4:50 PM Tue 5 Jan 2010 GMT
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At 300 nautical miles, the Lake Ontario 300 is a unique test of sailing skill. The longest annual fresh water race in the world, it is also the only circumnavigation of a Great Lake. The navigational requirements add to the challenge; which is why the Lake Ontario 300 has continuously attracted competitive racing yachts, cruiser/racers, as well as the cruiser looking for new challenges.
The Lake Ontario 300 was another huge success in 2009 with record participation, sponsorship and number of yachts finishing the race. The organizing committee has been hard at work looking for ways to improve this race for 2010 and have some exciting plans for all participants. On-going listening to comments from past years participants is providing excellent feedback for planning the future of the LO300.
The Lake Ontario 300 is actually three distinct races in a single event. First, we have the original full circumnavigation of Lake Ontario, which is now referred to as the Main Duck Island Course. Updated in 2009 to remove non-permanent race marks; the course travels east from Port Credit Yacht Club, West of Toronto, to a Toronto Islands mark, and directly to the Main Duck Islands at the Eastern end of Lake Ontario, then south to the Ford Shoal Buoy near Oswego, New York, along the South shore to the Niagara mark, at the mouth of the Niagara River, then directly North across the lake to the finish at PCYC.
Second, the exciting new short course, which was originally created to accommodate white sail only yachts, was updated last year and will take yachts around Scotch Bonnet Island. The Scotch Bonnet Island course will follow the Main Duck Fleet to the Toronto Island mark, then sail East to the Scotch Bonnet Island near Prince Edward County, then cross over the lake to the Niagara mark, before a finish at PCYC. The course is slightly longer than previous short courses on the LO300 and offers new challenges and exciting scenery. Again in 2010, slower yachts will be racing this course under spinnaker.
And third, for the second year, the LO300 is host to the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society solo racing event on Lake Ontario. The LO300 Solo Challenge provides an opportunity for eligible sailors to challenge themselves in a 300 nautical miles singlehanded race. All finishers become members of the GLSS and they are all winners
Lake Ontario is rich in history; the Main Duck and Scotch Bonnet Islands are an interesting part of the local marine heritage and will be important features of the event. The LO300 is once again opened to monohull yachts racing under PHRF and IRC rating systems, as well as multihull yachts. It has fully crewed and double handed divisions. The organizing committee is accepting requests from various one-design fleets who are interested in including this challenging offshore event in their existing series. The LO300 has grown beyond its popularity in the early 90's and saw a record year in 2009 with more than 170 yachts on the start line. The event offers new and exciting challenges that cannot be matched in a regatta and that will undoubtedly be a valuable test of any crew skills.
Visit the Lake Ontario 300 at the Toronto International boat Show
This year at the Toronto International Boat show, make sure you take the time to check out the latest in offshore racing on Lake Ontario at booth #1648.
The Lake Ontario 300 will be sharing a booth with organizers of the Susan Hood Trophy Race and the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series. The fastest growing and most exciting yachting experience on the lakes will once again be represented by volunteer members who will assist you with any questions about participation and provide updates on the events. This booth is a must visit for any cruiser or racer who is considering offshore or shorthanded racing. The challenges and rewards are easily identified when you network with the many participants that will be onsite at the show.
Boat Show early registration incentives will be available for the respective events, so don't miss out! Other reasons to visit the Lake Ontario 300/LOSHRS booth include learning about the planned Winter Presentation Series on Offshore Racing and Toronto's upcoming first US Sailing Offshore Racing Certification seminar; getting more details about the Susan Hood overnight race, which is being organized by the LO300 as a feeder race and will be expanded for the first time to include a double handed division; find out about the new web based tracking system being used for the LO300; have a sneak preview of the LO300 retail program and chat with many experienced sailors about their offshore experience.
The 2010 Lake Ontario 300 will start on Saturday, July 17th 2010 at the Port Credit Yacht Club. Check out the website
www.lo300.org
for updates, seminar dates and registration information; additional details about the event are also available by contacting Guy Perrin, the 2010 race chair, at 416-729-4897.
by Guy Perrin
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Hogan Island, VIC
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