Sailors set sail in Straits "Q7 Race By Andrew McCredie Community Editor IT’S been said —- no doubt by a landlubber -— that sailing is akin to standing fully- clothed in your shower while ripping up hun- dred dollar bills. Perhaps, but for the sea- farers among us, the desire to harness the wind and ride the ocean is ever present. This weekend more than 80 yachts will answer the call of the wind as the West Vancouver Yacht Ciub’s 29th annual Southern Straits Race sets sail on another season of racing. The race, set to begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, is the largest over-night sailing race in Georgia Strait this year. Sailors from across North America are currently in the Lower Mainland preparing their vessels - ranging from 25 to over 70 feet in length — for race day. Like golf, boats are handicapped depending on their size and top potential speed so that smailer and slower boats can race against faster ones ina fair environment. The Southern Straits race is actually two races — the long course goes up near Texada Island and a back, a distance of 112 miles (180 km); and the short course heads west towards Nanaimo then back, a distance of 62 miles (100 km). Depending on wind con- ditions, the racers will cross the finish line off the West Vancouver shoreline some time just after midnight Saturday. For the best spectating opportunities, arrive at Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver at 10:15 a.m. on Good Friday. If the wind is coming out of English Bay, the scene will be a colorful one as the yachts will be fly- ing their spinnakers to take advantage of a full-sail stare. The finish line is located approximately one-quarter mile (4 km) off Arkinson Point (designated by a red marker). And as for the tearing up of hundred dollar bills, no prize moncy is awarded for the winners. A small plaque will go to cach winning crew member and the winning yachts’ names will be engraved on a trophy. The West Vancouver facht Chub is located at 5854 Marine Dr. — andrew@nsnews.com SOUTHERN STRAITS RACE Wednesday, March 26, 1997 — North Shore News — 17 il ROB Huntingford does some last minute work on General Hospital at the West Vancouver Yacht Club in preparation for the Straits ‘97 race. The following is a lighthearted lovk at yacht racing written by West Vancouver resident Pete Siddons. Though retived from competitive racing, Pete is active in promoting the sport. ONCE a race has begun, and the initial tactical decisions have been made, the crew usually get into a regular rou- tine. If the boat is going upwind then che crew will have times of quiet, bliss- ful inactivity sitting down with their legs hanging our over he edge of the deck. (We won’t mention there is a rail of aluminum one inch in height cut- ting the circulation to your legs off). As if to maintain control because the crew looks too comfortable, the Skipper will suddenly bark orders to “tack” or change directions, causing mayhem aboard when everyone jumps up to positon (remember the legs don't work). This is followed by a brief tlurry of activity akin to a fire drill. To the hymen it looks chaotic with rope tlying everywhere. Sails flapping or crackling like guntire (and almost as noisy) and people grunting and groan: ing. In reality if is t carefully arches- trated manoeuvre which changes the boars heading with a minimum of speed fost. As soon as this is accom: plished it’s back up onte the windy side rail to endure another round of leg circulation modification. If it’s really blowing the crew will curse every time the skipper points the boat into a big wave because it’s like being hit with a fire hose. Generally speaking, sailing down wind is drier but deadlier (The term “dead down wind” is not discussed much on. sail- paiva: BPR CRE ef rf Graphic submitted THE 29th annual Southern Straits Race, set to start at 10:30 a.m. Friday, features two courses: a long course that runs out to Texada island; and a short course that heads towards Nanaimo. boar). Woir's dighs wind, down wind requires the most concentration by che whole crew as everyone foctises on their role in keeping the boat moving under a huge sad called the spinnaker. This isa sail that commands respect ta the point were the average weekend party sailor woo't use one. To the racer there is nothing more Ubeilling in tite than surfing down a huge long ocean wave with the “kite” fying. Speeds of 20 knots (knot miles per hour) can be obtained by crue racing boats. However these thrills come with some moments of terror. One mistake can lead to disaster. Fortunately the boots tend to be more durable than the crew or sails. The term “kite” perhaps will put things into perspective — have you ever noticed how they fly back and forth —- then without warning go out of control and crash into pieces for the seagulls to peck av On a sailboat, the helmsman zigs when the kite zags the boat turns sideways and instantly lays ever on its side. All crew go into sur- sival mode (“when in doubt let it our” is the motto) by releasing rope which was controlling the kite and getting the boat back under control. That can happea on any boat but the bigger the boat the more likely the damage. If it was vour turn to cook the chili (and you're preparing dinner) when this happens you might as well just pass the spoons our to the first “off watch” crew and let the gather it up off whatever surface it’s attached to — sails, windows, berths, boots, the floor, ceiling whatever. God help the person on the head at this moment. Once everything is back under con- trol and the helmsman is_ breathing again because the tiller (steering device) isn’t up against his/her chin, everyone concentrates on surfing down thar elusive long wave again. Should it be your turn to go off watch then the challenge is to find a dry com- fortable berth and get out of your wet weather gear without slipping on the chili, another body or a wet floor. For some, the challenge becomes to get out of your wet weather gear without “coffing yer cookies.” For some it will be a nice hot cooked meal (did [ hear roast beef?) served with chilled wine by the resident chef as the boat glides along. No matter who you are — the time comes to go back on watch and with a bit of Juck you'll see a beautifl sunrise as you come up on deck to a nice warm day. Now the task at hand (the one withour the Turkish coffee in it) is to beat the boat next to you whom you haven't seen all night (where the hell did he come from? Must have caught that breeze we didn’t get). The intensity of the battle requires silence as ne one wants the other guys to know your next move. Finally, duc to superior tactics, helmsmanship and a cool skipper who nevet yells, victory is yours. Now it’s Miller ime! Monday morning finds all the sailors at work trying to explain why their faces are red, weather beaten and generally looking like they’ve been into the Miller all weekend.