Tag Archives: 12-Mile-Island

Race night in late season

KSC Awards and Race Results

Events, , , , ,
Commodore Corinne Civalleri presenting the KSC Founding Member’s Award to 2018 recipient Tom Saunders, Past KSC Director of Training. Congratulations and thank you Tom!
KSC Founding Member’s Award Trophy awarded to 2018 to 2023 recipients at Annual Meeting!

Kanata Sailing Club Founding Member’s Award

The Kanata Sailing Club (KSC) Founding Member’s Award was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kanata Sailing Club in honour of the founding members of the club. This trophy is given to the member who has made outstanding contributions to the KSC and to the spirit of community sailing.

The past few years have been challenging for the Kanata Sailing Club both financially and through all the Covid-19 restrictions. Many members stepped in to help guide us over these hurdles putting the club in a better situation financially and accomplishing some big projects at the same time.

Since this award was forgotten for quite some time (it was above the sign-out board! -ed), the idea to resurrect and award this trophy at the KSC Annual Meeting (AM) for past years seemed appropriate. Thank you to the members who submitted the nominations in a very short timeline and for those who volunteered to be judges on the selection committee. We received 18 nominations! Next year, more time will be given for the nomination process and for volunteers to step forward for the selection committee.

The recipients for the KSC Founding Member’s Award for the past 6 years are:

  • 2018 Tom Saunders
  • 2019 Frank Boyaner
  • 2020 Ken Skublics
  • 2021 Deborah McPhedran
  • 2022 Steve Harrington
  • 2023 Stefan Bilan

Congratulations to all the recipients for your outstanding contributions, leadership and commitment to keep our club viable through these past challenging years. We appreciate your time and dedication.

Congratulations Mark Cooligan – 2023 Winner of the 12-Mile Island Circumnavigation Challenge for the Single-handed Monohull and Catamaran trophies

12-Mile Island Circumnavigation Challenge Awards

Since 2002, experienced KSC sailors have challenged each other to see who can sail 15 km upriver to 12-Mile Island, round the island and return to the club the most times in a season from opening day to closing day. Three trophies were donated to the members by Ken Eaves and the late Harry Adderley, who designed and fabricated the trophies.

This year, there were 16 competitors with 27 roundings of the island, plus an additional rounding after closing day. One of the competitors rounded 12-Mile Island 11 times winning 2 of the trophies – an extraordinary feat! The 2023 winners for the 12-Mile Island Circumnavigation Challenge trophies are:

  • Mark Cooligan, who won both the single-handed monohull (4 roundings) and catamaran (6 roundings) trophies with a total of 11 roundings as he also rounded the island once in a double-handed monohull with Steve Harrington.
  • Steve Harrington and Carla Millar won the double-handed monohull trophy for a total of 3 roundings, plus an additional rounding after closing day. Steve also had 2 additional roundings of the island, one solo and another with Mark Cooligan.

Congratulations to all the 2023 competitors for participating in this challenging, fun competition.

KSC Sailing Season – Final Race Series Results

This year’s weekly race series, held on Tuesday nights, went from low/no wind evenings to big winds/waves evenings, where you had to hang on to your tiller and sheets hoping not to capsize!

We had 24 participants come out to compete over the course of the summer series, including many new members. The apres race BBQs were always fun, where stories were shared and bragging rights observed on our newly renovated deck. A big thanks to the instructors Heidi Cloutier and Connor Quinlan for setting up the course and providing the RC boat which occasionally helped sailors needing assistance by righting their boats or towing them back to shore due to the low winds.

The top 10 finishers for the 2023 Final Race Series are:

  1. Steve Harrington
  2. Carla Millar
  3. Mark Cooligan
  4. Liz Prentice Hudson
  5. Jean Mullan
  6. Jason McKenna
  7. Annie Miller
  8. Rob Zgraggen
  9. Mike Lepard
  10. Tom Neumann

Congratulations to all the competitors for coming out each week and a special thanks to Carla Millar for stepping in as Sailing Director when Mike Reece broke his ankle.

Carla Millar presenting Steve Harrington and Mark Cooligan with 12-Mile Island Race Day trophy

12-Mile Island Race Day

It was a big day for the 12-Mile Island Race Day with shifty winds. There were 15 competitors in 9 boats including one of our new learn-to-sail graduates.

