September 13-14, 2008 – SLSC had 3 teams sailing in the Ontario High School Championships last weekend, hosted by the Whitby Yacht Club. The regatta started on an overcast Saturday morning in light but steady winds…except it almost didn’t for all 3 SLSC boats. Amy DesBrisay/Kate Thomas, Owen Thomas/Sean Clynch and Ellen Lourie/Evan Burtt were all totally befuddled by the starting sequence and were nowhere to be seen when the first 420 start gun blasted off. Realizing the error of their ways, the SLSC boats made up ground and as the race progressed the Amy/Kate and Owen/Sean teams started to pass others to end up 1st and 3rd respectively. Ellen/Evan had too far to catch up, but closed the gap with the boat that ended up in 4th. From there, Amy and Kate went on to win races 2 and 3 and Owen/Sean were able to repeat their 3rd place finishes. At the end of the first day of sailing Amy/Kate had 3 firsts and Owen/Sean 3 thirds.
On Sunday the sun came out and Amy and Kate won the 1st race of the day keeping their unblemished string of firsts intact. Ellen/Evan placed 3rd. Owen and Sean were too aggressive at the start and were nailed with an OCS. The last race of the Regatta started with wind, but the wind totally pooped out on the second windward leg. The race was abandoned for most fleets, but the 420s were finished in the order in which they stood when the race was abandoned.
To the surprise of everyone, all 420s but one had been over early at the start giving Amy/Kate and the second place boat from Kingston their drop race. For poor Owen and Sean (who had already been called over early in the prior race), there had been no room for error…They had to keep the race. This dropped them out of the 3rd place spot that they had clearly earned based on their regatta performance…but lessons learned and many more High School Regattas to sail…Disappointed but undaunted. Amy and Kate added to their haul of awards this Summer with another yellow flag as Provincial High School 420 Champs for 2008.
Amy/Kate and Evan/Ellen are off to Kingston this weekend for the Fall CORK Regatta where, rumour has it, there will be a sighting of Murray McCullough and his 49er. Report to follow.