The organizing committee of the Malaspina Regatta has always had the objective of having the same number of boats competing as the number of years that the race has been held.
This year was the 24th annual regatta, and much to everyone's delight, there were 25 boats, which assembled on the start line last Saturday, June 29.
The conditions were very calm with a light five-knot wind from the southeast, and to add to the challenge, there was also an out-going tide.
The long start line caused a certain amount of confusion for some boats, which resulted in six boats being recalled, as they were over the line too soon.
In the light conditions this proved the downfall for some, as they lost valuable time recrossing the line before beginning the race.
The initial leg saw the fleet gradually extend with the first to round the mark at Hospital Reef being Drifter, a trimaran skippered by Ron Badley. He was followed by Area 51, with Bruce Ledger at the helm, and Seven, with David Pritchard, both sailing Martin 242s.
The second leg, north to Ackland Rock, was a downwind leg, which saw most of the boats deploying their colourful spinnakers.
On this leg the current edged the fleet over towards the Nelson Island side of the course as the breeze became lighter and shiftier. The lighter breeze favoured those flying their spinnakers and resulted in the first 10 boats gradually widening their lead over the rest of the fleet.
The order within this leading group also changed, with a few boats from the back managing to close the gap with the leaders. Drifter, however, was not to be caught as she slowly increased her lead.
As the boats neared the mark at Ackland Rock, the race committee made the decision to shorten the course as it was becoming apparent that few, if any, boats were going to be able to complete all three legs in the allotted five hours.It turned out that this was the right decision, as only one boat, Drifter, succeeded in completing the full course in this time. Unfortunately a total of 15 boats were unable to complete the shortened course in the allowed time.
After the race everyone went to Fisherman's Resort for the barbecue and prize-awarding ceremony, which drew 107 people. Once the meal was finished, a draw was held for 30 door prizes, which had been generously given by companies up and down the Coast as well as the Lower Mainland.
Each year, the person who has made the most contribution in the previous year to the Garden Bay Sailing Club is presented with the Race Committee Award.
Bob Stickley was pleased to hand this trophy to John Barker for his years of work on building and maintaining the club's website (www.gardenbaysailingclub.com).
The Legion Cup (first across the line) was awarded to Badley in a corrected time of two hours, 55 minutes. The Power Squadron Trophy (first overall) went to Ledger, and the divisional plaques were given to Badley, Tom Barker in BC Navigator and Ledger.