To enjoy the hilarious details of that event, you will want to read (or re-read) the race report by event organizer Carla Millar on the overboard coolers, broken hiking straps and death roll capsize practises.

Congratulations to Steve Harrington and Mark Cooligan on winning the 2023 12-Mile Island Race Day. List of 2023 finishers and participants:

  1. Steve Harrington and Mark Cooligan
  2. Ken Skublics
  3. Rob Zgraggen and Bianca Helmus
  4. Frank Boyaner and Jean Mullan
  5. Heidi Cloutier and Connor Quinlan
  6. Tom Neumann and Xiong Xue
  7. Stefan Bilan
  8. Eric Andrews and Devin Linnington
  9. Jason McKenna – turned back early

Congratulations to all the sailors who took on this challenging race and winds. A big thank you to Carla Millar for organizing the day and creating a lovely new trophy.

Steve & Mark won the '23 12mi island race

12 Mile Island Race

Events, Sailing, , , ,

Last Saturday’s 12 Mile Is race (held July 22nd) brought with it warm sunny skies with highs of 25c and winds from the west northwest at 10 kts. The wind pouring in from up river promised to also deliver gusts of 20 kts throughout the day and the idea that rounding the island would give the sailors the ability to cut loose and fly downwind back towards the club. With 9 sailboats all vying for bragging rights and the top winning prize, the weather didn’t fail.

The first to cross the start line was Steve and Mark in the Tasar. They did not disappoint as they beated up river towards the island in just under 2 hours. The 50 minute ride back gave their tense and tired muscles a much needed brake as they soared back and planed downwind to a 4th spot elapsed time finish just behind the 3 catamarans. Their sailing handicap placed them at the head of the leader board with several boats yet to finish.

Rob and Bianca in the Hobie 18 repeated their first place elapsed time result from 2 years ago. The wind didn’t allow for any dining on board this time as it was all hands on deck to deal with the winds. The handicap pushed them back into 3rd place while awaiting the other results.

Heidi and Connor, our fearless sailing instructors, very quickly took over the lead on their way up to 12 Mile Is. in the Hobie 18. As they approached the island, they pondered “How does one exactly gybe this beast anyway?” Having not yet read the Cat sailing manual, Connor resorted to a type of “parkour” sailing style as he threw the tiller extension one way around the back of the boat while simultaneously diving under the boom and catching said tiller on the other side. With thoughts of capsizing swirling in her head with each of these maneuvers, Heidi suffered a trapeze wardrobe malfunction and found herself launched and landing on her skipper Connor in the middle of his parkour maneuvers. A miraculous third place finish would have to suffice for the time being.

Frank and Jean, sailing the stylish RS cat, set out with hopes of an exhilarating ride, planing and surfing their way back to the club. The winds delivered but denied them their lunch experience on the water except for a quick snack of boiled eggs that Frank exclaimed was “the best thing ever!“

Ken, racing in his Laser, streamed across the finish line in quick time, shortly behind the Tasar despite the death roll practices he performed on the way back to the finish, proving again that one can be ejected from a laser and make it back in the boat in just under 1 minute.

Stephan, in the “Bomb” Bombardier, settled in for a full day’s sailing along with his construction cooler filled with a days allotment of food. Finding himself hungry before arriving up river to Pinhey’s Point, Stefan reached for 1 of the many items packed away in his cooler only to have his boat simultaneously give up both hiking straps. While tumbling upside down into the water, Stefan could only think of one important thing: My Cooler! A few successful man overboard maneuvers brought back the food bin into the boat, while Stefan faced some tricky sailing for the rest of the trip without any hiking straps.

Tom and newly qualified sailor Xiong set out in the Quest for the challenge of rounding 12 miles Is. With Tom sporting an old but new bright orange Dry Top, it was sure to allow us the ability to spot him where ever they sailed on the river. He was heard exclaiming that it was now “his new best friend.” This is Xiong’s first rounding. Congratulations are in hand.

Eric and Devin brought up the rear in the other Quest. The two red heads left in a pale condition when they set out only to return in a lovely shade of “pink lobster” upon arrival. 5 hours and 30 minutes in the sun was a challenge to both but they made it safely back to the club. Well done.

Special thanks to Jason who escorted the flotilla as far as Pinhey’s point in his sporty Musto.

