Race Report: Susan Trophy Race – June 3

Jun 15, 2022

By Katie Nicoll

The forecast looked promising, as you can be subject to NO wind or TOO much wind for the “Coolest Race on the Lake”. However, we had pretty good winds for the entire race, although at the start it looked doubtful with very light winds and a following sea.

This year’s race was the reverse of a typical course. Starting just off Port Credit Yacht Club, five starts tacked up to the Fogh mark off Clarkson, rounding to port, when the wind just about pooped out again. Off on a tight reach for the next several hours to Niagara, where the wind switched, and we were able to fly spinnakers.

Rounding the Niagara mark to starboard the BIG question was, which foresail to put up? A Number one or a number three? One nautical mile from the mark we made the decision to go with our “putter” – which was definitely the right choice, as the wind continued to build in the 15-20 knot range with very large waves. It was tough upwind slugging on the longest leg of the race to the Burlington Spider Tower, rounding again to starboard. The bonus for the night was the glorious sky which was lit up by many shooting stars.

The fluky winds in Burlington Bay made for some interesting 60–80-degree shifts, but we played them all, keeping well clear of the Spider to head home. Again, a nice tight reach, which turned into a spinnaker run and then back to a tight reach, while watching the sun come up and to be able to have breakfast back at Port Credit Yacht Club.

So glad I was wearing my fleece pants, ski hat, ski toque, and ski socks which made it pretty darn comfortable. A fun 79-mile race with your some of your best buds sure makes for a fun night… and finishing first in our division sure helped too.

CY’s Katie Nicoll was aboard Mike Pietz’ J35 Shorthanded in the Susan