Susan Hood Trophy Race 2023 at Port Credit Yacht Club
by J/Boats 19 Jun 2023 10:00 NZST
Susan Hood Trophy Race © Susan Hood Trophy Race
The Susan Hood Trophy Race presented by driveHG, and hosted by Port Credit Yacht Club, usually known as the "Coolest Race" became the "Hottest Race" on the Lake with just under 80 boats at the start line and shirt sleeve weather for much of the ride.
After a near postponement at the start due to a storm cell in the area, all divisions started on time in good air. Then, as predicted by Ron Bianchi the local weather expert, and like most LOOR events, the fickle wind conditions tested everyone's mettle and sanity all the way to the Niagara mark.
Conditions stabilized for the run down to Burlington and in the early morning hours, the winds really settled in. That made for a splendid fetch to the finish line at PCYC.
This year's Susan Hood Trophy Race provided racers with a bit of everything added to the challenge of a Lake Ontario race, albeit without the biting flys. Stories were told at the dock after the race around the boats of sleepless skippers and crew. They were all with smiling faces and a "where do I sign up for next year" attitude.
No question, several J/Sailors were delighted by the outcome of the race.
In the PHRF Solo division, Ard Van Leeuwen's J/112e HIGH TEA ended up second in class, followed by Evan Dinsmore's J/99 SELKIES in third place!
Winning PHRF A division of eleven boats was Graham Toms' J/120 THE CAT CAME BACK. Just off the pace was Bruce Pierce's J/122 HOOLIGAN II, finishing seventh. Then, in the PHRF C division, Robert DeWitte's J/100 PERSPECTIVE took fourth place just minutes from getting second place!
Event website: www.loor.ca/susan-hood-trophy-race