Results including Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap

  1. Steve Harrington and Mark Cooligan
  2. Ken Skublics
  3. Rob Zgraggen and Bianca Helmus
  4. Frank Boyaner and Jean Mullan
  5. Heidi Cloutier and Connor Quinlan
  6. Tom Newman and Xiong Xue
  7. Stefan Bilan
  8. Eric Andrews and Devin Linnington

Carla Millar
Acting Sailing Director and Event RC

Steve & Mark won the '23 12mi island race
Eric rounding 12mi island on the RS Quest
Rob & Bianca on a H18 headed to 12mi island
12mi Island
Tom & Xiong on RS Quest headed to 12mi island
Steph on his Bomb headed to 12mi island
An island 12 miles away

NOTICE OF RACE: KSC 12 Mile Is. Regatta Saturday 22 JULY 2023

Events, Sailing, ,

Saturday, July 22nd
Registration : 0930 -1000
Skipper’s Meeting 1000
Start right after the skipper’s meeting
Last Racer start no later than 1100

The annual 12-Mile-Island (Harry Adderly) Regatta has been held since 2011. It is KSC’s longest distance race. Depending on boat used and wind conditions, the rounding of the island can take from 2.5 to 5 hours (with 3-4 hours being typical). Participating in the 12-Mile-Island Regatta (and completing the rounding) counts as a rounding for the Harry Adderly and Ken Eaves sponsored 12-Mile-Island Challenge.

Eligible Sailors/Boats KSC members with boat sign-out privileges and their guests are welcome to enter the event. Boats signed out on a first come basis. So get there early.

Classes and Starts : All dinghy classes including monohulls and multihulls are permitted to race. Portsmouth Numbers will be used to determine the handicap rating for each class and to calculate the Corrected Time (CT) for each boat’s Elapsed Time (ET).

There will be one start — monohulls and multihulls will be required to start between 1000h and 1100h. This is intended so that competitors will finish closer to the same time. A self timed start and finish using the honour system will be used for this event. A mark will be placed out on the water creating a line between the jetty at KSC and the mark. You are to use this line as your start. You are to pass the times on to the sailing director upon finishing at sailing@kanatasailingclub.com or by cellphone (provided onsite). Your Actual time will be calculated using the PN handicap numbers to determine the scores.

Entry Fee : There is no entry fee

Registration : Online Registration to the sailing director’s email address to sailing@kanatasailingclub.com until 11:59pm Friday 21 July 2023 or On-site Registration at the KSC clubhouse on Saturday 22 July 2023 starting at 0930h and continuing until 1000h.

Formal Sailing Instructions (SIs) will be communicated at the skippers meeting at 1000.

Bring your own food and fluids for your sailing journey and for any meals you choose to have after the event. The Deck and BBQ are open.

We will not leave you on the water. I will be on site for the start and available for any urgent help if needed as RC and crash boat until end of the race. No crashing please. I will give out my cell phone number to you all at the skippers meeting. The KSC instructors are welcome to race that day.

Race Finish: The sailing race will officially end at 1700h or 5:00 pm. Bragging rights go anyone who finishes the entire race especially to the top three finishers. Prizes will be awarded.

Carla Millar Acting Sailing Director – KSC sailing@kanatasailingclub.com

12 Mile Island Results & Race Night #4

Sailing, ,

Race night Wed 11 Aug 2021

Only 3 boats showed for race night with very light winds but when we approached the start line the winds picked up to 12 kts or so and gave us a great couple of races. The odd configuration sent Carla in the wrong direction not once but twice with Ken in the steady lead. She caught him on a few legs but lost the challenge after a tough fight. Jean gave Liz her first intro to Cat sailing with smiles all around. They put in a competitive effort but the diminishing wind offered no breaks for the Hobie in the end and they were not able to finish the last race.

