCYC 





2007 – ANNE BONNY, John Ball, QCYC 


2009 – VAGUE LOCATION, Jim French, PCYC 

THE GUENEVERE CHALICE 

Awarded to the mono hull yacht with the best 

total elapsed time in the single handed division 

in the two day Youngstown Race. 

The Guenevere Chalice is a gold chalice 

mounted on a piece of ancient chalcedony 

scattered with poppy jasper, reminiscent of 

the rock from which King Arthur withdrew 

the sword Excalibur. The Guenevere Chalice 

Trophy was donated by Mr. David Hunter, one 

of Port Credit’s early single handed sailing enthusiasts, 

who was instrumental in organizing 

this race in 1975. 

2000 – JERSEY GIRL, K. Schaefer, EYC 

2001 – GONE WITH THE WIND, Bill Eckersley, QCYC 

2002 – PIED PIPER II, H. Kaut, RHYC 



2005 – SHOCK THERAPY, Gary Benner, RCYC 


2007 – ENTRE AMIS, George Minarik, PCYC 



THE PALMER TROPHY 

The Palmer Trophy is awarded to the mono 

hull yacht with the best total corrected time in 

the single handed spinnaker divisions in the 

two day Youngstown Race. 

Mr. Stan Palmer, one of Port Credit’s early 

single handed enthusiasts donated the Palmer 

Trophy. It represents the steering vane from a 

dual axis self-steering unit. Since 1987, it has 

been awarded to the spinnaker division on the 

Youngstown two day event. 

2000 – JERSEY GIRL, K. Schaefer, EYC 



2003 – LES, John Hagan, EYC 

2004 – SADIE, Mike Robbins, APSC 





2009 – ENTRE AMIS, George Minarik, PCYC


Double Handed 

WATER COLOURS 1 TROPHY 


with the best total corrected time in the double 

handed spinnaker divisions in the two day 

Youngstown Race. Awarded for the first time in 

2004, this trophy was donated by Albert Beaulieu, 

Lynn & Andrew McAllister. 

2004 – AFTERMIR, Vojon Lukatela, 

Owner Ivan Slezic, PCYC 



2006 – KICK-A-LITTLE, Claudette and 

Mark Searle, PCYC 

2007 – SASSAFRAS, Colin Brown, RHYC 

2008 – DORALLA, Kirk Allan, RCYC 

2009 – COUG, Tal Wolf, Lagoon City YC 

Long Distance Race 

Single Handed 

THE TARSHISH TROPHY 

The Tarshish Trophy is awarded to the mono hull 

yacht with the best elapsed time in the single 

handed fleet in the Long Distance Race. 

Tarshish was a popular port of commerce in the 

Mediterranean from 1600 BC to 1900 BC. The 

fastest sailing vessels of the ancient Phoenician 

traders carried wines and olive oils to Tarshish, 

lashed down on their decks in terracotta jugs 

known as Amphora. 

The Tarshish trophy is a reproduction of an ancient amphora and was 

donated by PCYC Past Commodore Gordon K. Piller, who was instrumental 

in organizing this race in 1975. 


2001 – QUICKSILVER, George Minarik, PCYC 







2008 – QUELLE SURPIRSE, Val Matison, RCYC 


THE BEROLINA TROPHY 

The Berolina Trophy is awarded to the mono 

hull yacht with the best corrected time in the 

single handed spinnaker divisions in the Long 

Distance Race. 

It was donated by Echardt Priebe whose 

Redwing 30, Berolina campaigned on Lake 

Ontario. The trophy is a fine Indian totem 

carving depicting man’s triumph over the sea. 

The trophy was hand carved by the noted D. 

Nahanee of the famed West Coast Squamish 

Indian Tribe. From 1982 to 1986 this trophy 

was awarded to the overall winner of the Long 

course. Since 1987, it is awarded in the spinnaker 

division of the Long Course. 

2000 – GOLDEN EYE, Peter Ashby, QCYC 





2005 – EPIPHANY, Ron Smallbone, PCYC 



2008 – LES, John Hagen, EYC 

2009 – GOLDEN EYE, Peter Ashby, QCYC 

THE WALTER PENZ MEMORIAL TROPHY 

The Walter Penz Memorial Trophy is awarded 

to the mono hull yacht with the best corrected 

time in the single handed white sail divisions 

in the Long Distance Race. 

