2012 Women Skippers Race
Sue and Tina came to Toronto from Belleville to join us in the Women Skippers Race. Unfortunately, it was raining with high winds and big waves, so we made the decision to stay at the dock and enjoy a visit, rather than brave the elements. As we sat in the cockpit, we saw a small boat coming in without its mast. We quickly realized that the situation was not good. Knot J.A.F.S. was still in the harbour when the rudder broke off, which caused the boat to lose control, and the forestay parted, and the mast came down. Fortunately, neither Heather nor her crew, Dana, were hurt. Dana managed to get the boat back into the lagoon, steering with the outboard. After we helped them dock, Ed made a cup of tea for Heather, and Katie kept her company, then Ed, Tina and I helped Dana undo the shrouds, remove the boom and mast from the boat, and get the sail off. Once Dana and Ed moored the boat in its usual spot, we had some lunch, and a drink to calm nerves. We listened to VHF 69 to hear a number of boats retiring from the race, including two other boats which lost their rudders. We also heard a mayday on VHF 16, and three men were removed from a boat awash at the western gap. We were glad that we hadn't ventured out, and enjoyed good company for the afternoon, before heading to the clubhouse for Ribfest dinner.
Sue and Tina came to Toronto from Belleville to join us in the Women Skippers Race. Unfortunately, it was raining with high winds and big waves, so we made the decision to stay at the dock and enjoy a visit, rather than brave the elements. As we sat in the cockpit, we saw a small boat coming in without its mast. We quickly realized that the situation was not good. Knot J.A.F.S. was still in the harbour when the rudder broke off, which caused the boat to lose control, and the forestay parted, and the mast came down. Fortunately, neither Heather nor her crew, Dana, were hurt. Dana managed to get the boat back into the lagoon, steering with the outboard. After we helped them dock, Ed made a cup of tea for Heather, and Katie kept her company, then Ed, Tina and I helped Dana undo the shrouds, remove the boom and mast from the boat, and get the sail off. Once Dana and Ed moored the boat in its usual spot, we had some lunch, and a drink to calm nerves. We listened to VHF 69 to hear a number of boats retiring from the race, including two other boats which lost their rudders. We also heard a mayday on VHF 16, and three men were removed from a boat awash at the western gap. We were glad that we hadn't ventured out, and enjoyed good company for the afternoon, before heading to the clubhouse for Ribfest dinner.