Results

  1. Ken S  Race 1&2
  2. Carla Race 1&2
  3. Jean and Liz Race 1 and DNF Race 2

12 Mile Island Race Sat 14 Aug 2021

The morning started with promises of moderate winds WSW at 15 km. By start time for all 8 vessels, the rounding of 12 Mile Is. was going to be putting all of their sailing talents and skills to the test as the winds picked up from WSW 25-30 km.  The first of the sailboats set out with fair winds and hopes of glory, the Harry Adderley trophies for the taking and hopes of a stop at the Poutine Barge just up river. That’s what lured Leopol out with his mum Corinne in the Tasar. Until of course Corinne, in her eager bid to show Leopol how you sail in big wind, forgot the most important task on hand, PUTTING HER  FEET UNDER the hiking straps. Finding herself out of the boat and her son alone in the boat, Corinne’s attempt to not be totally left behind, discovered the hand grabs on the inside of the Tasar cockpit and hung on for dear life while being dragged alongside the sailboat for some distance. Round and round they went. Her desperate pleas to head up wind and un-cleat the Jib went unanswered as Leopol reminded her that he couldn’t with her demands by exclaiming “Mama my hands are much too sore, I can’t do that!.”  until finally Corinne found her way flopping onto the sailboat. A short trip was had as they eventually made their way back followed by another capsize pushed by winds of 25-35 kms that drove them to shore and Leopol again exclaiming “I cannot help you  Mama, my hands, Too Sore!!” Frank and Jean headed out in the Hobie 16, eager to finally get going, equipped with everything they needed for such a long arduous journey, including a full lunch spread prepared by Jean. Did I hear wine glasses clinking? NWN 30-44 km strong winds and driving waves forced the pair to turn back at the Marina, dashing any hopes of a beautiful lunch on board and trophy in hand. Steve set out in the “Farr 3.7” home built. Attempting to be Farr and away, Steve also made it as Farr as the Marina but decided that hanging off the trapeze wire with the winds now blowing a steady 30-35 kms with gusts and large waves that left him at times dangling and swinging off the wire like a puppet in a circus act wasn’t worth the long journey.  The other sailboats passing nearby did comment that he made trapezing look easy despite the winds.  He managed to stay upright all the way back and quite enjoyed the ride until the last minute, in front of a waiting crowd on shore, he proceeded to capsize while lifting his rudder. We enjoyed that for sure!. Devin rang the shore crew from an area still unknown further up river saying his large sail on his windsurfer type sailboat was too much for the conditions and decided to quit while he was ahead and turned around but not before informing us of Tom’s cruising in the Laser near the Quebec shore. Several capsizes later, we were informed by a nice guy on a SeaDoo that Tom needed rescuing. He was found doing his Blue Heron impersonation, wading along the sandy shore line in the  marshes looking for fish and any way out of not having to sail the Laser back. Cold and tired he was greeted with smiles by the rescue boat of Frank and Steve where he happily traded seats with Steve who sailed the Laser back. Glad you were OK Tom. Heidi, Zsombor and Csanad, sporting scant but fashionable swimsuits and life jackets, set out for their fun in the sun adventure in the Albacore. Armed with nothing but a jug of water and several granola bars, they reached the welcomed shores of Port of Call Marina. Half Frozen and in need of Poutine refuelling, they were found doing the lizard thing, baking on the rocks for 2 hours to absorb enough radiant heat to sustain them for the remainder of their trip around the Island. Returning in just over 7 hours and 5 mins, the crew likely set an all time record of the longest rounding. The rescue squad, AKA Frank, Jean and Steve were kept waiting for their safe return.  Frank, who was ready to leave hours beforehand, resorted to being a permanent fixture on his recliner beach chair yet again. Ken S. set out to have a leisurely fun sail in his laser but decided after the strong winds carried him practically to 12 Mile Island that he might as well just join the pursuit and continue in the hunt for that prized 1st place finish. Carla, the PRO, was convinced he had headed in the opposite direction and had likely gone to a pub somewhere to celebrate the nearing of the end of training season, when he failed to return after 2 and a half hours. After several death rolls and practice capsizes, Ken appeared unscathed to capture 2nd place.  That left the 8th vessel , the other Hobie 16, carrying Newlyweds Robert and Bianca, fighting for top spot on the leader board. Nearing the Island, the couple went searching for a secluded romantic spot to stay but left empty handed.  Armed with a competitive spirit, the newlyweds decided to head back to the KSC on a blistering fun, fast surf in a mere 2h 29 mins to capture 1st place.  Congrats!

Results

  1. Robert and Bianca  1st place
  2. Ken Skublics,  2nd place
  3. Zsombor, Heidi and Csanad 3rd place
  4. The rest:  survived!

Carla—KSC Sailing Director

An island 12 miles away

Notice of Race – 12 Mile Island Regatta: Saturday August 14, 2021

Events, ,

Date: August 14th, 2021
Registration : 0930 -1000
Skipper’s Meeting 1005
Start Not before 1000
Last Race start not later than 1100

The annual 12-Mile-Island (Harry Adderly) Regatta has been held since 2011. It is KSC’s longest distance race. Depending on boat used and wind conditions, the rounding of the island can take from 2.5 to 5 hours (with 3-4 hours being typical). Participating in the 12-Mile-Island Regatta (and completing the rounding) counts as a rounding for the Harry Adderly and Ken Eaves sponsored 12-Mile-Island Challenge.

