The 2019 BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta had a perfect race from start to finish.
After several spring races that included the Swiftsure Yacht Race suffered from lack of wind, Lasqueti Island event delivered the goods. The 32nd annual event was hosted by the Schooner Cove Yacht Club located at Fairwinds Marina in Nanoose Bay.
“What a day to be on the water,” said Peter Milne, regatta chairma. “Great but changeable winds under a bright blue sky. It was amazing to me how close the boat times were. Most times were within one or two minutes of each other after 41 miles! It was a tight race from beginning to end.”
The morning of June 1 saw the first start with light winds from the northwest, but the wind soon filled in for a great reach across to Lasqueti Island.
Many boats struggled to get through the infamous Lasqueti hole and the south end of Sabine Channel but enjoyed a fast beat to the northwest corner of Lasqueti Island, with several boats enjoying whale sightings.
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The last leg home was a spinnaker run that just kept getting better and better as the NW wind built to 15 knots. After 41 miles, most boats were back at the dock by 7 p.m., with all boats finishing before 10 p.m.
Thirty-three race boats from 10 B.C. yacht clubs came together to tackle one of the most spectacular and challenging courses in the Vancouver Island Racing Series. With five divisions starting from outside Fairwinds Marina, 170-plus skippers and crew set a course counter clock-wise around Lasqueti Island.
The winner of Division One (Multihulls) and the overall winner, was Dream Chaser, skippered by Greg Keel of Nanaimo Yacht Club, who took home the Windsor Plywood Cup
Other Division winners were:
Division Two: Synergy, skippered by Nigel Philcox, Nanaimo YC
Division Three: Godzilla, skippered by Alan Ip, Vancouver Rowing Club
Division Four (Cruising Div.): Mistletoe, skippered by Chris Clarke, Chemainus YC Division 5: Lickety Split, skippered by Tom Stevens, SAYC
Line Honours went to Westerly, skippered by Stuart Dahlgren, Royal Victoria YC.
Best overall performance by a Schooner Cove Yacht Club member and recipient of the Fairwinds Cup, was SPUD, skippered by John Collins.
Milne creditted the more than 40 club volunteers who assisted in organizing the race events, served hundreds of meals, and participated in the planning, promotion and details that go into one of the most successful regattas on Vancouver Island.
“It was a pleasure working with them,” said Milne, who also thanked the more than 40 sponsors and prize donors particularly BMW Nanaimo, Windsor Plywood, UK Sails and Thrifty Foods, as well as many others sponsors.
For a full list of results and information about the regatta, go to www.scyc.ca/racing/regatta
The 33rd regatta will be held June 5-7, 2020.
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