Sunday night seemed to be deciding time - whether to abandon the race or keep on plugging through the night with frustrating soft winds. These conditions are very unusual for the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge. There has been long stretch without a decent wind.
Most boats will finish today. Fingers crossed that some new pressure systems will come through soon and we will soon see our line honours skippers popping their nice bottles of Presceco.
Main Duck Course
The boats have all woken up to this morning's sunrise looking at the same boats they were looking at when sun set. Not a good view especially since the light winds may have boats facing the wrong direction. The morning sun has brought some wind, which is forecast to be variable today. Through the night, front runners, got some fresh wind so had a nice gentle sail through the night looking at a beautiful moon.
Afterburn has held onto a 6 mile lead over Esprit de Corps IV for line honours with 44 miles to finish. Suspect has fallen a little from the front runners, but this can change with the winds today.
Many boats have withdrawn. These sailors are waking up to the smell of coffee at a nearby coffee shop or yacht club; one is waking up to fresh coffee at their cottage. No wind is the certainly the reason to stop racing this year!
Scotch Bonnet Course
Scotch Bonnet also experienced light winds overnight but the boats that traveled south of the rhumb line got some wind earlier. It has been a long time since we have had C&C 27 (Dorella), C&C30 (Windburn) and C&C35 (Hip Hip) battling for line honours, but with the Dufour 44 (Deva) only 6 miles back with less than 50 miles to finish, it could be a close one this year.
A good afternoon to come down to PCYC and watch the winning boats finish from the upper balcony. It is an excellent experience.