Eligible Sailors/Boats

KSC members with boat sign-out privileges and their guests are welcome
to enter the event. Boats signed out on a first come basis. So get there
early.

Classes and Starts

All dinghy classes including monohulls and multihulls are permitted to race.
Portsmouth Numbers will be used to determine the handicap rating for
each class and to calculate the Corrected Time (CT) for each boat’s
Elapsed Time (ET).
There will be one start — monohulls and multihulls will be required to start
between 1000h and 1100h. This is intended so that competitors will finish
closer to the same time.

A self timed start and finish using the honour system will be used for this event. You are to pass the times on to the sailing director upon finishing at sailing@kanatasailingclub.com or 613-868-0427 my cell. Your Actual time will be calculated using the PN handicap numbers to determine the scores.

Entry Fee

There is no entry fee

Registration

Online Registration to the sailing director’s email address to
sailing@kanatasailingclub.com until 11:59pm Friday 13 Aug 2021 or
On-site Registration at the KSC clubhouse on Saturday 14 August 2021
starting at 0930h and continuing until 1000h.

Formal Sailing Instructions (SIs) will be communicated at the skippers
meeting at 1005h

Bring your own food and fluids for your sailing journey and for any meals
you choose to have after the event. The Deck and BBQ are open.

The sailing race will officially end at 1700h or 5:00 pm. We will not leave
you on the water. I will be away that weekend however Steve Harrington
will be on site for the start and available for any urgent help if needed. We
will give out his cell phone number to you all at the skippers meeting. The
instructors plan on racing that day so will be unavailable to officiate.

Carla Millar
Sailing Director – KSC
sailing@kanatasailingclub.com
613-868-0427

2017 KSC Open Notice of Race

Events, News, Sailing, , , , , , ,

It’s that time of the year again!  The 2017 KSC Open Regatta will be held on Sept 2-3 (Sat-Sun, Labour Day Weekend).  Official Notice of Race (NoR) and Sailing Instructions below

This is a chance for KSC Sailors and those from other clubs to put their Albacore/Laser skills to the test.  Feel free to contact me (sailing@kanatasailingclub.com) for more info!

2017 KSC Open NoR

Sign Up Online Now

KSC Open 2017 Sailing Instructions

12-Mile Island Results, July 29, 2017

Sailing, , , , , , , ,

The wind cooperated for our annual 12-Mile Island event, KSC’s longest distance race.  We had a great turn our with 6 boats (3 cats, 3 monohulls) doing the full run, and 2 more opting to do a half-race to Pinhey’s Point and back (one cat, one Byte).  Many thanks to RC Reese for driving the power boat all the way to Pinhey’s to drop the mark.  I didn’t see what happened during the Half race, so the following account mostly covers the full run.

We did things a bit differently this year, with boats setting off “whenever” and timing their run around the island.  After getting back, we adjusted their times against a handicapping factor.

Ellen/Mark and their family were first to set off in a Hobie 18, followed by Denise/Ken S (Laser 2).  We then had 3 boats take off in close proximity — Tony/Devin (Hobie 18), Ken E/Norm (Albacore), and Jason (Laser).  A while later Frank/Jean took a Hobie 16.  Doing the half trip, and leaving significantly later, were Annie/Greg (Hobie 16), Carla (Byte) and a non-racing MG14.

The leg from KSC to Pinhey’s was largely upwind, with a slight starboard tack favour.  Three basic strategies were used:

  • long tacks from one side of the river to the other (favoured by the cats, and Ken S/Denise)
  • sail on the Quebec side where there were fewer waves and more predictable wind (favoured by Norm/Ken E)
  • sail in the middle of the river, tacking on headers as they hit (favoured by Jason)

During that beat, Ken E/Norm were able to constantly extend their lead over Jason.  Both managed to eventually catch up with Ken S/Denise, who happened to be on the Ontario side on port tack when a wind shift caught them and wouldn’t give them a break.  Tony/Devin’s Hobie 18 got caught in the same shift and Jason passed them around the middle of the river just before Pinhey’s.  There may or may not have been some trash talk exchanged, including referring to the cat as “a boat with training wheels”.  Norm/Ken E was by this point well ahead of both and near the Quebec shore, and the shift which penalized the cat and Laser 2 was a lift for the Albacore, which was pointed straight up river.