This trophy was provided in honour of Walter 

Penz from the Genesee Yacht Club, New York, 

who is fondly remembered as one of New 

York’s avid single handed sailors with his yacht 

Puppy Love. Donated by the Lake Ontario 

Single Handed Committee. 

2000 – KERRY II, K. Murdoch, PCYC 



2003 – PARSIFAL, R. Schneider, PCYC 



2006 – GANNET CAY, Mark Gifford, PCYC 



2009 – MYTHOS, Ted Spanos, PCYC


Double Handed 

THE JIM SCHOENHARDT TROPHY 

The Jim Schoenhardt Trophy is awarded to the 

mono hull yacht with the best corrected time in 

the double handed spinnaker divisions in the 

Long Distance Race. 

It was awarded for the first time in 2004, donated 

by Jim Schoenhardt. 

Jim has been a member of Port Credit Yacht Club 

since the mid 1960s, first as a junior member 

then instructor. Jim has crewed on many boats at 

PCYC like Ayesha & Caliban, and he was the proud owner of maxiyacht 

Toscana, a Frers 51. 

2004 – SEAJAY, Jim Johnstone & Peter Monrow, PCYC 


2006 – TIU’SDAY, Mike Hren, ABYC 

2007 – SASSAFRAS, Colin Brown, RHYC 

2008 – XTRA XTRA, Ron Barr, BHYC 

2009 – ARIADNA, Oleg Melnikov, APSC 

HERMAN SCHNEIDER 

MEMORIAL TROPHY 

This trophy is awarded for the best low point 

total in the double handed spinnaker 1 fleet. 

This trophy was donated in memory of Herman 

Schneider, an avid single handed participant in 

the LOSHRS. He was a long standing member 

of PCYC and ran a marine store in Port Credit 

called Distance Horizon. 

2009 – PHOENIX, Sheila Smith, RCYC 

Single Handed 

Port Dalhousie Race Weekend 

SPORTECH PLAQUE – FLYING SAILS 

Since 2008, this is awarded to the mono hull yacht for the best total 

corrected time in the single handed spinnaker divisions in the two day 

Port Dalhousie Race Weekend. 

Prior to 2008, it was awarded to the mono hull yacht with the best corrected 

time in the single handed spinnaker division. 




2003 – AFTERMIR, V. Dopuda, PCYC 






2009 – THAT DAMN THANG, 

Diane Reid, ABYC 

SPORTECH TROPHY – 

NO FLYING SAILS 


2001 – GONE WITH WIND, 

Bill Eckersley, QCYC 


2003 – ANNE BONNY, John Ball, QCYC 



2006 – ASSIGNMENT, W. Lilley, QCYC 


2008 – EXPOTITION, David Hymers, EYC 

2009 – VAGUE LOCATION, Jim French, PCYC 

Double Handed 

THE IAN MCALLISTER TROPHY 

The Ian McAllister Trophy is awarded to the 

mono hull yachts with the best total corrected 

time in the double handed spinnaker and 

double handed white sail divisions in the two 

day Port Dalhousie Race Weekend. 

Awarded for the first time in 2002, it was donated 

by Ian McAllister, an avid supporter of yacht 

racing, and current Vice Chair of LOSHRS. 

2002 – EPHIPHANY, Ron Smallbone, PCYC 

2003 – FOLICHON, Mike Pietz & 

Ian McAllister, PCYC 

2004 – STILL CRAZY, John & John Danahy, PCYC 

2004 – AFTERMIR, sailed by Vojon Lukatela, owner Ivan Slezic, PCYC 

2005 – (Non-Flying Sails) STILL CRAZY, John & John Danahy, PCYC 

(Flying Sails) FOLICHON, Mike Pietz & Brian Townsend, PCYC 

2006 – (Non-Flying Sails) STILL CRAZY, John & John Danahy, PCYC 

(Flying Sails) FOLICHON, Ian McAllister & Mike Pietz, PCYC 

2007 – (Non-Flying Sails) ARIADNA, Vladimir Melnikov & 

Oleg Melnikov, APSC 

(Flying Sails) BLACK MAGIC, Al Hansen & Sandra Parsons, PCYC 

2008 – (Non-Flying Sails) THE LITTLE PENGUIN, Malcolm Little & 

David Bird, EYC 

(Flying Sails) XTRA XTRA, Ron Barr & Sue Sproule, BHYC 

2009 – (Non-Flying Sails) NAXOS, Anita Boudreau, RCYC 

(Flying Sails) NO NAME, Jan Steyn, YYC


Overall Series Trophies 

After all the races have been run, overall series trophies are calculated. 

