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PYC
AT THE FLYING SCOT CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP The second group trip on the Scot Fleet 20itinerary was a weekend at scenic Stony Lake Ontario for the Canadian Nationals. Everyone left Friday morning at 7:00 AM with two totally different results in terms of getting to the marina. The Davis, Moore and Hawkins contingent went through Port Huron and arriving at 6:00 while. Michael & Ela took the tunnel and arrived at 3:30. What could account for such a disparity? Was it a lack of wind? No. Can you say traffic jam in Toronto and a blown out tire on the Hawkins trailer? After a few stiff drinks, the Port Huron group was able to quickly forget this portion of the excursion and start enjoying everything the event had to offer. The weekend was full of fun racing and socializing. Everyone was put up in different guest homes, which were situated on small islands around the lake. The central meeting place was the clubhouse, also situated on an island where a caterer who transported all the food and equipment to cook by boat from the mainland prepared to prepare all the meals. It was enough to make one forget that they were actually here to race and sail. As far as the racing, surprise, surprise, racing on Stoney Lake was like Portage Lake! Pick a shift any shift. The first race was abandoned due to a lack of wind after 30 minutes and started again right after lunch on the water (didn’t we just eat breakfast?). The next three races came off without a hitch and Brian & Suzy Hawkins showed the PYC strength by finishing the day in 5th place out of 22 boats. Saturday night brought the the fleet 20 contingent clad in kilts, to the famous USA versus Canada paddling contest. 10 straight times this contest had been held and all 10 times the Canadian team claimed victory. Jim, Brian and Todd lent their muscle to the cause. Team USA lead by Captain Dan Gelman from Pittsburgh PA, an experienced Dragon Boat paddler, was determined to turn the tide this year. He recruited a team of eager paddlers, and coached them on proper technique and team unity. Just prior to the start, the author watched atop the clubhouse and could not but help notice how smug his Canadian onlookers seemed. There was plenty of smirking about our past record. After an even start, the Team USA gradually inched ahead and won the race in a thrilling finish to a standing ovation. On the deck of the clubhouse, the author thought for a moment that he was in a library as all the banter prior to the race was replace with almost complete silence. Team Canada, although surprised at the outcome, showed great sportsmanship and congratulated the winners. Sunday brought rain and lots of it. It appeared as though there wouldn’t be any racing as thunder and lightning postponed the racing for one hour . It was then decided to hold the final race (much to the glee of defending champion Tam Mathews). Everything was good until the final windward leg when it started raining once again. And did it rain!! The 20 minute sail in was a soaker and so was putting our boats away for the trip home. Most of us cannot remember being so wet. Brian and Suzy Hawkins once again were the top PYC finishers coming in at 8th out of 22 participants.
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