Light Wind
This year was the 28th NOD regatta, held on July 26-28. Eight separate one-design classes took part, ranging from 6 to 18 boat, with 10 boats travelling Toronto, Montreal and the USA. On Friday racing started for the 7 boats in the J/24 class, but in the light winds only one race could be run. That evening, a Welcome Reception was held in Harbourview Hall, featuring brief speeches by our Commodore, Ross Laver and BYC’s Commodore, Aaron Middleton, followed by entertainment from a live band.
Less Wind
On Saturday, there was less wind! Our Principal Race Officer and Head Race Bosun spent the day on the water looking for some, but to no avail. Meanwhile us racers did what we do when we can’t race; chatted about past victories and on-course heroics, played cards, created a mass (21 boat) raft-up in the middle of the river, got too much sun, swam to cool off and consumed snacks and other refreshments. In the evening, with the club and deck packed to capacity, we were entertained by a challenging quiz and boat building games, followed by a wonderful dinner of ribs and chicken, prepared by our Galley Kitchen and Staff. Those not too full or tired from a day in the sun did a bit of dancing after…
No Wind
On Sunday morning, there was no wind, and it did not get any better. At 1230 racing was postponed for the day, allowing out-of-town competitors to haul out their boats and start heading home. It was very unlucky to have three days in a row with winds too light for racing, but everyone I talked to was very gracious about it; “it happens and it’s part of the sport”, as one of our visitors put it. Even so, as NOD Chair it was very frustrating given the effort that over 50 volunteers put into organizing, running and preparing to compete in the event, not to mention the huge effort put in by our Staff over three days to keep everyone fed and watered while waiting for the wind.
Out volunteers this year were:
Race Officers: PRO Anne Sanderson, Tom Shenstone and Rick Nelson.
Judges: Greg Dagavel, Martin Rheume, Chris Walmsley.
Scorers: Zhanna Orazgalieva, Jennifer Haliday.
Bosuns: Luke (Head Race Bosun), Caitlyn, Darius, Cyrus and the Mark-set team from BYC.
NOD Planning: Renée Young, Dominic Goodwill, Scott Hayley, Bob Dougall, Analiese Cassidy, Cameron Wood, Sheena Stewart.
Fleet Representatives: Elizabeth Pattey, Michelle Cimon, Jeff Jorgenson, Vince Samoza, Patricia Wallinger, Renée Young, Martin Rutter, Van Sheppard, Paul Place, Simon Grégoire.
On-Water Volunteers: Thai Lee, Nathan Lang, Barbara Hemming, Wendy Farrell, Ted Ceelen (+ boat), Tricia Carran, Andy Carran, Tim Moses (+ boat), Chris Kuchciak, Jessica Peters, John Lunn.
On-Shore Volunteers: Sheena Stewart, Semra Gulder, Nancy Rooyakkers, Bjarki Hallgrimsson, Don Popadick, Janice Tibbetts, Zhanna Orazgalieva, Richard Tanguay, Peter Monette, Meng Fei Wei, Harrienne Rosanes, Rong Rose Liu.
Our Sponsors: Mount Gay, Mainbrace Studios, Camerons Brewing, Pace Performance, Hyatt Hotel Ottawa West, Aneos Food Services, The Chandlery, Competition Composites.
Thank you all so much!
