— by Betsy Wareham —
Round the County Race. Photo courtesy of Stephen Hulley, Rear Commodore, Orcas Island Yacht Club
This year marked the 27th year of the Round the County Sailboat race. Sponsored by Friday Harbor Sailing Club and the Orcas Island Yacht Club, this two day race around San Juan County is one of the most popular sailing events of the year. 100 boats registered for the race. Starting at Lydia Shoal,in Rosario Strait, this years race went clockwise around the Islands. Light air delayed the start, then it filled in for most of the Strait, but it disappeared again on the south side of Lopez. While most boats managed to make it to the intermediate point at Iceberg Point, almost no one managed to get all the way to Roche Harbor by the end of the day. It was still a wonderful day to be on the water.
Day 2, Sunday, was a different story. The fleet got away under spinnaker, headed for Stuart Island. The wind moved from SW to NW and the fleet continued to Patos, as the colorful fleet spread out up Boundary Pass. We hope people got a chance to see the fleet from the north shore of Orcas, it was a pretty amazing site. We continued into Rosario Strait , and everything was golden until we hit the Pea Pods, where the wind started playing tricks on us. Up with the jib, drop the spinnaker, the wind is coming from three directions at once, boats 20 ft away would suddenly accelerate while you didn’t move!
If you were able to connect the gusts at the finish you made tremendous gains on your
competition. Very exciting!
When we all ended for the day, the Overall Winner was LONGBOARD a Rip Tide 35 from West Vancouver, sailed by Peter Salusbury and crew.
Locally, TIME BANDIT (Bob and Barb Brunius) and PTOLEMY (Eric Moulton and Ian Wareham) both from Orcas finished 3rd in their respective divisions. Other boats participating from San Juan County include; TOMAHAWK (Karl and Jessica Kruger), WAILANA (Greg Sutherland) SABRA (John Miller), MADAME PELE (Tom and Ian Andrewes), CHINOOK (Jimmy Roser and Robin Hirsch), and SPIRIT (Pete Helsell). A good turn out for the locals.
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Betsy.. My home on the north shore was the perfect place to see the fleet turn, pass Patos and Sucia on the way around. Very exciting!!
It was exciting to watch it from 1/3 way up the NW flank of Buck Mountain… so many sails!
The organization of this event (by Betsy Wareham) and the skill and sportsmanship demonstrated by all the participants was truly outstanding and congrats to all. As Commodore of OIYC I am very proud to be in your company.