These are prestigious trophies, awarded to sailors and crew that have 

exhibited the skill, consistency and perseverance to come out on top 

of their individual divisions, and in some cases, the entire fleet. 

Single Handed 

THE CAPTAIN’S CUP 

The Captain’s Cup is awarded to the mono hull 

yacht with the best low point total for the overall 

series in the single handed white sail divisions. 

This trophy was donated by Mr. Herman Schneider 

in 1991, and is determined by comparing 

the lowest low point total in each fleet within a 

division. 

2000 – KERRY II, K. Murdoch, PCYC 

2001 – MYSTERY, Al O’Marra, PCYC 








2009 – MYTHOS, Ted Spanos, PCYC 

THE G.S. PARKE MEMORIAL TROPHY 

The G.S.Parke Memorial Trophy is awarded to the mono hull yacht 

with the best low point total for the overall series in the single handed 

spinnaker divisions. 

Frances and Robert Parke donated this trophy. 

Bob was active in racing and was Chairman of 

the Race Committee at PCYC for many years. 



KICK A LITTLE, Mark Searle, PCYC 







2008 – THAT DAMN THANG, Diane Reid, ABYC 

2009 – LES, John Hagan EYC 

Don’t forget 

the LOSHRS 

Banquet. 

Enjoy great food and time with 

friends. Pick up your flags 

and trophies. 

November 6th at PCYC.


THE LABATT LOW POINT SINGLE HANDED TROPHY 

The Labatt Low Point Single Handed Trophy is 

awarded to the mono hull yacht with the best 

low point total for the overall series in the single 

handed fleet. 

It was donated by Labatt Ontario Breweries to 

encourage and promote responsible competition 

in single handed racing. In order to qualify for 

the trophy, a yacht must finish the Long Distance 

Race and a minimum of three other races. 



KICK A LITTLE, Mark Searle, PCYC 








2009 – DIFFERENT DRUMMER I, Brian Mitchell, BPYC 

Double Handed 

THE LABATT LOW POINT DOUBLE HANDED TROPHY 

As of 2008, this trophy is awarded for the best 

low point total for the overall series in the 

double handed fleet. 

It was donated by Labatt Ontario Breweries to 

encourage and promote responsible competition 

in single-handed racing. In order to qualify for 

the trophy, a yacht must finish the Long Distance 

Race and a minimum of three other races. 

Originally deeded as the LABATT LOW POINT TROPHY (Single Handed) 



2002 – MYSTERY, Al O’Marra, PCYC 






Redeeded in 2008 as the LABATT LOW POINT DOUBLE HANDED TROPHY 

2008 – NEMESIS, Michael Innell, CBYC 


THE SCOTIA BANK TROPHY 

The Scotia Bank Trophy is awarded to the 

mono hull yacht with the best low point total 

for the overall series in the double handed 

spinnaker division. This trophy was donated 

in 2004 by Maria French to encourage and 

promote responsible double handed racing on 

Lake Ontario. 

In order to qualify for the trophy, a yacht must 

finish the Long Distance Race and a minimum 

of three other races. 

2004 – NICK’S CAFE, Patrick Muise and Tom O’Brien, PCYC 

2005 – FOLICHON, Ian McAllister and Mike Pietz, PCYC 

2006 – TIU’SDAY, Mike Hren and Susan Bosley, ABYC 

2007 – FOLICHON, Ian McAllister and Brian Townsend, PCYC 



MEMORIAL CUP 


with the best low point total for the overall series 

in the double handed white sail divisions. 

It was donated by Albert Beaulieu and Lynn 

McAllister in memory of Albert’s wife and 

Lynn’s mother. 

In order to qualify for the trophy, a yacht must 

finish the Long Distance Race and a minimum 

of three other races. 