Past Pinhey’s the wind steadied out a bit, with starboard tack now heavily favoured.  Tony/Devin blasted by Jason (exchanging a few more light-hearted words) and ripped along.  Between Pinhey’s and the island, Jean/Frank’s Hobie 16 also passed Ken S/Denise.  Jason and the H16 rounded 12-Mile Island together, and the cat outpaced the Laser on the downwind.

The downwind leg was a straight run from Port-of-Call to KSC, and the boats had a choice whether to run it, or to make multiple reaches.  The cats and Norm/Ken E reached, while Jason largely ran (focused on surfing the waves, although he would alter course to try to catch wind gusts) and Ken S/Denise got their nice shiny spinnaker flying.

Tony/Devin claimed honours as first back to the club.

Results

The elapsed time (ET) of each boat was recorded, and adjusted according to the Portsmouth Number (PN) handicap for each boat.  The adjusted time (AT) is:

AT = ET * (1000/PN)

Larger Portsmouth numbers mean a boat is usually slower.  For instance, a Hobie 16 has a larger number (809) than a Hobie 18 (740).  This means what a Hobie 16 does in an hour, a Hobie 18 should be able to do in 54 minutes 53 seconds.  If a PN is greater than 1000 then the AT will be smaller than ET.  If PN is less than 1000, then AT will be greater than ET.

So without further ado, here is what we have:

Sailors Boat PN ET AT
Jean/Frank Hobie 16 809 3:51:53 4:46:38
Devin/Tony Hobie 18 740 3:57:33 5:21:01
Norm/Ken E Albacore 1041 4:01:10 3:51:40
Jason Laser 1097 4:11:04 3:48:52
Mark/Ellen/family Hobie 18 740 4:20:57 5:52:38
Denise/Ken S Laser 2 1065 4:26:00 4:09:46

(Note — please double-check my math on the conversions)

The winner, is Jason, in a Laser!  Despite finishing 4th over all in elapsed time, the Laser’s high handicapping mean he just won over Ken E/Norm.  Look at those adjusted times — there’s less than 3 minutes between them over almost 4 hours.  That’s 1.3% difference.  Here’s the other thing… Jason’s Laser was in good shape.  The foils were shiny, the hull was solid, etc.  The Albacore Ken E and Norm were in has probably seen better days, and had scratches, dings, repairs, probably a leak or two.  I’m sure if the Albacore was in as good a shape as the Laser then it would’ve been no contest.

The cats faired poorly overall on the day.  The wind was to blame for that.  Cats LOVE to sail on a reach, and beating into the wind really takes their speed advantage away over monohulls.  The handicapping formula unfortunately considers reaching performance as well as upwind/downwind performance, so the cats were being scored on a scale which assumed they’d be able to use their quick reaches, and conditions were not cooperating.  If the wind was coming directly across river the whole time, there would be no catching the cats.

Similar results were seen on the half-run.

Sailors Boat PN ET AT
Annie/Greg Hobie 16 809 2:15:00 2:28:38
Carla Byte 1147 1:53:00 1:38:31

Carla was able to round the mark in about 20 minutes less time than the Hobie 16 in a Byte (which is supposed to be slower).  The adjusted time was 50 minutes apart.  Again, this was largely due to the leg being “beating upwind, dead run downwind”, where Carla’s Byte could tack on to take advantage of any momentary wind shift, while the cat was going back and forth across the river.

Congrats, Jason and Carla!  You’ve got bragging rights for the year!

I hope everyone had fun, and don’t forget to email Ken Eaves with your “I’ve done a 12-Mile rounding!” story.  For those who don’t know, Ken and Harry founded the “12-Mile Challenge” and there are trophies for those who round the island the most times in the year in a cat, in a single-handed monohull, and a double-handed monohull.

KSC 12-Mile Island Event this Saturday, July 29, 2017

Events, Sailing, , , , , ,

Each year, Kanata Sailing Club holds a “12-Mile Island” event as a long distance race.  We’ll be doing things a bit different this year, so please read on.

Where is 12-Mile Island?

