Good times had at the 6th Annual Moose Regatta held in Dryden, Ontario.
Friday saw about a dozen sailors enjoying the warm sunny day practicing on the
water in a light southerly breeze. That night, everyone gathered at the
Riverview Lodge for snacks, drinks and lots of laughs welcoming back friends
from afar. First thing Saturday morning, Eagles Landing provided a buffet style
breakfast to fuel us up for the day ahead. With forecasted winds gusting up to
25 knots for Saturday, the anticipation was high. We were all scrambling rigging
different sails as the winds increased hour by hour. After a brief strategy
session with the Race Committee, figure 8 slalom racing was decided to be the
call for the day. 3 laps for the A Fleet, and just 2 laps for the Sport fleet. A
small wind shift in the second race had made the far mark a bit of an upwind
beat, but shortboards were still able to make the mark with some skill. By the
end of the 3rd slalom race, the wind had shifted 30 more degrees to make the
outside mark impossible to make without a tack (or two!). The wind was blowing a
steady 25 knots by this time, so with the course having to be reset late in the
day and everyone already pretty beat up, it was decided to quit racing for the
day. The stop in racing allowed most competitors to get back out on the water to
do some free-riding in the high wind and waves. Lots of fun was had before
everybody was treated to a superb dinner at the Risorante Italia Saturday night
filling their stomachs with salad, pasta & pizza. Lots of laughs and stories
were shared throughout the night from the challenging conditions experienced on
Saturday.
Sunday the winds were already blowing 20+knots in the morning before another
buffet breakfast at Eagles Landing. Anticipation again was high with the Island
Race being up first. Longboard seemed to be the call and everyone was on the
water for the start. Josh Woodworth nailed the start on a full plane and quickly
jumped out front. The first jibe at Picnic Island proved to be the burial ground
for many of the front running sailors battling extreme winds gusting to 30
knots, and large waves. A few snuck through the channel unscathed by the
conditions. These same sailors that made it through, also proved to be the top
three finishers from the long distance race. Woody ended up going through his
sail head first blowing out a panel; others limped back to shore banged up from
the 45 minute race in 24-32 knots. 2 course races were held after the long
distance race with the second of the course races being done in a steady 25+
knots. Competitors had their hands full with the extreme conditions, but still
come off the water smiling at the end of the day. Everyone derigged to get ready
for the awards ceremony around 3pm.
Top finishers are as follows:

Overall
1st – Peter Hartwich – Excelsior, MN
2nd – Don Altmeyer – Fond du Lac, WI
3rd – Jeff Earnshaw – Thunder Bay, ON

Open Class
1st - Peter Hartwich (MN)
2nd - Don Altmeyer (WI)
3rd - Brad Woodworth (ON)

Limited Class
1st - Jeff Earnshaw (ON)
2nd - Ray Muller (ON)
3rd - Bruce Stratford (ON)

Sport Class
1st - Larry Reed (IA)
2nd - Margot Woodworth (ON)
3rd - Daniel Muller (ON)

Thanks go to Race Director Michael Fox (Fleet 8) and his crew of David Sutton
and Andy Aitken for their long days on the water working under extreme
conditions. Also thanks to the members of Northwest Ontario Windsurfing Club and
the Dryden Kinsmen Club for their individual support throughout the event.
Sponsors of the 2009 Moose Regatta include Northwest Ontario Windsurfing, DMTS,
Wilson's Business Solutions, Holiday Inn Express, Ristorante Italia, Eagles
Landing, Casually Hip, Moosefest, CKDR 92.7FM, Dryden Development Corporation
and the City of Dryden.

Next big event for Northwest Ontario Windsurfing Club will be the CMWA Canadian
Championships August 6-9, 2010. Mark your calendars now as this will be the not
miss event for 2010.

Good Winds,
Brad Woodworth – CAN757
Director – Northwest Ontario Windsurfing
www.windsurfnow.ca