2005 – TOSCANA, Jim Schoenhardt, PCYC 

2006 – SYNERGY, Simon Beacock and 

Amanda, QCYC 

2007 – OTALIA, Pat O’Brien and Susan Slachta, DYC 


2009 – OTALIA, Pat O’Brien and Susan Slachta, DYC


THE LEONARD ALKSNIS LOSHRS MEMORIAL TROPHY 

LOSHRS Posters 


with the best low point total for Weekend Races 

(Youngstown and Dalhousie) in the double handed 

spinnaker divisions. In order to qualify for this 

trophy, a yacht must participate in all races on 

both weekends. 

It was awarded for the first time in 2008 in 

memory of Leonard Alksnis, who successfully 

campaigned Trimpus from ABYC. 


2009 – GIZMO, Marc Doedens, PCYC 

THE ROGER SHAW LOSHRS MEMORIAL TROPHY 


with the best low point total for Weekend Races 

(Youngstown and Dalhousie) in the double handed 

white sail divisions. In order to qualify for this 

trophy, a yacht must participate in all races on 

both weekends. 

Awarded for the first time in 2008 in memory of 

Roger Shaw, who successfully campaigned Southerly 

Buster from ABYC. 

2008 – THE LITTLE PENGUIN, Malcolm Little, EYC 


Special Award 

THE PERSEVERANCE CUP 

Dedicated in 2002 by Al J.C. O’Marra, this trophy is awarded at the discretion 

by the chair or co-chair to the short handed competitor who displays the highest 

standards of seamanship and reverence by enduring and overcoming great 

obstacles in the Lake Ontario Short-Handed series. 

The photo on page 34 shows Pat O’Brien receiving the Perseverance Cup from 

PCYC Commodore, Peter Howells. 

2002 – David Hartman – MEGGIE, QCYC 

2003 – Gene Joelson – THE BIG EASY, PCYC 

2005 – John Ball – ANNE BONNEY, QCYC 

2006 – Carolyn Archibald – EMERALD, QCYC 

2007 – Roger Shaw – SOUTHERLY BUSTER, ABYC 

2009 – Pat O’Brien – OTALIA, DYC 

www.loshrs.com 

Do you remember 

these posters? 

The Lake Ontario Short 

Handed Racing Series 

committee works hard 

to promote the series. 

If you would like our 

latest poster to show 

at your Club, please 

contact Ian McAllister 

at imcallister@kikcorp.com 

or Jonathan 

Vinden at jvinden@ 

brickworksonline.com.


6 Firsts, 5 Thirds 

‘09 

LO300 

LOSHRS 

Spinnaker Options for 

Short Handed Sailors 

Powering through the water under a large spinnaker is one of the real joys of 

sailing, but for short handed sailors in LOSHRS and the LO300, setting, flying 

and retrieving these large sheets of nylon can be a challenging and sometimes 

scary task. This is especially true as night falls or when the wind gusts up above 

20 or 25 knots. 

Dick Steigenga has a lot of experience short handed sailing under spinnaker, 

and as the energy behind Performance Sails, is involved in various projects to 

simplify the handling and taming of large flying sails. This article shares some of 

Dick’s experiences aboard MacIntosh, and looks at the materials, ratings ramifications, 

and opportunities for Code and Asymmetrical sail handling systems. 

We’ve had a lot of interest in asymmetrical sails and code zero sails in the 

last few years driven to a large extent by the success of the LOSHRS series 

and LO300. These sails can be very effective on some points of sail. 

Aboard MacIntosh, we have carried a deep, 3/4 oz nylon asymmetrical spinnaker 

for many years to complement our conventional symmetrical spinnakers. Our usual 

practice is to secure the tack to a spinnaker guy through the end of our spinnaker 

pole but occasionally we set it from a downhaul led from a block at the stem head. 

Setting it from the pole provides more flexibility in terms of point-of-sail and controlling 

tack height. It can also serve as a “chicken” chute in higher winds because 

it is smaller than the symmetricals. 

This sail is effective with the wind on the beam to about 60 degrees apparent 

depending on the wind strength. Part of the problem is that as the wind goes 

forward, and wind pressure increases, the 3/4 oz nylon isn’t up to the task and the 

sail stretches out of shape. MacIntosh is quite heavy and the loads are high. 

A few years ago we built a flatter version of the sail out of code zero fabric to see if 

we could work closer to the wind and fill the gap between the genoa’s range and 

nylon asymmetrical. 