The island, also called Ile Allen, is upriver (i.e. away from Ottawa) a good distance from KSC.  You sail North-West, past Pinhey’s Point, through the narrows at the Port-of-Call Marina, past Baskin’s Beach (both on the Ontario side), around the island, then back downriver to KSC.  Note that we recommend that you stay near the centre of the channel, especially when you’re sailing on the Quebec side of the island as it can get a bit shallow there.

How long does it take?

Depending on the wind conditions, and the type of boat you sail, a round trip journey generally takes the better part of a day.  The record, as far as I’m aware, is just over 2 hours (set in a fast catamaran, on a big-wind day, by ridiculously skilled and fast sailors).  On a more typical day, it’ll take 3+ hours in a cat, 4+ hours in an Albacore.  A light wind day could take 5 or more hours.

I don’t want to sail that far.

We have another option, and we’ll get to that.  Please keep reading.

How is it fair to people who sail slower boats?

We “handicap” the time.  There are generally accepted ratios as to how fast different boats sail.  The RYA (the UK equivalent of Sail Canada) maintains the handicaps for a bunch of boats.  According to their numbers for example, the Albacore is slightly faster than the Laser.  So, if a Laser can do a course in 60 minutes then it should take an Albacore 57 minutes and a Hobie 16 catamaran should be able to do it in 44 minutes.  We don’t consider the handicaps on our normal race nights, but will do so for this event.  The 2017 list of Portsmouth handicap numbers for monohulls can be found here and for cats here (we’ll be using the “PN Look-a-like” numbers for the cats).

Smaller numbers mean the boat should be theoretically be faster.

Okay, so let’s say I want to participate in the 12-Mile Island Event.  What’s the plan?

In previous year’s we’ve run the event as a “race” with a start line, and finish line, etc.  This year we’re doing things a bit differently since it’s really boring for a race committee to wait 4 hours for a boat to finish.

We’re setting a target finish time of 3:30pm.  You can start whenever you would like (be it 11:06am, 9:48am, noon, 1:21pm if you’re really optimistic, etc).  There will be a bouy in front of the sailing club to act as a starting/finishing point.  Sail from downriver, as close to the bouy as possible, to start your island rounding.  Record what time you started.  As you finish, pass the bouy as close as possible again and record your finish time.  Alternatively, you can use a stopwatch to track how long the run took you.

We’ll figure out an “adjusted time” based on your elapsed time and your boat’s handicap.

Once everyone is back at the club (target 3:30pm with a 4:15pm cut-off) we’ll crunch the numbers and see who did the rounding in the least amount of adjusted time.  Winners to be announced as soon as is practical after everyone is ashore.

As of July 25, the wind forecast is for moderate winds (maybe on the light side of moderate).  I would encourage monohull sailors to target a start time of around 11:00.  This would get you home right on time if the rounding takes you 4hr 30min.  Having a group of monohulls all leaving at the same time also allows you to keep an eye on each other.

What to I win?

Bragging rights, and a round of applause at the club’s AGM.  Also, this counts as one of the roundings for the 12-Mile Island Challenge and the trophies that go along with that.

12-Mile Island Challenge?  What’s that?

KSC founding members Harry Adderley and Ken Eaves have challenged the members of the club to round 12-Mile Island as many times as they can in a season.  There are trophies for those who complete:

  • the most roundings in a cat
  • the most roundings with a double-handed monohull
  • the most roundings with a single-handed monohull

If you round the island as part of this event, it counts towards your yearly total.  Note that in 2016, there were no single-handed monohull roundings, and only 2 (I think) double-handed roundings, so if you had done the 12-Mile Event in a Laser, you would have won.  On a tangential note, I had heard that Carla challenged Norm to round the island in an Opti, so we’ll see if that pans out.  Norm, I suggest you leave the club at 8:00am to make it back by 3:30.

I’m not ready to commit to that long a voyage.  Is there another option?

Yes!  I’ll be dropping a bouy in the middle of the river just past Pinhey’s Point.  This is about 1/2 way to 12-Mile Island.  We’ll actually announce two winners — the fastest time around the island, and the fastest time around the 1/2 way mark.  So, if you can’t get to the club until say 12:30, you might be able to grab a boat and do the half-run before the cut off.

I’m sold, how do I sign up?

