It could not have been a more beautiful day to have a regatta than Saturday October 10th. Nothing ‘froze’ this year and nothing ‘fell off’! There were actually two regattas and three championships. For the first time, the Lighnings competed in the ‘Brass Monkey.’ The Lightning (one mast with two sails; insignia is a lightning bolt on the mainsail) is a popular international sail boat, sailed in over 13 countries and at the Pan Am Games. A crew of three is usual, and though the rig is simple it offers some sophisticated sail shape controls. You can see a Lighning in the photo with the jib extended, something for which you need a good wind, and with gusts up to 28 knots; Saturday was the day. Six Lightning sailed in this competition with 17 crew members. First place Steve Tubby & Olivia Goemens; second place Michael Hooper, Connor Olivera, & Dave Murray; third place Bill Forsyth & Greg Alexander.
The second competition was the The Alberta Laser Open Championships (The Lantern Trophy). This competition started in 1972. The Laser (sail insignia is a 12 pointed star with a tail) is an Olympic class boat. According to Wikipedia, its history began with a phone call between Canadians Bruce Kirby and Ian Bruce. While discussing the possibility of a car-topped dinghy (a boat small enough to be carried on a roof rack of a typical car) for a line of camping equipment, Bruce Kirby sketched what would be known as “the million dollar doodle”. At about 14′ long, and 130 lbs., Lasers are the most popular dinghies in the world. It requires real fitness to endure the strait legged hiking (hanging out over the side) and other techniques essential for sailing upwind during races. This year there were 25 Laser competitors. First place, Michael Hooper; second Place, Phil Paxton ( both from CYC); and third Place, Eugene Dombrowski, a visitor from the Glenmore Sailing Club.
The third competition was the Alberta Laser Masters Championship ( for the coveted Brass Monkey Trophy). Masters are in four age divisions; Apprentice (35-44 years old), Master (45-54 years old), Grand Master (55-64 years old) and Great Grand Master (65+). Masters typically race together, but score in their age divisions. An overall winner is determined using a handicap system where Apprentices add 3 points to their finish position in each race, Masters 2 points and Grand Masters 1 point. CYC has one of the most active Laser Masters fleets worldwide. Masters sailing participation is so strong at CYC, it regularly sends the largest contingent of Laser Masters Sailors to the World Championships from any single club worldwide. First Place – Phil Paxton, CYC, Second Place – Michael Hooper, CYC , and Third Place – Thom Stubbs, CYC.
Don’t let that discussion of “real fitness” and “hiking out” deter you from trying out Laser sailing, or for that matter, crewing on one of the Lightning or other boats which require more hands. The Calgary Yacht Club offers a variety of membership levels, and non-member volunteers are always welcome to lend a helping hand during the racing season. Sailing activities start again in 2016 as soon as the water is in, check out the webpage www.cyc.ab.ca for opening activities and enjoy some sailing fun out on the Lake next summer with the CYC–Alberta’s oldest yacht club! (with thanks Commodore Michael Hooper for input on the article)