The result is a qualified success. The sail is dimensionally stable due to the stronger 

fabric, but because it is built as a “soft” luff sail to PHRF legal proportions, it is 

tricky to fly and has a very narrow effective range. 

Our experience is borne out by other competitors using other sailmaker’s sails. 

Definitions 

Asymmetrical spinnakers are spinnaker-like sails but with uneven leech and luff 

lengths and a foil cross-sectional shape similar to a deep genoa with a round 

Doralla is a successful LOSHRS and LO300 

competitor shown here flying her 1½ oz PHRF 

legal code style reaching asymmetrical sail. 

front end and a straighter trailing edge. 

The sail has a definite luff and leech 

whereas a symmetrical spinnaker has 

identical leeches and either edge can be 

the leading edge. Typical applications 

are boats equipped with bow sprits but 

boats that can generate high speeds 

in light winds such as America’s Cup 

boats will use them downwind when 

a combination of reaching and gybing 

results in the best VMG downwind. On 

“conventional” cruiser-racer boats the 

asymmetrical is primarily a reaching sail 

although they are often used as cruising 

spinnakers on boats that don’t want the 

complication of setting a spinnaker pole. 

Code zero sails are genoa-like sails, generally 

with a “straight” luff on a furling 

system. The sail is set flying and relies 

on halyard tension and a strong line in 

the luff to provide the same support as a 

headstay would for a genoa. The design 

emphasis of the sail is close reaching 

approaching close hauled in light winds 

‘08 

‘07 

1 First, 5 Seconds 

2 Thirds 

3 Firsts plus 

First Overall, 

4 Seconds, 1 Third 

3 Firsts, 3 Seconds 

5 Firsts, 3 Seconds 

3 Firsts, 1 Second, 

1 Third 


LOSHRS 


LOSHRS 

Performance 

Sails 

We are competitive whether 

racing or selling sails... 

•Competitive 

on the racecourse 


technology 


pricing 

Dick Steigenga 

80 Barbados Blvd, Unit 3, 

Scarborough Ontario M1J 1K9 

Phone: (416) 266-0429 

Cell: (416) 434-8574 

Boat: MacIntosh


when the normal headsail doesn’t 

have enough power to get the boat 

up to hull speed. 

One of the early applications for 

code zero sails was on Volvo 

“around the world” boats to get the 

boats moving in “zero” wind before 

switching to the genoa. Code zero 

sails are often set up on a double luff 

rope which provides some torsional 

stiffness and permits the use of a 

purpose-built code zero furler. 

Code zero furlers use endless lines 

to reduce the size of the drum and 

because the small diameter of the 

luff rope assembly 

requires many, 

This cat has a 

Performance Sails 

many, turns to roll furling asym made 

up the sail. The 

bearing assemblies 

on the code zero 

from code zero 

material mounted 

on a bow sprit. 

furlers must also be able to take the 

full load of the luff tension which can 

be very high. 

Fabrics 

Most asymmetrical spinnakers are 

built of spinnaker nylons in the complete 

range of weights we see with 

conventional spinnakers, i.e ½ oz to 

3 oz. Some cloth manufacturers do 

target asymmetrical applications with 

their finish and coatings and there 

has been renewed interest in polyester spinnaker fabrics as well. 

Code zero fabrics are light weight laminates in the range of 2 to 5 oz. They consist 

of a light mylar film, a small amount of high modulus fibre reinforcing such as 

Technora, and a very light taffeta to give it some toughness. The primary advantage 

is that they are much more stable under load than woven nylon. At Performance 

Sails we have also used code zero fabric for light air genoas/drifters. 

Measurements 

PHRF-LO does not rate true code zero sails. To be rated for use in a PHRF event, 

a sail must either be a headsail or a spinnaker. By PHRF’s definition, a headsail is 

a sail that will fit inside a triangle defined by the three corners with the exception 

that positive foot round is allowed within limits. What this means in terms of mid 

girth is that it must be less than 50% of the foot girth. 