Just show up at the club on Saturday July 29, rig your boat, and start your sail!  I aim to have the start mark in the water by 10:00, and the 1/2 mark shortly after.  As mentioned, aim to finish as close to 3:30, as possible, so everyone arrives back at the club around the same time.  Bring something to BBQ, a drink or two, and we’ll go through the results.  We’ll consider boats not finished by 4:15 disqualified.

Boats are first-come-first-serve.

Why the 4:15 cut off time?

This gives us time to crunch numbers, announce winners, and go out in the powerboat to pick up the half-way mark.  If we see any KSC boats struggling to make it back to the club, we’ll also give them a tow home, but please be advised that KSC should not be considered a rescue service.  Use your good judgement to take into account your sailing skills, experience, and weather conditions (both forecast and observed).

I don’t want to sail solo.  How can I find a skipper/crew?

Send me an email at sailing@kanatasailingclub.com if you’re looking for someone to sail with.  I’ll try to get people who email me in touch with each other.

 

12-Mile-Island Regatta Results

Events, News, Sailing, , , , , , ,

Battle at the Leward MarkWell, the wind didn’t cooperate for 12-Mile-Island, and the very light air meant that we were forced to sail with a shortened course (many thanks to instructor Heidi for dropping a mark out by Pinhey’s Point to act as the “Island” for the day).  The 11:00 start (monohulls) saw several boats out for more of a “float” than a sail, and it didn’t look like they had much of a head start by the time the Hobie 18 (12:00 start) was approaching.

The wind did pick up a bit (especially on the Quebec side of the river) as the day went on, and perhaps the course was shortened a little too much.  The target time for the regatta is 4 hours for monohulls, and 3 hours for catamarans, but the first monohull completed the course after about 2.5 hours (Frank and Jean crossed the finish line at 1:26:07pm after an 11:00am start).  Still, I’d rather have a fun 2.5 hour race than a boring 5 hour one…

Actually, the shortened course translated into a close race — all boats (including the cat) finished within a window of 22 minutes, and the adjusted times were even closer.  Although Richard in the Laser finished about 10 minutes behind Norm and Monica in an Albacore, the adjusted times were less than 2 minutes apart.  Similarly, the Tony and Ken E in the cat (1h 37m 42s elapsed time) were very close to Frank and Jean (2h 26m 07s ET).

The adjusted times (AT) are calculated by taking the elapsed time (ET) and multiplying by a handicapping factor called the Portsmouth Number (PN).  The formula used is

AT = ET * (1000/PN)

Okay, now the moment you’ve been waiting for…  remember, it’s the adjusted time that determines your placement…

 Ranking  Class/Sail  Skip  Crew  ET  PN  AT
 5  Laser 196258  Richard  –  2h 47m 20s  1095  2h 32m 48s
 4  Albacore 8034  Norm  Monica  2h 37m 58s  1045  2h 31m 10s
 3  Albacore 8033  Robert B  Tom N  2h 34m 17s  1045  2h 27m 38s
 2  Albacore 7485  Frank  Jean  2h 26m 07s  1045  2h 19m 49s
 1  Hobie 18  Tony  Ken E  1h 37m 42s  765  2h 12m 56s

Congratulations to 2016 12-Mile-Island Regatta winners, Tony Hendrikx and Ken Eaves!

A special thank you goes out to Heidi who dropped the rounding mark early in the day,  Annie and Emily for assisting on shore (and on the water) to make the day run smoothly, Robert for having the foresight to bring a few packages of bottled water for the sailors sitting in the sun, and Darren and Annie for pressure washing the upstairs deck on their duty day!

12-Mile-Island Regatta, 2016 Registration

Events, News, Sailing, , , ,

twelvemileislandphotoRegistration for the 12-Mile-Island Regatta is now closed

The event will be held on Saturday July 16, 2016.  Please see the Notice of Race (NoR) and Sailing Instructions (SIs, to be posted soon…) for event details, including how boat allocation will occur.

To register, enter the details of you and your team-mates below.  If you’re a lone skipper looking for crew (or crew looking for a skipper, or someone willing to do either) then send an e-mail to sailing@kanatasailingclub.com and I’ll do my best to get you in touch with other sailors to form a team.

If you’re planning on sailing a club boat, we’ll work out who gets which hull the day of (i.e. of 4 teams all want Albacore 8033 then we’ll sort that out later… please see NoR/SIs for details).

The e-mail field is optional (not everyone likes to be spammed but the e-mail helps keep you informed of any changes, like if we have too many sign ups for a particular boat class, etc)