To fit PHRF’s definition of an asymmetrical spinnaker, the mid girth must equal or 

exceed 75% of the foot girth. Some class associations, for example J105, will allow 

mid girths to reduce to as low as 65%, for their class-legal spinnakers but PHRF’s 

cut-off is 75%. PHRF gives more weight to the luff length than leech length by using 

60% of the luff and 40% of the leech to establish the effective luff for comparison 

with the standard luff. The standard luff is the same as for symmetrical sails, 

i.e. 95% of the square root of I squared plus J squared. Being over the standard 

results in an adjusted mid girth but we have found in most cases that a little extra 

luff or leech length doesn’t affect the rating because we don’t maximize 

the mid girth. 

Because code zero sails are intended for close-winded work, they have to be flatter 

and typically measure from 50% to 65% mid girth. 

IRC defines a spinnaker “as a sail set forward of the foremost mast with half width 

(measured as a spinnaker) equal or greater than 75% of the foot length and without 

battens.” 

It treats code zero sails as headsails. By definition a headsail is “any sail tacked 

down forward of the foremast which does not meet the definition of a spinnaker.” 

For asymmetrical spinnakers, IRC does not put more weight on the luff than leech. 

It simply takes 50% of each and adds them together to come up with the standard 

luff length. 

True code zero sails would be treated and rated as oversize genoas and in the case 

of setting it on a bow sprit, the tack point on the bow sprit becomes the new measurement 

point for defining “J”. 

For headsails, IRC measures the luff perpendicular, half width and the 3/4 width 

and the rating is based on the largest area headsail. While the inner workings of 

IRC are kept secret, it is reasonable to assume that a true code zero sail would 

push the rating way up. 

If we didn’t want to take the rating adjustment, that leaves us with what we, at Performance 

Sails, call a PHRF legal sail, that is, with a mid girth of 75% or greater. 

The result is a narrow range sail as illustrated by Bert Barret’s (Up Start) assessment 

of his Quantum Sails, PHRF legal, code zero type sail. 

“My impression is that it is a great sail but has a very narrow window in 

which it is useful. Light air with 60-90 apparent. If you are going upwind on 

a short leg, you are in trouble because you have to gybe. We found it useful 

in the LO300 going into the Niagara mark and for the first half of the Niagara 

to PCYC leg. If I remember correctly there was 4-8 knots of wind.” 

Bowsprits 

A question that comes up is whether it is worthwhile to fit a bowsprit to a “conventional” 

boat to get the asymmetrical away from the rig. By pushing the tack of the 

sail further forward, more of the sail is exposed when broad reaching. It also


provides more space for a Roll-Gen or code zero type furler. 

PHRF-LO has a procedure for dealing with bow sprits which is similar to the 

system for oversize spinnaker poles. If the primary purpose is to provide space for 

a furler, then a short bowsprit, or perhaps the anchor roller fitting, will provide the 

required space with a rating adjustment of minus 3 seconds. 

It is our interpretation of the PHRF-LO handicapping system that once you have 

incurred a penalty due to an oversize pole or bowsprit, you cannot claim back a 

rating credit by flying the “standard” or an undersized spinnaker. Therefore, it may 

be beneficial for lighter winds, to maximize the spinnaker size within the limits of 

the rating adjustment already incurred. 

Furlers 

Code zero furlers are available 

from a number of companies. 

While these are primarily 

intended for straight luff, code 

zero sails, we have built a few 

sails that use the system of the 

double luff rope on deeper, 

75% mid girth sails with a 

“soft” luff. This system takes a 

lot of turns to wind up the sail 

and does result in some wrinkling 

of the sail. An example 

is the asymmetrical sail on the 

TomCat 9.5 at the Southampton, 

England boat show. We built 

that sail out of code zero fabric 

with a double luff rope using 

Amsteel low-stretch rope. 

A relatively new product on 

the market is the Roll-Gen from 

Bamar. This product consists 

of a code zero furler but with 

a torsion rope between the top 

swivel and the furling drum. It 

will accommodate conventional 

asymmetrical spinnakers without 

the need of a special luff con- 

version. When rolling up a furling asymmetrical sail, it starts from the top as the 

bottom swivel is free to rotate independently. When rolled up, the assembly can 

be coiled up with the sail on it and stored in a locker. 

Snuffers: 

An asymmetrical spinnaker furled from the top using a 

Roll-Gen. The spinnaker is hoisted using a standard spin 

halyard but can remain furled during upwind legs. 

ATN from Florida provides most of the spinnaker snuffers we have seen. This con- 

sists of a bell-shaped fibreglass mouth with a soft cloth sleeve the length of the spinnaker 

leech. For a 35 foot boat the sleeve is about 16” diameter and the fibreglass 

piece is about 24” at the widest and 12” high. It has some fittings and a block at 

the top that serves an “endless” line that hoists and pulls down the fibreglass mouth 

piece, releasing and capturing the spinnaker as it is pulled up or down. They can be 

used with conventional or nylon asymmetrical spinnakers but we don’t think they 

would be good for code zero laminates, although we haven’t tried it. 

We purchased one for MacIntosh about 3 years ago and so far it is still in the 

original shipping bag in a locker. There have been a few times we wished we had 

rigged it but for the most part we managed without. Our primary concerns is the 

effect it would have on the airflow at the top of the mast and the weight of the 

assembly swinging around in sloppy seas. The weight of MacIntosh’s is 18 pounds. 

Most of our customers who have them, do like them. 

Summary 

It is our current opinion that for boats doing point to point 

racing, an asymmetrical spinnaker is a useful addition 

to the arsenal. On MacIntosh we currently carry full 

size 1½ and ¾ oz symmetrical spinnakers, the ¾ oz 

asymmetrical and the experimental 2 oz asymmetrical 

made from code zero fabric. If we were starting 

over, I would keep the same symmetrical chutes 

but build one asym out of good-quality, firm-finished 

¾ or .9 oz nylon with a shape between the 2 

asymmetrical spinnakers we now have. 

That selection would also serve as a base IRC 

inventory for off-shore races because they assess 

a penalty if you carry more than 3 spinnakers. 

We would not carry a true code zero because our 

genoa is very large and we would not wish to take 

the rating adjustment for what is a very specialized 

sail. 

For smaller or lighter boats, where the loads are 

not so high, each of the sails could be lighter. 

The next time you see MacIntosh with her spinnaker 

streaming horizontally from the masthead, just 

remember, we didn’t mess up, we’re just conducting 

research for Performance Sails.


Qualifying for the GLSS 

Lake Ontario 300 Solo Challenge 

If you complete the LOSHRS 100 Mile, Long Distance Race, single handed, and 

then extend your single handed time on the water to exceed 24 hours, you can 

become eligible to participate in the 2011 GLSS Lake Ontario 300 Solo Challenge. 

The Great Lakes Singlehanded Society (GLSS) is an organization established 

for the perpetuation of the sport of solo sailing, and you can only become 

a member by successfully completing a Port Huron to Mackinac, Chicago 

to Mackinac, Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth, the Lake Erie Solo Challenge, or the Lake 

Ontario 300 Solo Challenge. 

In order to qualify for membership in GLSS, an entrant must be 18 years of age or 

older and must have at least 1,000 miles of sailing experience on a body of water 

equal to or greater than the magnitude of the Great Lakes. Entrants must submit a 

completed GLSS Sailing Experience Resume Form (see the GLSS website) showing 

that they meet these qualification requirements. 

For those that want to compete in this years Lake Ontario 300 Solo Challenge, 

the requisite documentation must be sent to GLSS by mid June (see their website 

for final details). In addition, new entrants must document that they have made at 

least one nonstop single handed passage under sail on the boat being entered in the 

Challenge. This passage must cover a distance of no less than 100 statute miles and 

require a passage time of no less than 24 hours. 

At 89.3 nautical miles (102.8 statute miles) in length, the LOSHRS 100 Mile Long 

Distance Race is long enough to be a qualifier event for GLSS, but the time to complete 

the race is typically just short of the required 24 hours. Competitors that want 

to use this year’s LOSHRS 100 Mile Long Distance Race to qualify for next year’s 

Solo Challenge must therefore sail for an additional period of time in order to make 

up the required 24 hours. It is recommended that upon finishing at PCYC, boats 

that need to sail additional time should head towards the Gibraltar Buoy and return 

to PCYC, keeping the Gibraltar Buoy to starboard. Note that it is not essential that 

entrants go all the way to the Gibraltar Buoy. Rather it is essential that competitors 

accurately log 24 hours of single handed passage making. 

Please note that there are significant safety and experience requirements in order to 

qualify to participate in a GLSS sanctioned event. If you have any questions regarding 

GLSS, visit their website at www.solosailor.org .

Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide - Lake Ontario 300

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